Find Your Dream Home – Right Here!

Finding and buying the ideal property can be a dream come true. There is something special about walking up to the front door on moving day, sliding in your key and entering the foyer of your beautiful new home.

However, getting to that point can be very stressful unless you have the right real estate agent working with you throughout the buying process. Knowing everything you can upfront, is so important and everything that can be explained to you should be- at your first meeting.  As your real estate agent, I ensure that I will do two important things for you:

• Help you buy a home that matches your requirements
• Make the process simple and easy
• Help you buy the best financial investment possible

How do I work with clients?

To begin, I take the time to learn what you really want in a home. I explain the entire process all the way to the closing table.  Starting with your out of pocket costs, what you should expect to pay at closing and finishing with some avoidable potential bumps in the road. I look at your needs and desires, and help you determine the price range within which you should shop. Then I show you properties that meet that criteria – including new listings the moment they come on the market.

As your agent, I look out for your best interests. For example, I provide you with in-depth property details of each home you view, point out desirable features you may not notice and identify potential concerns you may have overlooked.

I’m by your side every step of the way. When you find a home you want, I’ll prepare and present the offer, and negotiate skillfully on your behalf.

Do You Have a Personal Real Estate Agent?

If you’re planning on buying a home, you may have already done some shopping around on your own. Perhaps you’ve checked out a few open houses or called the number on a For Sale sign to schedule a private viewing of that property.

Yes, you can do all of that on your own, if you have the time and expertise. However, statistics prove that you’ll be more successful in finding your dream home at the right price with your own personal real estate agent. Remember, the listing agent ONLY protects the seller and negotiates on their behalf, getting them the best possible price from your pocket and making the least amount of repairs…sort of like you playing poker and showing your hand to your opponent as you play! By being represented, you can avoid overpaying for a home and not having full disclosure from the seller or listing agent.  Would you go to court using your opponent’s attorney? A listing agent’s fiduciary duty is only to the seller.

Your Real Estate Agent Works for You

A real estate agent, especially one who knows the market well (like I do), can help you find and buy your ideal home, quickly, and make the entire process go smoothly for you. During a viewing, your real estate agent will give you the inside scoop on that property through additional research capabilities, so you know the full story. Your real estate agent will also point out desirable features and potential “issues” that you might otherwise miss.

When it comes time to make an offer, your real estate agent will present and negotiate it on your behalf. If you don’t have your own real estate agent, you would have to deal directly with the seller’s agent, who is legally obliged to work in the seller’s best interests – not yours.

Bottom line: Your own personal real estate agent is there for you, every step of the way. At least, that’s how I work with my clients.

What to Look for in a Real Estate Agent

When buying a home, you want a real estate agent who…

• Takes the time to understand your needs and goals, so you have a true partner in your home buying journey
• Explains everything clearly and answers your questions, so you’re never in the dark
• Has expertise and a track record of success in the local market
• Knows how to find great properties in your price range you would want to buy
• Will alert you to new listings, quickly, so you get the jump on those opportunities
• Will advise you on the best price to offer for the home you want
• Will prepare and present the offer, and skillfully negotiate such things as price, conditions, closing dates, etc. so you get the best deal
• Will save you potentially thousands of dollars by ensuring you don’t overpay for the property you want
• Will recommend when needed, reputable home inspectors, movers and other industry professionals

Not every real estate agent offers all of these services. My clients say that I do. They also tell me how much they appreciate my professionalism, expertise, and accessibility.

Ensuring the Closing Goes Smoothly

There are few things I enjoy more than saying to a client, “You’re Accepted!”  When contracts are fully executed, you’ll soon be preparing for moving day.

Just because the purchase has been made doesn’t mean my work for you stops. On the contrary. There are a myriad of other things I’ll do to ensure the process goes smoothly.

For example, I’ll take care of many of the administrative details on your behalf. I’ll work with the seller’s agent, your lawyer, and your mortgage lender to ensure that all the necessary paperwork has been completed and submitted.

If you don’t know where to look or need assistance finding a good real estate lawyer, insurance agent, moving company, etc. I have a team of professionals in the real estate industry and can personally recommend reputable people and companies to help you along – even with reviews from past clients about each one!

If at any time leading up to moving day you have a question, problem or concern, I’ll be there to help. You can count on me to be your real estate agent before, during and after you cross the threshold into your beautiful new home.

If you have questions about the home buying process, please feel free to call or email or submit the form below.

The Home Shopping Process

As your real estate agent, my most important job is to make the home shopping process pleasant and rewarding for you.

I do that in a number of ways.

I regularly recommend properties for viewing that closely match your needs and wants, and are within your price range. That spares you the frustration of visiting homes that aren’t suitable. I would love for you to send me homes you are interested in, however it is not your job- that is my job.

I make sure you don’t miss opportunities. When a desirable property suddenly comes on the market, you’re alerted.

I help you schedule viewings that fit your schedule, so there’s little if any inconvenience for you.

Before you view a property, I provide you with in-depth details on the home, so you can make an informed decision. When possible I may be able to find out a seller’s possible closing expectations. Later, if you have questions, I get the answers for you.

When you find a property you like, I give you my honest, professional recommendation as to how well the home meets your needs and wants. You won’t have to make such an important decision without my expert advice.

As your real estate agent, I’m committed to getting you into the right home, and I’m with you every step of the way.

What to Look for when Viewing a Property

Here are a few questions and ideas to consider when viewing homes to help make the process easier and more productive:

• Does the home have your “needs” features (those features you must have)? (For example, number of bedrooms, closet space, kitchen size, etc.)
• Does the home have any of your “wants” features (those features you’d like to have but would be willing to forgo)? (For example, large backyard deck, spacious family room, etc.)
• What is the general condition of the home?
• What do you like most about the home?
• Is there anything about the home you don’t like? Can that be changed with a light remodeling or renovation now or in the future?
• Take a walk around the neighborhood, visit local stores you will be using
• Does the neighborhood have what you want? (For example, access to public transit, shopping, local parks, etc.)

Viewing properties should never be a frustrating ordeal. It’s my job to help make the process easy and productive for you, so you can find the home you want.

Get a Mortgage Pre-Approval

An important ingredient in a successful home search is knowing how much you can afford. You don’t want to fall in love with a property only to find out it’s outside your price range.

That’s why I recommend getting a Mortgage Pre-Approval. We also have lenders that can secure your loan, which makes getting an acceptance less risky to the seller. This is a document from your bank or other lender stating how much of a mortgage they are willing to give you. There are two advantages to getting this pre-approval:

• It gives you the peace-of-mind of knowing you can afford homes you view on the market, and won’t have problems arranging financing.
• It’s a sign to sellers that you are a serious, prepared buyer – which gives you the edge when making an offer.

You can arrange for a Mortgage Pre-Approval with your bank or other lender, or by working with a good mortgage broker. Always get a second opinion when shopping for a lender since this is possibly the biggest financial investment you will make in your lifetime. I can also highly recommend a reputable broker or lender, please contact me.

Get Your Finances In Order For A Cash Purchase

When you decide that you want to purchase a home with cash, I recommend you speak with your financial advisor.  You need to make sure the down payment money can be easily accessible with a short time after placing an offer.  No matter where you gather the funds from (in which documentation will be needed upon offer for the full purchase price) you will also want to make sure you are aware of any tax ramifications on your money or early withdrawal penalties.

How Much Home Can You Afford?

Banks and lenders use specific criteria to determine how much of a mortgage they’re willing to offer you. They look at your income, expenses, credit history and employment status, as well as the down payment you plan to make on a home. It may seem like a scary process, but it is actually straightforward. You can usually get a Mortgage Pre-Approval in a day. You’ll be glad that you did.

By knowing what you can afford, you can confidently shop within that price range. Do not forget that whatever mortgage you are qualified for you also must ask the taxes that number is based off of.  More often lately, I see buyers qualified but were never told the amount of taxes that they need to stay below. This is problematic when you start searching.  The difference in taxes can certainly disqualify you from an offer price.  This is just another of many important facts I will explain when we meet in person.

Have questions about arranging financing? Please submit the form below or call or email me.