My Promise to You
Hiring the Right Agent Matters Your Agent
My Different Approach
Proven Track Record
Testimonials
The Guide to the Process
Cost of Purchasing
Real Estate is all about Supply & Demand
Winning in Today’s Real Estate Market
Buyer Agency
Brokerage Agreement
Buyer Packages
I have three goals when we partner on your path to homeownership
Understand your needs as you identify the criteria for your new home.
Deliver exceptional service that reduces stress and increases peace of mind.
Deliver such value that I earn a referral from you.
— creating a relationship for life.
Understanding your needs and creating a Win-Win situation is key! I conduct a full consultation with all my buyers to understand their needs and buying goals and then customize our game plan to best reflect these needs.
An agent that keeps their finger on the pulse of the current market trends is vital in you achieving your real estate goals The everchanging local market dictates the strategy for today’s buyer Every week I sit on a “pulse of the market” call that reviews real time market trends throughout the DMV so I can deliver this information to all clients.
Negotiation matters. I utilize my skills as a former lobbyist to help my clients achieve their goals Studies show that people who do not know the art of negotiation are 60 percent less successful than those who do!
I know selling a home is not an easy decision, especially in today's fast paced market. As a DMV resident since the mid1990s and a top-producing Realtor for over 19 years in both VA and DC, my entire business model focuses on working by referral. I therefore always strive to provide the highest quality customer service possible to all those I have the pleasure of assisting. Just like the "unique" spelling of my name, Jennifir with an "i", with my "Different Approach" to real estate, I seek to create a unique and enjoyable experience for my clients during the entire home buying process.
My three-pronged approach provides my clients with a winning solution to achieve their real estate goals.
I empower my clients with the tools and knowledge of the current they need to make informed real estate decisions. I know there will be obstacles along the way with any transaction but, with the right tools and my years of expertise, we will work through them together. I am not just your advisor, I’m your personal problem solver.
In addition, to my clients' trust, over the years, I have gained the trust of my fellow Realtor colleagues by creating a "win-win" environment for all parties in the transaction. This ensures a smooth process and great collaboration to achieve my clients' goals.
The majority of my business today comes from direct client referrals or repeat client transactions. My reviews speak for themselves. My clients and their referrals know the promise I have made to take excellent care of them always. This is why they trust me to work with their family, friends and colleagues and how I base my entire business model on working by referral. My clients' goals are my goals!
Forbes Ranked KW
America's Best Employers for New Graduates 2023
World's Best Employers 2023
America's Best Employers for Diversity 2023
Fortune America's most innovative
Swanepoel #1 Franchise Brand 2023
2024 Swanepoel Power 200
Franchise Business Review
2024 Top Franchise for Women
50 countries company 2023 Worldwide
#1 Brokerage Firm for Volume and Units In 2023 KW:
Jennifir Birtwhistle has sold over
includes offices in over KW Worldwide in real estate throughout VA & DC $150 Million
2024 Real Trends Verified 500 Served over 1.2 million clients
1 out of every 5 transactions
34,685 Luxury Transactions
Jennifir did a great job helping us purchase our home. She was very knowledgeable about all the areas we were looking at and how the market was. She was very strategic and made sure to get us the best deal possible. I would highly recommend Jennifir to help you with all your home buying needs.
Thanks to Jen for all of her help tackling the market and getting us to close in Del Ray! Jen was knowledgeable and assisted with every question we had as first time buyers! We look forward to our friendship and all of our real estate questions and matters to come!!
Jennifir helped me buy my new home recently, she was absolutely amazing. She is a top shelf agent who was helpful, patient, and responsive Super easy to work with, I gave her what I was looking for and she took care of the rest. I highly recommend Jennifir!
Jennifir was great to work with. Her communication was excellent and I enjoyed working with her from start to finish!
Jennifir was the absolute BEST! She is incredibly knowledgeable, kind, and on top of things. As first time home buyers, my husband and I were not sure what to expect. Add the craziness of the current housing market and it can really get overwhelming! Jennifir was instrumental in the entire process and took the time to explain everything to us and help ease all of our concerns I have already recommended Jennifir to everyone I know in the DMV who is getting ready to purchase a home (and I will continue to do so) because I know that they will not be disappointed.
Jennifir was absolutely wonderful -- she helped my husband and I buy our first house in DC, and she was instrumental in helping us navigate a very complicated housing market Jennifir is very knowledgeable of both DC and NOVA markets and - as first time home-buyers - she walked us through every step of the process. Jennifir's negotiation skills are the reason we got our house, hands-down. We would (and will) absolutely work with her again!
Oh my goodness! Where do I begin? Jennifir is one of the most kindest, patient, genuine realtors I have ever met! She has an upbeat personality and has a way of calming nerves when I was in doubt We did a lot of long distance talking and narrowing down of areas before I spent the weekend in VA. Once I got there, she took me to various places to get a feel for all sorts of different areas Once I found a place, she was beside me every step of the way. And continues to check in to make sure I'm ok. I highly recommend Jennifir for your selling or buying needs. You will love her!
Jennifir and her team did an amazing job, considering also that I was not in the area very often and we had to combine my availability with the time frame of the new listings. Jennifir was available, ready to answer to all my questions and also providing insights on positive or negative aspects of a property She educated me on the trends of the local market and at the end sent me all the necessary documentation to enable me to make my final decision quickly and effectively
Jen is an amazing realtor. I've worked with her twice to help me buy and sell and the process has been a breeze with Jen. Her knowledge of the area and market, responsiveness, and ability to answer any and all questions is top notch. To put it simply, Jen is in a different league than most other realtors. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a smooth and stress-free buying or selling experience.
Jennifir is the best realtor you can find in this area. She is so patient and understanding, and has such a calming yet serious presence about her. She's extremely honest with you about what to expect in the process and sets expectations well, so we had no surprises from her. We've heard horror stories of other realtors dropping the ball, not responding, or just not understanding your needs. Jennifir is the epitome of what a realtor should be. Anything we needed, she was there to respond in less than an hour When we had to deal with other parties who were non communicative, she dealt with the problem and mitigated it. In what could have been 1000x more stressful, Jennifir managed to make our first home buying experience amazing. She is the most professional person I've met in the DMV area and I couldn't say enough nice things about her as a person, too Thank you, Jennifir!
We had a fabulous experience working with Jennifir Birtwhistle as our realtor! We felt like we had a great connection with Jen, and working with her felt like a true partnership She guided us through every step of the home buying process, helping us to make informed decisions that were right for us. We felt like she understood and advocated for our goals and needs as we looked at houses and was always so quick to respond to our questions. Jen regularly checked in with us and she demonstrated flexibility and commitment every step of the way as well as her knowledge of the real estate market in this area and home-buying strategies, such as when it came to crafting a (winning!) offer We highly recommend Jen to anyone needing real estate expertise in the DC metro area! Thank you, Jen, it was such a pleasure to work with you and we are so grateful to you for helping us find our home!
Getting to know you and your next property
•Knowledge
• Monthly payment
• Buying power
• Assets
• Debt ratio
• Schedule • Review Legal offer of the contract
NEGOTIATE OFFER WITH THE SELLER
• Coming soon inventory
• Off market properties
• Statistics for pricing & negotiation in a complex market
• Escalation clause
• Needs assessment style, location amenities
· area changes neighborhoods/ narrow location commute times
• Sign agency agreement
• View properties elec tronically of the market inventory
• Escrow monies
• Cash offer/proof of fund property/ viewing area
• Income
• Schedule showings in advance
• Evaluate market activity & comps
• Execute terms of
• Sales price
• Escrow
• Choose title company
• Insurance appraisal
• Loan type time frames to obtain
• Down payment
• Contingencies
• Settlement date
• Sign offer
• In writing
• In person when RATIFY CONTRACT
• Present escrow check possible
• All terms are
• Initial changes as soon as humanly possible agreed upon in writing
• Deposit escrow check
• Schedule inspections
Home Radon
Pest
Lead paint Well/Septic
• Obtain clue report
• Check flood
• Send copy to Lender
• Send copy to title company
• Discuss rights & responsibilities
SIGN DOCS FOR LOAN
• Pay for appraisal
• Order appraisal
• Pay stubs
• Two year tax returns
• W-2
• Copy of contract
• Loan lock
INSURANCE ON PROPERTY WITHIN SEVEN DAYS
• Obtain clue
• Review terms/ timing report
• Check flood
SCHEDULE & PERFORM INSPECTIONS
• Home inspection
• Radon
• Send proof of Insurance to lender inspection
• Pest Inspection Send Pest inspection to lender where applicable
• Lead Paint inspec tion
DISCUSS, NEGOTIATE, & REMOVE CONTINGENCIES BY DEADLINES
• Negotiate/
PREPARE FOR SETTLEMENT
• Title company ( independent third party representing the contract )
PRIOR TO SETTLEMENT
• Secure movers
• Sign Closing evaluation
• Change address
• Well & Septic remove home inspection contingency
• Survey done by Title company
• Negotiate/ remove Radon contingency
• Negotiate/ remove Lead paint contingency
• Negotiate/ remove appraisal contingency if applicable
• Remove financial contingency
• Remove Appraisal contingency
• Negotiate/ remove Well & Septic contingency
• Schedule closing
• Reissue title insurance where possible
• Certified funds for closing
• Prepare POA where applicable
• Order Cable 10 days out
• Pre settlement walk-thru
• Final walk-thru
• Transfer certified funds for closing ( no communication should be in the form of an e-mail ) disclosure
SETTLEMENT
• Transfer of ownership/ Recordation
• Review survey
• Receive keys 10 days out
(As applicable)
Prepare the buyer for executing a buyer representation agreement
Explain agency relationships to the buyer and get state required legal consent to represent, if needed
Inform the buyer of working relationship based on state law, the REALTORS® Code of Ethics, and the broker’s business policies
Learn the buyer’s wants and non-negotiable needs
Understand the buyer’s budget and what will be needed financially
Help the buyer understand what property their chosen budget will buy
Consider having the buyer fill out a home buyer’s checklist
Assist the buyer in examining how much they can afford to spend
Provide quality lender resources
Partner with the buyer to locate suitable properties for consideration
Match the buyer’s needs with available property
Constantly re-evaluate buyer’s needs and refocus property showings to fit those needs
After ensuring the buyer understands what is done for them, how it is done, and the benefit to them, obtain signatures on the buyer representation agreement
Explain how compensation is paid, who pays it, and what the buyer’s options are for paying it
Communicate the working relationship based on state law, the REALTORS® Code of Ethics, and the broker’s business policies
Explain Federal and State Fair Housing laws
Explain what to look for in applicable property disclosures
Reassure the buyer that their personal information will remain confidential
Inform the buyer that you will always disclose all known material defects
In accordance with state law, provide information on checking the sex-offender registry and crime statistics for the neighborhood
Discuss available resources that the buyer can check to learn more about prospective neighborhoods
Explain the timeline for house hunting, mortgage approval, and closing
Explain the local market and how it impacts the buyer
Show statistics on what percentage of list price sellers in the area are currently receiving
Inform the buyer on what home features are popular
Identify current average days on market
Share the dangers of using the price per square foot to figure home values
Explain the concept of absorption rate and how it impacts the buying process
Indicate current listing months of market inventory
Share estimated potential out-of-pocket costs to complete the transaction
Assist the buyer in analyzing the loan estimates
Qualify the buyer for financial ability to purchase
Help the buyer account for the complete costs of homeownership
Prepare lender for listing agent calls
Assist in comparing different financing options
Help the buyer select for viewing only those homes that fit their needs
Proceed in showing homes that fit the buyer’s must-haves
Caution the buyer on posting information to social media
Review the sample sales contract so the buyer is prepared when it comes time to make an offer
Schedule showings and provide access to all listed properties as soon as they become available in their local MLS broker marketplaces
Educate the buyer on the immediacy of new listings appearing in their local
MLS broker marketplaces and the lag time for them to appear on some websites
Collaborate with the buyer on properties they may have learned about through their sphere contacts
Research and assist on all unlisted properties the buyer wishes to see
Preview properties prior to showing if needed
Network with other agents to source properties not yet in their local MLS broker marketplaces
Contact homeowners in focus areas to see if they are considering selling
Set up an automated email alert system through their local MLS broker marketplaces that immediately notifies the buyer of properties that fit discussed requirements
Arrange a tour of areas, schools, and key points of interest
Provide resources containing neighborhood information on municipal services, schools, etc.
Inform the buyer of negative aspects like nearby venues or operations that may result in issues that could impact value
Collect and share any other vital information on available homes, remembering to follow all fair housing laws at all times
Check applicable zoning and building restrictions
Help the buyer decipher public property and tax information
Collect and share pertinent data on values, taxes, utility costs, etc
Compare each property shown to the buyer’s wants/needs list and remind them of what they were looking for
Help the buyer narrow the search until the buyer identifies top choices
Assist the buyer in getting the best property at the best price
Suggest that the buyer learn more about the neighborhood prior to making an offer
Prepare a comparative market analysis (CMA) in advance of making an offer
Prepare the buyer to have the most attractive offer in the current marketplace
Explain common contract contingencies and include approved protective clauses in the purchase offer
Ensure that the buyer receives and understands all state and federally-required disclosure forms
Prioritize contract negotiation goals with the buyer
Help create a negotiating strategy
Use strategies such as an escalation clause to maintain a competitive offer
Prepare the buyer for a multiple offer situation and develop negotiation strategies
Write an offer that has a reasonable chance of being accepted
Recommend optional contingencies and explain the pros and cons of using them
Provide information on purchasing incentives that may be available
Discuss financing alternatives
Negotiate the buyer’s offers to arrive at the best price and terms
Utilize hyper local expertise and strong communication skills to assist the buyer in being the successful offer
Advocate for the buyer throughout the entire process
Encourage the buyer to fully investigate their options in terms of a home inspector, title company, appraiser, mortgage lender, and other services
Present a list of the types of required and optional inspections such as environmental, roofing, and mold
Review and discuss home inspection concerns
Negotiate repair requests from home inspection
Guide the buyer on meeting all contract deadlines
Assist in coordinating communications
Advise the buyer to review the settlement statement
Inform clients that they need to transfer utilities to the new residence
Schedule final walkthrough
Accompany the buyer on the walkthrough
Assist the buyer in questioning the appraisal report if it affects the financing
Confirm clear-to-close with the lender
Ensure all parties have all forms and information needed to close the sale
Remind the buyer of the location where the closing will be held
Confirm the closing date and time, and notify parties if there are changes
Gather all required forms and documents for closing
Explain flood insurance to the buyer
Explain title insurance to the buyer and refer to qualified insurance broker
Order any surveys needed
Order the appraisal
Order the title search
Confirm the status of the loan funding
Check addendums and alterations for agreed terms
Review the buyer’s closing statement to ensure accuracy
Explain wire fraud risks and remind clients to verify all wiring instructions before transferring funds
Double-check all tax, homeowners’ association dues, utility, and applicable prorations, if relevant
Request final closing figures from the closing agent (often an attorney or title company)
Receive and carefully review closing figures to ensure accuracy
Receive and carefully review title insurance commitment with the buyer
Advise the buyer to re-key their locks and to consider a onetime cleaning service or landscaping before moving day
Review documents with the closing agent
Support the buyer in any final closing activities
• Know the upfront costs
• Understand the costs due at closing
• Ensure your lender confirms all costs
EarnestMoneyDeposit
Submittedwiththecontractandappliedto thedownpayment
Unsually2-5%ofthesalesormoreif applicable,paidtosettlementcompanyand helduntilsettlement
Inspections
Homeinspectionrangesfrom$350to$1,500 dependingonthehomesize.Tobepaidat inspectiontime
Otherinspectionsasapplicable.Tobepaidat inspectiontime
Termiteinspection-$40-$70andtobepaid atsettlement
Ranges from $375-$1,200 depending on home size Paid to the lender and ordered during the application process
Dependingonthetypeofloan,downpayments range—VA—0%ormore,FHA—3.5%ormore, andConventional 5%ormore
ClosingCosts chargedbythejurisdictionfor thepurchase(bycounty&state)
Pre-paids escrowfortaxesandhomeowner’s insurance(severalmthscollectedinadvance) Yourlenderwillconfirmyour“CashtoClose” witheachbuyingscenario
• Are prices going up?
• Are they going down?
• Are we nearing the peak?
• Are we close to the bottom?
Demand is a function of two factors: the desire for a particular good or service, and ability to pay for it. The higher either one of these factors goes, the greater the demand for the good or service.
Owning a home has always been the American Dream. While there may be some financial benefits to home ownership in the long run, the emotional belief in home ownership tends to be a stronger factor in driving desire.
But the financial component should not be ignored. Given enough time, owning a home leaves you better off financially than renting. Few people do the math well, but home ownership is a smart financial move as long as you hold on to it long enough.
When demand increases, prices increase until supply can catch up with the demand. When demand decreases, prices decrease until supply decreases accordingly.
“All real estate is local”
Supply, like demand, is not driven only by financial considerations.
We could think of it as desire, too, but it makes more sense to think of it as motivation. If one seller is more motivated to sell than another, then all things being equal they will accept a lower price. the converse is also true an unmotivated seller may hold out for a higher price, or may not sell at all. The lesson is that the motivation of sellers of real estate can change very quickly, and brings about rapid changes in market conditions. In the long run, however, financial considerations are a larger factor, because in the long run supply is increased only by building more homes, and developers tend to want to make a profit
Seller's Market: when the inventory in a specific area is low. In general, properly priced homes generally sell within 7-14 days maximum. If your property has not received an offer within this time period, it is priced too high based on the home’s condition.
Normal Market: when there is no real perceived advantage to either the buyers or the sellers. In general, properly priced homes should sell within 30 to 45 days.
Buyer's Market: when you have lots of homes on the market for sale in every price range & area. If you price your home just below the other similar homes on the market, a sale should result within 45 days or more.
Although interest rates have remained higher than anticipated this year, the inventory still remains low (around a 1-2 month supply) in most of the DMV area. This in turn has caused continued compeition in a number of sought-after neighborhoods.
What this means as a buyer:
- pre-approved for a mortgage before looking at homes is a must - sellers prefer a local lender, - once a property of interest is identified, act promptly to submit an offer, - discuss the contract terms needed to create a winning offer, such as: Home inspection options (pre, infoonly, etc)
Escalation clause if competing Appraisal/Financing addendum modification
Buying or selling a house is the largest financial investment most people make, and it’s one of the most complex.
A real estate agent’s job is to help guide you through the complexities of buying or selling a property. but not everyone with a real estate license is a Realtor. A Realtor is not just a real estate licensee, but is also a member of the National Association of Realtors
What’s the difference? Realtors must meet stricter education requirements than the law requires, and they’re bound not only by the law, but by the higher standard of the REALTOR Code of Ethics
You choose your Realtor the way you would choose a doctor, accountant, or other professional Once you’ve found the Realtor you want to represent you ( as either
a buyer or a seller), you enter into what’s called a “brokerage relationship”
In order to work together, you and your Realtor need a written “brokerage agreement” that outlines at a minimum:
what fee and how it’s paid what services the Realtor will provide:
how long he or she will be providing those services; and
Whether you’re buying or selling your home or just checking out your options you need the expertise of someone whose job it is to know your local market inside and out. You need a Realtor.
The short answer is that law requires it in order to protect you The longer answer is that having something in writing-whether it covers a single property or a months-long relationship-ensures that both you and your Realtor understand exactly what’s expected from each other Be sure to discuss your options with you Realtor, and make sure all your questions are answered
As a full service buyer’s agent, my job is to not only be a partner in identifying your next home, but it is also to ensure the transaction gets to settlement.
The “standard” package includes all of the services identified in the 105 steps to success for clients with traditional loans and transactions.
This package includes all the services included in the Basic Package PLUS additional services required for unique buyer situations such as VA or FHA loan assumptions, short sales or other loan products that require additional duties of the buyers agent to ensure the transaction gets to settlement.
