Step by Step

Deciding to Buy

Purchasing a property is most likely the biggest financial decision you will ever make. Whether this is your first purchase or you are an experienced buyer, this decision must be made carefully.

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WHY DO YOU WANT TO BUY?

Are you tired of paying rent? Have you decided to pay your own mortgage and not your landlord’s? Have you outgrown your current home? Are you looking for an investment portfolio? Are you looking for a rental property? Would you like a larger yard? Would you rather live in a different area? Do you want to shorten your commute? Having a clear sense of your reasons for buying will help you choose the right property.

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HAS YOUR INCOME GROWN?

Property ownership is an excellent investment; whether you are looking for your dream home, a rental property, or to expand your investment portfolio. Owning real estate is one of the least risky ways to build equity or to obtain a greater return on your initial investment.

PREPARING TO BUY

Before you start shopping for your property, it is a good idea to make some preparations.

A green file contains all your important financial documents. You will need it to secure financing for your property. The typical green file should contain:

  • Financial statements
  • Bank accounts
  • Investments
  • Credit cards
  • Auto loans
  • Recent pay stubs
  • Tax returns for two years
  • Copies of leases for investment properties
  • 401K statements, life insurance, stocks, bonds, and mutual account information.

Your credit score will have a huge impact on what type of property you can buy, and at what price. It is first recommended to check your credit rating with an experienced lending institution so that we can determine what you can afford. The lender will research your credit ratings from the three credit reporting agencies Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. We will be happy to recommend experienced, knowledgeable lenders in the residential, construction, and commercial and investment real estate fields.

Now is not a good time to make sudden career changes or large purchases. You want to approach your property purchase from a position of financial stability.

EXPERTise & knowledge

REAL ESTATE AGENT

Buying a property requires making many important financial decisions, understanding complex issues, and completing a lot of paperwork. It helps to have an expert in your corner when undertaking such a large purchase. We can guide you through this process, and also provide you with access to property listings before they hit the general market.

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Here are some factors to consider when choosing your real estate professional:

  • Look for a full-time agent – one who has experience completing transactions similar to yours.
  • Interview a few agents: Are they familiar with the area in which you are interested?
  • Ask how much time the agent will have for you and if they are available at night and on weekends.
  • Ask about their credentials and education: A good agent will continually strive to improve and gain knowledge of the latest real estate trends and hold the highest designation in their respective fields of expertise.
  • Does the agent return your calls promptly? Time is money when attempting to buy a property.
  • Ask for a list of properties they have sold or a list of references.
  • Choose an agent who listens attentively to your needs and concerns. Pick an agent, with whom you feel comfortable.

TIME TO GO SHOPPING

Once those preparations are out of the way, it is time to find the right property for you.

Get to know the neighborhoods, complexes, or subdivisions, which interest you. Drive around and get a feel for what it would be like to own a property in the area. Start getting a sense of the properties available in those areas.

Select a few properties that interest you the most and have your real estate agent make appointments to visit them. Ask your real estate agent about the potential long term resale value of the properties you are considering.

Once you have picked out the property you want to purchase, your real estate agent can help you make an offer that the seller will accept. A good agent will investigate the potential costs and expenses associated with the new property. An agent can also help you draft your offer in a way that gives you the advantage over another offer.

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MOVING IN

Closing Day

If you have come this far, then this means that it is almost time for congratulations, but not yet. Do not forget to tie up these loose ends:

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
Sean is upbeat, positive, and knowledgeable. We were up against budget and timeline restraints and he met all of the parameters with flying colors. I found an awesome bungalow in a great neighborhood. One thing I will say about Sean is he is not just there to sell you a house. He becomes a friend. He is truly invested in you as a person and that type of sincerity is refreshing. He knows everything about ...

— Toni A.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
We were initially referred to Sean Mooney with glowing praise from a trusted friend, so we had high expectations. Well, Sean did not disappoint and even exceeded our expectations! He was able to both help us find tenants to rent our current home (in Lakeway) and guide us to purchase our dream home (in Westlake) and we couldn't be happier with how knowledgable, professional, and personable Sean is. And ma...

— Hal E.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
It is a tough decision to pick the right real estate professional for a big transaction to buy or sell a home. I am extremely satisfied that I opted to work with Sean and his team to sell my home. I am impressed by the services I got from Sean and his team. Sean helped me to make my home ready for the listing, while I was out of state. He is very professional and resolved all of my concerns before listin...

— Irshad A.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
Sean is an amazing agent. The thing I like about him most is that he is a true hustler. He will work his tail off for you to find and pursue deals, generate offers, and negotiate however you would like. He has represented us for both buying and selling and both experiences were amazing. He also has a broad network of people for other home needs. We remodeled the home we purchased and he was able to provi...

— Christian R.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
Sean helped me to purchase my first home after a bad experience with a previous REALTOR. As a local Austinite, Sean's knowledge of the city and the up-and-coming areas was extremely valuable in my desire to find a place with investment potential. Sean was extremely responsive to all my questions/concerns as a first-time home buyer and took the lead in communications with the property developer - he even ...

— Nia J.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
Hats off to you! We have never found a more genuine person than Cord Shiflet. The sale of our house was seamless and stress-free from the opening curtain, when Cord made the first visit to preview the property, to the entre-after with a caring support assistant, Joni; right to the finale, the closing. Sincere thanks to all at Moreland. Bravo, Cord.

— Austin

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
Great experience! Sean was very attentive to our needs. Patient and walked us through the process as first-time home buyers. Your timeline is his timeline - he never made us feel rushed to make any decisions (the Austin housing market wasn't as kind). Highly recommend.

— Justin D.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
Could not have loved working with Cord more! He made the entire process so much fun- even with the market being so insanely competitive. I swear his unique insight and charming personality are what gave us the competitive edge we needed to “win” our dream home.

— Nicole T.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
Cord is super knowledgeable and responsive. He's also very in tune with customer's needs and the emotional dynamics of a real estate transaction. I give him my unconditional recommendation!

— Jason P.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
Cord is an excellent agent and we will definitely use him again in the future.

— Paul & Stephanie W.

Work With Us

Cord prizes trust. His clients trust him to value and protect their real estate investments. And how’s this for a bonus? He is fun to work with because he loves his work. Whether representing an A-list celebrity or Austin executive, Cord personifies Texas’ entrepreneurial spirit: Play hard. Have fun. Work harder.