So you found your dream home and you are going to write an offer. Why did your real estate agent ask you to bring along your checkbook?
When you finally find your dream home and want to make an offer, you will also be required to put down earnest money in the form of a personal check. This money does NOT go directly to the sller. Your money will be deposited in a trust account with the seller's title company. (The exception to this is the case of a builder on new construction.)
This money represents the sincerity of your offer and is fully refundable if the offer is not accepted, if your loan is not fully approved or if some other condition of the contract is not met by the seller. Also, the earnest money will be credited to you at closing as part of your down payment and/or closing costs.
You should anticipate a minimum of $500 - $1000 for homes under $150,000. In homes over this price range, expect to deposit 1% to 5% of the purchase prices. Some seller's ask for a specific amount or in negotiations will ask the buyer to increase their earnest money deposit.
If you have any further questions about earnest money contact Olathe real estate agent, Brad Papa today!
Click house to start your search using Brad's website which is updated directly from the Kansas City MLS system!
Searching For The Perfect Home?
Are you searching for an Olathe house, Johnson County condominium, Overland Park townhouse, acreage or other Kansas City area property? If so, Brad Papa is here to offer you the finest real estate services available to meet your needs. Brad works in ALL areas of the Kansas City metro, so if you want to live in the Northland, Lee's Summit, Olathe or the Plaza, Brad Papa is your real estate agent!
Simply register and have unlimited access to search for properties! You will be able to search the entire Kansas City MLS system with bonus features like saving searches and favorite properties. Want Brad to do the work for you? Give Brad your basic criteria and he can run a customized search and e-mail you properties based on your needs.
Once you find properties you are interested in, contact Brad Papa at bradleypapa@remax.net or 913.526.4985 and he will take care of setting up the showing appointments.
Click here to start your Kansas City home search
Looking for things to do in Kansas City this summer? Whether it's taking a class, going to a concert or joining a club, there is so much to do! Here are a few Olathe and Kansas City area links:
UMKC Communiversity Classes
Kansas City Kids Fun
JP Wine Bar Wine Education Classes
Free First Time Home Buyer's Class
Free Stage & Sell Your Home Class
Pitch Event Calendar
Shawnee Mission Beach Volleyball
Nightlife KC
Rob Kraft's Kansas City Event Website
Johnson County Community College Classes (Credit and Non-Credit)
Paw Prints Magazine
Olathe real estate agent, Brad Papa specialized in Kansas City and Olathe real estate. Brad Papa is a licensed real estate agent in Kansas and Missouri and can be reached at bradleypapa@remax.net, 913-526-4985 or www.papasinthehouse.com
Walk Score (http://www.walkscore.com) is a fun website that let's you know how walker-friendly your neighborhood is. This is great for people looking to go-green or live in an area with a more urban feel.
Kansas City, Missouri ranks pretty well, coming in at #34 on the America's Most Walkable Neighborhoods. Kansas City Missouri's Most Walkable Neighborhoods : Old Westport, Country Club Plaza, Plaza Westport, Hanover Place and Volker are the top five most walkable neighborhoods.
Not surprisingly, Kansas suburbs like Olathe come in very low. I typed in my home address in Olathe and got only 11 out of 100, which classifies my home as "car-dependent". I typed in an old address near downtown Overland Park and got at 55 out of 100 or "some-what walkable".
Check out Walk Score before purchasing your next home! http://www.walkscore.com/
RE/MAX State Line real estate agent, Brad Papa has been helping people achieve their real estate goals for over five years and specializes as both a buyer's or seller's agent. Brad has resided in the Kansas City/Olathe area for his entire life and is an expert dealing with all areas of the metropolitan area.
Brad Papa
RE/MAX State Line
913-526-4985
bradleypapa@remax.net
www.PapasInTheHouse.com
Even better news for Kansas City first time home buyers in 2009, as of yesterday the government is going to allow first time home buyers to use the $8,000 tax credit as a downpayment on FHA (Federal Housing Administration) financed loans! No more waiting until next year's tax return to collect on the money. Buyers will be able to capitalize on this tax credit at the closing table.
Since the FHA requires a minimum 3.5% down payment from buyers, having up to $8,000 would mean buyers wouldn't have to immediately dip into their savings for the downpayment.
Buyers need to act fast though, this program ends December 1, 2009. Sign up today for Papa's FREE First Time Home Buyer's Seminar to cover this topic in depth. Seminar is held the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Click here to register online now!
Click here for the full story from realtor.org
Click here for the full story from the Wall Street Journal online
Click here for more information on Papa's Free First Time Homebuyers Seminar
Brad Papa
RE/MAX State Line
913-526-4985
bradleypapa@remax.net
www.PapasInTheHouse.com
Come to Papa For All Your Real Estate Needs!
I have been a full-time agent for going on six years and I take pride in helping people achieve their real estate goals. I am a home owner in Olathe and a life long resident of the Kansas City area.
First Time Home Buyer's Seminar in Kansas City
Free Seller's Seminar: Get Your Home Sold In Today's Market
Top 10 Reasons To Buy With Papa
Top 10 Reasons To Sell With Papa
Realty Executives real estate agent, Brad Papa has been helping people achieve their real estate goals for almost six years and specializes as both a buyer's or seller's agent. Brad has resided in the Kansas City/Olathe area for his entire life and is an expert dealing with all areas of the metropolitan area.
Brad graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Math Education, thus has a strong background in mathematics and financial services. When it comes to analyzing numbers and understanding market trends, Brad is a specialist. His love of education is translated into his immensely popular First Time Home Buyer's Seminar in Kansas City and his new class for sellers - How To Get Your Home Sold In Today's Market In Kansas City. Register for a class today!
Brad's strength as a seller's agent lies in the accurate pricing of homes, which is one of the most important steps in selling quickly. He differentiates himself from other real estate agents by his unique listing packages based upon the individual client's needs, his "backwards" approach concept and unique marketing tactics.
His strength as a buyer's agent lies in his friendly personality and his ability to save buyers money by making educated offers based on current market trends. His guiding principle as a buyer's agent is to let the home sell itself. Brad's low pressure approach ensures that all buyers are completely comfortable with the home before an offer is made.
Brad's outgoing personality, effective conflict management skills and creativity ensures that he will produce maximum results for all clients. Let Brad Papa help you buy or sell your home and be your real estate agent for life!
Papa's Client Testimonials
Brad Papa was AWESOME in every way -- encouraging, cautious at the right times, knowledgeable, totally not pushy, extremely responsive and generally helpful. Not only did he do everything he told us he'd do everytime, he was constantly surprising us by going above and beyond. Eric & Kellie, Olathe
Working with Brad was a great experience! His is knowledgeable and does his job with sincere passion, which we appreciate. We knew no matter what we had questions about, Brad was there to get us answers, to support us and that he had our best interest in mind! Marissa and Phillip, Olathe
Brad Papa's follow through and communication was prompt, market knowledge was superior and we would recommend him to any friends for their real estate needs. Zach and Abby, Kansas City
Brad Papa was so hard working, had persistence and did not give up. I felt very informed, especially since I was half way across the country. I know the paperwork going back and forth was a pain, and Brad did not complain once. I have never seen such work ethic, Brad is awesome! Shelly, San Diego
As a first time buyer, I was very satisfied and impressed by the way Brad Papa handled the entire transaction. You cannot even image the amount of fear and skepticism I had when I started my house search. I had heard a lot of horror stories and I'm glad that all went absolutely well with my dream home purchase. Thanks! David, Shawnee
I am very pleased with my first home purchase and had a great experience with Brad Papa! He was great about answering any of the questions I had and made the whole process happen smoothly and with much ease. Lacie, Overland Park
Brad Papa made the home buying process so much easier than we thought it would be! We really appreciated the time he spent helping us and we feel great about our purchase! Justin and Kristen, Prairie Village
Brad Papa was helpful and informative. The entire process went smooth and easy. We never had a problem getting in touch with Brad or setting up appointments. He responded promptly to our requests and questions. Jeff and Amy, Overland Park
I was very happy with Brad Papa's "lazzie fare" approach. The first realtor I used hounded me. She was very pushy and I did not like it. For me, Brad Papa was ready to go when I was ready to look at houses. That works really well for me! Brad, Lenexa
Brad Papa was always willing to do whatever we needed. Fred and Nadene, Blue Springs
It was a real pleasure to work with a real professional who treats each of his clients as if they were his only client. Mike, Overland Park
Our experience could not have been better! We especially appreciate the frequent updates and follow up with potential buyers. Richard and Dina, Olathe
Phone numbers from previous clients are available upon request! Contact Brad Papa at 913-526-4985 or Brad@PapasInTheHouse.com for more information.
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