Buying Your Dream Home

The Crucial First Steps

"Where Do I Start?"

Dozens of people will play important, but limited roles in your transaction. Only your Buyer's Agent will be involved from start to finish.

• Choose your Buyer's Agent first
• Let your Buyer's Agent guide you

"Does The Agent Represent Me?"

Under Virginia law, agents always represent the seller - unless you have a written Buyer's Agent Agreement.

• In most cases, there will be no fee.
• An exception to this rule may occur in the case of "For Sale by Owner".
• In any case, the agreement must be written.

"What's next?"

Let your Buyer's Agent assist in obtaining a pre-qualification including a written "good-faith" estimate of your buying range from a lender. The estimate includes:

• Your maximum price
• Closing costs
• Pre-paids
• Monthly payment
• Principle
• Interest
• Taxes
• Insurance
• Down payment
• Required reserves

"How Do I Find The Right Home?"

Your Buyer's Agent can assure that you see every home that is in your price range, and fit your criteria by:

• Selecting homes based on extensive knowledge of your criteria

Find a set of homes you like?

Your Agent will make appointments to gain access to the homes of your choice.

How Much Do You Offer?

The only reliable guide is actual sales history of similar homes in the area.

• Your Agent will supply written histories

"How Much Earnest Money Is Expected?"

One to two percent is typical. You must convince the Seller that you are:

• Serious
• Able to complete the purchase
• Minimal Earnest Money is interpreted as a lack of sincerity

"How Do I Make An Offer?"

Insist on a "bar-form contract"

• Developed jointly by the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors and the Virginia Legal Bar Association.
• Attorney approved
• Lots of built-in safe-guards
• Your Buyer's Agent will cover all the details with you

Free Information For Buyers

To request any of the documents below, please call 703-795-3111 or email Arleane at asweetney@aol.com. Please include your home address, as most of the items are not available electronically.

• Home Buyer's Guide
• Information About Mortgages
• An Agent's Role
• How Arleane C. Sweetney Will Work With Buyers
• Is It Really A Good Time To Buy?
• Why Buy Instead of Rent?