Table of Contents
LEARN ABOUT YOUR AGENT MEET THE TEAM ABOUT YOU
STEPS TO FINDING A HOME GET YOUR PRE-APPROVAL/MEET MY PREFERRED LENDERS WHY CHOOSE A LOCAL LENDER HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT LENDER PRE-APPROVAL CHECKLIST PICK YOUR DEAL BREAKERS PICK YOUR HOME FEATURES TIPS TO HOUSE HUNTING RESOURCES: SCHOOL RATINGS & CRIME LET'S MAKE AN OFFER THE "DON'TS" OF BUYING A HOME WHAT HAPPENS AFTER AN OFFER IS ACCEPTED FLORIDA FAR/BAR CONTRACT
"If I'm an advocate for anything, it's to move. As far as you can, as much as you can Across the ocean, or simply across the river Walk in someone else's shoes or at least eat their food. It's a plus for everybody."
Anthony Bourdain
Get to know your Real Estate Agent
Kristina Lewis
Hello!
I am a Pensacola native and Florida girl through and through. I'm passionate about traveling, If I am not here working, you'll find me on a road trip or on a plane to somewhere I've never been before. Lucky for you my second passion is food, if you need a restaurant recommendation or want someone to grab lunch with, I'm your partner in crime! I spend my free time in town hanging out with my best friends, and staying active by playing volleyball and working out.
Before my career in Real Estate, I worked on my B.S in Physical Education Teaching Degree from University of West Florida while simultaneously working on what would turn out to be nearly a decade spent managing for hotel brands such as Hilton and Marriott. These two things have been an incredible transition as I pride myself on leading with customer service and the ability to maintain composure while thinking quickly when this crazy industry throws us a curveball. I learn something new in this industry every day and what I do not know, I can quickly find out!
I appreciate the opportunity to be the lead problem solver on your home buying journey! Choosing the right home takes a lot of patience and understanding of the current market. My team and I (you will meet them shortly) will be with you every step of the way to make sure you are provided with a professional and comfortable experience. There are many moving pieces from start to finish, I assure you you are in the absolute best hands.
Thank you, K.L
"Here's the deal- I'm the best there is Plain and simple I wake up in the morning and I [radiate] excellence"
-Ricky Bobby
"Kristina is an amazing realtor to work with. Her team worked flawlessly through the sell of one home and right in to the purchase of a new one. The experience level was unbelievable. She was so informative with how the market works which is tough to understand (at least for my wife and I). She walked us through every step of the way with so much excitement and energy!!! WHAT AN AMAZING TEAM!!! Highly reccommend these highly skilled individuals. Call em today, don't wait!"
Adkinsons
The Home Buying Process
Steps to finding your dream home
CHOOSE THE RIGHT REAL ESTATE AGENT FOR YOU
CHOOSE THE RIGHT LENDER AND OBTAIN A PRE-APPROVAL
START SEARCHING FOR YOUR NEXT HOME
SUBMIT OFFER & SECURE CONTRACT UNDER CONTRACT INSPECTION & APPRAISAL MOVE-IN!!
Why choose a
Local Lender
1 | RELIABILITY
Everyone involved in the process, sellers, real estate agents, and you, the buyer, want the loan to close on time Local lenders have a better reputation for closing loans on a timely basis If the closing of a loan has to be extended by a week, and then extended again after that week is up, this could cause a certain amount of stress and uncertainty In the worst case scenario, if a loan is denied at the last minute after a buyer has already paid an earnest money deposit, this could cause the buyer to lose his deposit as well as miss out on buying the home of his or her dreams.
2| REPUTATION, REPUTATION, REPUTATION
Local lenders and real estate agents have an incentive to provide you with excellent service because they want you to be a source of referrals for future business They know that whether you have a great experience or a bad one, your friends and relatives are going to hear about it These people live and work in the local area, and thus, it is their reputation and livelihood that is at stake
3| PERSONAL SERVICE
You can meet your lender face to face and ask questions in person if need be In an era when phone calls are considered intrusive and people generally don’t like talking on the phone, I find that meeting people face to face can be very effective for resolving issues I think it slows down the pace of the discussion and it is more effective for getting on the same page
4| LOCAL EXPERTISE
Besides knowing the area and local real estate market, a local lender will appear more attractive to certain home sellers and real estate agents because of the importance of a timely closing and a smooth process In a situation where several offers are on the table, having a local, trusted lender could be the difference between landing the house or not Some sellers and real estate agents may not even consider offers from national banks or online lenders because of previous bad experiences, or because of the bad reputation some of these have
source: https://www bigvalleymortgage com/5-great-reasons-use-local-lender-buying-home/
"Chris was wonderful He pushed to have us closing on time and in our budget, even with having to switch loan programs last minute."
-Toby S
How to
Choose the right lender
1 | GET YOUR FINANCES IN GOOD SHAPE
The credit score required to get a mortgage varies by the type of loan and the lender. With a higher score, you'll have more choices of loan programs and you'll qualify for lower interest rates. You can receive free copies of your reports from each of the three major credit bureaus through the governmentmandated AnnualCreditReport com website Check the reports carefully, and dispute any errors
2| LEARN WHAT KIND OF MORTGAGE IS RIGHT FOR YOU
VA-MILITARY
USDA-RURAL
FHA-First time home buyer, lower credit requirements, lower down payment requirements
CONVENTIONAL-Good credit borrowers
JUMBO LOANS-For properties at higher price points
*Ask a lender to help you find the right program for you
3| SHOP AROUND
A lender will have to pull your credit information and process a loan application to provide an accurate rate, which you can then lock in if you ’ re satisfied with the product. Once you have several quotes from lenders, narrow the list to those with the lowest rates. The total interest you pay over the life of the loan is a big figure, and a lower rate can save you thousands of dollars You have a 14 day window to do this and it not effect your credit
4| COMPARE LOAN ESTIMATES
A loan estimate is a document a lender must provide after you ' ve applied for a loan and have provided certain information, this can including the address of the property you want to buy Compare loan estimates from at least three lenders Read each line to make sure the details match what you expected, and ask questions about anything you don't understand Then carefully compare costs and terms to choose the best deal for you *Some lenders provide incentives like ZERO lender fees or credits towards a borrowers closing costs.
"Nate has helped us with several mortgages and refinances. He is truly professional and always willing to answer any questions that we have. He makes the experience as smooth and easy as can be."-Kristin
What do you need?
Pre-Approval Checklist
PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION
MOST RECENT BANK STATEMENTS
RETIREMENT/INVESTMENT ACCOUNT STATEMENTS PAY STUBS
SELF EMPLOYED: PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENTS-PREVIOUS 2 YEARS
CURRENT HOME OWNERS: PROPERTY TAX BILL
RETIREMENT/INVESTMENT ACCOUNT STATEMENTS
TAX RETURNS-PREVIOUS 2 YEARS (1040)
W-2 FORMS FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS (OR 1099)
SELF EMPLOYED: PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENTS-PREVIOUS 2 YEARS
"Heather is everything you would want in your mortgage lender. Always available, positive, and uplifting and very creative when it comes to crunching numbers and getting you in the home you love."-Joe
*Please note this is not an official checklist you should consult with your chosen lender on any additional information that may be needed
What are your deal breakers?
When it comes to choosing a home, the likely hood of finding EXACTLY what you want is slim. This process can be overwhelming and exhausting, hang in there, we will find the right home for you!
Let's take the time to choose 3 Deal Breakers
3 Deal Breakers
Important Features
Type of Home
Single Family Home Townhouse Condo Mobile Home
Other
Pensacola, FL
Navarre, FL
Gulf Breeze, FL
City (FL & AL)
Milton, FL
Perdido Key, FL Destin, FL
Pace, FL
Gulf Breeze, FL
Orange Beach, AL Cantonment, FL
Fort Walton, FL
Other 30A, FL
More Features
Budget Min-Max (ex $200k-$300k)
Bed/Bath
Square Ft.
Min. Year Home was built
Min-Max Acreage
Other: Min-Max
Min-Max (ex 0.25-1acre)
Or Scan Here
House Hunting
FAQ "Is this neighborhood safe?"
I take ethics very seriously and so does NAR (National Association of Realtors). Although a seemingly harmless question, as a Licensed Real Estate Agent I cannot give a personal opinion on an area, this is a Fair Housing Act violation. What I can do is provide resources that will allow you to properly research to make that decision for yourself.
Location, Location, Location
Drive around neighborhoods that interest you to get a feel of the area, how the homes are cared for, what traffic is like, etc
Ask Around
Talk to family, friends, and co-workers to see if anyone may know of a house for sale in an area you're interested in. They may know someone selling or can even provide insight on areas that match your lifestyle and needs
Keep an open mind
Finding your dream home isn't always an easy task! Have a priorities list but keep an open mind when viewing houses.
Take Pictures & Notes
When you visit multiple houses it is difficult to remember specific details about each one Take photos and notes while touring houses so that you can reference them later when comparing the properties that you've seen
Don't be a Lookey-loo
Time is precious and the right home for you is out there. Using time to look at interesting homes but homes you ultimately are not interested in can keep you from finding THE ONE. Two important factors in any real estate transaction, TIME and COMMUNICATION
Establish a grading scale
On a scale of 1-10 what is this home? anything below a 7 is a no, FOCUS on 7s+
This is me
Providing resources
One stop shop! Download my app!
Pensacola Crime Map Florida School Ratings Escambia County Crime Map
"All I do is win, win, win, no matter what" -T Pain
Make an offer
PUT IN A COMPETITVE OFFER
I represent you and want the best for you, I have to be real, it's rare you get it all (the perfect home, 30k off, and concessions). The following are things to consider before writing an offer.
CURRENT MARKET CONDITIONS
THE CURRENT CONDITION OF THE HOME DAYS ON THE MARKET
MULTIPLE OFFERS
CLOSING DAY PREFERENCE
COMPARABLE PROPERTIES RECENTLY SOLD IN THE AREA
FLOOD ZONE IS THIS HOME AN ESTATE? WHAT CONVEYS?
FAQ "What is an EMD (Earnest Money Deposit)
An earnest money deposit is also frequently referred to as a good faith deposit. When a buyer purchases a home, they provide a deposit that will be held in an escrow account. The primary purpose of this deposit is to show a seller you are serious about purchasing their home. The amount that is deposited is subtracted from the final figure that a buyer pays at the closing table.
What else do I pay for?
Inspections,
re-inspects, surveys "Oh,
My!"
Aside from closing costs and your down payment, there are additional costs before the close of your home that will protect your investment. The following are examples and estimates, this list does not name all but can be used as a reminder and a guide to help you plan. All estimates listed will vary by vendor and services rendered.
Service Estimate
Home Inspection & 4-Point
WDO (Wood Destroying Organisms)
Re-inspect (insurance purposes)
Survey (dependent on lot size/location)
Septic Inspection
FAQ "I want to save money. Can I skip inspections?"
First, no matter the year of the home I will always advise you to get a home and wdo inspection. Insurance will require a 4-point, this is an inspection of the roof, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. Although one answer does not fit all, yes technically you can skip inspections, however you should NEVER do this. What is $600 when you're protecting a 6figure+ investment?
$500-$700
$100-$300
$75-$150
$500-$6,000
$300-$500
BUY APPLIANCES
CLOSE OLD LINES OF CREDIT BUY A NEW CAR
LIE ABOUT YOUR FINANCES, THEY WILL FIND THIS BUY FURNITURE GET MARRIED & NOT TELL US CURRENTLY MARRIED & NOT DISCLOSE LIE ABOUT ANYTHING
CHANGE JOBS MOVE MONEY AROUND
When closing day comes around please do not pull up in a brand new truck towing your newly purchased boat, I get you're excited, your mortgage lender does not share the same sentiment. They will pull your funding at the closing table and it cannot always be reversed. Ask your lender before you make big financial decisions
Your offer has been accepted
What is next?
Remember when I introduced you to the team earlier? This is where Kayci Amos, Transaction Coordinator, shines! She will reach out to you after all parties have signed documents to let you know what the next steps are. She'll schedule all of the inspections whether you use one of our preferred vendors or your own. Don't worry, I'm still around, feel free to text the both of us!
DEPOSIT EMD DEPOSIT EMD DEPOSIT EMD
SCHEDULE HOME INSPECTION SCHEDULE HOME INSPECTION SCHEDULE HOME INSPECTION
NEGOTIATE REPAIRS NEGOTIATE REPAIRS NEGOTIATE REPAIRS
CHOOSE AN INSURANCE PROVIDER CHOOSE AN INSURANCE PROVIDER CHOOSE AN INSURANCE PROVIDER
LENDER ORDERS APPRAISAL LENDER ORDERS APPRAISAL LENDER ORDERS APPRAISAL
LENDER ISSUES A "CLEAR TO CLOSE"
LENDER ISSUES A "CLEAR TO CLOSE" LENDER ISSUES A "CLEAR TO CLOSE"
SCHEDULE UTILITIES SCHEDULE UTILITIES SCHEDULE UTILITIES
SCHEDULE FINAL WALK THROUGH SCHEDULE FINAL WALK THROUGH SCHEDULE FINAL WALK THROUGH
WIRE FUNDS WIRE FUNDS FUNDS
GET KEYS AND MOVE IN! GET KEYS AND MOVE IN! GET KEYS MOVE IN!
FAQ "Can we put offers in on multiple homes?" No
Thankyou for choosing me!
