Real Estate

There are a few things it’s helpful to understand up front.

My role is to help you understand and navigate the process, evaluate homes, and negotiate better price and terms.

Let’s get you the tools you need to make an informed decision as a homebuyer.

I think I want to buy a house. Where do I start?

That’s great! We can break it down so it’s totally manageable…step by step. We’ll go over the fun part - what you want in your new place! We’ll talk about how to find properties, how much money you’ll need up front, negotiations, contingencies, inspections, appraisals, and closing.

Getting a loan seems overwhelming. How can I find my lender?

There are many loan types available, depending on what you are wanting I can get you pointed in the right direction. A loan officer will do a quick pre-qualification, recommend the best loan program for your situation, estimate payments and costs to get the loan, and explain things like discount points and APR. A mortgage loan officer is a great partner on your team. They will help you determine the ideal monthly payment for your situation. Overall our goal is to get you far enough into the loan process that sellers will feel confident in your financing. This is called pre-approval and occurs after your loan officer has received all of your documentation.

Check out my preferred Lenders

👇

What is a buyer’s agent? Why would I want one?

I will be on your team from our first home tour until I give you the keys to your new home. I represent you and help ensure you meet the essential steps involved in completing your real estate purchase. I will be your coordinator, negotiator, and trusted adviser. These are some of the most important aspects of your transaction that I will be handling…

• Schedule the viewings and coordinate to get you in to see the house

• Go through the home with you with an experienced eye looking out for what you might not notice in the home

• Help assess value versus price and help you determine what the right offer price might be

• Call on experience and training as a skilled negotiator to help construct an offer that will help you win the bidding war in the way most to your advantage. Remember that we may be in highly competitive, multiple offer situations, where any edge can make all the difference

• Prepare and explain all offer paperwork to you thoroughly

• Guide you through the mortgage, inspection, and appraisal processes, coordinate with all parties involved, and assist with any re-negotiations that come from those findings

• Manage the timeline to make sure that your closing is completed on time

• Manage any stress and emotions as we work through the real estate transaction

What does representation mean?

Representation means that you and I have formed a legal agreement and you have “hired” me to represent you as your buyer’s agent. When we sign a Buyer’s Representation Agreement, that establishes a “fiduciary” relationship, meaning that I am bound to work exclusively in your best interest, and you agree to work with me exclusively to help you buy your new home.

How much commission will I pay?

As a buyer, you are not usually responsible for paying your agent’s commission. When a seller lists their home, they usually agree to also compensate the buyer’s agent. There are special cases where the seller won’t pay a buyer’s agent commission, but we’ll know and discuss that well in advance, and will decide how to move forward.

How do commissions really work?

When sellers list their home they form an agreement with the listing agent. The agreement specifies how much commission they will pay in total and how much of that will be shared with the buyer’s agent. The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) mandates that there are no fixed commissions for real estate and each is agreed upon on a case-by-case basis, but it is determined by the seller and seller’s agent before listing. For example, the seller agrees up front to pay 6% of the sales price to their listing agent’s brokerage and that is to be shared equally with the buyer’s agent brokerage.

Please let me know what questions you have about getting started…I would love to answer them.

Recent Reviews

(from my local clients)

great service & representation you can count on

My Pledge of Performance

Because I am committed to preparing you to be an educated buyer, I will:

• ✔ give you the most vital information on available homes

• ✔ keep you aware of changes in the real estate market

• ✔ arrange a tour of areas, schools and key points of interest

• ✔ provide neighborhood information on municipal services, schools, churches, etc.

• ✔ check applicable zoning and building restrictions

• ✔ disclose all known facts about properties I show you

• ✔ collect pertinent data on values, taxes, utility costs, etc.

• ✔ point out strengths and weaknesses of all properties you choose to view

• ✔ explain forms, contracts, escrow and settlement procedures

• ✔ discuss loan qualification and processing

Because I am committed to helping you save time, I will:

• ✔ provide ready access to all MLS listed properties

• ✔ assist you as needed on all unlisted properties

• ✔ help you select for viewing only those homes that fit your needs

• ✔ show you homes only in the price range most suited to your finances

• ✔ provide you a list of qualified attorneys, home inspectors or other service providers

• ✔ arrange for necessary property inspections

Because I am committed to helping you find the best value, I will:

• ✔ prepare studies of property values in chosen areas

• ✔ perform a market analysis on chosen properties

• ✔ discuss financing alternatives

• ✔ see that you get a complete estimate of all costs involved

• ✔ advise on offers on properties

• ✔ write and present your sales contract to the seller

• ✔ negotiate on your behalf

Because I am committed to you–my buyer–I will do all of this, plus: 

• ✔ keep your personal information confidential at all times

• ✔ stay in touch with you from the day you start your search until the day you move in

• ✔ coordinate all aspects of the sale and closing

• ✔ be reimbursed with a commission only when we have a successfully closed transaction

I look forward to meeting you & finding you the right home.

As an Accredited Buyer Representative I am committed to providing you with strategic guidance to accomplish your goals.

Want more Buyer’s Education?

read the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Website

Sign up for Buyer Bootcamp NOW👇