Purchasing Your Home

Any major purchase requires research, careful analysis, consideration, and thought. Home buying isn't any different! Determining the right location, the number of bedrooms or bathrooms needed, and outdoor space is the easier things. However, there are many other factors to think about in your home search. From your initial search to the moment you get the keys to your new home, we will be there, guiding you through the process. We can even help connect you with mortgage professionals to get the best rates. 

As area experts, we can help educate you on the different neighborhoods, schools, and other local community amenities that suit your lifestyle. 

Home Buying Can Be Easy
As your buying agent, we can help streamline the process of buying a home and make it easier for you. We've aligned with the top professionals in the industry, and once an offer has been accepted, we will personally help facilitate the process to close on the home. By working closely with mortgage brokers, title and escrow companies, home inspectors, and home warranty companies we will provide you with the best service possible!

Curious about what’s happening in your neighborhood? You can create a custom market report to see what’s active, under contract, and sold in your neighborhood! 

Considering selling or refinancing your home? Get an INSTANT property valuation now!

To find out how we can be of assistance to you, please call us today:

609-561-1010

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FROM BUYERS

Joe Wiessner Realty™ is committed to providing the best online experience for all our customers. Please review our Frequently Asked Questions From Buyers and see if the links below are helpful. Fill out the form below with your question, we’ll get the answer for you — FAST!

I’m ready to buy, what’s the first step?

Answer: The first step in buying a home is arranging to pay for it. For those that are financing their new home, this is a critical step and should be addressed before you start looking. We have access to top Lenders, it's fast and easy! Contact us to get your credit score. This is the very first step.

What's Happens Next?

Answer: Depending on the outcome of your credit score, one of three things will happen:

a pre-qualification letter will be issued typically showing your purchase limit along with your down payment amount. This is good, we can go shopping for homes in this general price range.

a pre-approval letter will be issued. This is even better. The buyer has taken further initiative and supplied the Lender with addition documentation (Job History, W-2's, Bank Statements, and Other Savings). Other than paying cash, pre-approval letters always get the Listing Agents attention. This shows real Buyer commitment.

credit repair. Typically if your credit score is below 620, there will be some work that needs to be done before house hinting. Sometimes. with Lender assistance, a couple of moves and you're good to go. In more severe cases it may take much longer (especially in prior short sale and bankruptcy situations)

Your Official... Your Lender Credit Letter has arrived, now what?

Answer: This is the most critical decision a Buyer must make. An error here can cost a Buyer dearly. Choose the Right Agent! This is a fact: 20% of the Agents sell 80% of the real estate. How do you identify these top agents?

How to pick a GOOD AGENT

• Good Agents have good reviews on Google, Facebook, and Zillow. Quantity here does matter, a perfect score does not.
• Elite Agents will never tell you how busy they really are. They just get it it done.
• Good Agents, after viewing a property, will honestly tell Buyers which are good values and which are money pits!
• Top Agents will likely not show Buyers property unless a Lender Qualification Letter or Proof of Funds (Cash) have been delivered to the Agent prior to house hunting.
• Great Agents are both personable and professional. 
• Top Agents often have Assistants, this is a good sign of how seriously they take the details of their business.
• Good Agents have the Buyers best interests at heart, when the Buyer wins, the Agent also wins.

How to spot a WEAK AGENT

• No reviews
• Does not request proof of funds or a pre-qualification or pre-approval letter.
• Only wants to show their listings.
• Pushy, not attentive to the Buyers living situation or to the specific areas where the Buyer wants to live.
• Persuades Buyers not to do their own independent inspections on the offered property. (RUN FOR THE HILLS!)
• Poor Chemistry, unkempt appearance/car. Trust your GUT!

How Do Buyer's Agents Get Paid?

Answer: The overwhelming amount of the time, the Seller as part of their listing agreement with the Listing Agent, agrees to pay for the Buyers Agent portion of the commission. Whats it mean? The vast majority of the time your Buyers Agent works for you for free! Most of the time Buyers don't pay anything!

What Documents Do I Need when I Apply for a Mortgage?

Answer: Good question! If you have everything with you when you visit your lender, you’ll save a good deal of time.

You should have:

1. social security numbers for both your and your spouse, if both of you are applying for the loan;
2. copies of your checking and savings account statements for the past 6 months;
3. evidence of any other assets like bonds or stocks;
4. a recent paycheck stub detailing your earnings;
5. a list of all credit card accounts and the approximate monthly amounts owed on each;
6. a list of account numbers and balances due on outstanding loans, such as car loans;
7. copies of your last 2 years’ income tax statements; and
8. the name and address of someone who can verify your employment. 

What is the #1 Most Misunderstood Belief that Buyers have?

Answer: This is easy! Many Buyers believe that they must call the Agent on the sign. Totally false! I'm not saying that a Buyer is at a disadvantage every time, but it may be in the Buyers best interest to have their own independent representation. Sometimes a listing agent bias can creep in. Meaning: Since the Seller is paying the Buyer and Listing sides (both sides)of the commission, sometimes the allure of twice as much money clouds a listing Agent's judgement.

Why Buy in the First Place?

Answer: We live in the United States of America. The most free country in the world. We have been granted the ability to own as much real estate as we can afford to purchase (there's no limit!). Historically real estate have been a reliable wealth builder by natural appreciation over time plus the fantastic tax benefits that are derived from ownership (namely tax write offs: mortgage interest and property taxes). Check with your accountant for details. Most importantly is just feels good to own a part of the American Dream! The statement "Pride of Ownership" should never be understated. 

“If I were asked to name the chief benefit of the house, I should say: the house shelters daydreaming, the house protects the dreamer, the house allows one to dream in peace.”  — Gaston Bachelard