Buyer FAQ's
Buyer FAQ’S
Should I get a home inspection, radon or other environmental tests? If so, who orders these?
Inspections are not mandatory but are a very good idea. An inspector will determine the safety of your property by focusing on the physical structure, construction and mechanical systems of the house and document any needed repairs. It is advisable to consider testing the home for different environmental hazards whose presence can have adverse health consequences. These include radon, lead-based paint if the house was built before 1978, mold, or other possible problems with water or waste disposal. Consult with your real estate agent for contacts who perform these inspections regularly.
The buyer or buyer’s agent will order these inspections and the buyer is responsible for paying for them.
How long does the home buying process take?
Finding a home that you want to purchase, writing the contract and then waiting to close can take 60 days depending on how fast you find your home of choice and when you and the Sellers agree on a time to close.
Who orders the appraisal?
The lender orders the appraisal once the loan application has been submitted.
What happens if I see a For Sale by Owner or go into an open house or new home?
If you go to an open house, new home or FSBO, make sure the agent or owner knows that you are working with an agent.
Under what circumstances can the buyer get their earnest money deposit back?
Once all contingencies have been removed and the appraisal has been satisfied, the deposit will be in jeopardy if the buyer does not close. The home inspection, radon and financing contingency and review of the condo documents or HOA documents allow the buyer to void the contract and receive the deposit back.
What happens if the Seller backs out of the contract?
The buyer has all rights to the property but must pursue legal action to remove the Seller from the property. The Seller will also pay any damages and costs incurred by the buyer including reasonable attorney fees.
What's the first step to buying a home?
The first step to buying a home is to get pre-approved for a mortgage loan. This will help you determine how much house you can afford and what your monthly payments will be. You can get pre-approved by contacting a lender and providing them with your financial information.
How much should I expect to pay for a home in Northern Virginia?
Home prices in Northern Virginia vary depending on the location, size, and condition of the home. As of February 2023, the median home value in Northern Virginia is $535,000. However, there are many homes available at different price points.
What are some things to consider when looking for a home?
Some things to consider when looking for a home include the location, school district, size, condition, and features of the home. You should also consider your budget and what you can afford in terms of mortgage payments and upkeep.
How long does it take to buy a home?
The home buying process can take anywhere from several weeks to several months. It depends on factors such as the availability of homes in your desired area, the time it takes to find the right home, and the length of the mortgage approval process.
Should I work with a real estate agent?
Working with a real estate agent can be beneficial when buying a home. Agents have access to a wide range of properties, can provide guidance throughout the process, and can negotiate on your behalf. Plus, the seller typically pays the real estate agent's commission, so it doesn't cost anything to work with an agent as a buyer (except for an broker admin fee).
How much should I offer on a home?
The amount you should offer on a home depends on factors such as the condition of the home, the current market, and your budget. Your real estate agent can help you determine a fair offer based on these factors.
What is the closing process, and how long does it take?
The closing process is the final step in the home buying process. It involves signing all the necessary paperwork and paying closing costs. The length of the closing process can vary depending on factors such as the type of loan you have and the complexity of the transaction. Typically, it takes around 30-45 days from the time you sign a purchase agreement to the day of closing.
What is the difference between a buyer's agent and a seller's agent?
A buyer's agent represents the buyer in a real estate transaction, while a seller's agent represents the seller. A buyer's agent helps you find properties, negotiate offers, and navigate the home buying process. A seller's agent helps the seller list and market their property, and negotiates with potential buyers.
What happens if my offer is not accepted?
If your offer is not accepted, you can either submit a new offer or move on to another property. Your real estate agent can help you determine the best course of action based on the situation.
Testimonials
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“Paul was awesome. We had some unusual circumstances with the sale of a home but Paul guided through and we got the home sold at a great price. He's very knowledgeable and deals with people extremely well.”
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- Kevin & Cindy Susko
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Fantastic realtor. Extremely responsive. Great on a property hunt. Very knowledgeable. Easy to work with.
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- Lynne Carr
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Having known Paul Hunter for over 15 years, I know he is a person of high integrity. He always over delivers on whatever he promises. The Hunter Group at RE/MAX Gateway is very professional and responsive to their client's needs. I give the Hunter Group two enthusiastic thumbs ups!
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- Kelly Schmank
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“His honesty, flexibility and willingness to answer any and all questions (he’ll still answer home questions a month after closing) made this process so much easier and not scary at all. Thank you for helping me find my forever home.”
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- Hedieh Diacoumis
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The most honest, customer- centered moral agent we’ve ever, ever dealt with, and we’ve bought and sold 8 houses. He is organized, thorough, and goes overboard to get it right!
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- Samantha
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Paul is the best in the business. He helped find the perfect home. He spent time during the evening hours because of my job showing homes. He was very thoughtful with answering questions about the area and the market. And which home was the best.
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- Dave S.
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We could not have had a better experience with Paul. We are first time home buyers and Paul made the experience seamless and easy. He was took the time to guide us through the process and we found the perfect home. He is very professional and quickly responded to every communication. We can not recommend enough!
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- Jenifer Schmidt
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Paul has helped me buy 2 houses, and sell 2 houses, and purchase my childhood home. My sister and I had purchased a property to become a rental property. We had the property for 10 years. Paul gave us insight on what little changes we would need to do to get the property sold. There was a change in the market and my sister and I decided to get out of the rental business.My parents passes away in the same year, and Paul was there to walk me through the process of buying or selling my childhood home. We were first going to rent it out, and in the end my husband I and bought it from my siblings. Paul then sold the townhouse we were living in, in South Riding. He has local knowledge of the markets, he has integrity, and is the first person I would turn to to buy or sell a home. I strongly recommend Paul!
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- Lisa L.
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Paul helped us buy our first home six years ago and when it came time to sell in 2021, there was no question in our mind that we'd seek his help again. Paul's experience, expertise and knowledge of the area is unmatched. He made our selling process, from start to finish, simple and free of anxiety or complications. He is an extremely professional, helpful and reliable realtor, who keeps the best interests of his clients at the top of his list. We highly recommend Paul to anyone looking to buy or sell a home in the Northern Virginia area. At such consequential moments of selling, searching for and buying a home, you can count on being treated to optimal service and guidance.
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- Dan Hollowell
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I went into the home buying process with lots of anxiety and hoping this new agent wasn’t like the old one..pushy and rude when I didn’t like a certain home. When I emailed Paul Hunter I told him I was just looking and that this would be my first home as a single mom. I was immediately referred to the broker he works with (equally as amazing as Paul). Paul did not bombard me with emails or phone calls, but rather waited for me to call him once I had a ball park budget. Once I made that call it was smooth sailing. I would receive weekly emails with homes for sale in my price range and with the specifics I requested. He always met me and I was ready to see a house and stayed as long or as little as I needed. He’d provide his thoughts and opinions when I asked but simply let me look and take it all in. His honesty, flexibility and willingness to answer any and all questions (he’ll still answer home questions a month after closing) made this process so much easier and not scary at all. Thank you for helping me find my forever home.
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- Mary H.
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My husband and I are so thankful to Paul Hunter for helping us find our dream home!
Paul was easy to work with and helped us understand the home buying process as we ventured to look for and find our first home. He was incredible patient as we determined what we were looking for and helped us by making suggestions and recommendations.
Any questions we had, Paul quickly responded to. We knew we could trust him which helped ease our minds during this process. We really enjoyed working with Paul and highly recommend working with him for your home buying/selling needs.
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- Catey Tansey
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Paul was great to work with. He was enthusiastic about helping my wife and I find our home. He was incredibly professional and was communicative every step of the way.
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- Michael Pryor
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The most honest, customer- centered moral agent we’ve ever, ever dealt with, and we’ve bought and sold 8 houses. He is organized, thorough, and goes overboard to get it right!
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- Michael O.
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“He has local knowledge of the markets, he has integrity, and is the first person I would turn to to buy or sell a home. I strongly recommend Paul! ”
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- Lisa & Mark Levine
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Paul has a superb work ethic and his knowledge in the Real Estate realm is bar none. His experience makes him without a doubt the only agent I would want to sell my home and he did it in one week!!! His attention to detail, knowledge and incorporation all of the latest technologies and social media puts him in a league of his own. Our personal experience had been not only delightful but very professional.... Paul’s results as a real estate agent should be the model for all in the business. Thank you for everything but especially for your honesty, kindness and generosity!!!! May God continue to bless you With sincere gratitude Diane DiCicco
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- Diane DeCicco
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After my father passed away, we thought we had no choice but to sell my parents home, but were not sure.
We grew up there, it was not going to be easy.
We needed to know what we were facing, as far as repair, updating, and presenting the house for sale, at this point we really were just looking for some info and advice. We were no where near ready to put it on the market.
Some Realtor's wouldn't even come to the house without a willingness to sell the house. One said he "doesn't do that" and wanted to have a contract signed, then he would send his "stage person" to let us know what should be done.
Paul came out the same day, walked the house which had 40 years of living in, gave us his thoughts and told us to take our time and let him know if he could help.
Once we decided to sell, we hired Paul. He was great, anything we need to do he had someone to help, or knew what to do. He was very understanding with our emotional issues and understanding with how hard it was to sell your childhood home.
The house went on the market on a Friday, had two offers on Saturday, and a contract was signed on Monday. Unheard of in today's market, clearly the house was priced correctly and marketed well.
Some may promise you more money, but at what cost? several weeks on the market? what does that cost you?
I highly recommend Paul Hunter, he was the perfect choice for us!
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- Doug Jewell
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I had a great home sale and purchase experience with Paul. He was very attentive to my needs as a buyer and answered all my new buyer questions in detail. Even after the home purchase he was available and answered my many questions. I would highly recommend Paul Hunter because he will go above and beyond with his time and will take you step by step to make sure you are all set for closing.
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- Karen S.
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Paul is extremely professional and walked us through the process every step of the way. He was always available for questions and made the whole experience of both selling and buying a home very easy for us
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- S. Phillips
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