CALTON-BURCHETT PROPERTIES, INC.     Larry and Regina Burchett, Realtors
buyers     Information for Buyers
        (512) 289-4864 		Chrysler

Whether you currently live in the Central Texas Area or are considering a move from another state, we can help familiarize you with our area. We have been in Austin for over twenty years, and have also lived in surrounding communities. In addition to our knowledge of the area, we have a worked with both experienced and first-time home buyers and take the time to guide you through the process, working to find you the best home possible to fit your needs and budget.

To acqaint you with some of the reasons the Austin area is such a great place to make your home, you may want to start by clicking on the "Area Info" links to the left. You can also search all Listed Properties for this area. Our Search button allows you to browse through available properties on your own, with no pressure to register. You may want to click on the Search Map button to the left and print out the map for reference on the designated areas, as you do your search.

Or, if you like, we can do a more detailed search for you than the selections given in the public access website. Certain criteria - for example - the age of the home, subdivision, one story or two, large trees, specific amount of acreage desired, separate shower in the master bedroom - we can add all of these criteria and more to a property search designed just for you. Simply email us with your price range, the areas of interest, and any other items you require or wish for in a home. We will reply generally within 24 hours, with a link to a website with the results of your personal search criteria. Most listings have several photos you can view by clicking on the main photo. We will follow up with you by an email or two, to see if you have found what you need and wish to proceed, but we will not add you to an email list or give out your information to anyone.


For first-time home buyers, or those unfamiliar with Texas real estate, here is a general guideline for the home-buying process.

  1. YOUR BUYER'S AGENT ~ First, you are entitled to your own real estate agent. On any listing (which is not our personal listing), we can represent you as your Realtor. Typically, the seller pays the commission, so our services are at no cost to you.
  2. LENDER ~ A Pre-Approval letter is becoming an industry standard when making an offer on a home. Sellers will have more confidence in an offer that includes a pre-approval letter, and in multiple offer situations, the ones with a pre-approval letter are viewed more favorably. Pre-approval will also assist you in determining your price range, cost to close and your estimated payment. We can assist you in obtaining a local experienced Loan Officer.
    Be aware that if you "shop" for a loan, it can be harmful to your credit. While inquiring with multiple lenders, we suggest that you not give out your Social Security Number until you are sure that this is the company you have chosen to use. Multiple credit inquiries will lower your credit score.
  3. SEARCH FOR PROPERTY ~ As your Realtors, we do a detailed search for homes that fit your price range and other criteria. We view the homes with you and once you decide on the "perfect one", we sit down with you to write the offer.
  4. THE OFFER ~ At this point, we research other similar homes in the same area, showing you what is currently on the market, pending sale, and what has recently sold and for how much. We guide you in reaching an offer price that is reasonable for the value of the home.
  5. EARNEST MONEY / OPTION MONEY ~ You will need to write two checks at this point, which will be held until the seller has agreed to your offer. One is for your earnest money (our company suggests that this be for 1% of your offer). The other is for the Option Period. This is the amount of time you are asking the seller to take their home off the market, and during this time, you will have your inspections done, check to be sure you can obtain Homeowners Insurance on the property, and generally satisfy yourself that this is the home for you.
  6. OPTION PERIOD ~ Option checks can range from $100 on up, depending on what the seller is willing to accept and you are willing to pay. During the Option Period, you have the unrestricted right to withdraw for any reason, or no reason. The seller will keep the funds from the Option check. If you proceed with the purchase of the home, the contract should indicate that the funds for the Option Period will apply toward your down payment. Once you and the seller have agreed on a contract price for the property, the seller will be given your Option Money check, and the Earnest Money check will be given to the Title Company, along with a copy of the signed and executed contract.
  7. INSPECTIONS ~ You now have typically 5-10 days to have your inspections done. We can supply you with a list of Home Inspectors from the telephone book, but as Realtors, are not allowed to choose your Inspector nor to set up the inspection. Once you have arranged for the inspection, we will generally meet the inspector at the home to let them in for the inspection. You will usually arrive toward the end of the inspection, to review what the inspector has found in the way of defects. If the property has a septic system or a well, these will typically need to be inspected also. You should also ask your inspector to do a Termite Inspection (and Septic System Inspection, if applicable) or to recommend someone who does. Often, your lender will require a clean Termite Certificate, stating that your new home has no conditions conducive to termite infestation.
  8. AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT ~ Once your inspection is complete, we will discuss any repairs that you will request in an Amendment to the contract. This will be signed by you and given to the seller's agent. If they agree to complete the repairs you have requested, or adjusted the sales price according to your request, then we will proceed with the other items required for closing.
  9. SURVEY ~ If the sellers have a recent survey, this is reviewed by the title company or lender, and may be acceptable. If a survey is not available or the existing one is not acceptable to your lender, then a new survey may be required.
  10. INSURANCE ~ You will need to contact an Insurance Company and ask them to send an "Insurance Binder" on the home to the Title Company. This must be received prior to the closing.
  11. APPRAISAL ~ Your lender will ask for a check for the Appraisal. Once you are fully under contract and any Amendment to the contract has been signed, the lender will order the Appraisal. This is done to satisfy them that the house is worth the price you are paying.
  12. TITLE SEARCH ~ A Title Search will be done by the Title Company to ensure that the home has no existing liens, and that the sellers have valid title to sell the home. The Title Search will also state if there are any problems with existing surveys, easements or right-of-ways. Both you and us, as your Buyer's Agents, will receive a copy, and a Title Policy will be issued at closing.
  13. FINAL LOAN APPROVAL ~ Typically, this will not be received until very close to the closing date. Don't panic. Your lender should be staying in touch with you, as we will, throughout the process to make sure everything is proceeding as it should.
  14. CLOSING ~ Prior to closing, the Title Company should have received the Survey and the Insurance Binder. On the day before - sometimes the day of - closing, we will receive a HUD statement from the Title Company. This statement lists all of the items being charged to you and to the seller, and we will review it, to make sure all costs have been apportioned correctly and let you know the amount of the check you need to bring to closing, along with your termite certificate and a photo ID.
  15. POSSESSION ~ Often, the sellers may lease the home back after closing (with your agreement), allowing them time to move. Typically, the home is not legally yours until Funding has occurred, meaning that your Lender has actually sent the funds to the seller.

     This is a general analysis of the Home Buying Process. Each real estate transaction is unique and most issues can usually be resolved. We have never believed in our work as being a "9 to 5" profession, and are available via cell phone for any questions you may have, at any time. We have been in the real estate profession for a long time, and are good at explaining the process. We would like to be Your Realtor!


512-289-4864 House   Regina & Larry Burchett, Realtors