More Money, Time Saving & Helpful Tips for Buyer's !












Ways to protect yourself from unpleasant surprises !

Have your Agent do a Market Analysis on the Home you choose before making an offer.
Review the Seller's Disclosure Form........IN DETAIL !
Think about getting a Home Warranty/Protection Plan whether you or the seller purchase it.
Have a Building Inspection done.
Have other appropriate inspections done ( septic, heating & cooling, etc.)
 Have a Title Search done!

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Ask these questions before selecting your Agent !

What are your company's resources, support staff and network affiliation ?
What is your company's history & track record in helping Buyers? (example: How many customers did your company serve last year?)
What systems does the agent have to help you ? (example: checklists, informational website, etc.)
Does your agent appear trustworthy, caring & committed to helping you?
What are your agents credentials ? (examples: have they furthered their real estate education, which designations such as Graduate Realty Institute or GRI, are do they have the certified Approved Buyers Representative or ABR designation )?

Check out All About Mary to see her credentials 

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Some " DON'Ts " every home Buyer should know !

Don't buy before you do some comparison shopping....... especially if  you're new to the area.
Don't wait for the perfect house......there isn't one. When you find a house or property that is consistent with your top few priorities - consider  writing an offer. Seldom does a buyer find a property that has more than  85% of what they want/need.
Don't or at least be VERY careful about writing an unrealistic offer or  you  will simply be helping someone else's offer look good. When a  property is fresh to the market, priced right, in a desirable area it is not unusual under normal circumstances for it to sell QUICKLY.
Don't wait until you have found the RIGHT home to shop for the best loan....Start Up Front.
Don't wait until after finding the right house to get qualified for a loan.....Do it up front....being pre-qualified can often help you negotiate from a stronger position.
Don't think all real estate agents and companies are created  equal... they are not. Look for an agent/company with a great track record and proven results in your local area.
Don't work with more than one agent, it hurts you & the agents. Find  an agent you like & trust and stick with them (that way the agent can  truly get to know you and your wants/needs). If at first you make a bad  choice, CHANGE, but stick with the new one. Only pick a friend or relative that is licensed as an agent if they are GOOD!
 Don't get too many friends and family involved in your buying decision.....you'll go CRAZY !
Don't be surprised if you get buyer's remorse at some point before the closing.....most buyers do. It is normal and in 99.99% of buyers it will  just pass.

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Getting yourself in " SHAPE " to be a First Time Homebuyer !
 

Check on your credit rating by having a credit agency or your mortgage  loan officer run a credit report, that way if there are any mistakes or problems with the report you can have time to clear up the problems!
 
 Find a mortgage loan officer (for more information go to the Financing section) and be pre-qualified.
 
 Get a mortgage pre-approval.
 
Put back the necessary funds in your checking account to write an initial earnest money  check.
 
 Ensure that the remaining money for your down payment is easily accessible. (did you know that there are at times NO DOWN PAYMENT loans available?)
 
 If receiving a "Gift Letter" for some of your down payment, deposit the money into your bank account.
 
 If at all possible....pay balances on revolving credit cards.
 
 DO NOT make any big purchases on installment payments ( such as a car, furniture, etc.) before getting loan approval & ESPECIALLY BEFORE closing on your new home.
 
 Know when you would be able to move into a new home......(Are you renting? Do you have a lease? Other timing issues?)......that way you can work with your agent to negotiate the right closing and possession dates.

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A Typical Step by Step Sequence to Buying Your Home.
 

Look for an agent to help you through the maze.

Interview the agent....set an appointment with an agent (Hopefully ME!) to find out if they have the skills, services, professionalism & attitude that you like and can work with.

Clarify your wants and needs to your agent...let them know your objectives and timetable.
Have the agent help you establish your purchasing power...this may include helping you find a mortgage representative and having you get pre-approved.
Have the agent utilize the Multiple Listing System (MLS) to see what properties are available in your price range, desired location/s, and other criteria you may want to put in. Select the best three to five properties to see. Your agent can then make appointments for you to see those properties.
View each property objectively (remember the odds are against any house meeting 100% of your wants/needs. If one of them meets 85% or more of your wants/needs, seriously consider that property. If none of them fit.....work with your agent to find and select the next best 3 to 5 properties and also have your agent keep an eye on the market to let you know when a good one becomes available that appears to meet your wants/needs.

When the RIGHT ONE is found, try not to delay (if it's priced right & in a desirable area - it may go fast!). Have your agent compare it's price to others in the area and make AN OFFER.

Have your agent present your offer ASAP....time is of the essence!

Handle all counter offers and negotiations with a win/win attitude.

Once a Contract has been ACCEPTED, watch out and try to avoid "Second Guessing Syndrome"....also know as "Buyer's Remorse". Almost EVERYONE gets it at some point in time. Let it pass.

Finalize any loan details to get the final approval. If you HAVEN'T been pre-approved, you have to get the ball rolling NOW!

Any inspections that need to be done should be ordered now (normally you have 10-15 days to complete them once a contract is accepted. Your agent should be able to furnish you with a list of inspectors in your area that are qualified, for you to choose from.

If there are any major problems found during the inspections, it will now be time to decide what if anything you want to try and have the seller replace or repair.....this now has to be negotiated again with the seller.  

Before closing you need to have your agent schedule a Final Walk Thru to make sure everything is as it was agreed to be. (see section on The Final Walk Thru). You should also receive instructions from your agent, your mortgage representative and/or the title company that tells you what you will need to bring to Closing.  

It's a good ideal to show up early for the closing to make sure you have brought everything you will need.

Once the Seller Closes and the money has been funded (that means the Seller gets the money due to them)

THAT'S IT !   CONGRATULATIONS !
      Now you will be able to MOVE IN (see the Moving Tips section for helpful information) !!! After closing most agents will want you to keep in touch (I KNOW I DO !) so that I can assist you with questions, concerns and/or problems whenever you have the need !

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The Final Walk-Thru......Some Things to Look For

The final walk-thru is a final opportunity for you to be certain that the home you purchased is in similar condition as it was on the date of the initial contract. The final walk-thru is not to be  used as another home inspection or a tool to renegotiate items at the closing table.
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Doorbell     
Stove/cook top  
Garbage disposal
Trash compactor
Central humidifier
Washer
Dryer
Central vac system
Ceiling fans
Heating system/s
Cooling system/s
Window air conditioning units
Windows
Existing storm windows & screens
Intercom system
Security system
Hot tub
Any items that were negotiated to be replaced 
      or repaired per the initial inspection.

 

Range/oven   
Microwave
Refrigerator
Attached gas grill
Sump pump
Water softener
Smoke detectors
TV antennas
Bathroom fixtures
Toilets
Bathtubs
Sinks
Showers
Doors
Garage door opener/s
Sprinkler system
Spa
Any personal property items that 
      are to remain on the property per 
      the contract.

 

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Some helpful Tips for MOVING IN Time !
 Not all of these may be necessary and some are only if you are moving out of state.
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Send change of address to:
Post Office: give forwarding address  
Charge Accounts, credit cards  
Subscriptions: notice requires several weeks.  
Automobile: transfer of car title registration, driver's license, city windshield sticker, motor club membership.  
School records: ask for copies or transfer of children's records.  
Health: medical, dental, prescription histories. Ask doctor and dentist for referrals, transfer needed prescriptions,  x-rays. 		Friends and relatives
Bank: transfer funds, arrange check- cashing in new town.  
Insurance: life, health, fire and auto.
Utility companies: gas, light, water,  telephone, fuel: arrange for refunds of any deposits and for service in new town.
Cancel / Change newspaper delivery
Church, clubs, civic organizations:  transfer memberships, get letters of introduction.
Pets: ask about regulations for licenses, vaccinations, tags, etc.
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And don't forget to:

Defrost freezer/refrigerator: place charcoal to dispel odors.
Have appliances serviced for moving.
Check insurance coverage, packing and unpacking labor (if needed), arrival day, various shipping papers, method and time of expected payment. 		Remember arrangements for TV and antenna or cable or dish service.
Empty freezer: plan use of foods.
Clean rugs or clothing before moving: have them wrapped or packed.
Plan for special care needs of infants and children.
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And on moving day:
Carry currency, jewelry, documents yourself or use registered mail.
Carry traveler's checks for quick, available funds.
Leave all old keys needed by new tenant or owner with the real estate agent. 		Plan for transporting pets: they are poor traveling companions if unhappy.
Let close friend or relative know your route and schedule, including overnight stops, if you don't have a cell phone, use
her/him as a message headquarters.
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A Proven "3 Step Approach" to selecting the Right Property !
 

Step  1.  Approach the home buying process Objectively... 

There is No Perfect House.......85% perfect is Good      

The Good Houses Priced Right.......Go Quickly

Avoid the second guessing Syndrome...Commonly referred to as "Buyer's Remorse"

Step  2.  After  viewing  each  property  ask yourself 3 Important Questions.....

What did I like about the property ?  

What, if anything, would I want or need to change?

If the price were right, could I see myself owning this property? If Yes, at what price?

Step  3.  Remember you have 3 Safety Nets available to you...

Your judgement as an educated/informed Buyer !  

The customized Market Analysis prepared by your agent !

The option of an Appraisal Rider !

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THE LIST of more available Informational Topics for BUYER'S

To inquire about any of the topics listed below, just email me or give me a call so that we can discuss your specific situation. That way I will be able to assist you in a more meaningful way !!! Why not put all of Mary's experience, knowledge & information to work for you ! 
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Some of the most common hidden 
      defects in real property.
 Making your Move less 
      stressful....a checklist to make 
      sure things get done.
 Moving checklist for Kids.
 Common contingencies that 
      Buyers might consider putting into 
      their offer to purchase.
 List of common Closing Cost for 
      Buyers.
 Ingredients to successfully s
      electing a contractor or home 
      remodeler for Buyers.
 Do I need an agent when buying a 
      home? 9 Critical Points.
 Home Warranty Policy 
      Checklist.....for Buyers
 Location - Location - 
      Location....Characteristics of an 
      economically healthy 
      neighborhood
 The top 8 reasons for using a 
      Professional Real Estate Agent
 The top 10 Service Providers you 
      will want to consider using the 
      next time you purchase a home
 Getting yourself "In Shape" to buy 
      your nest home
 The 5 Big Mistakes most home 
      Buyers make & how you can 
      avoid each one.
*

 

 Proven checklists to help keep 
      you on track & avoid common 
      Buyer mistakes.
 Simple steps to becoming a 
      "Smart Buyer".
 Moving checklist for Buyers.
 Moving checklist for Pets.
 Moving checklist for Plants.
 Are you a Ready, Willing & Able 
      Buyer? 7 Critical issues to 
      consider.
 A proven 3 step approach to 
      selecting the right property.
 Sets of rules & regulations every 
      home Buyer should be aware of 
      before buying.
 Before you continue your pursuit 
      of buying your next home...The  
      Big 3 Questions to Ask Yourself.
 Prioritizing your needs as a  
      Buyer... 30+ home buying issues 
      to consider
 Searching for your next home......
      11 questions to ask yourself 
 The 3 Major tax issues every 
      Buyer of real estate needs to know
 Do I have a valid & enforceable 
      contract ? 6 Essential elements 
      of most real estate contracts 

*               Back to Menu

 

 9 things every Buyer needs to 
      know about title insurance
 Buyer Goal Worksheet
 14 Questions to ask all 
      lenders....plus....The Home Loan 
      application checklist.
 5 Simple Steps to buying your next 
      home that could save you 
      thousands of dollars.

 New Construction
 4 Keys to choosing your site for 
      New Construction  
 5 things you may AVOID if you buy 
      New Construction 
 19 bits of data that can help you 
      objectively evaluate the Building 
      Site
 Selecting a Winning Team to build 
      your New Home.... 4 Questions 
      you need to ask yourself
 Should I be my own Contractor ?  
      10 Critical questions to ask 
      yourself.
       Condominiums  
 9 Issues to consider before buying  
      a Condominium.
 Attention Condo Buyers: 3 warning 
      signs that could cost you 
      thousands of dollars.
*

 

* Mary reserves the right to deny any request for any form of additional information at her sole discretion
and the right to implement a monetary charge with notification at the time requests are initiated to cover 
costs incurred. This information is only available in the continental United States & is solely intended 
to be available to clients or prospective clients in the geographical areas that Mary covers.

 




  
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Please bookmark this site for your future use & I hope your visit today has been helpful and ENJOYABLE!
 
Another of Mary's LOGO's with a blue "Simply" slanted in script with "Better Real Estate Services" straight across in shades of grey.               Jefferson County's  
REALTOR® of the Year 2003 

*** This website is intended to assist readers by providing information on real estate matters. We have made strong efforts to supply accurate information; however, we cannot guarantee the timeliness, accuracy or completeness of this information, or information found on other websites we link to. If you find that the external links we have provided have changed and now go to the wrong or any inappropriate websites, Please let us know immediately ! Please verify all information enclosed as it pertains to your specific real estate situation with a Licensed Realtor, since conclusions you could make based on the information presented may vary depending on your location, situation and/or needs. The information presented in this website represents Mary's professional opinion. Buyers and sellers are encouraged to seek independent council relating to all issues of purchasing and selling of real property. This website is in no way meant to substitute for independent council.  
    
If your property is currently listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers. We are happy to work with them and cooperate fully. RE/MAX Beat Choice  is a registered trademark. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each RE/MAX Office is independently Owned and Operated.


 Copyright © 2005 - 2008 Mary Carter, USA, All Rights Reserved.
 Mary reserves the right to deny any request for any form of additional information at her sole discretion
and the right to implement a monetary charge with notification at the time requests are initiated to cover 
costs incurred. This information is only available in the continental United States & is solely intended 
to be available to clients or prospective clients in the geographical areas that Mary covers.

A house silouette with photo of Gary inside, mouse over makes smoke come from chimney, click to email Gary!
Mary's site was designed by & is maintained by Gary Carter   -  garylcarter@charter.net

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COVERING ST.LOUIS, JEFFERSON, ST. GENEVIEVE AND ST. FRANCOIS COUNTIES SPECIALIZING IN 
RESIDENTIAL SALES, NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION, RELOCATION, FARMS & ACREAGE
JEFFERSON County communities of FESTUS, BARNHART, HILLSBORO, 
ST. LOUIS, DESOTO, ARNOLD, HIGHRIDGE, and HERCULANEUM

Please bookmark my site for your future use & I hope your visit today will be Helpful and Enjoyable!

Mary Carter, GRI, ABR Certified

My History & Experiences
     I was born in Festus, Missouri on a cold January 1st morning at 12:03 am - so, yes I am a New Years Baby, which ended up costing me many presents over the years, since my parents almost always combined my Christmas & Birthday gifts into one !
    I graduated from Festus High School in 1966 & was married to a 1965 Herculaneum graduate, Gary Carter the same year & amazingly (against all odds!) we are still married 39 years later ! At the time we were married, Gary was in the Air Force, so our first few years were spent between Air Force bases in Texas & Arkansas. After that we came back to the local area for awhile. Gary was in the Computer / Electronics industry which at that time seemed to like to relocate people a lot!!! So, over the 39 years of our marriage we have lived in 7 different states and have personally bought & sold many homes. That alone gave me a lot of real estate experience.   
    My actual real estate experience began in 1983 while living in New Hampshire. There I worked as an Administrative Assistant to the owner of a local real estate company. Then while living in Atlanta, Georgia I again worked in the administrative end of a local real estate company. In 1992 we moved back to the local area and now live in Herculaneum. From 1997 to 1999 I worked as an office manager 
  
 for a local real estate company - So as you can now imagine I knew A LOT about the industry !!! I went to school and received my real estate license in 1999 & joined the new & first office that Gundaker Realty opened in Festus....since then they were bought out by Coldwell Banker and became Coldwell Banker Gundaker & I am happy to say that I still work out of their Festus office !

  I have listed below the positions I have held along with the awards I have been given and the designations I have earned through advanced education in all areas of real estate:
                        ................
REALTOR®  of the Year 2003 for Jefferson County, Multi-Million Dollar Sales Producer, Sterling Club Member, Graduate of the advanced Realty Institute - GRI Certified, Accredited Buyer Representative - ABR, 2005 President elect Jefferson County Chapter of Women’s Council of Realtors® (WCR), Cendant Mobility Relocation Specialist, Residential Real Estate Specialist (RRES) 2002 Winner of the prestigious Henry Aydt ETHICS Scholarship Award, Years of experience in real estate Administration & Office Management before obtaining License, Served as Parliamentarian, Vice President, and currently State Director for the Jefferson County Board of REALTORS®

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Ask these Questions before Selecting Your Agent ! 

Selecting your agent..........It's really an Important Decision !

 Some things to look for & think about!
   Selecting a Real Estate Agent to work with is more a personal choice. What I mean is that there are many Agents with the licenses to sell you a home ..... but once you know they meet those minimum qualifications .... what's very important is that you can work well with the Agent you select and feel comfortable that they have your best interest at heart ! (because any licensed Agent can show you any Real Estate Companies listings - not just their own !)You may want to talk to a few Agents before deciding. Once you have chosen an Agent (and I hope it's Me!) the next step is to understand how Missouri Agents are required to work under Missouri Law. The Agent may ask that you agree to and sign a "Buyer's Agency Agreement", it is not required, but without it, by law, the Agent is required to work on the 'Sellers' behalf. Next, your Agent of Choice will need to know as much as you can tell them about what you are looking for in your 'IDEAL' Home (see the 'Tell me what you want in a Home' section for help in doing this), and the price range you want to look at (see the   
 'Selecting a Mortgage Rep.' section for help)

So, why should I select Mary as my agent?
If you want the answer to why, Please go to All About Mary to find out about my experience, background & history, along with the earned credentials & designations I have received by devoting many hours to additional training. Oh Yes, I do have the GRI designation TOO!!!

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Why should you choose a REALTOR® With a GRI designation?
( Graduate REALTOR® Institute )
  Here are just a few of the reasons!
   Buying property is a complex and stressful task. In fact, it's often the biggest single investment you will make in your lifetime. At the same time, real estate transactions have become increasingly complicated.
    New technology, laws, procedures and the increasing sophistication of buyers and sellers require real estate practitioners to perform at an ever-increasing level of professionalism. 
    So it's more important than ever that you work with an agent who has a keen understanding of the real estate business. The GRI program has helped the best and the brightest in the industry achieve that level of understanding. 
GRIs are:    
   
* Nationally recognized as top performers   in the real estate industry
* Professionally trained
* Knowledgeable
* Dedicated to bringing you quality    
  service

           A GRI can make a difference !
When you see the letters "GRI" after an agent's name, you can count on receiving the knowledge and guidance you need to make your transaction go smoothly. In short, you can count on getting the best service available from a real estate professional. 
    Don't you deserve the best?
   How do Agents get the GRI designation?
They must attend the GRI Designation Program!
It was developed for members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and offered through State REALTOR® Associations, the GRI program includes 90 hours of coursework on various topics such as marketing and servicing listed properties to real estate law. I have my GRI and you will see the following GRI logo prominently displayed for Agents that have it!
This is what a GRI logo looks like!
You will see this logo or the GRI designation letters on all of Mary's  materials !                    

COVERING ST.LOUIS, JEFFERSON, ST. GENEVIEVE AND ST. FRANCOIS COUNTIES SPECIALIZING IN 
RESIDENTIAL SALES, NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION, RELOCATION, FARMS & ACREAGE
JEFFERSON County communities of FESTUS, BARNHART, HILLSBORO, 
ST. LOUIS, DESOTO, ARNOLD, HIGHRIDGE, and HERCULANEUM

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Please bookmark my site for your future use & I hope your visit today will be Helpful and Enjoyable!