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Finding the right home is not an easy task. Before you start looking, find a loyal and committed real estate professional to take be with you through the buying process. Some buyers are tempted to leave their names and needs with other Realtors. The advantage seems obvious…the more people you have looking, the better chance you’ll have of finding the home of your dreams. This, however, is not usually the case. In fact since you are not committed to one specific Realtor, you may find that your realtors are not as committed to spending the extra effort on your behalf. My advice is to shop for a buyer representative who will get the results you want, and then stick with that person exclusively. In the end, you will have a dedicated agent who will personally handle all the details of your upcoming home purchase. If you give your loyalty to one Realtor, you will be rewarded with great results. A buyer representative works solely for you and has no legal or other responsibilities to the seller. Although a general real estate agent can help you present and negotiate the offer, they still have certain obligations to the seller of the property you choose. When you hire me as your buyer representative, I am committed to protecting your best interests during the purchase of your home. I am highly skilled in the art of negotiation and have years of experience closing the deal. I provide the following buyer services: Access to every home listed in the Realtor’s Multiple Listing Service, plus Real Estate Owned and For Sale By Owner properties A comprehensive package of information on the entire home purchase process, including pertinent forms Thorough review of all aspects of the home buying process Discussion of your needs and wants Identify and locate every property that may be suitable to you Information on the areas and neighborhoods and school districts you are interested in Personal tours of selected homes Review of homeowners’ associations, rules and restrictions, if applicable All information necessary to determine market value Determination of the best offering price Negotiation on your behalf to obtain the best possible price and terms Follow up on all "deadline" dates to secure your purchase Coordination of all closing arrangements Review the closing statement with you to help resolve any problems A pre-closing walk-through, and if necessary, negotiation on any final issues Attend closing with you NEEDS VERSUS WANTS When you first start searching for your home, the sky is usually the limit. You want walk-in closets, a screened porch, a fireplace, a fenced- in backyard, and a Jacuzzi in the master bath. Unless you balance those wants with your absolute needs, you may be disappointed, even discouraged, after a few weeks of searching. You may find that the cute, two-story on the corner has a screened porch but no Jacuzzi and a tiny backyard. Or that the great rambler has a huge backyard but no fireplace. Before you start looking, I meet with you to determine exactly which features you can’t live without. I also make a list of your "wants" in the order of importance. These parameters help narrow the search so you don’t waste time touring homes without the amenities that truly meet your needs. UNDERSTANDING DISCLOSURE Because I represent you, the buyer, I am committed to serving your best interests throughout the purchase process. This responsibility includes providing you with any information, whether positive or negative, about properties you are investigating for purchase. I will disclose any specifics on: Location Property values Offering price Negotiations Counter offers Contingencies Financing Closing process Armed with such valuable details, you can be confident the home you eventually choose will be right for you and your family. PRE-QUALIFY… THEN SHOP WITH CONFIDENCE One of the most frustrating situations you may face while house hunting is finding your "dream home," negotiating an offer everyone is happy with…and then failing to qualify for the needed financing. The best way to avoid this disappointment is to pre-qualify for a mortgage through a lender. Then you’ll know exactly what you can afford, and you can limit your search to that particular price range. Prequalification doesn’t mean you are obligated to finance your home through a specific lender. You can still shop for the mortgage deal while you continue house hunting. But it makes sense to start the loan application process as early in your search as possible. The process can be lengthy, with lenders requesting detailed information about your debts, assets and credit history. By starting early, everything will be in place when you find the right home. When it’s a seller’s market with multiple offers and quick sales, prequalification through a lender is vital. It guarantees the seller that you can afford your offer. Prequalification always increases a buyer’s standing because the seller has security that the deal will not disintegrate at the last minute because your financing falls through. THE DETAILS: PURCHASE AGREEMENT TO CLOSING So now that you’ve found the home of your dreams, how do you actually buy it? There’s a lot more to buying a house than just making an offer. The process can be complex and confusing. My job is not finished until the deal is closed and you are moving into your dream home. I will prepare the details of your purchase agreement and any necessary addenda including: Purchase Agreement -Pricing -Special assessments and real estate taxes -Title issues -Personal property -Contingencies -Arbitration Addenda -Financing -Inspections -Disclosure -Representation -Lead-based paint -Wells -Arbitration I will also complete a large volume of paperwork and manage numerous closing activities and procedures. I help guide you through the closing process, and together we handle the following details: Buyer’s loan application Conditional approval Removal of contingencies Final approval Closing instructions Escrows Mortgage closing Settlement statement Appraisal and inspections Appraisal and work orders Closing schedule Final walk-through Homeowners insurance Title closing |