Buyers

family

Buying a home can be one of your most significant investments of your life. Choosing a home is both a matter of the heart and the pocketbook. One really does not outweigh the other. As your real estate agents, we’ll help you find a happy balance between the two.

First, you’ll benefit from the wealth of experience we bring by successfully negotiating and closing deals in the Venice real estate market. We’ll help you find the house and the neighborhood that will meet your emotional and financial needs for today and tomorrow. We have access to every property that is currently for sale in the Venice and Sarasota area.

Next, we’ll do everything we can to take the stress out of your home buying experience. There are hundreds of details that go into each real estate transaction, let us handle those for you. And let us help you find a lender, inspector, appraiser and all the other service providers that make for a smooth and worry-free transaction.

Whether you are a first-time buyer or a “real estate veteran,” we’re ready and happy to answer all your questions about the Venice and Sarasota market and the home-buying experience. You’ll get honest answers, just ask, were only an email or phone call away.

    Get Your Finances in Order: To-Do List

  • Develop a household budget. Instead of creating a budget of what you’d like to spend, use receipts to create a budget that reflects your actual spending habits over the last several months. This approach will factor in unexpected expenses, such as car repairs, as well as predictable costs such as rent, utility bills, and groceries.
  • Reduce your debt. Lenders generally look for a total debt load of no more than 36 percent of income. This figure includes your mortgage, which typically ranges between 25 and 28 percent of your net household income. So you need to get monthly payments on the rest of your installment debt — car loans, student loans, and revolving balances on credit cards — down to between 8 and 10 percent of your net monthly income.
  • Look for ways to save. You probably know how much you spend on rent and utilities, but little expenses add up, too. Try writing down everything you spend for one month. You’ll probably spot some great ways to save, whether it’s cutting out that morning trip to Starbucks or eating dinner at home more often.
  • Increase your income. Now’s the time to ask for a raise! If that’s not an option, you may want to consider taking on a second job to get your income at a level high enough to qualify for the home you want.
  • Save for a down payment. Designate a certain amount of money each month to put away in your savings account. Although it’s possible to get a mortgage with only 5 percent down, or even less, you can usually get a better rate if you put down a larger percentage of the total purchase. Aim for a 20 percent down payment.
  • Keep your job. While you don’t need to be in the same job forever to qualify for a home loan, having a job for less than two years may mean you have to pay a higher interest rate.
  • Establish a good credit history. Get a credit card and make payments by the due date. Do the same for all your other bills, too. Pay off the entire balance promptly.

    Ten Rules to Follow When Buying a Home

  • Make a commitment. Commit yourself to your new home for at least a couple of years before making your next move.
  • Money matters. If you’re considering a mortgage, shore up your credit and get a copy of your credit report.
  • Get pre-approved. Save yourself the time and grief of looking at houses you can’t afford.
  • Determine how large your mortgage can be. Explore different loan options to determine what is best for you.
  • Decide what (and where) you want to buy. Prioritize your needs (i.e., location, schools,
    amenities).
  • Consider your re-sale value. Even if you don’t have school-aged kids, a strong school district is a good thing.
  • Do your homework. Bid based on sales trends of similar homes in the neighborhood.
  • Calculate the hidden costs. Property taxes, insurance, maintenance and association fees can impact your wallet over time.
  • Don’t be house poor. Double and triple check to be sure you haven’t maxed yourself out on the cost of your home and left nothing for maintenance, etc.
  • Get help. Hire a REALTOR® to get the most for your money. It pays to have someone looking out for your interests.

    Lender Checklist: What You Need for a Mortgage

  • W-2 forms (or business tax return forms if you’re self-employed) for the last 2-3 years for every person signing the loan.
  • Copies of at least one pay stub for each person signing the loan.
  • Account numbers of all your credit cards and the amounts for any outstanding balances.
  • Copies of two to four months of bank or credit union statements for both checking and savings accounts.
  • Lender, loan number, and amount owed on other installment loans, such as student loans and car loans.
  • Addresses where you’ve lived for the last five to seven years, with names of landlords if appropriate.
  • Copies of brokerage account statements for two to four months, as well as a list of any other major assets of value, such as a boat, RV, or stocks or bonds not held in a brokerage account.
  • Copies of your most recent 401(k) or other retirement account statement.
  • Documentation to verify additional income, such as child support or a pension.
  • Copies of personal tax forms for the last two to three years.

With over 25 years of sales and service experience in previous careers, the shift to real estate was a natural and seamless transition for both Karen and Ken. They have continued to excel within their marketplace year after year, continually striving to exceed their customer’s expectations. Karen and Ken are current and active Members of the National Association of Realtors®, Florida Association of Realtors and the Venice Board of Realtors. Karen also serves as a volunteer on the Education committee of the Venice Board of Realtors.

941-228-5553karenitjen@gmail.com

Contact the K Team