buy your haus

 

create a plan

 

Determine your budget, and if financing, get pre-approved for a mortgage. Chatting with lenders can help us clearly understand what is manageable for you and your timeline. I recommend chatting with 2 to 3. I have some rad local lenders I can introduce you to!

Pre-approvals are typically good for a solid 90 days, which is typically plenty of time to haus shop! From the time we get our offer accepted, to when you’ll get keys, is about 30 days.

lenders we love:

 

start the search

 

Once you have your pre-approval letter, we will start touring homes that fit your vision.

Start manifesting what you’re looking for in your haus! The more specific you can be, the better. I encourage you to complete the vonderhaus vision exercise before we begin.

important Qs to consider :

  • where are you looking to live? What is too far north, south, east, + west?

  • how many bedrooms + bathrooms? Sometimes homes have bonus spaces that can provide you with the space you need.

  • what is your target move in date? The process from when we get our offer accepted to when you get keys to your new place is about 30 days.

  • are you open to living in both WA + OR? There is no income tax in Washington, so if you are self-employed or even work from home, this could be a huge advantage come tax season. (I’ll take a 10% raise!)

  • what are your long-term real estate goals? are you planning on staying in this area? are you starting a family? interested in investment properties?

 

offer talk

 

Once you’ve found the one, I’ll help you draft a winning offer. I’ll ensure you know what your options are and how to remain competitive if necessary to secure the property you desire.

Once your offer is accepted, we are officially under contract. You have the exclusive right to purchase the property and it will be marked pending.

inspections

 

After we get our offer accepted, we assess the condition of the property during what is called the inspection contingency period.

I have go-to inspectors and contractors for just about everything. I will be responsible for scheduling the inspections within a timely manner.

Common inspections in the PNW include:

  • General Home Inspection

  • Sewer Scope

  • Radon Test

  • Oil Tank Locate (if necessary)

While radon and sewer inspections are pass/fail, a general home inspection is always a fail! This means there is always going to be multiple issues that come up with any give property, including new construction.

Once we have our inspection reports back, I can utilize that information to collect bids, often for the major health, safety, and structural concerns of the property.

We’ll review those estimates from the pros and go through which items you’re willing to assume and which ones you’d like to ask the sellers to take care of.

 

negotiations

 

During our inspection period, we can negotiate for either a price reduction, closing cost credit, or repairs on the haus.

My favorite part of the entire process, aside from handing you keys, is negotiating to get you concessions you need to make repairs.

Keep in mind, we have to reach some kind of mutual agreement with the seller within before our inspection contingency period ends.

There are 3 different ways to negotiate:

  • have seller do repairs prior to close — “hey we want you to repair the sewer line + remove the mold from the attic prior to close.”

  • price reduction — “the mold is $2,500 + the sewer repair is $5k. We want you to reduce the price by $7,500 to offset that cost.”

  • issue concessions / asking for credit — “credit us $7,500 towards our closing costs and we’ll move forward.”

We can chat more about the impact of these three more in person.

 

closing

 

Once the loan has gone through underwriting, escrow will receive your docs, and you will sign all necessary paperwork. Once all parties have signed, the purchase will be funded.

Once those steps are completed, it’s released to be recorded with YOU as the owner on the deed! Typically, this will happen before 5PM on closing day. I will be contacted by title + escrow, then give you a ring to let you know the good news!

I strive to be a resource for you before, during, and after you take possession of your new haus. Please reach out to me for anything!