We can help!
Everything today is changing fast and we are dedicated to staying on the leading edge of technology and real estate training.
By doing our job well, finding and buying a property is much easier and simpler for you. You can continue normal daily activities while we work behind the scenes to make your next home a reality.
To the left are some useful links and services. Please contact us when you're ready to take the next step in purchasing a home, cabin or land.
Call toll-free 888-476-2739 or e-mail Broker, Dan Guyer.
Important: You have a right to choose whether or not to be represented in a real estate transaction. Please read this Consumer Notice which applies to all Pennsylvania licensed agents and brokers.
15 Benefits of Working with a Buyer's Representative
We can save you time by:
- Locating suitable properties
- Informing you about current market conditions
- Helping you determine what you can afford to avoid looking at the wrong properties
- Gathering property taxes and utilities costs
- Providing information on comparable sold properties to determine a fair offer
- Advising clients on structuring an offer to cover any concerns
- Suggesting appropriate property inspections
- Presenting your sales contract to the seller's representative
- Negotiating on your behalf to reach favorable terms in your purchase
- Explaining legal documents needed for closing and helping secure them
- Assisting you in securing financing
- Clarifying details and resolving problems in getting to settlement
- Referring you to qualified inspectors and other professionals as needed
- Attending settlement with you to answer any questions and troubleshoot any last minute issues
- Analyzing the future salability of the property and suggesting future improvements
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Consultation Services
Sometimes Buyers need advice before jumping into a decision to purchase a property and sell the one they currently own. Apex can help by offering advice on:
- Improve vs. move- Older homeowners may want to age in place but need assistance in deciding how and how much to change in their homes.
- Reviews of market value- Knowing the current value of their home and pricing trends in the area makes planning easier for homeowners contemplating a move in the next year.
- Remodeling to add value- Homeowners planning to remodel can benefit from advice on what features are most in demand in their areas and which costs are most likely to be recouped during a sale.
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10 Ways to Prepare for Homeownership
- Decide what you can afford. Generally, you can afford a home equal in value to between two and three times your gross income
- Develop your home wish list. Then, prioritize the features on your list
- Select where you want to live. Compile a list of three or four neighborhoods you’d like to live in, taking into account items such as schools, recreational facilities, area expansion plans, and safety
- Start saving. Do you have enough money saved to qualify for a mortgage and cover your down payment? Ideally, you should have 20 percent of the purchase price saved as a down payment. Also, don’t forget to factor in closing costs. Closing costs — including taxes, attorney’s fee, and transfer fees — average between 2 and 7 percent of the home price
- Get your credit in order. Obtain a copy of your credit report to make sure it is accurate and to correct any errors immediately. A credit report provides a history of your credit, bad debts, and any late payments.
- Determine your mortgage qualifications. How large of mortgage do you qualify for? Also, explore different loan options — such as 30-year or 15-year fixed mortgages or ARMs — and decide what’s best for you
- Get preapproved. Organize all the documentation a lender will need to preapprove you for a loan. You might need W-2 forms, copies of at least one pay stub, account numbers, and copies of two to four months of bank or credit union statements
- Weigh other sources of help with a down payment. Do you qualify for any special mortgage or down payment assistance programs? Check with your state and local government on down payment assistance programs for first-time buyers. Or, if you have an IRA account, you can use the money you’ve saved to buy your fist home without paying a penalty for early withdrawal
- Calculate the costs of homeownership. This should include property taxes, insurance, maintenance and utilities, and association fees, if applicable
- Contact a REALTOR®. Find an experienced REALTOR® who can help guide you through the process
Take the Stress Out of Homebuying
Buying a home should be fun, not stressful. As you look for your dream home, keep in mind these tips for making the process as peaceful as possible.
- Find a real estate agent who you connect with. Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the REALTOR® you chose is both highly skilled and a good fit with your personality
- Remember, there’s no “right” time to buy, just as there’s no perfect time to sell. If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess interest rates or the housing market by waiting longer — you risk losing out on the home of your dreams. The housing market usually doesn’t change fast enough to make that much difference in price, and a good home won’t stay on the market long
- Don’t ask for too many opinions. It’s natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas from too many people will make it much harder to make a decision. Focus on the wants and needs of your immediate family — the people who will be living in the home
- Accept that no house is ever perfect. If it’s in the right location, the yard may be a bit smaller than you had hoped. The kitchen may be perfect, but the roof needs repair. Make a list of your top priorities and focus in on things that are most important to you. Let the minor ones go
- Don’t try to be a killer negotiator. Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to “win” by getting an extra-low price or by refusing to budge on your offer may cost you the home you love. Negotiation is give and take
- Remember your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself — room size, kitchen, etc. — that you forget about important issues as noise level, location to amenities, and other aspects that also have a big impact on your quality of life
- Plan ahead. Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to get approved for a mortgage, investigate home insurance, and consider a schedule for moving. Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues will make your bid much less attractive to sellers
- Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-home buying budget. Even if you buy a new home, there will be costs. Don’t leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate
- Accept that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will probably pass. Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big financial commitment. But it also yields big benefits. Don’t lose sight of why you wanted to buy a home and what made you fall in love with the property you purchased
- Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation. While U.S. homes have appreciated an average of 5.4 percent annually over from 1998 to 2002, a home’s most important role is to serve as a comfortable, safe place to live
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