Your Coastal North Carolina Dream Home Awaits

Before you dive into house hunting, it’s crucial to take a step back and evaluate your financial situation. Start by determining your overall budget, considering factors like your income, savings, and monthly expenses. 

We work closely with trusted mortgage brokers and lenders who can help you evaluate your financial situation, provide pre-approval, and walk you through loan options that match your budget and needs.  With market expertise, we can give you a realistic view of what to expect in your desired area based on your financial situation, helping you focus on properties that match your price range.

Get pre-approved for a mortgage. This crucial step helps you understand exactly how much you can borrow, giving you a clear budget for your home search. Pre-approval also shows sellers that you’re a serious and qualified buyer, which can give you an edge in competitive markets. With a pre-approval letter in hand, you’ll be able to make stronger offers and negotiate with confidence, knowing you’re financially prepared for the purchase. 

Now that you have a clear budget and pre-approval, it's time to begin searching for homes that meet your specific needs and preferences. Consider important factors such as location, size, price, and essential features like the number of bedrooms, backyard space, or proximity to schools and work. With our help, you’ll be able to narrow down the options and focus on properties that align with your lifestyle and budget, ensuring that every home you view has the potential to be "the one."

In North Carolina, both due diligence and earnest money are essential components of the home-buying process, and it's important to understand how they work.

In North Carolina, the due diligence fee is a payment made by the buyer to the seller at the start of the home-buying process, typically during the period known as the "due diligence period." This fee is non-refundable and shows the seller that you're serious about purchasing the home. The due diligence period, which usually lasts 7 to 30 days, allows you to perform inspections, review property documents, and assess any potential issues with the home. If you decide to back out of the deal during this period, the seller keeps the due diligence fee. However, if you move forward with the purchase, this fee is usually credited toward your closing costs or the purchase price. It’s important to understand that while the due diligence fee is non-refundable, it gives you the flexibility to walk away from the deal if you find any issues that would make you reconsider the purchase.

Earnest money, on the other hand, is a deposit made to show the seller you're serious about purchasing the home. This money is held in escrow and is credited toward your down payment or closing costs if the transaction goes through. However, if the deal falls through for reasons outside the due diligence period, the earnest money may be forfeited. We will guide you through both processes, ensuring you’re protected and fully informed every step of the way.

Once you’ve found a home you love, we’ll help you craft a competitive offer that reflects the current market conditions and your budget. We’ll guide you through every step of the offer process, from determining the right price to deciding on contingencies. The seller may accept, reject, or counter your offer, and we’ll be there to negotiate on your behalf, ensuring you get the best possible terms. With our expertise, you can move forward with confidence, knowing you're making a well-informed and strategic offer.

Once your offer is accepted, the next step is to schedule a home inspection. This crucial step helps identify any potential issues or needed repairs, giving you a clear picture of the home’s condition before moving forward. We’ll guide you through selecting a trusted inspector and reviewing the results, ensuring you’re fully informed about the property. If any major issues arise, we can help negotiate repairs or adjustments to the terms of the deal, ensuring your investment is protected.

Work closely with your lender to finalize your mortgage, ensuring all necessary documents are submitted and your financing is in place. This is the time to lock in the best possible interest rate, which can save you significantly over the life of the loan. Your lender will guide you through the final steps, including reviewing loan terms and securing approval, so you can move forward confidently toward closing.  We will act as a liaison between you and the lender, helping ensure clear communication and that everyone involved is on the same page. This can help prevent any delays or misunderstandings.

A few days before closing, carefully review the closing disclosure statement, which outlines the final terms of your loan, including the interest rate, monthly payments, and all associated fees and costs. This document will provide a detailed breakdown of your loan’s financial terms, including closing costs, taxes, insurance, and any adjustments. We will help you understand each section, ensuring there are no surprises and that all terms match what you’ve previously agreed to with your lender. This step ensures that everything is in order before the big day.

On closing day, you'll review and sign the necessary documents to finalize your home purchase. This includes signing the mortgage agreement, title transfer, and any other required paperwork. You'll also settle any closing costs, which we will help you understand and prepare for. Once everything is signed and payments are made, you'll officially take ownership of your new home and receive the keys, marking the exciting beginning of your new chapter! We will be there to ensure the process runs smoothly and to answer any last-minute questions, making sure you feel confident and ready to move in.

Once the paperwork is signed and the keys are officially in your hand, you’re all set to move into your new home and start the next exciting chapter of your life! We will be there every step of the way to ensure a smooth transition, offering support and answering any final questions as you settle into your new space.