ANDREA ROBBINS
"Offering Personalized Professional
Services in All Aspects of Real Estate"

Member of
RE/MAX "Hall of Fame" & "Platinum Club"
Recipient of "Lifetime Achievement Award"

Andrea Robbins, ABR, CRS, GRI
Click here to contact Andrea for help
with Main Line Real Estate or call
Direct (610) 520-0427

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Re/Max Executive Realty - Real Estate on the Main Line of Philadelphia and Southeastern Pennsylvania

610 Old Lancaster Road
Bryn Mawr, Pa 19010
Direct Line: (610) 520-0427
Office: (610) 520-0400
Toll Free: (800) 521-0414
Home Phone: (610) 519-1126
Home Fax: (610) 519-1129
Office Fax: (610) 520-0429
Direct Fax: (610) 525-1078
arrelst8@aol.com

PA License #121759A
How to Buy Main Line Real Estate

1. Know Your Rights as a Homebuyer
Before you start, there are many laws that protect you from scams, unnecessary expenses, and discrimination in the process of homebuying. The Pennsylvania Consumer Notice is one such law. Know your rights!

2. Create Your "Wishlist"
Make your wish list. Focus on the features you want in a home: 3 bedrooms or 4? 1 bath or 2? Garage or no garage? Knowing what you're looking for will help you focus your search. And it will help your real estate broker, too.

3. Now it's time to contact Andrea for help with finding your dream home!

4. Mortgage Pre-approval
Knowing how much mortgage you can afford is the first step. Andrea can help you get the process started by getting you pre-qualified for a mortgage. This will help us get a pretty good idea of what you can borrow. However, if you get pre-approved for a mortgage, you will remove any uncertainty. A pre-approval is also important as you negotiate the purchase of your property.

You can save yourself a lot of wheel-spinning if we take the time to figure out how much mortgage you can afford. Generally, a lender will want your monthly mortgage payment to total no more than 29% of your monthly gross income (that's your monthly income before taxes and other paycheck deductions are taken out.) You also need to consider current loan interest rates. The lower the interest rate, the more expensive the home you'll be able to afford.

5. Mortgages and Homebuying Programs
Many different kinds of mortgages are available to you. Read about them, and make sure you understand the pros and cons of each. Andrea's extensive knowledge in mortgage financing will assure that you find the right mortgage for the property that you want to buy! She can answer your questions and help you get started.

6. Shopping for a Home
Now you really begin house-hunting. Andrea will be able to find listings for you, based on your wishlist. But don't stop there! You can do your own looking, and then ask Andrea to show you the house. Start with the Internet. Pick up real estate flyers at local grocery stores and convenience stores. Read the real estate sections of your local newspaper. Drive around neighborhoods that interest you and write down addresses where there are "for sale" signs. Go to open houses. Try everything!

7. Home Inspections
When you make an offer on a home, it's a good idea to make your offer contingent on a home inspection, conducted by an independent authorized inspector. You will have to pay for this inspection yourself, but it could keep you from buying a house that will cost you far more in repairs, down the road. If you are satisified with the results of the inspection, then your offer can proceed. If you aren't, you may want to negotiate, asking the seller to pay for certain repairs or asking for a lower price.

8. Homeowner's Insurance
Lenders require that you have homeowners insurance, to protect both your interests and theirs. Like everything else, be sure to shop around for insurance that fits your needs.

9. Settlement or Closing
Finally, you've gone through the whole process, and you're ready to go to "settlement" or "closing." We know you'll be excited, but be sure to read everything you sign! And before you go, read this important information about your rights.

10. Moving
Looks like you're ready to move. There's a lot to consider as you plan your move. The good news is that there's lots of help.


Building a Home

If you want to build a new home, there are other things you need to know before you begin. Learn about construction standards and about buying land, so you know your rights.

Much of this information is from HUD's, "Buying A Home." Equal Housing Opportunity


Click here to learn what an Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) can offer you   Graduate of the Realtors Institute (GRI)   Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)