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BUYERS
Services • First Steps • Viewing Potential Homes • Make Your Move • Online Resources
Our Services and Approach to Working with Buyers
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Prior to looking at homes you will find it helpful to meet with a loan officer. This will initiate the pre-approval process and determine a maximum loan amount. Your next consideration is what monthly payment you are comfortable with. |
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Your initial meeting with Stix and Stones Realty Group will give each of us an understanding of who we are working with. If possible, at our first appointment, we like to show a few houses so you, the buyer, will see how we assist in showing, analyzing and inspecting a home. |
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We are certain that after our first visit and home tour, you will have a strong understanding of the process and feel very confident that we are working in your best interest. |
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Using your specific criteria, we will perform daily searches and inform you of new matching properties. |
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Viewing these properties as soon as possible is crucial to finding the best deal. The "good ones" can sell very quickly. |
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Working as a team, one of us will always be available to show houses. |
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We are not home inspectors, but we will keep an eye out for problems with home components, structure, roofing, etc. These problems, found before the home inspection, can save valuable time and money. |
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When you find a home, we will perform an analysis of the area to determine its value, work with you on structuring a strong offer, and negotiate on your behalf. |
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From the time of signing the purchase agreement to the closing day, we will track the sale and update you throughout the entire process. We will be in close contact with the seller's agent, both closing companies and your lender making sure that everything is running smoothly and according to schedule. |
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We wish to make your home buying experience as stress-free and as positive as possible-an experience full of great memories! |
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First Steps
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Choose a knowledgeable and honest real estate agent whom you trust. |
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Decide which neighborhoods in which you would like to live. |
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Have an idea of the things you want and do not want in a home. |
Viewing Potential Homes
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Wear shoes that easily slip on and off -many homes request that you remove shoes upon
entering. |
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If you attend an open house, make sure to let the agent know who you are working with. |
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Always contact your agent for showings and for obtaining details about a home. You don't want to unknowingly give away information about your motivation. |
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Keep detailed notes about the houses you view. |
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If you would like to know how much the utilites cost per month at a particular property, utility companies freely give out that information over the phone. |
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Don't waste a lot of time in a house you are not interested in. Spend more time and thought looking at a house you like. |
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Be patient, sometimes you have to look at a lot of 5's to find your 10! |
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Make Your Move
Arrange for a mover or Moving Truck
• Check web sites or yellow pages
• Ask for referrals from friends
Get Moving Supplies
• Cartons/Boxes, tape, scissors, labels, markers
• Packing material: newspaper,tissue, bubble wrap Change Your Address
Complete a change of address card from the post office so they'll know where to forward your mail. You'll also want to notify other people directly:
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Business Associates (employer, insurance agent, bank, credit card companies) |
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Professional Contacts (attorney & accountant) |
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Magazines and Publications (send a copy of your mailing label) |
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Other contacts (clubs & organizations) |
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Friends & Relatives |
Settle Financial Matters
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Close local charge accounts |
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Transfer bank accounts |
Cancel Services and Establish at New Location
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Newspapers |
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Home Security |
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Garbage Collection |
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Cable T.V. or Satelite |
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Lawn or snow removal |
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Telephone |
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Electric |
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Gas |
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Water/Sewer |
Contact Schools, Daycare, Doctors & Dentist
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Notify of move |
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Get children's records or transcripts |
*TIP- Now is a great time to donate, sell or throw unused items.
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Online Resources
Assistants
Mortgage Calculators • Determine your monthly payment
www.mortgage-calc.com
Review Contractors Before Hiring
www.contractors.com
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
www.puc.state.mn.us
Free Moving Estimates
www.whitepages.com
www.moving.com
Moving Truck Bids
www.topmoving.com
Set up all Utilities at Once
www.moveminneapolis.com
Change Your Address Online
moversguide.usps.com
United States Postal Service
www.usps.com
Forward Magazine Subscriptions
www.oneswitch.com
Free Expert Advice For Your Home
www.hometips.com
Minneapolis Police Department
www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us
St. Paul Police Department
www.ci.stpaul.mn.us
National Park Service • US Dept of the Interior
www.nps.gov
Getting Around
Maps & Directions
www.mapquest.com
A Guide to Cheap Airline Tickets
www.cheapflights.com
Public Transportation
www.metrotransit.org
Find Top Local Businesses • Search for schools, colleges, and libraries
www.respond.com
Local Education
National Center for Education Statistics
www.nces.ed.gov
Entertainment
Entertainment Guide
www.twincities.citysearch.com
A Guide to Activities in Minneapolis/St. Paul
www.minneapolis.about.com
Local Yellow Pages City Guide
www.hellostpaul.com
TicketMaster
www.ticketmaster.com
Shopping
Mall Of America • The largest indoor mall in the world!
www.mallofamerica.com
Ikea
www.ikea.com
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