Buyers

It’s easy to get sticker shock in Jackson Hole. It is important to find out what you can afford before you begin your search.
Having a mortgage pre-approval or commitment letter allows you better structure a Purchase Offer.

Your first consideration should be the neighborhood. Study the area by reviewing maps, touring neighborhoods, researching schools and determining the proximity to work.
Determine the general area you’d like to live. The desirability and resale value of your home-to-be depend more on location than any other single factor.

Familiarize yourself with the Wyoming rules of Agency in a real estate transaction, and make sure your interests are protected.
From finding the right home, to selecting a mortgage to negotiating the best price and terms, an effective realtor is a huge advantage. A good realtor has the knowledge and experience that come from years of helping both buyers and sellers. He or she also has a team of other professionals – lenders, lawyers, home inspectors, movers, etc. Most sellers are certainly going to have professionals assisting them. Having the right pro on your team ensures that you receive the best deal possible. Make certain to ask the right questions before you select a realtor (The 28 Questions you must ask before you hire a realtor).
Select a realtor who specializes in and very familiar with the area that you’ve selected. Choosing one that lives in the community is a plus.
Make sure that you and your realtor have instant communication access … this is especially important in a fast moving Seller’s market.

List the features that you want in a home before you start shopping, and share this list with your realtor.
Look for homes that meet your all of your needs.

Research what your money can buy in different neighborhoods.
Is it a sellers or buyers market? It’s very important for you to understand who has the current advantage, and that knowledge will ultimately determine how you’ll structure a Purchase Offer.

Do your research. Review information and photos from online real estate information of properties in your price range…this can save time and energy.
A good realtor has an in-depth knowledge of current housing inventory and continually updates that knowledge by touring new listings as they become available for sale.
In the Jackson Hole market, it’s important to see all new listings as soon as they become available. Being there first is often the key to getting the home you want. (New listing alert).

Structuring your offer will depend upon the state of the market … is it a seller’s or buyer’s market?
Obtain a property disclosure from the Seller.
Analyze comparable sales of similar homes in the area to help determine your offer price. Take into consideration the length of time the home has been listed for sale, property condition, home improvements, market conditions and seller motivation.
You’ll probably want to include contingencies in your agreement, including: Home Inspection, Radon, Septic, Mortgage and Appraisal. In a seller’s market, these should be minimized. To evaluate which are appropriate for you, contact me.
Submit a “Buyer Profile” with the offer, describing you, your family, etc. … this helps personalize you and may be the difference in a competitive bid situation.

Following-up on all the necessary details during the in-contract period. Pay careful attention to all of the timelines for inspection contingencies, deposit due dates & mortgage approval dates.
Title insurance and property insurance must be in-place at the time of settlement.
Arrange for home utilities, including electric, telephone, cable, water, etc. This is where a good Realtor can help make your Buying experience go smoothly.
A pre-settlement walk-through is important to ensure that there haven’t been adverse changes to the condition of the property.
Make certain that you receive an estimate of closing costs in advance of the settlement in order to familiarize yourself with all the costs to be incurred.

Work With Michael