How To Buy A House & The Elephant in The Room – Marcos Andazola Episode 001

 

How to Buy A House

3,2,1 (because it’s fun to be silly sometimes)

Howdy, my name is Marcos Andazola (Proudest member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 2005. WHOOP!) I’ll get to making an ‘About Me’ video later. The message here is more important than who I am for those of you watching.

Welcome to my first episode! (Not sure what I am calling this series…yet).

I am here at the Stylecraft Builders model home in Conroe, TX. Just shooting a quick video, (this may be the eleventy-billionth take and two and a half hours later), to get this very important message condensed into less than 3 minutes so I don’t lose your attention and waste your time. The shorter version would have just said, “GET PRE-QUALIFIED.”

The very first step when thinking about buying a home is to go through the pre-qualification process. The big elephant in the room for most folks is, “how much can I afford?” Guys we, ahem, the lender, can reverse engineer that for you. In other words, if you know what your monthly budget is for housing, they can work the numbers to keep you within your budget. Just because you qualify for more house, doesn’t mean you have to spend it.

Everyone has a different philosophy on budgeting. Make sure you have one. More importantly, make sure you and your partner are on the same page when it comes to The “B” word. I can’t tell you the number of embarrassing arguments that happen in front of me. (saving the rest of this for a later post).

As of the recording of this video, you can have your credit pulled for the intent of purchasing a home numerous times within a 45 day window. (I AM NOT A MORTGAGE LENDER. PLEASE CONFIRM THIS WITH ONE OF THOSE PROFESSIONALS). UPDATE: I just checked over on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau site. Scroll down to Action Steps and use the drop down menu on Number 3 and you can see that the 45-day window is confirmed. The reason you can do this is because you, the consumer, are allowed to shop rates. Please note, that the lender can see who they are up against when you do this. Just be up front and honest. No sense in lying, fibbing, or omitting information. The truth will come out. It always does. Set yourself up for success and be honest up front with your lender.

I said there are wonderful people who want to reach out and help, what I meant is that there are wonderful people who want to help. Period. I can’t tell you the numerous times someone apologizes for “bothering me with a silly question about buying a home.” The people involved in helping you buy a home; lender, Realtor, builder, myself included, etc., get paid to help. Most of us, absolutely love what we do.

I get to help folks with the home buying process every day and sometimes I take that for granted which is why I didn’t post the one liner that this could have been – GET PRE-APPROVED!

My examples are based on TRUE STORIES I use them just about EVERYDAY. The Realtors who watch and share this, I’m sure have a chapter in their “A Day in the Life of a Realtor” book with similar stories.

I shot this video at our Model Home/Office/Design Center in Conroe, TX. I thought it would be fun to do some videos in various areas of our model. I’m included the link to an amazing walk-through virtual tour done with the Matterport camera in case you would like to see more of the home.

My featured lender is Cherry Creek Mortgage Company. Their Senior Mortgage Originator, Alex Camacho, is kind of a big deal in the mortgage industry. Be sure and include him and his amazing team in your pre-qualification process.

Special thanks to my Production Crew :), my wife who teased me on the out-take videos and said this was her favorite, Tanner, our online-sales consultant. who pushed me to press the submit button on YouTube, and to Jonathan for his “Elephant in the Room” photo.

7 Questions For Your Lender:

1. What loan programs do I qualify for?
2. What is my payment going to be?
3. What does my payment include?
4. What does my payment not include?
5. If you are even THINKING of making a big purchase ASK FIRST. i.e. “if I buy a car, can I still buy a house?” (More often than not, the answer is no).
6. Can someone co-sign with me? In certain instances this can be helpful.
7. My partner’s might be bad, can we still get married? You may have to push pause on getting hitched.

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Small Print From Cherry Creek Mortgage Company:
Cherry Creek Mortgage Company does not have a Pre-Approval process. They use the Pre-Qualification process. We really are not supposed to use the term Pre-Approval.

Alex Camacho NMLS #243653 | Company NMLS #3001

This is not a commitment to lend or extend credit. Cherry Creek Mortgage Company.

#1: A Congenital Discovery

I came here to share. If you have stumbled upon this page, thank you for visiting. It may not be by accident at all.

Sometimes the student is ready and an abundance of teachers appear. Enter: “A Guide to the Good Life”

Step #1: Figure out what in life is worth having.

Step #2: Devise an effective strategy for attaining that thing.

 

Coffee Ritual

I’ve taken to living experimentally. Much of it has been due to listening to the Tim Ferriss podcast. After tinkering with a few things, I got it down to how I like it. This post is a combination of my findings for reference.

Thanks to Tim and Dave Asprey, I’ve added a new ritual to my mornings. Bulletproof Coffee or Titanium Tea. This is my: How To on the coffee. I wrote this post in response to a text my mom sent after I made her a cup on her last visit.

“Thank you for the coffee this morning! That was a total surprise to have a flashback of my great grama’s coffee, something I have not been able to replicate until this morning! 😊” -Mom

It’s that good and I don’t think it needs to be kept a secret.

• AeroPress Coffee Maker
• Hario Coffee Mill Slim Grinder, Mini
• Bulletproof Upgraded Coffee Starter Kit- Brain Octane Edition
• Grass Fed Butter

READING MATERIAL

• The Bulletproof Diet: Lose up to a Pound a Day, Reclaim Energy and Focus, Upgrade Your Life
• The 4 Hour Body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat Loss, Incredible Sex and Becoming Superhuman

How to Bulletproof Coffee Video

How to Use Aeropress -BEST EXAMPLE

Home Buyer Mondays: How to Avoid Costly Mistakes!

Happy Monday! I hope everyone has had a great January. We celebrated Kristina and my birthday this month! I had a chance to travel to Detroit and learn from some of the top top agents across the states, and this year is taking off! If there is anything you’d like to ask, you know how to reach me. 979.574.3399

#7 of 7
Choose your agent wisely. Working with a full-time professional real estate agent is a must. Ask questions of your agent. Find out how knowledgeable he or she is about houses currently for sale in your price range and also of houses that have recently sold. Can your agent recommend a good lender that has the reputation of excellent customer service and low rates? Does your agent ask questions of you to have a full understanding of what you are looking for and to help you get the most home for the money?… In other words CALL ME!

January 20, 1983

27 Great years have gone by, I have lived, learned, and loved. Along the way I have met great people who give meaning to my life and I hope in return I have and continue to do the same.

Year 28 starts with me in the mix of work, a great place to be these days, click on the photo of the house to see more photos of your future home? 😉

Good news for the week…yours truly was selected to be on the Leadership Team for 2011! Thanks everyone at Century 21 Beal for your support!

Home Buyer Mondays: How to Avoid Costly Mistakes!

Happy 2011!!! Well it is finally here, I’ve been waiting on this year for the still distant 11.11.11 since I was in the third grade. I think we were filling out a TAAS form and I thought it would be cool whenever all the numbers were filled out the same. Anyways, I digress. The important news is #6 of 7 Home Buyer Mondays is just below.  Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year!

       Love,

             -Marcos

#6 of 7 Take into account your present homeowner or renter status. 

If you already own a home and must sell it before you buy a new one, it is best to get a REALTOR® to do a complete market analysis of on your present home.  This allows you to know how much you can sell your current home for before making an offer on a new one.  If you are leasing or renting, the lease’s expiration date will give you a timetable for your new purchase.  Review this with your REALTOR® well in advance of when you want to move.

Goodbye 2010!

I’d like to start of by saying that this will be my only post for 2010! Okay, the wordpress world got away from me, but 2011 you’ll have some more on here from me.

What a fantastic year in real estate we’ve had! I want to thank everyone who has been part of our business growth this year. I have been blessed to have helped my clients into the next chapter of their lives, and they have been the key to get me into the next step in my life!

There has been much progress this year, from me stepping out on my own from assistant to starting Andazola Development, an umbrella company that is dealing with Real Estate sales and consultation, getting into communication and energy services to provide a full service one stop, and also the art world (Kristina takes care of that portion).  Of course the biggest announcement of the year, is that Kristina and me are engaged!

If there is anything you need, real estate related or not, please contact us and we’ll get you headed in the right direction to a solution.

Thank-you everyone for 2010, see you next year!

   Love,

        -Marcos

Home Buyer Mondays: How to Avoid Costly Mistakes!

I would like to share some useful information to those who would like some REALTOR® advise or know someone they can pass it along to.

I’ve been jumping ahead on my New Year’s Resolutions and headed to the gym last week…as most of you who know me are aware, I have a problem of losing weight when I don’t work out, since last Monday I have thrown on 7 pounds! 7 pounds in 7 days!!!  Hope everyone is working on setting goals for 2010, it’s approaching in fast forward.  Have a great week!

      -Marcos

#5 of 7

Make your offer contingent upon a home inspection and ask the seller to make the required repairs.  Hire a professional to inspect every aspect of the home thoroughly.  This can save you thousands of dollars in costly repairs and many headaches in the future.  A good inspection can also allow you to negotiate for any repairs prior to closing.  If the seller is not willing to make the necessary repairs, remind them that the lender will also require the home to be in good condition before they make a loan for the purchase.

Home Buyer Mondays: How to Avoid Costly Mistakes!

I would like to share some useful information to those who would like some REALTOR® advise or know someone they can pass it along to.

Well the weather outside is frightful… it has been a tad cold here in the B/CS area, we even saw snow on Friday!  Not that much snow, it might have been possible to count the flakes, non the less, there was snow.  On the home front, mom came to town!  Got a little spoiled, not going to lie.

 Hope everyone is enjoying the days as the holidays quickly approach.  Stay warm and don’t forget to wash your hands to help avoid getting sick.  Looking forward to getting more feedback from everyone who has been following along.

Talk to you soon,

      -Marcos

P.S.  Your REALTOR® should be performing tip #4 without you asking for it.  Expect it to be automatic when working with me.

#4 of 7

Ask your REALTOR® for a market analysis of the home, in comparison to similar homes in the neighborhood or throughout the city, before you make an offer.  A home is not just a place where you live – it is also an investment.  Take the time to view several homes before you make an offer so you know exactly what is on the market.  Be certain you are making a wise investment.

Home Buyer Mondays: How to Avoid Costly Mistakes!

I would like to share some useful information to those who would like some REALTOR® advise or know someone they can pass it along to. 

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving weekend and had a chance to  share some time with family and friends.  We had some awesome food here! There was plenty of football and nap time involved as well.

On to this week’s home buying tip:

#3 of 7, If the seller does not offer a home warranty on the house you want, ask your REALTOR to make it a part of the written offer that you make.  A home warranty can save you thousands of dollars in repairs, and can often be obtained for a very nominal annual fee.  A standard warranty covers the electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems as well as major home appliances.

Hope this finds you well.  Talk to you soon!

-Marcos

p.s. 26 days ’til Christmas!