Step One – How much can I afford?

The process of finding out how much you can afford is very easy, provided you have gathered documents necessary to prove claims you make on your application.

The lender will ask for information about your job tenure, employment stability, income, your assets (property, cars, bank accounts and investments) and your liabilities (auto loans, installment loans, mortgages, credit-card debt, household expenses and others).

Check off the following items to be sure you can answer questions necessary to pre-qualify you:

      Past 2 years W-2’s
      Past 2 years Complete Federal Tax Returns
      1 month Most Current Paycheck Stubs
      Name and Address of Landlords for past 2 years (if applicable)
      Current Mortgage Statements
      Most Current 2 months Bank Statements for ALL deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market, CD’s etc.)
      Most Current Statements for ALL Stock, Mutual Fund, 401K, Retirement Accounts
      Copy of the Accepted Offer to Purchase signed by all parties
      Copy of Earnest Money Check / Receipt
      Statements of Revolving Debt to be paid off
      Name and Phone Numbers for Homeowner’s Agent
      Divorce Decree, Child Support Agreement, Bankruptcy Discharge with appropriate schedules etc. if applicable.

Ideal Financial Services is a company that was founded on the principle of providing the best customer service in the marketplace and a wide array of lending solutions that will meet the home mortgage needs of any borrower. With it’s solid track record for success and outstanding customer service, Ideal Financial Services has become the only mortgage company to win the Wisconsin Association of Mortgage Brokers (WAMB) Broker of the Year Award two times in 2000 and 2002.

Ideal Financial Services is currently licensed to do business in the following 11 states: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Since its early beginnings, Ideal Financial Services Corp. has been a full spectrum lender with a complete line of lending solutions including conforming, non-conforming, FHA/VA, construction and home equity products. With a portfolio of over 70 major investors, Ideal Financial Services Corp. is able to provide a lending solution to virtually any borrower.

Ideal Financial Services Corp. has a unique understanding of the competition that exists in the mortgage industry. Our business plan includes a diverse marketing strategy with an emphasis on 1) the very best service to our growing network of customers and 2) a consistent pursuit of new markets and under served markets.  Click on the Ideal Financial Services Logo to see all of the programs offered by Ideal Financial Services.

Step Two – Property Search

Keep me updated on new listings in the market. The property search is a complimentary service for home buyers and the most efficient way to search for a home that meets your particular needs. Register to receive automatic e-mail alerts as properties that meet your specifications become available for sale. To begin, click on the below link

Property Search - E-mail Request Form

Buying and selling real estate is a complex matter. At first it might seem that by checking local magazines, newspapers or online sites, you could quickly find the right home at the right price.

But a basic rule in real estate is that all properties are unique. No two properties, even two identical models on the same street, are precisely or exactly alike. Homes differ and so do contract terms, financing options, inspection requirements and closing costs. Also, no two transactions are alike.

In this maze of forms, financing, inspections, marketing, pricing and negotiating, it makes sense to work with professionals who know the community and much more. Those professionals are the local Realtors who serve your area.  Click on the  Legacy Logo for more information on the many ways to contact Legacy Realty.

Step Three – Find a Legacy Home

Legacy Realty was founded on the basis of providing complete Real Estate services for our buyers and sellers. We believe that if we provide the best service possible at reasonable costs, our customers will have an enjoyable Real Estate experience.

Legacy Realty is uniquely positioned to offer a comprehensive marketing and sales program to the upscale home builder and developer. We can provide a complete Real Estate Solution Team which include our sister companies, Ideal Financial Services and Reliance Title Services. Everything you need to build, buy or sell an existing home… all under one roof!

Our "Preferred Builder" Marketing Program is why builders list their newly constructed homes with Legacy Realty. We offer builders customized construction financing, investment opportunities, personalized marketing, sales support and transaction processing. Because we have more to offer home builders, we will have more listings and more chances to market their target audience.

As a home buyer, you will enjoy the benefit of working with one realtor who will coordinate all your needs in ONE location. We can sell your existing home, locate a new home, offer you preferred financing and take care of all the paperwork necessary to close your loan and acquire the title on your new home.

Our commitment to customer service makes Legacy Realty more efficient and responsive to your individual needs. Whether you are looking for a newly constructed home or need home site or builder ideas, we will guide you through the entire process in a professional manner.  Click on the  Legacy Logo for more information on the many ways to contact Legacy Realty.

DIRECT LINK TO LEGACY PROPERTIES

 SERVICE MENU

Step Four – Community Information

Please visit the below links to view relevant community information.

• Realtor.com

• American Fact Finder

• Wisconsin:  Cities, Towns and Villages

• Wisconsin School Districts

• Kettle Moraine School District

Step Five - Close

It might seem as though once a sale agreement has been signed, the selling process is complete. Not only is it not over yet, but some of the most complex aspects of a real estate transaction now begin.  A sale agreement sets not only a purchase price for the home, but also a series of terms and conditions. For instance:

• Contracts routinely depend on the ability of a buyer to obtain financing, which is why most sellers prefer buyers with pre-approval letters from lenders.

• A growing percentage of transactions involve a home inspection or a physical review of the home by a trained and independent observer.

• Lenders will establish numerous conditions before granting a loan. They will want a title search done, title insurance to protect against previous title errors, termite inspections, surveys and an appraisal to assure that the home has sufficient value to secure the loan.

Reliance Title Services is a Title Insurance Company providing excellent and efficient service for all Residential and Commercial Real Estate Transactions throughout the 72 counties of the State of Wisconsin. With over 75 years of experience in the field of Real Estate and Title Insurance, our highly qualified team offers knowledge, integrity, and an unsurpassed level of professionalism.  At Reliance Title Services we are committed to providing exceptional and quality customer service.  We guarantee 24-hour turnaround time for all local orders and our closers will work around your schedule at your convenience.  Among our top priorities is to ensure that all files are handled with accuracy and precision. As part of our policy, our company strives to simplify the closing process by providing our customers with detailed information and by maintaining constant communication with all parties involved in the transaction. We offer superior personalized service to all our customers including our Realtors and Lenders.  We truly are "The Title Professionals."  Click on the Reliance Title Logo to see all of the services that Reliance Title provides.

Step Six – Moving

Even the smallest home contains a lot of furniture, clothes, kitchen equipment, pictures and other items. For a short move, it may be worthwhile to transport small goods by yourself, but larger items will likely require a professional mover.

Ideally, it is best to get rid of excess furniture and other goods by having a sale before you move. This will reduce the volume of goods to be moved and thus lower moving costs. Unwanted furniture which cannot be sold can often be donated to charitable groups, many of which will come to your home to pick up donations. All other unwanted items should be taken to a landfill.

You should provide the U.S. Postal Service with a forwarding address, and utility companies should be advised when to end service. Check with utility companies to see if there is deposit money which should be returned to you.

How do you plan a move?

The time to plan your move begins once you have decided to sell your home. Some of the activities required to sell the home can actually help with the moving process. For example, cleaning out closets, basements and attics mean there will be less to do once you move into your new home.

Your planning will be guided by a number of things:

• Are you moving a long distance? If so, you will likely require an interstate mover and the use of a large van.

• Moving internationally? Contact the embassy in Washington, D.C., for information. Be aware that items which may be entirely common in the United States can be prohibited in foreign countries. Ask about customs protocols, duties and taxes.

• Moving locally? If so, will you move yourself? You will need to consider packing boxes, peanuts, blankets or padding and a van rental.

• Planning is key. Stock up on boxes, packing materials, tape and markers. Always mark boxes so that movers will know where goods should be placed in your new home.

Who should you use?

There are a number of factors to consider. Money is one issue: You will want to spend as little as possible, but choosing only on the basis of cost can be a mistake. Movers must have the right equipment, training and experience to do a good job. A mover, no matter how large or small, should be able to provide recent references for home sellers with a similar volume of goods to transport.

Get mover estimates in writing. Be aware that it is possible to get discounts through membership organizations and, sometimes, on the basis of your profession: Clergy members, for example, sometime qualify for a discount.

Always confirm mover credentials. Movers should be licensed and bonded as required in your state and employees should have workman's comp insurance.

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