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Before You Shop For Your Home
Whether you've spent years saving and preparing to buy a home or you’re not sure you can even afford one, the questions surrounding a house purchase can feel endless. Regardless of your reasons, we at CENTURY 21 AA Realty know how daunting the process can seem. That's why we like to begin with an in-person buyer consultation. Your sales agent will help you identify and clarify your requirements for your new home, and guide you through the search.

We stay with you every step of the way, diligently monitoring the current inventory of available homes to find those that meet your expectations. We also provide community information so that the home of your dreams resides in a desirable neighborhood.

Your CENTURY 21 AA Realty agent will show you any home on the market, even those listed with other REALTORS®. This means that if you see a for sale sign, an advertisement or internet listing you would like to know more about, we can help you decide if you should see the property in person. During this process, we also can assist your mortgage credit approval.

You can find the answers and peace of mind by working with CENTURY 21 AA Realty, an industry leader in experience and service.

Things to consider before you buy
Don’t go it alone. Find a real estate professional.
CENTURY 21 AA Realty can help you find your dream home and coordinate your financial responsibilities.

Mortgage
Savings over the life of a loan can be affected by a difference of even half a percentage point. For instance, the difference in the monthly payment on a $100,000 mortgage at 8 percent vs. 7.5 percent is about $35 per month. Over 30 years, that's $12,600.

Pre-qualify for a mortgage loan
Pre-qualifying for a loan determines how much you can afford to spend. It allows you to act quickly when you find the right home, especially when there are other interested buyers. It also indicates to the seller that you are serious and can afford to buy the property.

Refine your requirements
Create a realistic vision of the property you would like to own. Consider what amenities you would not want to live without and others that would purely be nice to have. Refine these items as your progress through your search. Searching online will show you what is currently available on the market. Your CENTURY 21 AA Realty professional can then show you houses that meet your expectations.

Start visiting
Now you’re ready to see houses. CENTURY 21 AA Realty agents will arrange showings and keep track of the properties you have visited. With each viewing, revisit your notes to eliminate those that clearly do not meet your standards.

Know what hurts or helps resale
Garages, swimming pools, backyards. There are many features that a house that can affect the resale value. At CENTURY 21 AA Realty, we can help you discover what sells and what doesn’t.

Evaluate the properties you visit
Keep track of what you have seen by writing notes on what you did or did not like. Start by picking which home you liked best on day one, and use that as your standard. When you find a home that surpasses your favorite, set a new standard. Avoid trying to track more than a handful of choices at any given time.

The offer
We will guide you through the complicated process of making an offer. Oral promises are not legally binding when it comes to the sale of real estate. Therefore, you need to enter into a written contract, which starts with your written proposal. This proposal not only specifies price, but all the terms and conditions of the purchase, so it is important to let someone knowledgeable guide you.

Home inspection.
Home inspection follows the acceptance of the offer. We can help you find a reputable inspector, and ensure you get the most for your money once the report is final. If you negotiate repairs as part of the purchase, ask for a walk-through before finalizing the paperwork.

Set closing date
Now you are ready to set an actual time and place for the closing to take place. Make sure the settlement takes place before the loan commitment expires, but leave yourself time for all the necessary documentation to be assembled.

Closing
The final step on your road to homeownership is the closing or settlement of the purchase transaction and mortgage loan. Be sure to make all required deposits and complete all paperwork before your closing date.

Move preparation
Some basic move preparations include arranging for electric, water and gas, cleaning or removing the carpet, and filling out a change of address form. If you’re planning on giving the place a facelift, the best time for renovations is before you move in.