The Stages of Purchasing

Buyer Guide

No matter where your budget stands, I’ll find you the right home. As a certified Real Estate Agent, I’ll be with you every step of the way; from helping you narrow your search to guiding you through the negotiation process. Want to know more? Contact me to see how you can get started on your next property journey today.

My role as your agent.

Consultative activities
1. Conduct a thorough needs
assessment with you
2. Explain agency laws and present
the buyer representation
agreement
3. Explain how broker compensation is paid, who pays it, and what the buyer’s options are for paying it
4. Understand your budget and what will be needed financially
5. Assist in examining how much you can afford to spend and why
6. Introduce you to a trusted loan
officer for financial services and/
or second opinion
7. Introduce you to a trusted
attorney partner
8. Set up your accounts on tools/
tech needed for a successful
home search

Preparing for the future
9. Explain the general timeline for house hunting, mortgage approval and closing
10. Explain local market conditions and how that impacts your leverage/position
a . List to sale price ratios
b . Average days on market
c . Explain the concept of absorption rate
d . Month’s supply of inventory

Home Search & Identification
11. Provide best-in-class home search tools and instruction on how to effectively use them
12. Match your needs with available property
13. Partner with you to identify suitable properties forconsideration
14. Constantly re-evaluate your needs and refocus property search and showings to fit thoseneeds
15. Utilize the funnel process of elimination for effective/efficient search
16.Generate off-market opportunities when necessary:
a . Source unlisted homes as needed/necessary
b . Network with other agents to source properties not yet in their local MLS broker marketplaces
c . Contact homeowners in focus areas to see if they are considering selling
d . Research FSBOs
17. Check applicable zoning and building restrictions when appropriate18. Help you decipher public property and tax information19. Collect and share pertinent data on values, taxes, utility costs, etc.

Education the Buyer

20. Explain Federal and State Fair Housing laws

21. Explain what to look for inapplicable property disclosures

22. Explain fiduciary responsibility, keep all your information confidential

23. Disclose all known material defects in homes when known

24. Direct you towards reliable third party sources of information on neighborhoods, crime statistics, schools, etc.

25. Assist you in analyzing the loan estimates and out-of-pocket costs to complete the purchase
26.Help you account for the complete costs ofhomeownership
27. Coordinate with lender
a . Assist in comparing different financing options
b . Identify down payment assistance options when/where applicable and appropriate
28. Review the sales contract with you so you are prepared when it comes time to make an offer
29. Educate on the momentum/speed/urgency in the marketplace
30. Schedule showings and provide access to all listed properties as soon as they become available
31. Preview and research properties before showing as needed
32. Arrange a tour of areas, source contact info for schools and keypoints of interest
33. Provide resources containing neighborhood information on municipal services, schools, etc.
34. Inform you of possible negative aspects like nearby venues, heavy traffic, busy roads or operations that may result in issues that could impact quality of life, value and resale value.

Negotiations
35. Research the seller as
thoroughly as possible
36. Communicate with the listing
agent to understand seller
motivation
37. Prioritize contract negotiation
goals with you
38. Create and execute an
effective negotiating strategy
39. Understand and utilize
creative strategies such as an
escalation clause to maintain a
competitive offer
40. Prepare you for negotiation by
setting appropriate expectations
41. Prepare a comparative market
analysis (CMA) in advance of
making an offer
42. Assist you in getting thebest property at the best price
43. Explain common contract contingencies and include protective clauses in the purchase offer (risk mitigation)
44. Ensure that you receive and understand all required disclosure forms
45. Recommend optional contingencies and explain the pros and cons of using them
46. Utilize experience, local knowledge, expertise and strong communication skills to assist the buyer in being the successful

Dual diligence/risk mitigation
47. Recommend high-quality home inspection and other due diligence service providers
a. Radon, lead paint, mold, etc.
48. Review and discuss inspection reports to identify concerns
49. Advocate for you throughout the entire due diligence process
50. Negotiate repair requests from home inspection
51. Work with the attorney during the Attorney Review period to make sure your risk is minimized through contract modifications

Managing the transaction
52. Ensure you meets all contract
deadlines
53. Coordinate and facilitate
communications from all parties
involved (lender, appraiser, inspector,
listing agent, attorney, etc.)
54. Assist with the transfer of utilities
55. Assist with locating moving
services as needed

Preparing for closing
56. Help you prepare for closing
day
57. Explain wire fraud risks and
emphasize the importance of
following wiring instructions best
practices before transferring funds
58. Schedule final walkthrough
59. Accompany you on the
walkthrough and advocate as
needed if problems
60. Confirm clear-to-close with the
lender
61. Ensure all parties have all forms
and information needed to close
the sale
62. Confirm the closing date, time
and location — notify parties if
there are changes
63. Gather all required forms and
documents for closing
64. Review closing statement to
ensure accuracy
65. Advise on best practices like
rekeying locks and to consider a
one-time cleaning service or
landscaping before moving day
66. Support you in any final closing
preparations and activities

Post-closing services
67. Assist as needed with
recommending vendors
68. Assist as needed with
other requests
69. Set up a market report so you
stay informed of neighborhood
sales activity and values
70. Provide annual real-estate review