Looking to purchase a new home in Naples? Metro Properties can help.

Buying a home is a stressful event for most people, but with a bit of planning ahead of time, it isn't too complicated. So they'll know exactly what to expect, I'll supply buyers with a road map of the whole deal. Here are my nine steps to buying a home. When you're ready to get started, simply contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm glad to answer any questions you have about this information.

Step 1 – Get ready to buy
Before you begin searching for a home, there are several things you'll want to contemplate. You'll most likely want to assemble a checklist of items you want to have, plan for what neighborhoods and school districts you want to live in, and start working on your budget. Ensuring your mortgage payment is less than 30 percent of your monthly income is a good rule of thumb to go by.

Step 2 – Communicate with a real estate agent
That's where I come in. We can set up a time to get together so we can talk about your real estate needs and get an idea of your plans for the future. We'll talk about the mortgage industry, other economic factors that may potentially affect your buying decision today or in the future, as well as neighborhoods and school districts in the Naples area.

I'll also assist you in getting started on your loan. There are some excellent mortgage professionals in Naples, and I work with a lot of them, so you're in great hands. They can help you figure out which type of loan is best for you, as well as help you get approved.

Step 3 – Start house-hunting
After we meet for the first time, I'll begin looking for houses on the market that meet your needs. I'll research many of the houses and ignore the duds, and then we'll book appointments to tour the houses whenever it's convenient for you.

When we view homes, I'll identify good features, as well as bad ones. I'll also ask you to point out what things you like and dislike. Usually, buyers revise their list of must-haves as we view houses and some features become far more important than others. If such is the case, I'll search the listings again and narrow it down to the home you've been wishing for.

Step 4 – Understand the housing market
My knowledge of the Naples housing market is an essential aspect in your home search. I am acquainted with all the neighborhoods and schools, and I will let you know certain districts are "hot" and call for prompt action and the ones that are "cold" and allow for careful consideration.

As we tour homes, I'll make sure to communicate if the seller's asking price has room for bargaining or if I believe the home is "priced to sell." Any REALTOR will tell you they truly know the home market, but take note, and be sure to ask your agent a lot of questions. If things don't add up, contact me at 866-300-1550 or e-mail me at , and I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you might have. My understanding of the market will keep you a step ahead throughout the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the home you've been waiting for
I'm confident we'll find your dream home in the Naples area. When we do, I'll thoroughly develop your home purchase offer. The offer will be made to fit your needs and the home. We'll include many contingencies, such as acquiring financing, carrying out the home inspection, and a clear title.

When sending in your purchase offer, you'll likely want to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to the home seller to secure the offer to buy the property. The amount is most often applied to the closing costs. If the seller accepts your offer, we should close on the property about 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows sufficient time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
Unfortunately most contracts aren't closed on the beginning offer – it's extremely common to receive a counter offer. But don't let it discourage you. We'll talk about whether or not to agree to the counter offer, propose our own counter offer, or decline the seller's offer and go on.

The state of the market will play a big part in how aggressively we negotiate the deal. In addition, we'll work within your financing budget. And at the end of the day, we'll assemble a contract that's best for you.

Step 7 – Obtain a loan
After we sign the final contract, you'll start working with your lender to close the loan. This won't be a long process at all if you're pre-approved, but you should to stay in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll deal with all the property information your mortgage lender will need to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
Your mortgage lender will supply you with a Loan Estimate (LE) of closing costs within three days of taking your application. You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) detailing your closing costs from your mortgage lender within three days of getting your loan application. The estimate is formed from the loan amount. RESPA requirements mandate that it has to contain all closing costs and be within a strict range of accuracy, and I'll review the estimate and let you know if everything looks okay.

Then we'll close on your house. This will most often happen at a title company or escrow office and will most likely be a smooth and calm affair.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you need anything, be sure to contact me at 866-300-1550 or e-mail me at .