Services Provided To My Buyer Clients!

Embarking on the journey of buying a home is an exciting adventure, but it can feel a bit overwhelming.  This is where a Buyer Agent can help make the process easier overall, as they have the knowledge and expertise to help guide you through the process!  A good Buyer Agent will do much more than just open up the doors to the house you are viewing and filling in the blanks on a contract!  

Below is a list of the things that I do whenever I am working with a home buyer!

THE GROUNDWORK

1. Meet with buyers to find out your goals and advise you on specific ways to meet them in today's market - the real estate market will vary from year to year, month to month and sometimes even week to week.  It can also vary within the Richmond area by neighborhood, whether you are looking in one of the counties or in the City of Richmond.  It can vary by rural or suburban!  Many buyers, when they start looking for houses, are not quite sure where they want to be!  Sitting down with buyers can help zero in on what they are looking for!  
2. Market Research - after meeting with buyers, it is my job to begin scouring the market to find those homes that meet your needs.  This means not only looking at any listings in MLS, but also previewing homes in neighborhoods that may possibly work for you.  It may mean calling For Sale By Owners.  It may even mean trying to find off market properties that could also work for you.
3. Neighborhood Exploration - digging into the details of various neighborhoods to find those neighborhoods that could work for you.
4. Budgeting Assistance - helping you set a realistic budget based on your financial situation.  I am able to provide names of lenders who are reputable and competitive.  Not all lenders offer the same loan options, the same rates, the same costs.  Some offer down payment assistance programs for first time home buyers.  Some offer special programs such as a Doctor loan or renovation loans.  I also will work with you and your lender to find the right loan program for you!  Depending on the loan you are getting, it can affect the homes you will want to look at.
5. Pre-Approval Process - helping you navigate the pre-approval process to ensure you are ready to make the strongest offer possible.  
6. Paperwork Management - making an offer on a house today is much more than filling in the blanks on a contract.  There are disclosures, and there are contingencies you will want to make sure you have in your offer.  Knowing the type of real estate market you are in will help you know what concessions you may need to make, or what concessions you will want to ask the seller to provide.  During my initial buyer meeting, a copy of all paperwork is provided to you for review before even going out to look at homes!

THE SEARCH BEGINS

1. Listing Notifications - once you know what your budget is, what type of loan you are getting and have narrowed down your search by type of home, specifics of a home and general areas, you are set up with a link into MLS so that you are immediately notified of any new listings that come on the market!  
2. For Sale By Owners - in addition to any homes that are listed in MLS for sale, it is important to know what homes are being sold by homeowners without the help of a Realtor.  I will attempt to negotiate commissions with the For Sale By Owner so that you can buy the house with representation at the lowest cost.  I will also want to preview the home to see if it meets your needs!
3. Off Market Properties - there are also properties that are not currently for sale (either listed with a Realtor or For Sale By Owner).  Reaching out to owners of these houses that are not on the market but may be of interest to you could get you the perfect property!
4. Property Tours - whenever a home is available to see, I get my buyers into the house as soon as possible so that they have the opportunity to view the home in person, especially in markets where homes are selling very quickly. 
5. Comparative Market Analysis - When you are ready to write an offer, I will pull the tax record to make sure that what is in the MLS is also in the county/city's tax records.  I will advise on pricing on the house by looking at what is active, pending, recently sold and expired for comparable properties to make sure you are making an informed decision on the price you offer.
6. Negotiation Strategies - depending on the type of real estate market, I discuss with my buyers the options available to them to ensure that they can go in with their strongest and cleanest offer possible.  As a full time Realtor who does not do dual agency, you can be sure that I am advocating solely on behalf of you, the buyer.

THE CONTRACT HAS BEEN ACCEPTED

1. Inspections - if the contract is contingent upon your right to do an inspection, I work closely with the buyers to recommend inspections such as a whole house inspection.  If needed, I also recommend specialty inspections such as radon, mold, well, septic, chimney, roof.  I recommend inspectors and work with the inspection companies and seller to schedule these inspections in a timely manner, in compliance with the inspection paragraph and am present at all inspections.  If any repair prices are needed, work to get contractors into the property to get estimates.  After the inspections have been completed, I work with buyers to negotiate any repair requests that may be needed.
2. Appraisal - if the contract is contingent upon an appraisal, I work closely with the lender to ensure that it is ordered in a timely manner.  If any information is needed by the appraiser, I work to make sure that it is received in a timely manner.  If the appraisal comes in low, I work with the buyer and the lender as well as the seller's agent to have this resolved so that closing can occur.
3. Lender - if the contract is contingent upon the buyer getting a loan, I work closely with the lender to ensure that the buyer is providing all documents in a timely manner as requested by the lender.  I also follow up with the lender weekly to make sure that the loan is progressing smoothly.  
4. Insurance - work with the buyer to make sure that they get the proper insurance coverage that is needed by the lender prior to closing.  If buyer needs recommendations for insurance companies, I have insurance companies they can call.  If the lender requires the buyer to get flood insurance, coordinate to get any needed information to the lender to make sure that the buyers are able to get flood insurance at a reasonable rate and that it will not affect the loan.
5. Closing Attorney - provide closing attorney with a copy of the contract to allow them to get the title information on the property.  If any issues arise with the title search, work with the seller's agent to have these resolved before getting to closing.  Advise buyers on the need for an enhanced owners title policy.  Advise buyers as to whether or not a survey is needed.

THE FINAL STRETCH!

1. Closing Coordination - coordinating with the buyer a closing time on the day of closing.  Overseeing the final steps to closing, which includes coordinating the walk through with the buyer, coordinating a re-inspection of repairs seller agreed to complete to make sure they were properly done (if needed), and making sure that the house has been left in broom clean condition.  At the walk through, we will verify that all extra keys have been left at the house and any garage door remotes are in the house. I will pull the keys to the house from the lockbox to take to closing with me.  I make sure to attend the closing with my buyers to make sure that it goes smoothly.
2. Reviewing The Closing Disclosure - to make sure that all charges shown on the Closing Disclosure are correct.  Reviewing the Closing Disclosure with the buyer and answering any questions they may have on the charges shown.  
3. Key Handover - at closing, the buyer will provide the attorney with funds needed for closing and the attorney will provide the keys to the house.
4. Post Closing Assistance - even after closing, I am available to answer any questions that the buyer may have.  I am able to provide recommended contractors and service providers that they may need after closing, such as HVAC companies, handymen, etc.
5. Relocation Assistance - helping the buyers move from their old home to their new home.
6. Celebrating Your Success - Because finding your dream home is worth celebrating!

BONUS ROUND - GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND

1. Local Insights - sharing insider knowledge about schools, parks and amenities.
2. Future Value Prediction - providing insights into the potential future value of your investment.
3. Customized Service - tailoring my approach to my buyers unique needs.
4. Emergency Support - being there for the buyers in unexpected situations.
5. Friendship - because the bond goes beyond the transaction.

In conclusion, a Buyer Agent is your guide, negotiator, problem-solver, and cheerleader throughout your home buying journey.  A Buyer Agent's expertise turns a potentially daunting process into an exciting adventure.  Here's to finding that perfect place to call home!

If you are thinking of buying a home in 2024 and want to talk about the process, feel free to contact me!  I am happy to help!