Buyers getting started guide

The Buyers’ Guide to Success When Purchasing Your Home

Prepared for you by Denisen Hartlove, Realtor Keller Williams Realty—East Bay 925-408-7901 Denisen@FindAHomeToLove.com Cal-BRE 01933662

Congratulations on your decision to buy a home!

I realize that you have a choice when hiring an agent to help you find the right home for your family’s needs, and truly appreciate the opportunity to present my proven approach and the results I’ve achieved for my clients.

As your agent, there are several services you can expect me to provide, including: •

Accurately advising you regarding area homes for sale.

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Local area knowledge based on my, my family, and my clients’ experiences.

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Providing unmatched service through both public and off-market listings.

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Helping you find a lender, and working with that lender to ensure your offer is as competitive as possible.

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Helping you avoid the two main reasons sales fall apart - low lender’s appraisals and problems with the home inspection.

Regardless of the price of your home, when you hire me as your Realtor, I will prepare you and your family for a successful purchase of the right home for your needs.

I look forward to working with you!

Warm regards,

Denisen Hartlove, Realtor · Keller Williams Realty—East Bay · 925-408-7901 · Denisen@FindAHomeToLove.com

A Brief Introduction PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: •

Full-time licensed Realtor since 2013

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Sold over $12,000,000 in homes in 2017 (10 seller families, 12 buyer families)

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Average sales price for listings 2015-2016: 103% of list

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Established record of having buyer clients’ offers accepted in today’s competitive seller’s market

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Adept in contract drafting, negotiation, market research, client needs analysis

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Top 10% Producer Award for both listings taken and homes sold in 2016

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Member of Agent Leadership Council

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Regularly conduct training sessions for sales agents to improve sales techniques • Over 45 Yelp reviews by past clients -> average rating 5 out of 5 stars •

Twenty-five Zillow reviews by past clients -> average rating 4.9 out of 5 stars

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Local, reliable, trusted!

PERSONAL DETAILS: •

Born in Hartford, Connecticut, moved to area in 1976

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Grew up in Morgan Hill, California

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Graduated college summa cum laude in 2000 with a B.A. in Psychology

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Married Jay in 1996, and shortly after, we bought our home together

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Two children, Em (17) and Abigail (12). Pets include a cat, two rabbits, two dogs, and two chickens.

Denisen Hartlove, Realtor · Keller Williams Realty—East Bay · 925-408-7901 · Denisen@FindAHomeToLove.com

Client Focused Services = Top Results!

Buying a home isn’t about me and my needs.

My real estate business has been built around one guiding principle: It's all about YOU: 

YOUR needs

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YOUR dreams

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YOUR concerns

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YOUR questions

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YOUR finances

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YOUR time

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YOUR life

My focus is on your complete satisfaction. In fact, I work to get the job done so well, you will want to tell your friends and associates about it. That’s why more than 50 percent of my business comes from repeat customers, referrals, and people who’ve read my reviews.

Let’s start with what would make the experience of working with a Realtor to buy a home a 10+ experience. 

On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being not so desirable and 10 being extremely desirable, what one thing has to happen in this transaction for your experience to be a 10?

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What is important to you about that?

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If we could add just one more thing, what other thing has to happen to make your experience a 10+?

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What is important to you about that?

Denisen Hartlove, Realtor · Keller Williams Realty - East Bay · 925-408-7901 · Denisen@FindAHomeToLove.com

My Tried and True Plan For Finding You A Home Designed to create the best results in finding the right home for you, I’ll implement my proven 12-Step Plan.

1) Work with you to come up with a list of criteria specific to your search.

2) If you’re using financing, connect you with a lender and partner with them to make your offers especially competitive.

3) Share my knowledge gained as a long-time area resident to help you find the area that best suits your needs.

4) Comb both the multiple listing service, as well as the local network of Realtors to gain you access to the latest crop of available homes in your area.

5) Market your search to active real estate agents who specialize in selling homes in your chosen neighborhood to learn about “coming soon” listings.

6) Set up an online search site specific to your criteria to keep you up to date on what is coming onto the market.

7) Arrange showings, including weekends and evenings if necessary to fit into your schedule.

8) Work with you to craft a competitive offer in today’s robust seller’s market, potentially including aspects besides high purchase amounts to make your offer attractive to sellers.

9) Ensure you understand the terms of the documents you’re being asked to sign.

10)Advise you regarding inspections once you’re in contract and work with you to find inspectors and schedule those within the time frames that work for you and are within the terms of your purchase contract.

11) Provide you with weekly updates detailing my efforts.

12) When escrow is closed and you have the keys to your new home, keep in touch to ensure everything is running smoothly.

Denisen Hartlove, Realtor · Keller Williams Realty - East Bay · 925-408-7901 · Denisen@FindAHomeToLove.com

Consultant vs. Agent—What Does It Mean?

As your Realtor, I’m much more than just a sales agent trained in the basics to give you minimal answers and no guidance.

My responsibility to you is described as that of a “fiduciary,” and I carry much more responsibility.

Here’s what’s meant by that difference.

Denisen Hartlove, Realtor · Keller Williams Realty - East Bay · 925-408-7901 · Denisen@FindAHomeToLove.com

Systems That Work How am I different from other real estate agents?

As a long-time area resident, and a homeowner myself, I understand the needs and concerns of my clients, from those first-time buyers just learning about the home buying process, to families selling their homes and moving on to new homes that meet the needs of the next stages of their lives. A big—possibly the biggest—component of that is communication.

Communication Communication is everything! I’m available by email, phone, and text. I carry my phone with me at all times, and commit to return clients – and other parties involved in a transaction – messages within hours, often sooner.

Technology With access to real estate listings information on a daily updated basis, I can keep an eye on what’s happening in the real estate market, both generally as it affects our strategy, as well as in a more immediate sense, such as coordinating with other real estate websites and my own app, and tracking listings that may be the right ones for you on a moment by moment basis.

Expertise I specialize in working with clients selling and buying homes primarily in Contra Costa and Alameda counties. For my clients, my local knowledge means marketing to the area’s strengths as well as those of the specific homes we find that may meet your needs. In addition, as a full-time locally-based Realtor, I have area contacts, from vendors who can help get you info on the home prior to closing, to potential off-market sellers, and when you write offers, existing relationships with other agents who know my past record of smooth escrows.

My Commitment to You My goal is to help you find property quickly, within your price point, with the least amount of hassle on your part. In doing so, I remain open to hearing your needs and concerns, and look forward to working together with you.

Clients for Life The greatest compliment you can give me after doing so is to send me the referrals of your family and friends as well.

Denisen Hartlove, Realtor · Keller Williams Realty - East Bay · 925-408-7901 · Denisen@FindAHomeToLove.com

Here’s a Brief Intro to the Process of Buying Your Home

Denisen Hartlove, Realtor · Keller Williams Realty - East Bay · 925-408-7901 · Denisen@FindAHomeToLove.com

Tips on Funding Your Home Purchase 1. Financial pre-approval I ask my buyers to get pre-approved with a trusted local lender before beginning their home search. Knowing exactly how much you can comfortably spend on a home reduces the potential frustration of looking at homes beyond your means.

In addition, in today’s competitive market, attaching a pre-approval to a buyer’s offer is considered a necessity, not an option.

If possible, interview a couple of lenders to ensure you're comfortable with how they work and that they’re giving you the best rates possible. I have names of a few lenders who’ve had success with my past clients and am happy to provide names—or choose your own. Once you choose a lender, you’ll fill out an application, and give them permission to check your credit.

You’ll provide pertinent documentation, including verification of employment 2. Putting an offer together Once we’ve found the right home for you, I’ll be working closely with your lender to write a competitive offer. That can include the lender offering options such as a shorter close of escrow and/or shortened contingency periods. Lenders also reach out to the seller’s agent once your offer has been submitted, to assure them that your file has been reviewed and is considered solid 3. Once your offer is accepted Hurrah, your offer was accepted! Now we go into the process of full approval, where a more in depth look at your finances is undertaken by underwriters. In addition, an appraisal will be scheduled for home to ensure the bank agrees that what you’ve offered to pay is what the home is worth.

4. Loan approval Parties are notified of approval. Now we can remove your loan contingency. Loan documents are completed and sent to title, and we set up a time for you to sign closing documents.

5. Closing You’ll come in to the title office for final signatures. Your loan funds, and a day later, we give you the keys to your new home!

Denisen Hartlove, Realtor · Keller Williams Realty - East Bay · 925-408-7901 · Denisen@FindAHomeToLove.com

Denisen Hartlove, Realtor · Keller Williams Realty - East Bay · 925-408-7901 · Denisen@FindAHomeToLove.com

What A Few Of My Recent Buyer Clients Have Said About My Service If you are lucky enough to have Denisen on your side there is nothing she won't do for you.

Without Denisen we would have given up months ago. We closed on our beautiful probate this past Thursday and moved in this weekend. Denisen was by our side the entire process.

I thought she was going to give up on us so many times but she never did. She made us feel like we were her only clients.

Kathy R.

She's a high functioning, detailed and attentive agent. She really made us feel like we had priority. I felt like we really gained a friend and partner through the ordeal. Buying a home is stressful; relocating a toddler, pregnant and without any of your normal comforts is more stressful! Denisen really kept us sane in the process and I would never hesitate to recommend her or her services.

Gloria F. Denisen is very friendly, has a good sense of humor, and is a good partner to go through this process with. If you are looking to buy a new home, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her!

Amanda M. At no point, did we never feel confident in Denisen's abilities. Rest assured we were right. She was a bulldog and got the job done! I would recommend her to anyone that needs a Realtor.

Eric U. Denisen is a go, go, go person and she will always be honest, she listens to your wants, and is very good at pointing out neighborhoods and houses that for your criteria.

Mitch A. Denisen has always been great to us. More than a Realtor, she checks up on us often, and has been concerned about the neighborhood.

Lisa E. Denisen was with me every step of the way. From day one she listened to what I needed, what questions I had, and most importantly, made herself available every step of the way.

Kristin H. Denisen Hartlove, Realtor · Keller Williams Realty - East Bay · 925-408-7901 · Denisen@FindAHomeToLove.com

Wrapping Up Thank you for your time reviewing these materials.

Here’s my contact information. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or clarifications you’d like addressed.

Reach me by phone or text at 925-408-7901 Or send me an email, to: Denisen@FindAHomeToLove.com I look forward to talking with you soon!

Denisen Hartlove, Realtor · Keller Williams Realty - East Bay · 925-408-7901 · Denisen@FindAHomeToLove.com