Amy S. Arey

Own This Home or others For Only $100.00 Down!

(click the photo to contact agent for more details or call Amy directly at 214.901.1341)

Click *Here* to view OTHER Homes for sale in Frisco under $175,000

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Courtesy Halo Group Realty, LLC

How to Buy a Home…The “Cliff Notes”

What’s hotter than Whitney Houston’s Will, Snookie’s pregnancy rumor or Lenny Kravitz’s appearance in “the Hunger Games”…..? INTEREST RATES. Just ask your Grandparents Most would agree, that now, is a FABULOUS time to buy a home (especially with all of the inventory to choose from out there!).

Many home-buyers get wrapped up in the overwhelming details of buying a home and get frustrated. That being said, below, you will find the clear, easy, precise way to home-ownership. Obviously, there are details along the way in which your lender, title company and Realtor must coordinate, but it’s best to leave those in the hands of the professionals, while still knowing what’s going on “with” your transaction.

1. Get pre-approved by a lender you trust and are comfortable with

Can I skip to #2 before I find a lender? No. A lender will tell you which plans are best for your financial goals, how much home you are approved for, as well as if there are any inaccuracies on your credit you should take care of prior to purchasing, that would prevent you from otherwise doing so. I don’t know any loan officers personally. How do I find one? Should I just google one? No. a home is likely the largest investment you could possibly make in your life. Do you really want to “just google one”? Ask friends, family and your Realtor (if you already have one) whom they recommend or whom they have had good experiences with. Make sure you feel comfortable with this person–you will have to communicate with them a LOT over the next month or so. If inaccuracies or “credit delays” prevent you from owning now, ask your Realtor for a trusted Credit Repair Company. Many times, depending upon what is ON your credit, you may be able to buy in 1-6 months. It does NOT have to be expensive OR painful.

2. Determine How Soon You Would Like to Move

Only you know what is best for your move-time. If within 3 months or so, go to step # 3. Otherwise, there are multiple sites for you to browse online to determine what is available in the neighborhoods you are interested in (don’t know which neighborhoods you are even interested in yet? Your Realtor can help you with this.

3. Find a Realtor

First and foremost, make sure this person has your best interests at heart and is willing to fight for you (notice I didn’t say “with you”) every step of the way. Again, ask friends, family, coworkers who they have used. Most people are quick to pass on a referral who has done a good job for them and know they would take care of you as well. This person will listen to your needs and wants and will help create a plan to meet your goals. Happy Searching!

4. Submitting an Offer

Once you have found the place you’d like to call “home”, your Realtor will run comps to determine a fair offer. The general rule is to submit an offer which is fair (and not insulting) but that you will likely get a counter back on. Your Realtor will suggest the best negotiation tips. (Can’t give away all of our secrets in an open forum From here, your Realtor will “write up a contract” filling in the blanks of the many items and blanks to negotiate within a contract. Send over that pre-approval letter to submit with your offer. Most listing agents will not even present to their sellers without one. No one wants their time wasted by an unqualified buyer. (Oh, you thought price was the only obstacle?). Once all terms are agreed to, you will move on to step 5.

5. Executing a Contract

This simply means all parties have agreed to all of the negotiated terms. You will now write two checks–one for the option fee (made payable to the seller) …generally $100.00 and one for the earnest money (made payable to the agreed-to title company). Your Realtor will deliver (or email) the executed contract, and deliver earnest money to the title company. Sometimes a title representative will pick this up from you and deliver to the title company.

6. Get a Home Inspection

Remember your $100.00? This paid for an option period. This gives you an “out” if anything wacky comes back on your inspection that the owner does not want to repair or credit. Your Realtor will help you negotiate these items via an “Amendment for Repairs”. This must be done during the option period. In fact, you must pay close attention to all of the dates in the contract and in returning paperwork as everything will be time-sensitive.

7. Your Financing Contingency

If you are not among the lucrative few who are paying cash for your home, you probably signed a “Third Party Financing Addendum”. This addendum covers you for a particular amount of time for particular terms. Your lender will be working very hard on “their” side of the transaction with your financing to meet this important deadline. Your lender will also then order a survey, and HOA docs will be requested.

8. Get a Home Warranty

Your title company will be contacting you to determine who you want for your Home Warranty Company. Your Realtor will recommend a few if you need help. The warranty is like an insurance policy. Your Realtor should have negotiated the seller paying for this for the first year ($500 or so). Like an insurance policy, you can get more or less coverage, depending upon what you want.

9. Your Title Policy

Your title policy ensures a free and clear title. With Encumbrances, or for instance…child-support liens or tax liens, title can not pass to you until the liens are paid (hopefully by the seller!). This step is especially important with foreclosures since most are sold “as-is”.

10. Your HUD Statement

This document goes over credit and expenses to both parties. The Escrow Agent will go over this very closely with you before you sign the rest of your paperwork. This is emailed a day or so before closing.

11. Closing Day

It’s finally here…the anticipated day you have been waiting for–to finally hold the keys to your new home and walk through the doorway and know it’s YOURS. The actual closing itself should take roughly 30 minutes. Make sure to bring your ID and have your certified funds (cashier’s check or money order) ready. Your lender will have told you the amount you need to bring. Time to celebrate the beginning of earning equity and many new memories in your new home!

As always, I am always here to answer any questions that you might have. I’m never too busy for your referrals!

* Amy S. Arey, Realtor * Halo Group Realty, LLC * 214.901.1341 *

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Impressive Dallas Loft

(Click Photo to View More Details)

This weekend, I had the pleasure of showing this very unique loft in Dallas. My clients are just starting their search and have a few more to look at before making their final decision, but think we were all impressed with this one from the moment we walked in the door. This “tough-to-find” loft of under $200,000 ($169,000 in fact!) has over 1362 sf of space. It’s ONLY unit that is 2-story in the entire building. Upon looking further, it seems to be two units joined together. As beautiful as they are, the photographs actually do not do this unit justice. It has everything in a loft you could want–the exposed brick wall, lots of windows, the stained concrete flooring, exposed piping, a 2nd-story loft (which is actually closed off from downstairs), the courtyard pool, along with a few added “must-haves”–ie: laundry connections on BOTH levels (no traveling with your hamper from floor to floor!), great counterspace in the bath areas, unbelievable closets with built-ins and added storage, granite countertops, stainless appliances, (TWO bath areas) and so much more! BTW….don’t worry about lugging your furniture up that stairway–there is door access to the hallways from both the 1st AND the second floor. The parking garage is well-lit, with key faubs needed to gain access into the building area (yes, we got locked out while exploring , with plenty of additional parking for guests, and elevators at each quadrant.

The property is FHA approved and close to Baylor, one block from Deep Ellum, and in the heart of Downtown. We may come back to this one, but in the meantime…for a showing appointment, feel free to contact me at AA@SuburbanStreetsRealtor.com or 214.901.1341.

I’m never too busy for your referrals so feel free to pass this along to anyone whom you feel would benefit from this information. :)

* Amy S. Arey, Realtor * Halo Group Realty, LLC * 214.901.1341 * AArey@HaloAgent.com *

Rare Lot on the Lake on 1.5 Acres overlooking Adriatica in Gated Community of Kings Lake in Mckinney

(Click on photo below for additional information, photos, and a virtual tour or to schedule a viewing appointment)

Courtesy Halo Group Realty, LLC

For a Showing Appointment, click on the photo above or contact Amy directly @ 214.901.1341 or AAREY@HaloAgent.com

Hills Creek Homes for Sale

(Click on photo below to instantly view all Hills Creek Homes for Sale in Stonebridge Ranch in Mckinney)

Click either photo to view intstant homes for sale in this neighborhood.

HILLS CREEK in Mckinney-The beautiful subdivision amist tree-lined streets and scenic views. Escape from it all with a backyard and decks that appear to be the setting of your own paradise. At the corner of Hills Creek and Lake Forest, surrounded by exemplary-rated schools and walking distance to Glen Oaks (Exemplary-Rated AND blue-ribbon-winning) school, and less than 3 minutes from Boyd High School, this is a must-see area if looking in the $350-$450,000 range. ”Loads of character” would describe most of these homes. Built primarily in the late 90′s to early 2000′s …many of these homes have already been updated. Convenient to dining, and just minutes to Highway 121. Hills Creek in Mckinney is part of the neighborhood of Stonebridge Ranch (with it’s PAGES of amenties…golfing, hiking, beach and country clubs to name a few).

Feel free to contact me for a showing appointment or with any questionst that you may have.

* Amy S. Arey, Realtor * Halo Group Realty, LLC * 214.901.1341 * AArey@HaloAgent.com *

aarey.Haloagent.com