T H E B U Y E R G U I D E B O O K
the FOREVER BRAND OF REAL ESTATE B E R K S H I R E H AT H AWAY H O M E S E R V I C E S G E O R G I A P R O P E R T I E S
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SECTION
DEFINING THE HOME BUYING EXPERIENCE
Working with our Forever Agentssm, you acquire a true home buying expert, someone with the knowledge and experience that comes from being part of our award-winning company. We have helped individuals and families make their dreams come true for over six decades. As a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies, we have the resources to bring a new level of quality to your real estate experience. We are continually redefining how to serve our clients and leverage the latest innovations in technology to ensure an efficient, seamless buying process. Together, we welcome the opportunity to guide you every step of the way from defining your home search through the closing on your new home. Coupled with our lending, home warranty, insurance, and closing partners, we make what can be a complex process, simple for you. Our team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties is honored to help you in the purchase of your new home so you may begin the next exciting chapter in your life.
DE ANN GO LDE N President & CEO Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties
NAVIGATING THE GEORGIA REAL ESTATE MARKET: THE IMPORTANCE OF BUYER BROKERAGE In Georgia’s competitive real estate market, buyer brokerage is a tailored service designed exclusively for prospective homebuyers. Real estate agents in Georgia, like in many other states, can represent the seller, buyer, or both in a transaction. As a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties Forever Agentsm, you gain a globally recognized partner committed to defining the real estate search and home buying experience, ensuring your best interests are represented.
B E NE F I TS O F B UYE R B R OKERAGE
1.
EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATION:
One of the primary advantages of selecting to me as your buyer’s agent is that I will exclusively represent your interests. I am committed to helping you find the right property, negotiating the best terms, and safeguarding your rights throughout the transaction. This level of dedication ensures that your best interests are at the forefront of every decision.
2.
IN-DEPTH MARKET KNOWLEDGE:
I possess an in-depth understanding of the local real estate market, which is invaluable when it comes to pricing, neighborhood trends, and property values. I can help you identify the best opportunities and avoid overpaying for a property.
3.
NEGOTIATION EXPERTISE:
Negotiating the terms of a real estate transaction can be challenging, and as your skilled buyer’s agent I can make all the difference. I can help you secure favorable terms and conditions, potentially saving you money in the long run.
4.
ACCESS TO OFF-MARKET LISTINGS:
As a buyer’s agent, I optimize networking channels to gain access to off-market listings and exclusive opportunities that are not readily available to the public. This can give you a competitive edge in finding the perfect property.
5.
STREAMLINED PROCESS:
Buying a home involves complex paperwork, inspections, and legal procedures. I will guide you through the process, ensuring all the necessary steps are completed correctly and efficiently.
SIMPLIFY THE PATH TO HOME BUYING Welcome to a new era of real estate with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties, the innovator in marketing, technology, and customer service across Atlanta, North Georgia Mountains, and Southern Crescent regions. Our local experts understand that a home is more than a place to live—it’s where memories are made. We guide you through the buying process, leveraging technology and effective negotiation to ensure you find the perfect home with confidence.
THE HOME BUYING PROCESS
1.
ESTABLISH A BUDGET
Highly recommend getting pre-approved for a loan amount before you start your home search.
2.
WISHLIST
What are you looking for in a home? What are “must-haves”, and what are just “nice to haves”?
3. TOUR OF HOMES To find the perfect property to write an offer on, let’s look at properties, revise, and refine the wishlist.
4. MAKE AN OFFER When making an offer, it’s important to understand the market’s climate. We will guide you along the way.
5 OFFER ACCEPTED From the moment the offer is accepted, we will guide you through inspections and other critical decisions until keys are exchanged and beyond.
securing your loan
PRE-APPROVAL
LOAN PRE-A P P ROVA L Our Forever Agentssm can connect you with our partners at Prosperity Home Mortgage to complete the pre-approval process and identify the right mortgage for you. The Prosperity Buyer Advantage program provides a commitment letter that can give you the competitive edge versus other potential buyers, and streamlines the closing process for the quickest closing timeframe. The Prosperity Home Mortgage Second Opinion Program compares rates from multiple lenders to ensure you are getting the best option to meet your needs.
PR E -A P P R OVA L Pre-approval serves three crucial purposes:
1. Setting the financial parameters for your search and helping you understand your buying power.
2. Informs sellers know that you are qualified to make an offer.
3. Strategically positions your offer ahead of other buyers.
your journey
YO U R S E A R C H
S ETTIN G G OA L S It is important to begin by defining your goals, timelines, and ideal lifestyle to ensure a more efficient and successful search process. During the discovery consultation, our proven process will help position you on the right path. It is our goal to tailor the experience to exceed your expectations. We know that a home is more than just a place to live; it is where you will make memories that last a lifetime. With that in mind, our agents are local market experts who understand the market, negotiate effectively, leverage technology, and guide you through every step of the buying process. Our role is to identify the opportunities and stay by your side, counseling and guiding you until you are 100% confident you have found the perfect home.
Our Forever Agentssm love what they do and are among the best in the business because they are focused on only one thing – finding your perfect home.
D EFIN I N G YOUR L IF EST YL E What kind of home are you looking for? In which communities do you prefer to live? What size home do you need? What other characteristics will impact your lifestyle? How long do you plan to own your new home?
U NDE R STA N DI N G T H E LO C A L MAR K E T What is the status of current home inventory? Are homes selling quickly in your desired areas? What current market factors should be considered before making an offer? Do trends indicate a future increase in value? What factors might impact resale?
BUY ER ’S W IS HLI ST When buying a home, there are many things to consider. We have provided a questionnaire to help us find your perfect home.
Preferred city or location? _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________
Do you have a preferred school district? _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________
Price range: $______________ to $______________
Move-in date: _________________________________
Interested in renovating? yes | no
Which lifestyle activities are important to you? _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________
Property Features: ____ Detached ____ Attached ____ Single Family ____ Multi-Family ____ Condo/Townhouse ____ Active Adult ____ # of Stories ____ # of Bedrooms ____ # of Bathrooms ____ Primary on Main ____ Flex Space ____ Home Office Space ____ Basement ____ Garage ____ Pool/Outdoor Living Space ____ Neighborhood Amenities ___ Pool ___ Tennis ___ Golf ___ Club House ___ Park ___ Sidewalks ___ Healthclub ___ Shops Restaurants ____ Other _____________________________ _____________________________
finding
THE ONE
S E AR C H A N YW H E R E A N Y T IME Our company is renowned for pioneering technological advancements, providing our clients with robust local search tools that prove invaluable in their quest for a new home. Our commitment is exemplified by the inclusion of comprehensive local listings from all regional MLS services, ensuring access to newly listed properties that may not be found on other platforms. Distinguishing ourselves further, we present a range of potent search options not commonly available on national platforms. Our solutions seamlessly integrate across various devices and are synchronized with your personalized My Home Finder account. Upon establishing your priorities and configuring your home search parameters, we proceed to schedule home tours and visit properties. Recognizing that this process often prompts adjustments to your search criteria, your dedicated Forever Agentsm is fully equipped to adapt and cater to your evolving needs.
90% of recent buyers found their real estate agent to be a useful information source. Buyers typically searched for 10 weeks and looked at a median of 7 homes. *National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.
US ING OUR W EBSIT E AND MO BI L E A P P
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO HELP SEARCH ON YOUR TERMS Our company is well-known for our technology innovations, and we offer powerful local search tools that many of our clients find very helpful in their home search. For example, we include all local listings from all regional MLS services so you can see new properties that come on the market that may not be available on other platforms.
SEARCH BY DRIVETIME TM Our website and mobile app allow you to select up to three locations such as work, school and a frequently visited location like the grocery store. You can input your preferred drive times for each of these locations, plus select different times of the day. This INRIX DriveTimeTM search allows you to see the impact of traffic patterns with search results showing homes that fit these criteria. The listing detail pages will also show you the specific drive time to each location you have selected.
SEARCH BY SCHOOL DISTRICT Our website and mobile app allow you to select home searches for any elementary, middle, or high school and by city or county district. Schools can be an important factor to consider for resale purposes even if you do not have school-age children.
SEARCH BY LOCAL COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD Our website provides local insights for over 3,000 areas and neighborhoods. You can find local events, dining, shopping, activities, nightlife, housing trends, homes for sale and local schools. All this information is specific to that local neighborhood. Better information leads to better results.
make your strongest
OFFER
UNDERSTANDING PROPERTY VALUES When you find the right home and are ready to make an offer, it is important to understand the property’s value and other terms for the most successful outcome. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties provides you with access to many unique resources to gain clear knowledge of a home’s current and future value.
1. ANALYSIS A Buyer Comparative Market Analysis and valuation from public records and other automated tools
2. REVIEW Evaluation of lender reports to estimate market value, as well as changes due to any renovations
3. ASS E SS Analysis of historical data from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), past appraisals, and other information exclusive to real estate professionals.
4. MARKET TRENDS Staying
up-to-date
on
trends
and
planned changes or developments within the markets we serve.
Having gained insight into the market, you and your Forever Agentsm will craft a detailed competitive proposal to successfully secure the deal.
WITH YOU ALL OF THE WAY Your Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties Forever AgentSM will be your unwavering advocate and will remain focused solely on your best interest throughout the negotiation process. Our agents use their expertise to ensure you feel informed, well-represented and confident in your decision.
OU R TR UST ED PA RT N E R S Get to know our middle name: HOMESERVICES. We work closely with partners who are the best at what they do and who you can trust through every step of the buying process.
MORTGAGE PARTNER Prosperity Home Mortgage offers diverse financing options for buyers and sellers. To enhance your home purchase offer, consider the Prosperity Buyer Advantage®. Participate to streamline the financing process and secure a Commitment Letter early, giving you a head start in your home search.
I NSURANCE PARTNER HomeServices Insurance provides extensive coverage, competitive rates, and exceptional service via a network of multi-line consultants representing top-rated national and regional insurance carriers. Their offerings include a wide range of insurance services such as home, auto, flood, and more.
CLOSI NG PARTNER A pioneer in closing technology, the firm provides an online portal, ClosingConnect, where buyers, sellers, and agents share the information required for closing efficiently and more securely than ever before. Weissman lets you achieve your goals in a secure and reliable way.
HOME WARRANTY PARTNER Your home is a major investment. HSA Home Warranty’s skilled account managers and friendly customer service team are dedicated to ensuring you feel confident and in control of your home. A home warranty offers buyers peace of mind and protection against unexpected repair expenses. HSA has you covered.
WELCOME HOME For our team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties, knowing that our clients are confident in their decision and excited about the future is all that matters. We are grateful for each and every opportunity we have to help clients like you realize your dreams. We hope that you also rely on us for your future needs - whether they are questions about your new neighborhood or about finding your next home when you need it. Think of us as more than just your agent, but your resource for all things real estate related. As markets change, we can help you buy, sell, invest, or refinance. We look forward to being your guide along this journey.
The secret to a great home buying experience is simple… just work with us!
the FOREVER BRAND OF REAL ESTATE
“A home is one of the most important assets that most people will ever buy. Homes are also where memories are made and you want to work with someone you can trust.”
WARREN BUFFETT CHAIRMAN & CEO BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY, INC
©2024 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity.
