The Home Buying Process - Step by Step

It's All About Working Together

As a seasoned professional, I believe that the relationship between the Buyer and their Agent is a sacred one. I take my responsibilities very seriously and am proud to count many past clients among my closest friends. To avoid misunderstandings or frustrations, I believe it is essential for everyone to clearly understand their roles and responsibilities.

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

I only work with buyers who are working exclusively with me. I do not ask my buyers to sign anything until they are ready to write up an offer. I only ask that you promise to not work with any other agent while working with me.

I work solely in the best interest of my buyer clients and expect my buyers to have the same loyalty to me.  

I 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 I would want to be treated.
• To return all calls and emails as quickly as possible, and always within 24 hours.
• To deliver all that I promise consistently and quickly.
• To make the entire experience is pleasant and productive.

Step One – The Search

I 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 my own preferences.
• Provide you with the very best internet search tools.
• Provide additional information on all properties you mark as Favorites.
• 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 of interest. Share your opinions with me.
• Provide a copy of your loan pre-qualification letter or, if paying cash, proof-of-funds.
• Contact me – whenever and wherever you see a property that intrigues you. I am 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 me!
  * If you see a home while searching online – Contact me!
  * If you see a sign when driving around – Contact me!
  * If a friend or neighbor suggests a home – Contact me!
  * If you want to visit new construction – Contact me! 

Step Two - Touring

I Will: 

• 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.
• Pick you up. Drive. 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 complete property and sellers' histories, plus maps.
• Provide objective observations concerning quality, market value, and resale potential.
• Allow you all the time you need.

Your Responsibilities:

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

Step Three – Choosing

I Will:

• Do a thorough Comparative Market Analysis of homes you are seriously considering.
• 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 me.
• Complete research on issues personally important to you; such as schools and crime.
• Time your selection appropriately to your ability to purchase and move.

Step Four – The Offer

I Will:

• Suggest a price range based on market value, recent sales, likely appraisal value, and potential resale value.
• Clearly and carefully explain all sections and addenda of the State required Offer forms.
• Explain all options, terms, and details to consider when putting the offer together.
• Suggest a negotiating strategy based on experience, the specific property, and the seller.
• Write up the offer and present it to the sellers' agent in a timely and professional manner.
• Be readily available to the sellers, and their agents, to answer any questions they may have about the offer.
• Immediately relay to you 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 and advice.
• Provide checks needed for the earnest money deposit and for the due diligence fee paid to the seller.
• Be pre-qualified for at least the amount and terms of financing you plan to use.
• Communicate with your Lender regarding details of your financing plans.
• Negotiate in good faith in a positive atmosphere.

Step Five – Offer Accepted; Getting to Closing

I Will:

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

Your Responsibilities:

• Immediately contact your Lender and finalize your mortgage application.
• Provide the Lender with everything they request - immediately.
• Decide whether or not you want a survey done of the property.
• Select an attorney to use for the closing; we will schedule the appointment.
• Choose a home owners’ insurance provider and have proof of insurance sent to the closing attorney.
• Contact utility providers to have billings set up, or changed, effective the date of closing.
• Decide whether all buyers will be present at the closing; otherwise coordinate options with the attorney.
• Avoid ANY new debt or extra spending that could lead to a last-minute mortgage denial.
• Do not change jobs between offer and closing if you are getting a mortgage.
• Advise me immediately if anything happens that could affect your ability to close.
• Set aside all cash needed for closing in a liquid account at least 2 weeks prior to closing.
• Wire transfer funds from your bank for the amount needed at closing.
• Do a final walk-through and be certain that you are willing to accept the property as-is.

Step Six – Offer Accepted; Inspections & Repairs

I Will:

• Suggest professionals to do home, pest, and other inspections.
• Personally attend and supervise all inspections, if at all possible.
• Provide you with the complete inspection reports and discuss the findings.
• Council you as to which repairs the Sellers should be asked to make.
• Complete, submit and negotiate the repair request on your behalf.
• Follow up to ensure repairs are completed in a timely and proper manner.
• Stay on top of the due diligence deadline.

Your Responsibilities:

• Select professionals to do the inspections either from our suggestions or any of your choosing.
• Attend at least the final part of the home inspection, if possible, to hear the summary in person.
• Review and discuss the reports with us.
• Contact inspectors with any questions or needed clarifications.
• Decide which repairs should be requested as a condition of the due diligence period.
• Negotiate repair requests in good faith and be reasonable in your requests.
• Inspect the completed repairs and review any invoice copies provided by sellers for work done.
• Complete all due diligence duties before your due diligence deadline per the contract.

Step Seven – At the Closing Table

I Will:

• Be present at the attorney’s office to assist with questions and explanations.
• Drive you there, if desired.
• Make sure you get the keys to your new home after the deed is recorded at the courthouse.

Your Responsibilities:

• Wire funds needed to the attorney prior to closing.
• Bring drivers’ licenses or other acceptable photo ID.
• Question anything that is unclear or confusing to you.
• Understand that you need to resolve all issues prior to signing.
• Do not schedule movers or contractors to arrive prior to obtaining your keys after recording. 

Step Eight – After Closing & Move-In

I Will:

• Be available to answer any questions or concerns that arise after you move in.
• Be a resource for recommending service providers.
• Stay in touch and monitor the market value of your home.
• Provide a current market value opinion of your new home whenever requested.
• List your house for sale, should you ever decide to sell.

Your Responsibilities:

• Notify me immediately if you discover issues after moving in.
• If you are pleased with my service, write a review I can use on my web site and recommend me to friends and family considering a move to this area!

We will Work Together to ensure a smooth, stress-free home purchase.