This section of our website is dedicated to providing our clients with additional resources complement our services. Resources included at this time are: STEPS in the Real Estate process – The basic Do’s and Don’t’s 1. Sign a contract and put down a small deposit (usually $500 - $1000). The deposit may be refundable if the contract doesn't pass attorney review, but it may be lost if the contract is thereafter breached. 2. Contact an attorney IMMEDIATELY. You only have 3 business days for an attorney to review the contract. Most attorneys need at least 2 days to review the contract, discuss the issues with you, come to some decisions, and write a rejection letter with suggested contract revisions. 3. Once a contract that is acceptable to both parties is reached,apply for a mortgage. 4. Your mortgage lender should sit down with you and help you complete the application. Plan on spending at least 2 hours with him/her. Remember to bring your last 2 paychecks, last 2 years tax returns, last bank statements, and your checkbook - you'll probably need to give him/her an application fee. 5. Contact a GOOD home inspector and get an organized, detailed report (not a rambling sprawl of handwriting).*Be aware of Contract Deadlines* 6. Discuss this report IMMEDIATELY with your attorney. Decide if the inspection is acceptable, or if other action should be taken 7. Get follow-up information to your mortgage company, such as: negative credit item explanations, proof of savings account deposits, gift letters. 8. Call a good moving company. Give them know the ball-park date of moving date. Have them come to your house and give you a good faith estimate and start packing. 9. Your mortgage company sends an appraiser to your new home. 10. You receive your mortgage commitment letter. Get a copy to your attorney IMMEDIATELY, and review it with him/her. After discussing it with your attorney and signing it, your attorney usually notifies the sellers of this event. 11. Review with your attorney the title search (that he/she has obtained on your behalf) results and rectify any outstanding issues. 12. At this point, your attorney will schedule a tentative closing date. It will, of course, depend on whether you must sell your existing house first, and if the seller has established certain time restraints, among other considerations. The following links are under development: - Real Estate Glossary of terms - Links to service providers recommended by our clients - Frequently asked questions - Financial calculators