“We’re ready to buy a new home!” Easy words to say, but not so easy to do. Purchasing a house is a multi-step process and each step must be finished completely before moving on to the next. Garry Real Estate has created our Home Buyers checklist, which is filled with explanations, tools and tips to make your home buying experience smooth and easy.
Why Purchase
Whether you need to accommodate your growing family, or are investing for your future, now is the best time to explore the housing market. The best place to start on this exciting new venture is with us, call us today, to find your new property.
Getting Ready
Before you start shopping for your property, make some preparations. While every home buying experience is unique, there are some universal steps you can take to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. An ounce of preparation can save the day.
Build Your Green File
A green file is a folder containing copies of all your important financial documents. Keep the originals in a secure, fire proof place. You will need these documents to get pre-approved financing for your new home. A typical green file should contain:
Bank Accounts Financial Statements Investments Recent Pay Stubs Auto Loans Credit Cards Tax Returns For The Last Two Years 401k Statements Copies of Any Leases From Investment Properties Stock, Bonds, and Mutual Accounts Information Life Insurance
Check Your Credit Rating
Your credit score will help determine what size loan you are eligible for and what the terms will be. We recommend you check your credit rating with an experienced lender so you can determine how much you can afford to spend on a home. The lender will typically research your credit ratings from the three credit reporting agencies Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. We will be happy to recommend an experienced, knowledgeable lender in the residential, construction, commercial and investment real estate field. BE CAUTIOUS WITH YOUR FINANCES.
First rule of buying is knowing how much house you can afford. Once you know that, it helps us narrow down the list of opportunities that are available in your price range. Below you will find an excellent tool to quickly calculate just how much you can afford to spend. Fill in the fields below and you’ll find the ballpark amount in a just few moments. Please always remember that your lender will have a much better picture of your overall financial condition, so they will provide a much more accurate number. This is just a quick tool to get all of us pointing in the correct direction. In addition each home will have a different tax bill and many communities require residents to pay annual or monthly HOA “home owners association” dues. Both of these factors will greatly impact the total loan amount that you will be approved for.
Now that you have spoken to a lender and those those preparations are out of the way, it’s time to find the right property for YOU.
To make the process of getting to know your potential new neighborhood easier, we have created the next few tabs to allow you quick access to important information about Schools, Local Businesses and Demographics for the area.
Register with Garry Real Estate and you will be able to save your searches and share the list of properties you want to visit with your agent. This will expedite the process of scheduling your showings.
A home inspection is not required, but highly recommended. This will no doubt be the largest purchase you make. Spending a couple of hundred dollars to have a qualified person thoroughly inspect your future home may prevent thousands of dollars of unexpected repairs later on. Contact a licensed home inspector of your choice (if you are working with a “buyers agent”, then he/she may recommended one). The home inspector will set an appointment that is convenient for you. The inspection must take place during your inspection period, usually 10 days from acceptance of your offer.
If you are obtaining a loan, you will be required by your lender to purchase a certain amount of insurance for the property. The value of the insurance will depend on the lending institution and the final purchase price of the property. You may be able to save hundreds of dollars a year on homeowners insurance by shopping around for insurance on your own. Increasing your deductible by just a few hundred dollars can make a big difference in your monthly premium. Ask your insurance agent about any discounts. You may be able get a lower premium if your home has some safety features such as dead-bolt locks, smoke detectors, a full alarm system, storm shutters or fire-retardant roofing materials, depending on the insurance company. Any persons over 55 years of age or long term customers may also be offered different discounts. Insure your actual house and not the land it’s on. In case of a disaster, the land will still be there. If you do not subtract the value of the land when you decide how much homeowner’s insurance to buy, you will usually be asked pay more than you should.
The final inspection usually takes place a day before, or the actual day of closing. You will visit the property one final time to verify that everything is in working order, that everything is the same as the last time you viewed the property, that there are no extra items left behind by the previous owner, and that everything included in your purchase is still there.
Be prepared
Bring the following items to the closing:
Picture I.D. (drivers license, passport, etc.) The closing attorney will need to make a copy of it for the registry of deeds.
Personal checkbook. In case you have to pay for any incidental charges such as heating oil, bottled gas, taxes, etc. that have already been paid by the seller.
Certified Check in the amount given to you by your lender.
We are there to help you should an unforeseen issue pop up, even at this stage. In case something at the property breaks or some other minor detail rises up there is no need to worry. These things happen, so we know how to handle them efficiently and in a stress free manner.
The closing agent will furnish all parties involved with a settlement statement. The settlement statement summarizes and details all the financial transactions enacted in the process. You and the seller(s) will sign the statement together with the closing agent, certifying its accuracy. If you are actually obtaining financing, you will have to sign all pertinent documentation required by the lending institution as well. If you are unable to attend the scheduled closing, arrangements can be made depending on the circumstances and the notice you give us. If you are bringing the funds to the transaction, you can choose to either have the funds wired electronically into the aforementioned escrow account, or bring a certified bank check to the closing in the amount specified on the settlement statement. The seller will usually arrange to have all property keys and any other important information and items for you at the closing so that you may receive them at this time.
I have known Dave and Candy Goddard for many years. They both are very knowledgeable about real estate and I trust their judgment when showing houses. I felt no pressure to buy anything before I was ready and when I was struggling to make a decision on the townhouse I ultimately ended up buying, they were patient and made the buying process easy. I was always able to ask questions and get answers. I highly recommend using Dave and Candy.
Our family has used Candy and Dave several times already for both sales and purchases of homes over the last 7 years. They are both amazing at what they do. I cant say enough how much I appreciated their knowledge, patience and professional approach with each step of the selling/buying process. We will always use their team as long as they are in Real Estate!
My husband and I are extremely happy working with Candy and Dave. They did a wonderful job and getting that home sold and if I decide to move, I will definitely give them a call and have them help me yet again they’re very nice people to work with.
Dave and Candy are very knowledgeable when it comes to listing your home. Dave takes great pictures! I was very pleased with everything they did for me. They were very quick to answer all my texts and phone calls. I highly recommend the two of them.
I have known Dave and Candy for many years. They are professional, knowledgeable and easy to work with. They know real estate and I trusted their expertise which helped me sell my condo for over asking. I am now looking for a new home and I trust them more than I trust myself, they know what to look for and point out the good and bad so I can make an informed decision.
I would highly recommend Dave and Candy to anyone. They go above and beyond and you can trust them which is rare in today’s society. They are knowledgeable about all things related to buying a house!
I had a truly wonderful experience with the process of selling a home with the professional team of Dave and Candy.
Very knowledgeable with the marketing of the sale of house that made the process very easy for me from the beginning to the closing.
Highly recommended if looking into selling or buying a home.
🏡✨ Welcome to Your New Home at Country Lane Park! ✨🏡
Step inside this stunning, fully updated 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom condominium that has undergone a complete renovation over the past 9 years—no detail has been overlooked! The kitchen, dining room, and bathroom showcase elegant espresso cabinets and sleek granite countertops, perfectly paired with high-end stainless steel appliances for a modern touch. All for only $149,896!
Freshly painted and featuring brand new plush carpeting throughout, this bright and airy south-facing end unit is located on the second floor, allowing for plenty of natural light. Enjoy easy access to the exterior entry and the convenience of a nearby coin-operated laundry facility. Plus, a storage unit is located on the same floor for all your extra belongings!
With a 6-year-old HVAC system, you can enjoy comfort year-round. The association dues cover both heat and water, making electricity your only monthly utility cost—what a fantastic deal!
Take advantage of the peaceful surroundings and summer fun with access to the community pool, park, and tennis courts—perfect for both relaxation and recreation. Conveniently located with easy access to I-390, the Schaumburg Metra Train Station, and the Wintrust baseball stadium, you’ll have everything you need right at your fingertips.
Don’t wait! Call Dave & Cady today to schedule a viewing and make this beautiful condo your new home sweet home! 🌟🏠
🏡 Welcome to your dream home! Join us for a virtual tour of this stunning first-floor 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo in the highly sought-after Hunt Club Condos. This elevator building offers the ultimate convenience, complete with heated underground parking.
Step inside to discover an open floor plan adorned with neutral décor that perfectly complements your style. The spacious kitchen is a chef’s delight, featuring beautiful tile flooring, a gorgeous tile backsplash, and an abundance of cabinetry for all your culinary needs.
Relax in the large and inviting living room, where a sliding glass door leads you to an oversized private patio—perfect for morning coffee or evening relaxation. The master bedroom suite is a true retreat, boasting a custom paneled accent wall and a full bathroom with a luxurious walk-in shower.
This unit also offers the convenience of an in-unit laundry closet with a stackable washer and dryer, along with additional underground parking and storage space. Best of all, all appliances are included!
Ideally located adjacent to Hunt Club Park and trails, you’ll also enjoy easy access to shopping, dining, and the vibrant heart of downtown St. Charles—all for an incredible price of just $259,896!
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity! Click the video to take the full virtual tour and see for yourself why this condo is the perfect place to call home! 🏡✨
Welcome to this stunning home located in the desirable Fairfax Silvercrest subdivision. This 2-story home boasts 5 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a spacious 2,494 sq. ft. floor plan. As you step inside, you’ll immediately be impressed by the soaring ceilings and the exquisite White Oak hardwood flooring laid in a herringbone pattern with Wenge wood inlay – a luxurious upgrade worth over $50,000.
The first floor offers a welcoming living room, perfect for relaxation, as well as a formal dining room that’s ideal for hosting gatherings. The updated kitchen is a chef’s dream, featuring beautiful granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and ample cabinetry for all your storage needs. Adjacent to the kitchen is a cozy family room with a charming two-sided fireplace, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for those cozy evenings.
Completing the main level, you’ll find a convenient laundry room and a stylish half bath. Moving upstairs to the second floor, you’ll discover four generous bedrooms, including a luxurious master suite that boasts vaulted ceilings and a private en-suite bath. The master bath is a true retreat, featuring a large soaker tub, dual vanities, and a separate shower.
The fully finished basement adds significant living space to this already impressive home. It offers a fifth bedroom, perfect for guests or as a home office, an expansive recreation room that can be used for entertainment, and a huge storage area that provides endless possibilities for organization.
Step outside into the beautifully landscaped backyard, which is shaded by mature trees and surrounded by lush greenery. It’s truly an outdoor oasis, perfect for relaxation or entertaining guests.
This home has seen major recent updates, providing peace of mind for years to come. In 2021, a new furnace was installed, and in 2020, a new roof and water heater were added. The stainless steel appliances were upgraded in 2019, and vinyl windows were installed around 2009.
With all these modern comforts and updates, this home offers exceptional value at an asking price of only $519,896. It’s truly a gem that shouldn’t be missed. Contact Dave & Candy today to seize the opportunity and make this extraordinary property yours!
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