Both my kids graduated from High School some time ago so it's been quite awhile since I've experienced the "First Day of School." Thanks to Facebook, I've seen pictures of friends children dressed in their new outfits, fresh new back packs with lunch bags in hand and that special first day glow! I also get to chat with my friends daughters and hear about how they like/hate/love their new teachers, how easy or hard their schedules are and whether their in the same class as their best friend.We may not have kids in school, but we still get to enjoy part of the school experience. We live half a block from Lincoln Middle School, so once again we get to watch the kids streaming off to school. Some of them have a great skip in their step, others drag along at a snail's pace. We get to hear girlfriends giggling away and the boys testing out their latest swear words. I get the greatest kick out of my husband. We often walk the dogs at the same time the kids are heading to school. He loves to chat them up "Hello Son", "Hi Ladies","Ready for a Good Day?" Most of them are friendly and nice and enjoy the conversation, some walk by as if he doesn't even exist, but others get this "Oh God here he comes" look about them that totally cracks me up! But the best is when the kids say Hi to the dogs and call them by name, it absolutely makes my husbands day!!
It's bittersweet this year, we know all this could change in the next year. But for now, we're going to continue to enjoy our middle schooler's and hope for the best.
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School appears to be back in session for me as well. In the past few week's I've begun working with several first time home buyer's. I've always enjoyed working with these clients, I really think the idea of helping someone purchase their first home is what brought me into real estate. Too many times, you hear horror stories of people buying a home without really knowing what they're getting themselves into. Fortunately, many times it all works out, but often people wind up taking risks without even realizing it or winding up buying an absolute nightmare.
When I work with first time home buyers I commit to the following:
(1) to be sure you are always prepared and know what to expect as we move forward in the process. For instance, at our first meeting we'll discuss the entire process in general then what needs to be done first, pre-qualification, in detail . We'll talk about why it's important to be qualified for your loan before we even begin looking at property and the importance of understanding the difference between what you're qualified for and what you're comfortable with.
(2) to be with you every step of the way. I understand this is one of the largest financial decisions you've made. I'll attend viewings, inspections, signings, if it's related to the purchase of your home, I'll bee there.
(3) to provide you with the information and education needed so that YOU are making confident decisions on your home purchase. As I tell my clients; this won't be my house or my loan, so I shouldn't - and won't - tell you what you should do, including how much to offer the seller, when we sit down to write your contract. I will provide you with all the latest data of similar homes sold in the area, what the standard practice is for assigning contractual and closing costs and what is required to protect your good faith deposit.
(4) to remain even-keeled on as we navigate the process. Buying a house is exciting, frightening, exhilarating, nerve-wracking, you name it. No matter how carefully or hard I work, things will happen. Right now it's not unusual to have the loan process get crazy at one point or another. My job is to inform you have any situations as they arise and provide solutions for your consideration. It's okay for you to be nervous, but not me.
Of course each situation is different and we'll discuss what's most important to you and how I'll address those concerns, but I'll also make the process enjoyable, after all buying your first home is exciting.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I do hand out homework!
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That's it for now, go out and make it a great Labor Day weekend.open house If you're between 2 and 4 on Sunday, stop by my open house at 1100 Post and say Hi!!
