The Home Buying Process - Step by Step

It's All About Working Together

As seasoned professionals, 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 promise not work with any other agent while working with us.

We work solely in the best interest of our buyer clients and expect our buyers to have the same loyalty to us.  

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 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 us.
• Provide a copy of your loan pre-qualification letter or, if paying cash, proof-of-funds..
• 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 

Step Two - Touring

We 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 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 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 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 us.
• 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

We 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 & 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 & 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

We 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 us 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

We 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 & 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

We 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 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

We 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 currently market value opinion of your new home whenever requested.
• Suggest experienced listing agents to interview 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, write a review we can use on our web site and recommend us to friends & family considering a move to this area!

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