Little Details in the Big Picture

You've decided on a home! Your offer has been accepted!

Those are the big details in buying a home. But there are still some smaller details that you need to take care.

Often times buyers forget about these things and the results range from inconvenience to not being able to buy your home.

One of the first things you must do is call an insurance agent to set up home owner's insurance for your new home. This must be done within ten (10) days of the accepted offer date, per our Northern Illinois real estate sales contract.

You must have home owner's insurance in order to obtain your final mortgage and close on the property. Not having home owner's insurance means you cannot close on the property.

Be sure to contact all the utility companies to set up service to go into your name for the day of closing. If the closing date is changed, you need to contact the same utility companies again. Many of these services are now available to set up online.

Always return phone calls from your real estate attorney and mortgage broker promptly. Certain attorney review issues must be answered within a specified time frame. Phone calls from your mortgage broker typically include requests for outstanding paperwork. Not providing your lender with the needed information may delay the final approval of your loan. There is a specified mortgage approval date in the sales contract.

As your buyer's agent, I will remind of you these things after we have an accepted offer. Your job is to follow through and make the phone calls to the insurance agent, utility companies, attorney and lender.

Jim Starwalt

Thinking of making a move? Log onto my website at www.StarHomeFinders.com and search the Multiple Listing Service from over 150,000 homes for sale. Registering is quick and easy!

Jim Starwalt, Broker Associate RE/MAX Center, Phone: 847-548-2625 Jim@StarHomeFinders.com