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Home Buying: What To Do & What Not To Do
Smart choices from pre-approval through closing

WHAT I RECOMMEND YOU DO
Get pre-approved before seriously shopping. I can connect you with trusted local mortgage professionals if you need a lender.
Keep your finances stable and continue paying every bill on time.
Save your financial documentation. Your lender may request updated bank statements, pay stubs, tax documents, or explanations of deposits.
Ask me questions along the way. I want you to understand what is happening and feel comfortable with each decision.
Budget beyond the down payment. I will remind you to consider closing costs, inspections, moving expenses, repairs, and an emergency cushion.
Review disclosures, inspection findings, contracts, loan documents, and the final walk-through carefully. I will help explain the real estate portions of the process.
Tell your lender and me immediately if your employment, income, debt, or financial situation changes.
WHAT I RECOMMEND YOU DON'T DO
Do not open new credit cards, finance furniture, lease or buy a vehicle, or co-sign a loan before closing without speaking to your lender.
Do not make large unexplained cash deposits or move significant amounts of money between accounts without documenting the source.
Do not change jobs, reduce hours, or change how you are paid without first discussing the possible effect on financing.
Do not max out credit cards or miss payments. Your credit can be rechecked before closing.
Do not spend the money you have set aside for your down payment and closing costs.
Do not assume the home is yours until the transaction is fully closed. I will help you keep track of the important steps still ahead.

My best advice: From pre-approval until you receive your keys, check with your lender before making any major financial move - and keep me informed so I can help keep your purchase on track.

What I Do for You as Your Buyer's Agent
My job is to guide you, represent your interests, and help keep your purchase moving forward

Before We Shop
I will talk with you about your goals, preferred locations, property type, timing, budget, and must-haves.
I will explain the buying process and connect you with trusted lenders and other professionals when needed.
I will create a property search designed around what matters most to you.
During Your Home Search
I will schedule and coordinate showings.
I will help you compare properties, features, taxes, neighborhoods, and value.
I will help identify questions we should investigate and gather available property information.
When You Are Ready to Make an Offer
I will review comparable sales with you and help develop an offer strategy.
I will prepare and explain your purchase offer, including price, dates, contingencies, inclusions, and other terms.
I will present your offer and negotiate with the listing side while representing your interests.
Once You Are Under Contract
I will keep track of important dates and contractual obligations.
I will coordinate inspections and help you navigate your options based on the contract and findings.
I will communicate with your lender, attorney, inspector, listing agent, and other professionals to help keep everything moving.
I will help address appraisal, repair, documentation, scheduling, or transaction issues that arise.
Before Closing
I will coordinate your final walk-through.
I will help confirm agreed-upon property-related items are addressed.
I will help you stay organized for closing and remain available for questions through the transfer of ownership.

As your buyer's agent, I will be your trusted advocate throughout the transaction.

Ready to Start Your Home Buying Journey?
I am here to help from our first conversation through closing - and beyond.

JODI COLLINS
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
Great Lakes Real Estate
Phone: 716-417-0271
Serving buyers throughout Western New York

How I Can Help
I will create a personalized home search based on your needs, lifestyle, and budget.
I will explain financing, offers, inspections, appraisal, and closing in understandable terms.
I will schedule private showings and help you evaluate and compare properties.
I will research comparable sales and help you understand a home's market value.
I will develop an offer and negotiation strategy with you.
I will coordinate inspections and help you navigate concerns that may arise.
I will keep track of important dates, deadlines, and transaction details.
I will communicate with your lender, attorney, inspector, listing agent, and other professionals throughout the transaction.
I will assist with your final walk-through and closing preparations.
I can connect you with trusted local lenders, inspectors, attorneys, contractors, movers, cleaners, landscapers, handymen, and other professionals.
I can provide local information and resources for neighborhoods and for buyers relocating to Western New York.
I can help with moving resources, utility-transfer information, and other move-in details.
I will remain a resource for you after closing whenever you need real estate or homeownership guidance.

My goal is to make your home-buying experience organized, informed, and as stress-free as possible.

Home Buying Key Words
Real estate terms I want you to feel comfortable understanding

You will hear a lot of real estate language during your purchase. I will explain these terms as we go, but this page gives you a quick reference whenever you need it.

TERM | WHAT IT MEANS
Pre-Approval | A lender's preliminary review of your finances indicating the loan amount you may qualify for. It is stronger than a basic pre-qualification.
Purchase Offer | The written proposal we prepare to buy a property, including price, financing, dates, contingencies, and other terms.
Earnest Money / Deposit | Money submitted as part of the contract to show good faith. How it is handled depends on the contract and circumstances.
Contingency | A condition that must be met for the transaction to move forward, such as financing, inspection, appraisal, or attorney approval when applicable.
Home Inspection | A professional visual evaluation of the home's accessible systems and components.
Appraisal | An independent opinion of value generally ordered by your lender to help determine whether the property supports the loan.
Comparable Sales / Comps | Recently sold properties I can review with you to help evaluate a home's market value.
Closing Costs | Expenses paid in connection with your purchase and loan, which may include lender fees, title-related charges, prepaid taxes/insurance, and other items.
Down Payment | The portion of the purchase price you pay from your own funds rather than borrowing.
Escrow | Funds or documents held by a third party until specified conditions are met. It can also refer to an account used by a lender to collect taxes and insurance.
Title | The legal ownership rights to real property. A title search looks for liens, claims, or other issues affecting ownership.
Final Walk-Through | Our final visit shortly before closing to confirm the property's condition and agreed-upon items.
Closing | The final stage when required documents and funds are completed and ownership transfers to you.
PITI | Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance - four major components commonly used when discussing a monthly housing payment.
Seller Concession | An agreed seller credit toward certain buyer closing costs, subject to the contract and loan program rules.

The Steps to Buying a Home
I will guide you through each step from planning to keys

Define Your Goals
We will talk about where you want to live, your timing, budget, property type, and must-have features.
Get Pre-Approved
I can connect you with trusted lenders, and you will establish a comfortable purchase range and financing plan.
Establish Our Buyer Relationship
I will explain how I represent you, how we will communicate, and what you can expect from me.
Start Your Home Search
I will create your search, schedule showings, and help you compare homes as we refine your priorities.
Choose a Home & Build an Offer Strategy
I will review market activity and comparable sales with you so we can discuss price, financing, dates, contingencies, and terms.
Submit & Negotiate Your Offer
I will prepare and present your offer and negotiate with the listing side on your behalf.
Complete Contract & Attorney Steps
I will help you stay on top of the contract, attorney review/approval, deposit, and other required steps applicable to your transaction.
Complete Inspections
I will help coordinate inspections permitted by your contract and keep you aware of important deadlines.
Financing & Appraisal
I will stay in communication with you and the transaction professionals while you continue working closely with your lender.
Title & Closing Preparation
I will help keep the transaction organized while title work, insurance, lender conditions, final figures, and closing requirements are completed.
Final Walk-Through
I will meet you at the property shortly before closing so we can confirm its condition and agreed-upon items.
Closing Day
You will complete the final documents and transfer. I will be there as a resource as you reach the finish line and receive your keys.

Jodi Collins | Licensed Real Estate Salesperson | Great Lakes Real Estate | 716-417-0271