Jim McKibben
ABR, CSP, e-PRO, SRES, Assoc. Broker/REALTOR®

Sandi McKibben
REALTOR®

517-655-5580
517-204-8886

Email Us
 

Free Information For Buyers

Get a complimentary buyer's guide with everything you need to know about choosing a Realtor and buying a home in Greater Lansing - yours totally free!

Complete and Submit for Your Free Buyer Booklet and Info

First, ask yourself how much you can afford to pay for a home.  If you’re not sure of the price range, find a lender and get pre-approved.  We work with several local mortgage lenders.  Call or email us and we will send you a current list. They can assist you at no cost to see exactly how much you can afford.  There are many different mortgage programs available including those with no money down.  Pre-approval will let you know how much you can afford so that you can look for homes in your price range.  Getting pre-approved helps you to alleviate some the anxieties that come with home buying.  You know exactly what you qualify for and at what rate, you will know what your monthly mortgage payments will be, and how much you will need for a down payment.  Once you are pre-approved, you avoid the frustration of finding homes that you think are perfect, but are not in your price range.

Second, ask yourself where you want to live and what is the best location for you and/or your family.  Things to consider:
     1.   Convenience for all family members.  Proximity to work and/or school.
     2.    Prioritize your real estate requirements 1 through 5.  What is the most important, what is the least important?
     3.   Decide in advance on which real estate priorities you might be willing to compromise.
     4.   See the home at all times of day.  Listen for traffic, dogs, and neighbors.
     5.   Types of homes in neighborhood, for example condos, town homes, co-ops, newly constructed    homes etc.

Use an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR)

It’s important that you choose an experienced A.B.R. agent who is there for you.  Your agent should be actively finding you potential homes, keeping you informed of the entire process, negotiating furiously on your behalf, and answering all of your questions with competence and speed.

Included are the things we do: 

• Meet with you to determine your specific housing needs and budget.
• We provide mortgage qualification assistance to facilitate the mortgage application process.
• Conduct on-going searches of housing availability, through the Multiple Listing Service.
• Contact “For Sale By Owners” and builders as appropriate on your behalf.
• Schedule appointments and accompany you on all property showings.
• Complete a professional comparative market analysis on any home selected for purchase, providing factual data on recent comparable sales to assist the buyer in the offer and negotiation progress.
• Assist you in structuring a Purchase Offer and represent your interests in all negotiations with the Seller, maintaining absolute confidentiality.
• Schedule appointments to provide access to the property for inspectors, appraisers, repairs etc.
• Manage the closing process, from contract to closing to ensure that all necessary documentation is completed and available before closing date.
• Provide a free Buyers Guide.
• Follow your instructions regarding any transaction, providing such instructions are legal and ethical, and maintain client’s confidentiality.
• Disclose all known facts that could affect the transaction.
• Provide you with copies of all documents.
• Accompany you to the closing, and be available after closing.

If you have a more detailed question or request, please complete the form below.

If you are selling your home in the Greater Lansing area, please be sure to
visit the section for selling a home. Remember, if you have any questions
about the process, we are only a phone call or email away!