Working Together
to Get You Into the Perfect Home or Property

The Home Buying Process

As professional Buyer’s Agents, we believe that the relationship between the Buyer and their Agent is a sacred one.  We take our responsibilities very seriously and are proud to count many past clients among our closest friends. 

To avoid misunderstandings or frustrations, we believe it is essential for everyone to clearly understand their roles and responsibilities. 

Working with us to buy a home will never cost you anything -- except your loyalty.

**We only work with buyers who are working exclusively with us.
We do not ask our buyers to sign anything until they are ready to write up an offer.  We only ask that you not work with any other agent while working with us.

When we are representing you, we do not represent the sellers.  We work solely in the best interest of our buyer clients and expect our buyers to have the same loyalty to us.  In choosing to work with us, you agree to not work with any other buyers’ agents or to contact any sellers or sellers’ agent directly. 

We Promise:

• To communicate openly, honestly and constantly throughout the process.
• To work tirelessly in your best interest to find what you want at the best price possible.
• To help you buy what you want and never “sell” you anything.
• To treat you and all other parties just as we would want to be treated.
• To return all calls and emails as quickly as possible and always within 24 hours.
• To deliver all that we promise consistently and quickly.
• To make the entire experience pleasant and productive. 

Step One – The Search

We Will:

• Listen carefully to your criteria and wish-lists and adhere to them when searching.
• Search all available properties for anything that might work for you.
• Alert you to all potential properties without imposing our own preferences.
• Provide you with a web page for storing, sorting, and commenting on potential properties.
• Preview potential homes whenever possible.
• Constantly monitor the market to ensure you have immediate notice of all new listings.

 Your Responsibilities:

• Clearly communicate your preferences, criteria, and expectations.
• Be totally forthcoming about your financing issues, plans and concerns.
• Be pre-qualified by a lender of your choice prior to touring homes.
• Review and comment on properties we send to your web page for consideration.
• Contact us – whenever and wherever you see a property that intrigues you.  We are your one-stop source for all information on all homes and property in this market. 
  If you see a home in a real estate ad – Contact us!
  If you see a home while searching online – Contact us!
  If you see a sign when driving around – Contact us!
  If a friend or neighbor suggests a home – Contact us!
  If you want to visit new construction – Contact us!
  
  Please do not compromise your negotiating position by talking directly to any listing agents or builder’s representatives.  They represent the seller.

Step Two – Touring

We Will:

• Give you a driving overview of the areas and neighborhoods of interest.
• Coordinate with you the best times to physically tour all properties of interest.
• Schedule carefully to ensure the best use of your time and courtesy to sellers.
• Be on time and stay on schedule.
• Provide you with an outline of the tour and a form for taking notes.
• Never set a limit on the number of properties you can see before choosing.
• Be prepared with maps and background information.
• Provide objective observations concerning quality, value and resale potential.
• Allow you ample time. 

Your Responsibilities:

• Dedicate sufficient time and availability for touring.
• Respect the sellers’ time and property by being on time and not bringing extra people.
• Take notes to help recall your pros, cons, and general observations.
• Never ask us to take you into homes that are outside of your ability to purchase.
• Never ask us to violate fair housing laws or discriminate in any way.
• Always identify us as your buyers’ agents if you visit open houses or builders without us.
• Protect your negotiating position by never divulging information about yourself to sellers’ representatives. 

Step Three – Choosing

We Will:

• Do a thorough Comparative Market Analysis of any home you consider making an offer on.
• Provide you with a review of the sales activity and resale potential in the area.
• Do a “red flags” informal inspection of the chosen property to identify potential issues.
• Review disclosures, neighborhood covenants and related restrictions.
• Revisit, photograph and measure as needed.
• Provide you with sources for information on schools, taxes, shopping, crime, commuting, or any other concerns that might affect your decision. 

Your Responsibilities:

• Review all available information carefully.
• Openly and honestly discuss your preferences and concerns with us.
• Complete research on issues personally important to you; such as schools, taxes and crime.
• Time your selection appropriately to your ability to purchase and move.

Step Four – The Offer

We Will:

• Suggest a price range based on market value, likely appraisal value, and potential resale value.
• Clearly and carefully explain all sections and addendums of the state required Offer to Purchase and Contract forms.
• Explain all options, terms, and details to consider when putting the offer together.
• Write up the offer and present it to the selling agent in a timely & professional manner.
• Be readily available to the sellers and their agents to answer any questions they may have about the offer.
• Immediately relay all counter-offers and other responses.
• Maintain a positive negotiating atmosphere.

 Your Responsibilities:

• Decide on the price and other terms of your offer after considering all available information.
• Provide a check for the earnest money deposit required with the offer (1% to 5%.)
• Be pre-qualified for the amount and terms of the financing you are planning to use.
• Negotiate in good faith in a positive atmosphere. 

Step Five – Inspections & Repairs

We Will:

• Suggest professionals available to do home, pest, and other inspections.
• Personally attend and supervise all inspections.
• Provide you with the complete inspection reports and discuss the findings.
• Council you as to which repairs to request be done.
• Complete, submit and negotiate the repair request on your behalf.
• Follow up to ensure repairs are completed in a timely & proper manner. 

Your Responsibilities:

• Choose professionals to do the inspections.
• Review and discuss the reports.
• Contact inspectors with any questions or needed clarifications.
• Decide which repairs should be requested as a condition of closing.
• Inspect the completed repairs. 

Step Six – Getting to Closing

We Will:

• Suggest attorneys to use for the closing; schedule based on your choice.
• Ensure that all contingencies and conditions are met by due dates.
• Provide the selected attorney with all required information in a timely manner.
• Maintain contact with all parties to avoid delays.
• Obtain a list of utility providers for you to contact.
• Review the federal HUD-1 settlement statement as soon as ready and check it for errors.
• Contact you with the exact amount you need to bring to closing in the form of a cashier’s check made payable to the closing attorney’s office or wire.
• Do a final walk-through with you prior to closing. 

Your Responsibilities:

• Immediately contact your lender and finalize your mortgage applications.
• Decide immediately if you want a survey done of the property.
• Select an attorney to use for the closing; we will schedule the appointment.
• Choose and purchase appropriate home owners’ insurance and provide contact information.
• Contact utility providers to have billings set up or changed effective the date of clsoing.
• Decide whether all buyers will be present at the closing; otherwise coordinate pre-signing or POA with attorney.
• Avoid excessive or unusual spending that could lead to a last-minute mortgage denial.
• Advise us immediately if anything happens that could affect your ability to close.
• Obtain a cashier’s check or wire transfer from the bank for the amount needed at closing. 

Step Seven – At the Closing Table

We Will:

• Be present at the attorney’s office to assist with questions and explanations.
• Pass you the keys to your new home! 

Your Responsibilities:

• Bring the required cashier’s check or wire funds and bring drivers’ licenses.
• Question anything that is unclear or confusing to you.
• Understand that you need to resolve all issues prior to signing.  After signing and recording, the home is yours “as is.” 

Step Eight – After Closing

We Will:

• Be available to answer any questions or concerns that arise after you move in.
• Stay in touch and monitor the market value of your home; should you ever decide to sell.

 Your Responsibilities:

• Notify us immediately if you discover issues after moving in.
• If you are pleased with our service, recommend us to all of your friends who are thinking about moving!!! 

It’s all about Working Together!