"RealtorTraceyW" ~~Tracey R Wrisper~~ Homes for Sale in Leesville LA

RealtorTraceyW

BLOG 2012

WHAT HAPPENS AT CLOSING

Closing is the final step in the Home Buying Process. Up to this point the home still belongs to the Seller. The purpose of the Closing is to transfer ownership from the Seller to you.

Who Attends Closing

Closing is normally attended by the Buyer, Seller, Agents, Attorney, or Title Company. In some cases there may be a Power of Attorney representing the Buyer or Seller.

Documents Signed At Closing

HUD-1 Settlement Statement – The Settlement Statement is a breakdown of all costs associated with the sale of the property. It details the fees that are paid by the Buyer and Seller.

Buyer Fees: Appraisal, Taxes, Insurance, Credit Report, Title Search, Title Insurance, Processing Fees, etc.

Seller Fees: Real Estate Commission, Taxes, Termite Inspection, Septic Inspection, Mortgage Payoff, etc.

Deed – This document transfers ownership from the Seller to the Buyer. After Closing it is submitted to the Clerk of the Court to be filed as a public record.

Mortgage Document – If the property is financed the Buyer will sign for their mortgage. A mortgage is a loan from a financial institution. At closing the Buyer agrees to repay the loan. The mortgage specifies the number of payments and when they are due.

Keys and Instruction Manuals

Sellers will give all keys to the home and instruction manuals to the Buyer. It is recommended that Buyers have locks change immediately, especially in cases where the home was previously used as a rental property.

Enjoy Your New Home

The Closing Appointment takes about an hour to complete. After signing all those documents it is time to enjoy your New Home.

Are you ready to buy a home?

Let me help you get to the closing table. Call Now! Or request an appointment in the Appointment Center on my website www.RealtorTraceyW.com

RealtorTraceyW

BLOG 2012

Ready, Willing, and, Able

You may be ready and willing to buy a home, but the real question is, “are you able?”. Meeting with a Lender will help you find the answer. Here are three things Lenders want to know before they give you a prequalification letter.

Do you have a job?

What is your credit score?

Who do you owe?

Employment Verification

Employment Verification is a critical component in the lending process. Lenders need proof of employment. Typically lenders are looking to see if you have at least two years of stable employment. There are some exceptions, such as, job transfers.

Credit Check

Your Credit Report tells Lenders about your credit history. They want to know how many creditors you have. Lenders want to know if you pay your bills on time. Your credit score is a good indicator of this.

Debt to Income Ratio

Lenders want to know if you are living within your means. Your credit report will also help them to determine your Debt to Income Ratio (DTI). This is a comparison of your income and debts. If you exceed the percentage of debts vs. income that is acceptable to the Lender your loan could be denied.

Free Credit Report

Want to get a head start now. You can get a free copy of your Credit Report online @ www.freecreditreport.com or www.annualcreditreport.com. Report mistakes promptly. It could take week or months for corrections to take effect.

Meeting with a Lender

Meeting with a Lender is the best way to find out if you are able to purchase a home. Having a prequalification letter shows Sellers that you are serious when you schedule a showing of their home. Once you find a home you like, you can feel confident to make an offer.

Are you ready and willing to buy a home?

Do you need help finding a Lender with great rates and good customer service?

I am here to help. Get Results! Call Now! Or make an appointment in the Appointment Center on my website

www.RealtorTraceyW.com.

RealtorTraceyW

BLOG 2012

TWO DIFFERENT ANIMALS

Home Inspections and Appraisals are not the same! They are two different animals. No matter how many homes I sell, I always need to make sure Buyers understand the destinction between Home Inspections and Appraisals.

Myth: You can save money by skipping the Home Inspection because the Appraisal does the same thing.

Fact: You could spend more money by skipping a Home Inspection. You could be facing expensive repairs that were not discovered during the Home Buying Process.

Home Inspectors are hired by the Buyer to take an in-depth, unbiased look at their potential new home. They evaluate the physical condition of the home. They check the structure, construction, and mechanical systems. They identify items that need to be repaired or replaced. The home inspection is a general inspection. In some cases it is necessary to hire Roofers, Electricians, Plummers, etc, to take a closer look.

Additional Inspections may include the following:

Wood Destroying Insect Report

Septic System Inspection

Radon Gas Testing

Mold Inspection

Appraisals are conducted for lenders. The objective of an appraisal is to estimate the market value of a home, make sure the home meets minimum standards required by the lender, and to make sure the home is marketable. In some cases an Appraiser will require repairs prior to closing, but don't let this be a substitute for a Home Inspection.

Buyers should exercise due diligence when purchasing a home. Buyers should ensure the home they are purchasing is satisfactory in every respect. As a Buyer you have the right and responsibility to examine the home prior to purchase. Make sure to complete your Home Inspection in the time frame that is written in your Purchase Agreement. Never waive your right to a Home Inspection.

Do you need an Agent to help you navigate the

Home Buying Process?

I am here to help. Get Results! Call Now! Or request an appointment in the Appointment Center on my website www.RealtorTraceyW.com.

RealtorTraceyW

BLOG 2012

Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe, Catch an Agent… (Part 4 of 4)

What is an SRES®?

That is a question that I am asked quite frequently. It is usually accompanied by a curious facial expression. I am proud to respond by saying, “I am a Seniors Real Estate Specialist ®(SRES ®)”. I am a Realtor ®that is trained and qualified to address the Real Estate needs of Seniors. I have been awarded this special designation by the National Association of Realtors ®.

I was drawn to this designation after I noticed how many Seniors and Retirees live in my community. Being so close to Fort Polk, it is almost a foregone conclusion that many soldiers would choose to retire here. (I also came here because of a military move). I noticed all of the groups and organizations that were available to Seniors and Retirees. I thought to myself, “I want to understand the unique goals and needs of this segment of our population”. I did not see where their needs were being specifically addressed from a Real Estate point of view.

During my training I discovered that there are more benefits than I was aware of, available to Seniors and Retirees. I also discovered that there are many challenges and obstacles that stand in their paths.

It is my job as an SRES ®to help Seniors and Retirees navigate the maze of financial, legal, and emotional issues by connecting them with the benefits and services that are available to them. It gives me great satisfaction to use my knowledge and expertise to help Seniors and Retirees achieve their Real Estate goals.

Are you a Senior or Retiree buying or selling a home?

Let me help you maximize the benefits and services available to you!

Are you ready to get started? Get Results! Call Now! Or request an appointment in the Appointment Center on my website www.RealtorTraceyW.com.

ERA, Sarver Real Estate, Inc. 337-239-2041

3090 Colony Blvd, Leesville, LA 71446

Facebook.com/TopGunAgent

www.RealtorTraceyW.com

Part 1 Sellers; Part 2 Buyers; Part 3 Military; Part 4 Retirees & Seniors.

RealtorTraceyW

BLOG 2012

Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe, Catch an Agent…(Part 3 of 4)

Welcome to Fort Polk Home of Heroes.

As a 17 year Army Veteran I know what it takes for you to have a smooth transition. During my time on Acitive Duty I moved 8 times. This is an average of about 1 move every 2 years. Yeah it was tough! I made many mistakes during each one of those moves, and there were many people who benefitted from my mistakes.

Now that I am on the other side of the table, I consider myself to be an advocate for soldiers (officers and enlisted). I feel like I owe it to you to help you avoid making the same mistakes that I made. I am very open about the lack of service that I recieved as I served my country. I hold nothing back when discussing the mis-management of my rental properties at Fort Campbell, KY. I had no plans of owning rental homes in a place where I no longer live. It has been a source of stress for me over the years, both mentally and financially. Never once did the Agents or Brokers advise me on how things could impact me when the time came for me to leave Fort Campbell. Hind sight is 20/20. I can see extremely clearly now.

As a Real Estate Expert in the Fort Polk Area, you can trust me to give you honest service. I will advise you on the strategies you need to use to make the most out of your home ownership here at Fort Polk. I will not "sugar coat" your options. I am here to help you accomplish your goal of a smooth transition "in and out" of Fort Polk.

I have helped many military families when they were together and apart. Not only do I take care of you as a soldier, I will take care of your family when you have to leave due to deployements or short notice reassignment orders. If you have to leave them behind for any reason, you can count on me to walk them through every step of the process. I will even provide you with the power of attorney that you need in order to close your Real Estate transaction.

When it is time for you to buy or sell Real Estate in the Fort Polk, LA area, don't select any random Agent. Look for me. Choose me on purpose. I am a full time, full service, Real Estate Expert. You can count on me to help you accomplish your goal of buying or selling a home. I want to save you time and money.

Let me help you make the most out of your leave days and transition pay

CHOOSE ME ON PURPOSE

Are you ready to get started? Get Results! Call Now! Or request an appointment in the Appointment Center on my website www.RealtorTraceyW.com.

Part 1 Sellers; Part 2 Buyers; Part 3 Military; Part 4 Retirees & Seniors.