First of all, a great big THANK YOU for choosing me as your agent!

Whether you stopped by my office, found me on the internet, were referred to me through a mutual friend or feel like you have known me forever, I sincerely appreciate your loyalty and trust in me to help you find the perfect home. 

If you are still new to buying a home, but are serious about your quest to find the perfect place,  ask me how to become one of Meagan's Preferred Buyers.  This means that of the many customers and clients that I work with, you will remain my top priority. 

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Below you will find links to information that may be useful during the homebuying process:

List of Lenders

List of Home Inspectors

List of Septic Inspectors

List of Pest Inspectors

List of Surveyors

List of Contractors

List of Appraisers

List of Utility Providers

Property Tax Estimator - Use this handy tool to estimate your property taxes

Understanding Rural Development Loans - more information on the RD loan program in Manistee County

Get $8000 Cash Back - As part of the Economic Stimulus package introduced in February 2009, you may be eligible to receive up to $8000 for buying a home in 2009.

Manistee County Equalization - Detailed information on all properties and homes in Manistee County

Mason County Equalization- Detailed information on all properties and homes in Mason County

Lake County Equalization - Detailed information on all properties and homes in Lake County

Oceana County Equalization - Detailed information on all properties and homes in Oceana County

Your Agent
A successful purchase starts with the right representative. In fact, once you’ve selected the best agent to represent you, it is likely that he or she can recommend other professionals to join your team, taking more of the responsibility off of your shoulders. 

I would like to be your agent!  Did you know that most agents automatically work for the seller (even if they are not the listing agent) and try to get the seller the most money?  This is a good reason to specifically request to have a Buyer's Agent.  Contact me today to find out what it means to be one of Meagan's Preferred Buyers!

Lender
A bank is not just a bank. Having the right backer can be extremely important – it is your money we’re talking about after all! Make sure that your lender and financial representative is someone with whom you feel comfortable, and be wary of any lender who promises you more than you think you can reasonably afford. Your lenders may or may not require an independent appraisal, and typically will make arrangements for the appraisal themselves. Click here for a list of Lenders that have worked with Meagan Kempf in the past.

Home Inspector
No home inspection is 100% guaranteed, but a few hundred dollars to catch a major problem now is certainly better than many thousands to correct that ‘surprise’ down the road. Ask your agent for a recommendation.  Click here for a list of local home inspectors.

Contractor
Planning some renovations? You’re not the only one! The home renovation industry is booming, and in some markets, booking a contractor must be done months in advance (that’s a long time to go without a kitchen). Don’t let finding the right contractor slip through the cracks – planning ahead will almost certainly make your renovation smoother, and you contractor will appreciate the advance notice. 

Lawyer
Your home purchase is far too important a transaction to skimp on legal representation at the risk of leaving yourself open to costly future issues. Find a lawyer who is willing to take the time to answer your questions and who specializes in real estate law.

1.  Find the right representative
Even if you’re not quite ready to buy, your buyer’s agent can be an absolute wealth of information, and can often offer ‘scoops’ on local developments you might not have know about otherwise.  Speak to your agent first and he or she can be helping to guide you right from the start.

2.  Find out what your price range is
Online mortgage calculators are a good place to start, but as you get closer to being ready to buy, there is no substitute for a written mortgage pre-approval.  Just speaking to your lender is an extremely worthwhile venture – this is the only way to really get an in-depth picture of your overall financial picture and to discover exactly what you can reasonably afford to spend on a home (and possibly on renovating).

3.  Find out what your local market looks like
The internet can be incredibly valuable in doing preparatory research.  Start with your agent – he or she can direct you to valuable resources and immediately start e-mailing you real estate listings that may interest you (or at least give you a better idea of what your needs and wants are).

4.  Find out what your true needs and wants are
Compose a needs/wants list that takes into consideration your local market conditions, your price range, and the advice of your real estate agent.

5.  Find your dream home!
Once you’re ready to act, you may be surprised by how quickly you can make a decision.  Armed with your pre-approval, a little market knowledge, and your needs/wants list, call your real estate agent, hit the pavement, and when you see ‘the house’, put in an offer. 

With the right team behind you, it really can be that easy!