Buying a house in this day and age involves a great deal more than casually studying homes from the real estate section of the local newspaper or attending an open house. Real Estate transactions are complex and often bewildering contracts that are several pages long. This doesn't take into account additional reports, disclosures, and addendums. Missie and Gary both firmly believe in teamwork and feel it is our duty to help you not only find the home that is right for you, but to help you understand the paperwork that is involved as well.
Many people think that buying a home is a simple as finding a home they like. Generally, it is not quite that simple. However, as a team, out goal is to make the process as informative and rewarding as possible.
Start with the basics. Take a good look at your credit situation...good and bad. If you have several open accounts with zero balances and you don't plan to use the accounts again, cancel them in writing. Those 
accounts will appear as potential debt to the lender. However, if you have a long-standing account, keep it! The longer an account has been open and in good standing, the better it is for your credit rating. If you know you have a flaw in your credit, even dating back several years, correct the problem if possible. If it cannot be corrected, write a letter of explanation for your lender's file.
A rule of thumb for conventional loans is that your total house payment, including taxes and insurance, should equal no more than 28% of your gross monthly income. This is called your "front" ratio. Your total debts, including your house payment plus any fixed monthly expenses such as credit cards, student loans, installment loans, and child support, should equal no more than 36% of your gross monthly income. FHA and VA have slightly higher allowable ratios.
Of course, your downpayment will be considered in figuring your monthly house payment and your debt ratios. Once you know how much house you can buy, you'll have to decide how much house you want to buy!
The next step is to decide on your priorities. Your biggest priority may be area. If you currently own or rent a home your priorities may be based on what you don't have now! If your priorities are location and features, you may find yourself having to compromise to stay within your budget.
We can help by searching the multiple listing services for just the right home in the right location for the right price, guiding you through contract negotiations, home inspections, and closing. Our highest goal is to see you happily settled in your new home, enjoying the emotional and financial benefits of your home. Please don't hesitate to let us know if we can answer any of your questions or concerns along the way.
The SearchWhen it comes to looking for a home in the Gainesville Area, there are a lot of resources: real estate guides and magazines, newspaper ads, the Internet. Unfortunately, the "shelf life" is pretty long on all media advertising, and the home you fall in love with in the magazine may already be sold. It is sometimes difficult to determine where the home is located, how old it is, and sometimes even the price.
A serious search should begin with your describing to us what features are absolutely necessary...we call this a "condition to buy". This will include your price range and location, and it may also include the number or configuration of the bedrooms, full basement, private wooded lot (or smaller lot if you hate yardwork), brick or stucco.
Then we'll want to discuss your preferences. You may consider a brick home but you prefer stucco. Do you prefer a newer home? Open or more traditional plan? A swim-tennis community?
At this point we will begin a search of the areas you are considering, beginning with your preferred area(s). We will search AREA, ACTIVE (only active listings...not under/contracts), PRICE RANGE, and any of your conditions for purchase, which may include number of bedrooms, age, basement, lot size, etc.
After your first day of your search, which is based on available homes that meet your criteria, you should have a very realistic idea of what is available in your search area in your price range. If you're not finding anything that meets your expectations, you may need to expand your search to include other areas or price ranges. On the other hand, the market is very active in Gainesville, and we may find the home of your dreams under Active Listings. Because the market changes every day, we suggest that you seriously consider all of the homes included in the initial search. If you find one that meets your criteria, and you love the home...BUY IT! If there is a home out their that fits your criteria, you will see it...we promise!
Seller InfoThere are many factors involved with the sale of a home. Location, Condition, Price and the "Market" will play major roles in determining how quickly and at what price you are able to sell your house. Although every client we assist is unique, both Missy and I feel the following suggestions will maximize the value of your home and lead to a satisfactory and successful home selling experience.
Most buyers would rather have a new home. If they can purchase the size and style home they need in the location they desire, with the lot they prefer, at the price they can afford, they will buy new. The reason they are looking at resale homes is that what they need is not available in a new home.
If there are many available homes, they will choose the home that is closest to "New" in condition. If the home you're selling is an older home, and particularly if you have occupied this home for a number of years, go out and look at new homes. Notice the fresh smell, the cleanliness, the professionally maintained landscaping, the light, open spaces. Then go home and do everything you can afford to do to capture that feeling of newness in your home.
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