Buyer Agency Handbook
About Us Who We’re the people you want at your side. Friends at heart. Professionals in practice and mind. We train our agents to be the best. Then we back them up with a world-class team. Every agent of ours must meet a certain experience level and criteria to join us. LO CATI O N
2330 Randolph Road Charlotte, NC 28207 dickensmitchener.com 704.342.1000
Where Charlotte. The Queen City. Our first love. Our home. As agents, we know this city’s neighborhoods like our closest circle of friends. We tend to this relationship as much as we do our connections to you. Place matters. Knowledge counts. How Agents who help more people end up better at their jobs. It’s like going to the gym — the more you go, the better your results. This is why we only have full-time, fully committed agents. We train them constantly on the changing market, new tech, negotiation strategies and people skills. We get to work with top-of-the-line agents. You get what you want, wrapped in the best possible experience.
hello neighbor! About Me •
Graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree from the School of Journalism in Advertising & Public Relations.
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Moved to Atlanta to work for Turner Sports in Marketing & PR. After two years in Atlanta, Ali moved to Charlotte and joined NASCAR as a Digital Account Manager.
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Growing up with family members in both residential and commercial real estate inspired her to transition careers
Ali Stephens
and get her license. •
with invaluable organizational and project management skills that are advantageous to making the home buying
R E A LT O R ®/ B R O K E R 828-448-2360 ali@dickensmitchener.com
and selling process as smooth as possible.
Fun Facts •
Canopy Multiple Listing Services
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relationships with her clients. •
National Association of
Sedgefield & Freedom Park. •
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North Carolina Association of
& volunteering with a variety of organizations in the
REALTORS®
community through Elevation Outreach.
South Carolina Association
Growing up in the NC mountains, Ali also likes spending time on Lake James when visiting her family in
Dickens Mitchener Top
Morganton.
Dickens Mitchener Exacutives Circle 2025
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of REALTORS® Producer 2023 •
Outside of Real Estate, she enjoys trying Charlotte’s new restaurants, exploring different hikes in the NC mountains
REALTORS® •
She lives in Dilworth, and you can find her walking her golden retriever (Lyla) & husky (Skye) around Dilworth,
Canopy REALTOR® Association
Real estate allows Ali to pursue her passions of homes, design, and most importantly building meaningful
Milestones & Memberships •
Ali’s account management background has provided her
Top Producer Since 2023
THE IMPORTANCE OF BUYER REPRESENTATION YOUR HOME BUYING ADVOCATE AND TRUSTED ADVISOR Having representation from a Buyer’s Agent is the only way that you can be confident that you have someone looking out for your best interests and allowing you to make informed real estate decisions. ALIGNMENT WITH A PROFESSIONAL Our high quality reputation is backed by its membership in Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® an invitation only global community in over 70 countries. Membership is awarded to firms based on rigorous standards for service and performance.
UNPARALLELED MARKET KNOWLEDGE Our brokerage is rooted in the communities we serve. We possess deep local knowledge, an understanding of local housing regulations and trends to help you make smarter, informed decisions. We bring an authentic “Main Street” perspective to real estate that many of our competitors cannot claim.
NEGOTIATION WITH MARKET EXPERTISE Understanding your goals, desires and concerns Is fundamental to skillful negotiation, coupled with strong market knowledge and financial acumen. Your Buyer’s Agent will work on your behalf and negotiate the best possible price and terms for your home purchase.
SERVICES TAILORED TO YOUR NEEDS Our services are distinctive, extensive, and personalized for you, as our longstanding reputation was built on consistently delivering high performance to every client. Our strong local culture is well-aligned with your market-specific needs.
A STREAMLINED PROCESS Your Buyer’s Agent will simplify the process and guide you through the necessary steps making the most efficient use of your time. From your home search and negotiation to contract and closing. These are just some of the steps where your Buyer’s Agent will facilitate.
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© 2023 Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. All Rights Reserved. N-Buyer Representation. 11.23
✓ Market Analysis ✓ Lender Pre-Approval ✓ Offer ✓ Negotiation ✓ Contract Review and Approval ✓ Purchase Agreement Finalized ✓ Home Loan Approval
✓ Inspection/Due Diligence ✓ Apply for Home Insurance ✓ Title Exam ✓ Loan Approval ✓ Prepare Finances and Documents for Closing
THE PROCESS
Working With Me!
Step By Step Guidance I will guide you through the process step by step – my goal is to ensure you are educated & prepared to move forward confidently in our market.
Efficiency I aim to make the process as efficient as possible. When you may be busy working or out of town, I will go preview and take videos of homes that have just hit the market so that we are making the most of our time together.
Navigate Multiple Offers Helping buyers navigate & win multiple offer situations is a skill I pride myself on. It is not always about price, and this is something we will talk through.
Seamless Experience My previous account & project management background gives me the ability to ensure that everything is organized for a seamless experience.
I’m Your Trusted Advisor Ultimately, I serve as your trusted advisor. Whether it is pointing out red flags as we’re walking through a home, or providing lender, inspector, or builder recommendations, I am here every step of the way to help find the best home for you!
THE PROCESS
The Home Buying Process Step 1
Meet With A Real Estate Broker Discuss the type of home you’re looking for, including style, price and location. The Real Estate Broker will review Working with Real Estate Agents Disclosure/ and the Exclusive Buyer Agency Agreement with you. You will be asked to sign these agreements to hire our firm to represent you.
Step 2
Get Pre-Approved You will need pay stubs, W2s and bank statements. Knowing what you can afford is critical to a succesful home buying experience.
Step 3
Search For Homes The fun part! Your agent will schedule showings and help you find the perfect home. A DVA N C E D S E A RC H : not all real estate websites are the same. Your real estate professional has tools and systems to ensure you see every available home that meets your criteria.
Step 4
Make An Offer Your agent will prepare the offer based on the price and terms you choose. At this time we will determine who is paying the buyer agency fee: you the Buyer, the Seller, or a combination of the two.
Step 5
Negotiating & Contract Your agent will offer advice on best strategies and negotiate. D E P O S IT S : Due diligence fee is due immediately upon going under contract, with the Earnest Money due within 5 days.
Step 6
Under Contract You and the seller have agreed to the price and terms.
Step 7
Due Diligence You will hire an attorney and inspector. You will order a survey and appraisal.
Step 8
Preparing For Closing You will be finalizing your loan, reviewing documents and securing your homeowners insurance policy.
Step 9
Closing The transfer of funds and ownership. An attorney typically acts as an independent third party to facilitate the C LO S I N G .
Step 10
Welcome Home!
THE PROCESS
Due Diligence Timeline CONTR ACT DATE
Due Diligence Period This is your opportunity to conduct inspections, perform surveys, and work with your lender to arrange financing (if applicable).
Buyer’s Right To Terminate You may terminate your contract during this period for any reason or no reason. If you terminate, you forfeit your due diligence fee only. If you continue to closing, your due diligence fee is credited towards your purchase price.
D U E D I LI G E N C E PE R I OD E N D DATE
After DDP Ends After your DDP ends, you may have several days or weeks before closing (depending on the terms of your contract).
Termination after DDP Ends Should you terminate your contract after your due diligence period ends, you will forfeit both your due diligence fee AND your earnest money deposit.
C LOS I NG DATE
For a full copy of my handbook and to discuss your own home search, email me! ali@dickensmitchener.com