Homes in Stafford County SOLD in 2006
Minimum price SOLD - $140,000
Maximum price SOLD - $1,299,900
Average price SOLD - $424,075

Buying real estate is complicated, but we'll be there from the first home tour to the day of settlement to make sure you understand every step of the process. Our agents work hard to make sure you see everything offered for sale in your price range and choice of location. From the day you select your home to purchase, you can be moved in within 2 weeks to 8 weeks or longer. If your need is urgent and we find a vacant home for you, we can get your loan approved, the home appraised, the title searched and examined, and arrange the inspections and settlement in two weeks time. Most folks have more time. Normal time from home selection to settlement is 30 to 60 days. Later settlements can often be arranged. Many sellers are building a new home and will be glad to rent the home back from you once you have closed the purchase. Lenders don't like for settlements to be longer than 60 days.

STEP 1. FIND A GOOD AGENT TO HELP

That would be one of our experienced Stafford Buyers Agents who will guide you through this adventure from search to settlement. If you have urgent needs, call us on the 24 hour hot line. We'll return your message as soon as possible 800-711-7988. The best way to get a quick response is by e-mail, info@stafford-county-real-estate.com or send us your needs. CONTACT US for a relocation package. Real estate in Stafford County and all of Northern Virginia moves very quickly so we'll start your home search right away. If you are a relocating home buyer, we'll stay in touch and keep you up to date on the changing market.

STEP 2. RELOCATION PACKAGE

Once we have made contact, we'll send a relocation package to you with: demographic information about Stafford County real estate areas that meet your needs; current real estate listings; maps, etc. Or, if you are ready to take a tour of homes right away, just go right to STEP 3 below. If you are arriving in Stafford on short notice, please let us know as soon as possible. Our agents schedule their time and if you wait until you get to town to contact us, we probably will not be able to help. If you are a local Northern Virginia resident or Washington Metro area buyer, lot's go see some homes.

MEET THE HOMEFINDERS

Homefinders.com Buyer's Agents

STEP 3. TAKE A TOUR OF HOMES

We'll show you homes in your price range and choice of locations in Stafford County. You determine the price range. You determine the area. We will show you the very best homes that meet your criteria in terms of bedrooms, baths, style, and any other features that meet your needs. Real estate tours in Stafford can be fun and you'll learn a lot about the area. We'll clear our schedule to make sure you have the time you need to (1) tour the area, (2) see homes until you find your home of choice, (3) learn the commuting alternatives from different communities to the job location(s).

STEP 4. PRE-QUALIFYING LETTER (Lender's letter)

We want you to obtain a mortgage with the very best terms and conditions possible. If you are ready to buy, you'll need a pre-qualifying letter from a lender stating that they have reviewed a credit report and you're ready and able to buy a real estate in your desired price range. It's always best to deal with a local lender, but if you come to town pre-approved, wonderful.

STEP 5. PREPARE A CONTRACT OF SALE (2-4 days)

At this step, the Contract of Sale is considered an offer to buy. You will state in the price, the terms and conditions that you are offering the seller to sell you the home. The contract states your offered price, settlement date, financing terms, home/radon/other inspections, state/county/local disclosures where required, seller disclosures, legal requirements, and much more. We'll explain all parts of the contract to you so you know exactly what's happening. Sellers can accept, counter-offer or reject, depending on the attractiveness of your price/conditions/terms. We usually work out details and have a ratified contract within a day or two.

STEP 6. WE HAVE A CONTRACT, WHAT'S NEXT? (2-5 days)

We schedule the home/radon/other INSPECTIONS. These inspections will be a contingency on the contract, so they need to be done as quickly as possible, within a few days at most.

FOR RELOCATING HOME BUYERS

Relocating real estate buyers can't always attend inspections, but we'll be your eyes and ears and attend the inspection. Then we'll OVERNIGHT or FAX the home inspection report to you so you can see the report and communicate with us about repairs if any are needed.

STEP 7: LOAN APPLICATION (one day credit approval, 2-3 week, firm loan approval)

If you have not already done so in preparation for buying, you'll need to make loan application. We can recommend good local lenders to you, or you can select your lender of choice. The lender will also prepare a Good Faith Estimate of closing costs so you'll know how much money you'll need to settle and what the costs represent. If you don't understand any part of this process, let us know and we'll explain every thing in language you will understand. This part of buying real estate can be a bit confusing for some buyers, but just ask us and we'll explain everything in terms you can understand.

STEP 8. BEHIND THE SCENES - ELVES AT WORK

Once we have the inspections done and assuming the house is sound, we'll schedule the title work with the settlement office. We'll also arrange for the termite inspection. We'll schedule the settlement at a time convenient for you and the seller. The title office will arrange for a title search to make sure there are no liens or encumbrances on the property. The seller can only transfer a clean title. If there is a problem, the title company will notice us immediately. The title company will also arrange for a survey of the property to prepare a drawing of the boundaries with the house situated on the lot. This will be valuable in knowing your boundaries and putting up fencing.

INSURANCE

You'll need to order hazard insurance, or homeowners insurance a few days prior to settlement. The lender will require it and you want a policy to protect you from loss by fire, theft, liability claims. We can recommend local agents to you or you can use the company that insures your automobile. If at the last minute you forget, you cannot settle without this policy in place. The lender WILL NOT lend you money without this insurance in place. You can insure with any company of your choice. However, if you forget, we'll contact an agent with whom we work and put the insurance on in order to cover you. Since you can't settle without insurance, this is a critical task.

STEP 9. GETTING READY TO SETTLE . . . .ALMOST HOME

The steps above will generally take from 20 to 40 days depending on your need to take occupancy and the seller's need to move. These dates are firm in the contract. We always work toward a firm and pre-determined settlement date in this area. By now, your loan is approved and we're just waiting for the day you settle and take possession.

SETTLEMENT FUNDS

A day or so before settlement, you'll need to get a Cashiers Check for your settlement funds. The title company cannot disburse the proceeds of your loan and record your title without complete payment and it must be in certified funds. We recommend a Cashiers Check for settlement.

WALK-THROUGH INSPECTION

The morning of or up to five days before settlement, we will arrange a walk-through inspection of the home to make sure everything mechanical, plumbing, electrical, etc. is in working condition. This gives you an opportunity to examine any repairs made by the sellers pursuant to the home inspection. Termite treatments, if any, will have been done at the seller's expense. If the sellers have damaged any part of the house moving out, these items will be noted and you'll be compensated. Our contracts require a "broom clean and free of debris" property to be left by the seller. We'll be with you to make sure everything is in the condition when you purchased the home. If you can't be here for the walk-through inspection, we'll do it for you.

STEP 10. GIVE ME MY KEYS ! ! !

You and the sellers will meet at the title office. We'll be there with you to make sure the settlement documents are correct. Most of the documents will be Fannie Mae standard documents. The document we examine most closely is the Settlement Statement or HUD-1. This document will reconcile debits and credits for you and the seller. The title attorney will explain every line of the HUD-1 Settlement Statement.

CONGRATULATIONS ! ! YOU ARE A HOME OWNER.

Take the train. Good prices and lovely new homes.
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