Buyer's Guide
“The Market” is a simply an ongoing study of supply and demand.
— Our Buyer’s Guide will help prepare you to be a better buyer.
Buyer’s Guide
Download Printable PDF
Affordability
Unless you are planning to pay cash for your purchase we need to start with a mortgage loan pre-approval. Experience has taught us to stay local when choosing a lender. Start with a quote from our preferred lending team at Corporate Investor’s Mortgage Group, Dan Woodard. We know they’ll offer the best terms available and get us to closing without any last minute delays.
Qualifying your creditworthiness will be the first step in getting your pre-approval. Here are some of the documents our lender will need to review as well as some of the factors they’ll consider—
Required Documents
Tax returns for the last two years
Pay stubs and W2 forms
Any other income-relevant documents (retirement)
Credit report
Determining Factors
Debt ratio - total gross monthly income / total monthly debt obligation
Sweet spot is 40%
Credit scores - payment history and debt utilization
Available cash savings
Down payment - loan to value ratio
Searching For Your Home
Inventory is managed by the Triangle Multiple Listing Service and its Realtor members exclusively. Skip straight to the source with direct access to the full live database through Grist Realty by downloading our HomeSpotter app from your app store. Filter your search by any criteria, use the map, see HOA information and calculate your mortgage payment. You can share your favorite properties with us by chat for more info or questions, it works via text, and it’s addicting.
Saved Search. Another way we like to stay ahead of the market is by creating a saved search with daily notification emails. Every morning at 9am any new listings that meet your criteria will be sent to you by email. This way we are the first to know about them and can get ahead of other eager buyers. Click below to submit your search criteria so we can start your emails.
Active Grist Realty Listings
Offer and Contract
You’ve searched, toured and made your decision— let’s make an offer! There are many moving parts to any offer, they’re all different and it’s not all about the price. If you are selling a home first we’ll need to line up the transaction timelines. If you are currently renting we’ll need to consider your lease-end options. Deposit, Due Diligence Period, expense credit, appliances, these are all factors we’ll need to balance.
TYPICAL OFFER TERMS
Price
Deposit (1-5% is customary and negotiable)
Split between a Due Diligence Fee and Earnest Money Deposit
Due Diligence Period
Time to complete home inspections, appraisal and discover any other potential “deal breaker” conditions
Closing Attorney
Will handle all monies and prepare the deed and loan documents to sign at closing
Home Warranty Credit from Seller
1 Yr coverage costs aprx $600
Buyer Expense Credit from Seller
Buyer expenses can range from $2,500 to $10,000
Appliance/Personal Property Conveyance
Refrigerators, washer, dryers and free-standing microwaves are NOT included on a standard contract but we can ask for them
Additional Provisions (Repairs)
Occasionally there are obvious conditions that need attention even before performing an inspection
Occupancy Concessions (Buyer to Move In Prior to Closing / Seller to Remain After Closing)
Usually only available under extreme circumstances— insurance liability is a factor
Lender Pre-approval Letter
Closing Date
Due Diligence
Now that you’re under contract you’ll want to put the property through the wringer. Your contract’s Due Diligence Period is the time to perform all of your investigations that might lead to deal-breaking discoveries such as home inspections items and appraisal shortages. We work with the best inspectors and have contractors on stand-by to help with repair quotes as needed.
BUYER RESOURCES
Home Inspection
Home - major systems check and safety hazards
Structural engineering
Termite / wood destroying insects
Radon gas
Water quality
Septic systems
Air quality
Appraisal
Your lender will order the appraisal and will be on stand-by to answer any questions related to pricing and comparable sales.
Survey
An engineer will survey the property to mark the boundaries, check for encroachments, easements and other conditions, and will prepare a digram with his findings and measurements.
Crime and Sex Offender Reports
County maps are usually available online
Property Visits
Spending more time at the property looking for undesirable conditions like noises, traffic, messy neighbors, etc.
Showing the property to your friends and family for additional input
Disclosures
Seller’s disclosures
Airports
Construction plans
Commercial & Residential
Highways and Roads
Confidentiality and Security
Once we begin communicating with the seller’s agent about your offer our role as your buyer agent will begin to shift from Consultant to Negotiator, and finally Project Coordinator committed only to your best interests. You can take comfort in the knowledge that any time we engage the seller or listing agent that we are bound to protect your confidential information, motivations, and goals. It’s also important to know that we do not work on a good faith basis, we get agreements in writing.
Please review the Working With Real Estate Agents brochure before sharing any confidential information with our office.
SECURITY MEASURES
Showing Safety
Attempt to meet at public location for initial meeting if new relationship
Always schedule showings for daylight hours if possible
Agent will share location with office prior to tour if area is unfamiliar
Agent will maintain control of keys during tour
Confidential Information (Loan Payoffs, Socials, Tax Info Etc) Security
Emails between lender and attorney containing confidential info to be sent securely
Double-verification for wire instructions
Contract Price Not Disclosed to Public Until After Sale
Personal Information Not Disclosed to Public or Common Friends
Grist Realty, its agents, and associates comply with NC Fair Housing guidelines and the REALTOR Code of Ethics and do not allow discrimination against any person(s) on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. It's the law and our promise!