WHEN YOU DECIDE TO BUY A HOME, contact an Ellen Terry, REALTORS sales associate who will represent you throughout your entire home-buying experience.

Your Ellen Terry associate will save you time by:

• organizing and accompanying you to view homes, which meet your criteria
• having information on various neighborhoods to help you determine the right area for work, place of worship and family activities
• providing sales information on the neighborhood of your choice, so you can make an informed decision
• showing you MLS properties, so you don't have to call multiple offices for information or appointments
• working with all builders throughout the Metroplex
• negotiating your offer to your best advantage

What you can expect from your Ellen Terry, REALTORS agent:

• Learn and define your needs, desires and goals as a buyer, and help determine your most important considerations in selecting a home
• Give you information about agency choices and services available to you
• Organize the homebuying process, guide you through it and save you time
• Search for the right home, always accompany you to property showings and represent your interests
• Explore all financing possibilities with you and provide you with a list of lenders
• Provide you with a comparative market analysis to make an informed purchase decision
• Disclose all known information about properties and areas that interest you
• Assist in preparing offers, strategize your offer to the seller, and negotiate on your behalf
• Ensure confidentiality of your personal client information
• Monitor the closing process step-by-step, and make sure you're always informed
• Provide lists of inspectors to review the condition of the property
• Act as your advocate in the most professional manner possible
• Treat all parties fairly and honestly

THE HOMEBUYING PROCESS

1. Meet with a loan officer

• By sharing income and other family financial information, you will know the price range for which you are qualified
• You will learn of the many loans available to buyers in today's market
• Obtain a pre-approval letter
• Obtain a truth in lending letter explaining the costs of borrowing money
• Learn about closing costs

2. Begin viewing homes with your realtor

• When possible, all decision-makers should visit the various homes
• Always be candid with your realtor -- it will help them understand your particular needs and desires and enable them to select homes you'll want to see

3. Prepare the offer

• Your realtor will provide you with a comparative market analysis on the property or properties of your choice in order to assist you in making an informed decision
• Your realtor will go through the contract with you and complete your offer
• Negotiations will proceed until both buyer and seller agree on all terms and sign
• All documents will be sent to the title company where title commitment and property tax information ordered

4. Make your loan application

• Give your loan officer a copy of the contract and apply for the loan

5. Inspect the property

• Select an inspector and arrange for both a general inspection and wood-destroying insect inspection
• Your realtor also can provide information about other environmental assessments

6. Appraisal and survey of the property

• The lender and title company will make arrangements for the property appraisal and survey
• Buyer will be provided a copy of the Title Commitment Letter
• Buyer will make arrangements for homeowner's (hazard) insurance, and arrange for the insurance agent to talk with the closing officer at the title company

7. Arrange property closing

• Buyer receives a copy of the closing statement for review prior to closing
• Buyer does a final walk-through inspection of the property
• The realtor arranges a closing date and time with the buyer and title company; seller's closing is also arranged
• Buyer brings a cashiers check for all closing costs and the balance of the down payment

8. After the closing

• Documents are sent to the buyer's loan company for approval and funds are disbursed
• The title company receives and funds all money from the loan company; payment of any accrued expenses in connection with the closing are due including taxes, attorney's fees, professional real estate fees and title company fees
• Legal documents will be recorded in the office of the county clerk and mailed to the buyer
• Title company prepares and issues the title policy, and sends it to the loan company and new home owner