Committed to bringing you the most professional, informative, trustworthy & dedicated service.
My responsibility is protecting the interests of my clients in every transaction.
Lauer Realty Group is a full-service residential brokerage, specializing in home sales in the most desirable neighborhoods in Madison, Dane County and beyond. It takes more than a computer and MLS access to move you when and where you want to go. The best real estate transactions happen with a great realtor at your side, and gives you the edge in the process. We bring our clients the latest information, technology, and our mastery of the industry In using our expertise, you ’ re tapping into the top performing 1% of realtors in Dane County for over a decade.
At your side and on your side Our Madison real estate agents live, work, and play right here in the Madison area and are deeply tied to the communities where you ’ re looking to purchase. We know the perks and quirks of each neighborhood, and we’ll work hard to honor the unique hopes and dreams you bring to the table when searching for a home.
At Lauer Realty Group we believe that being the best isn’t something you say, it’s something you are. We believe the most important thing is that we listen to our clients’ wants, needs, and expectations and deliver on them every single time Thank you for your interest in our firm and we look forward to delivering a superior real estate experience that exceeds your every expectation.
Cheers,
Liz Lauer
FINDTHERIGHTAGENT
PREPAREFINANCES
GETPRE-APPROVED
STARTHOMESHOPPING
MAKEANOFFER
ORDERANINSPECTION
NEGOTIATEFINALOFFER
APPRAISALORDERED
SCHEDULETHEMOVE
CLOSINGDAY
Buying a home is one of the most significant purchases in a lifetime. It is essential to have an experienced agent in your corner, always looking out for your best interest A buyer agent’s fiduciary responsibility is to represent the buyer and to ensure that they are protected
After all, a seller has someone in their corner. A listing agent has an allegiance to the seller Their goal is to get the seller top dollar for their home. There is incredible value in having someone working for YOUR best interests when buying a home.
Wewillnarrowdownthehomesthatfityouruniquewantsandneedsandgetyouinthedoor!Ilookatdozensofhomesevery week,andIcanhelpyouidentifypotentialproblemswithinahome
Whenrepairsorchangesinpriceneedtobemade,Iwillbeyourguideandhandlerequestinganyrepairsorchangesinpriceto thesellers
Buyingahomeinvolvesmanytypesofdocumentation.Ihavetheexperienceandknowledgetonavigaterealestatecontracts. Ensuringthatnothingisoverlooked,andthatyoutrulyunderstandwhatapapermeansbeforeeversigningonthedottedline
Abuyer’sagentwillrepresentyourbestinterests.Withapulseonthelocalmarketandasoundunderstandingofhowvarious amenitieseffectthevalueofahome,wewillmakesurewesubmitacompetitiveofferontherighthouseforyou.
Iworkdailyinneighborhoodswithinspectors,contractors,andnegotiatingwithsellers Ihavethemarketknowledgeyouneedtoget youthehomeofyourdreamsatthebestprice!Understandingthelocalrealestatemarketisessentialwhenitcomestimetomakean offeronahouse
Iwillworkhardtoprotectallofyourinterestsandtakeonanyissuesthatmayarisethroughouttheentireprocess Iwork tirelesslytomakesurebuyingahomeisafunandstress-freeprocess
Thesellertypicallypaysthecommissionforboththeseller’sagentandthebuyer’sagent
P R E P A R I N G f o r a h o m e l o a n
Mortgage lenders recommend you do not buy a home that is more than 3 to 5 times your annual household income If you are not purchasing a home with cash, you will need a mortgage pre-approval provided by your mortgage lender A lender will work with you to get a loan that meets your needs Some buyers are concerned with keeping their monthly payments as low as possible, others want to make sure that their monthly payments never increase
A mortgage requires a good credit score You can improve your score by:
●Paying down credit card balances
●Continuing to make payments on time
●Avoid applying for a new credit card or car loan until you have been approved
●Avoid making big purchases until you have been approved
●If possible, avoid job changes until you have been approved
In order to make your dream of buying a home a reality, you will need to save cash for your down payment, earnest money, closing costs & home inspector
●A Down Payment is typically between 35% & 20% of the purchase price
●Earnest Money is money you put down to show you ’ re serious about purchasing a home It’s also known as a good faith deposit
●Closing Costs for the buyer run between 2% & 5% of the loan amount
●A Home Inspection costs $300 to $500
Being pre-approved, unlike being pre-qualified, means you've actually been approved by a lender for a specific loan amount You will need to provide documented financial information (income, statements, assets, debt & credit reports etc ) to be reviewed & verified by the lender
W-2 Income/Salary
Income from part-time jobs
Income from a second Job
Overtime & Bonuses
Seasonal jobs
Self-employed Income
Alimony & child support (Documentation required)
Income from the lottery
Gambling
Unemployment pay
Single bonuses
Non-occupying co-signer income
Unverifiable income
Income from rental properties
BANK STATEMENTS (PAST 3 MONTHS)
PREVIOUS 2 YEARS OF TAX RETURNS
LIST OF YOUR DEBTS & ASSETS
Time to start shopping! We will take talk through the positive and negatives on all the homes we visit It can be hard to remember all the details of each home, so feel free to take notes to help you remember each home Once we have found THE house for you, we will present an appropriate offer based off of recent sales and current buyer activity in the area, as well as the value of the property in it’s current condition Negotiations may take place after the offer is presented
Evaluate the neighborhood and surrounding areas
•Are the surrounding homes well maintained to your liking?
•How much traffic is on the street, does it matter to you?
•Is it conveniently located to schools, shopping, restaurants, & parks?
WHENTOMAKEANOFFER:
So you have found THE house! Congrats! In today’s market when the demand is higher than the amount of homes available it is important to act fast!
HOWMUCHTOOFFER:
We will sit down and look at recent sales and current buyer activity in the area, as well as the value of the property in it’s present condition Putting all this information together, we will determine the price that you would like to offer
SUBMITTINGANOFFER
There are some components to an offer that makes it more appealing to the sellers
•PutYourBestFootForward
We will work together to discuss your options and create your very best offer Depending on the circumstances, you may have only one chance to make a good impression
•PutDownanEarnestDeposit
A healthy earnest money deposit written into the offer shows the seller you are serious
•CashorPre-Underwritten
A transaction that is not dependent on receiving loan approval is often more attractive to a seller
•ShorterInspectionPeriods
Consider shortening the inspection period or removiing the inspection contingency
•Contingencies
If the market is very competitive we may discuss the needed contingencies vs what to expect if you choose to exclude any
•OffertoCloseQuickly
Many sellers prefer to close within 30 days or less
AFTERYOUSUBMITANOFFER
THESELLERCOULD
•ACCEPTTHEOFFER
•DECLINETHEOFFER
This happens if the seller thinks your offer isn’t close enough to their expectations to further negotiate
•COUNTER-OFFER
A counter-offer is when the seller offers you different terms If this happens, you can:
•ACCEPTTHESELLER’SCOUNTER-OFFER
•DECLINETHESELLER’SCOUNTER-OFFER
•COUNTERTHESELLER’SCOUNTER-OFFER
You can negotiate back and forth as many times as needed until you reach an agreement or someone chooses to walk away
OFFERISACCEPTED-CONGRATS!
You will sign the purchase agreement and you are now officially under contract! This period of time is called the contingency period Now inspections, appraisals, or anything else built into your purchase agreement will take place
If there is an inspection contingency, you will schedule an inspection with a reputable home inspector to do a thorough investigation of the home. Once this is complete, the inspector will provide us with a list of their findings You can take the issues asis or request the seller to address some or all of the findings. We will be mindful and reasonable on smaller items, while being very cautious and vigilant of potentially significant issues
Issues typically arise after the home inspection, and those issues tend to result in another round of negotiations for credits or fixes.
1. Ask for a credit/price reduction for the work that needs to be done. Likely, the last thing the seller wants to do is repair work.
2. Think “big picture” and don’t sweat the small stuff. Tile that needs some caulking, or a leaky faucet can easily be fixed.
3.Keep your poker face. Typically it's just you and the inspector present during inspections, however occasionally the seller and/or list agent may be present Revealing your comfort level with the home could come back to haunt you in further discussions or negotiations.
If you have a lender, they will arrange for a third party appraiser to provide an independent estimate of the value of the house you are buying The loan file then moves on to the mortgage underwriter
This ensures that the seller truly owns the property, and that all existing liens, loans or judgments are disclosed
You'll need insurance for the new home prior to closing This will protect against things like fire, storms and flooding.
If approved you will receive your final commitment letter that includes the final loan terms & percentage rates
•FINALIZE MORTGAGE
•Declutter! Sort through every drawer, closet, cupboard & shelf, removing items you no longer need or like. Donate or sell items that are in good condition
•Make sure to have copies of all important documents and have them safely stored to easily find when needed
•Create an inventory of anything valuable that you plan to move
•Get estimates from moving companies
•Give notice if you are currently renting
•Schedule movers/moving truck
•Buy/find packing materials
•START PACKING
•SECUREHOMEWARRANTY
•GETQUOTESFORHOMEINSURANCE
•SCHEDULETIMEFORCLOSINGWITHANDREA
•Contactutilitycompanies(water,electric,cable)
•Changeaddress:mailing,subscriptions,etc
•Minimizegroceryshopping
•Keeponpacking
•OBTAINCERTIFIEDCHECKSFORCLOSING
•SCHEDULEANDATTENDFINALWALKTHROUGH
•Finishpacking
•Clean
•Packessentialsforafewnightsinnewhome
•Confirmdeliverydatewiththemovingcompany.Writedirectionstothe newhome,alongwithyourcellphonenumber
Closing is when you sign ownership and insurance paperwork and you receive your new home’s keys! Typically, closing takes four to six weeks During this time, make sure to make no big purchases or job changes that could affect your loan approval prior to closing day. Funds are brought the day of to complete the purchase.
Lenders are required to provide you with a closing disclosure, at least three days before closing This will show you what your final loan terms and closing costs will be. You will have three days to review the statement. This is done to ensure that there are no surprises at the closing table. If there is a significant discrepancy between the loan estimate and the closing disclosure, we must notify your lender and title company immediately.
We will do a final walk through the home within 3 days of closing to check the property’s condition. This final inspection takes about an hour. We will make sure any repair work that the seller agreed to make has been done We will be sure to:
• Make sure home is clean
• Seller removed any and all personal property that was not discussed in offer
• Any included items in offer have remained on property
Who will be there:
• Your agent
• The seller
• The seller’s agent
• A title company representative
• Your loan officer
• Any real estate attorneys involved in the transaction
The closing typically happens at the title company You will be signing lots of paper work so get your writing hand warmed up! Some of the papers you will be signing include: the deed of trust, promissory note, and other documents.
Closing costs can vary depending on your home’s purchase price and where you are located Your lender should be able to help determine the closing costs as well You can generally expect your closing costs to be around 2% to 5% of the home’s sales price.
• Government-issued photo ID
• Homeowner’s insurance certificate
• A certified check for the rest of your down payment and closing cost (personal checks are not accepted at closings)
Congratulations! It was a lot of hard work but you are now officially home owners!! Time to throw a party and get to know your new neighbors!
DON’T buy or lease a new vehicle.
DON’T quit your job to change industries, start a company or go into business for yourself.
DON’T switch from a salaried job to a commission job or a 1099 independent contractor position.
DON’T transfer large sums of money between bank accounts.
DON’T forget to pay your bills, even ones in dispute
DON’T open new credit cards.
DON’T make big purhcases on existing credit cards. (Buy furniture and appliances AFTER you own the home.)
DON’T close any credit card accounts.
DON’T accept a cash gift without filing the proper “gift” paperwork.
DON’T make random, undocumented deposits into your bank account
DON’T spend the money you have set aside from closing.
DON’T omit debts or liabilities from your loan application.
DON’T do things that cause inquiries into your credit score This includes test driving cars (they sometimes pull your credit)!
DON’T co-sign a loan for someone. This debt will change the ratios that qualified you for your loan.
Should circumstances arise where you need to engage in these activities, consult your Lender first.
The following Lenders are recommended by previous clients. You are not required to choose from this list and are encouraged to do your own research to determine the best Lender for you
MARGARETLANDPHIER
Johnson Financial Group
Office: 608-250-7234
Mobile: 608-225-0642
Email: mlandphier@johnsonfinancialgroup.com
RINACOURTIER
UW Credit Union
Office: 608-232-9000 x2138
Mobile: 608-590-6105
Email: rcourtier@uwcu.org
MICHAPETERSEN
Lake Ridge Bank
Office: 608-223-3000
Email: mpetersen@lakeridge.bank
RICKMCKINLEY
UW Credit Union Office: 608-232-5000 x2015
Email: rmckinley@uwcu.org
ABBEYDENOBLE
Bell Bank Mortgage
Office: 608-598-2283
Mobile: 608-234-0689
Email: adenoble@bell.bank
TIMGREENE
Summit Credit Union
Office: 608-243-5000 x2147
Mobile: 608-444-9529
Email: tim.greene@summitcreditunion.com
When you are purchasing a property we highly recommend that you have a Professional Home Inspector conduct a thorough inspection
The inspection will include the following:
*Appliances
*Plumbing
*Electrical
*Air Conditioning (weather permitting) and Heating Systems
*Ventilation
*Roof and Attic (if accessible)
*Foundation
* General Structure
The inspection is not designed to identify every minor problem or defect in the home. It is intended to report on defects that, at the time of the inspection, are identified as causing health or safety risks, or that affect the resale value of the property Should serious problems be found, the Inspector will recommend that an additional inspection be done by a Qualified Professional (i e Electrician, Plumber, Roofer, ect)
Your home cannot “pass or fail” an inspection and your Inspector will not tell you whether they think the home is worth the money you are offering, or if you should or should not buy the home. The Inspector’s job is to make you aware of repairs that are recommended or necessary.
As a guideline, the Seller may be willing to negotiate;
a.)The completion of repairs
b
)A credit for the completion of repairs
In addition to the overall inspection, you may wish to have separate tests conducted (i e well water, septic system or the presence of Radon gas).
When choosing a Home Inspector, be sure to select one that has been certified as a qualified and experienced member by a Trade Association.
We strongly recommend being present at the inspection. This is to your advantage, as you will be able to clearly understand the inspection report and know exactly which areas need attention. Plus, you can get answers to many questions, tips for maintenance, and general information that will help you once you move into your new home. Most importantly you will see the home through the eyes of an independent third party.
The following inspectors again are recommended from previous clients, as well as being inspectors we know are thorough and professional. Again, you are not required to use an inspector on this list and are welcome to do your own research and pick an inspector of your choice.
Inspection 360 Pros
Office: 608-492-0360
Email: pjskeffington@gmail com
Madison Home Inspection
Office: 608-395-9689
Email: madisonhomeinspectionllc@gmail com
Capitol Inspection Services
Office: 608-515-8950
Email: capitolinspectionservices@gmail com
Andrea has been a licensed Realtor® since 2011. A firm believer in the “always learning” philosophy, she has since obtained her Broker’s license; Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) and Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) accreditations An avid student of architecture and interior design, she is actively pursuing her interior design certification Andrea is currently serving on the WI Realtors Association Professional Standards and Ethics committee and has been since 2013 She was also selected to serve on the Professional Standards Work Group in 2016, which develops education guidelines for state/local Professional Standards training and reviews NAR Professional Standards revisions As a result of her long tenure on the Professional Standards and Ethics committee, Andrea was invited to teach Professional Standards and Ethics at the RASCW new member orientation (a required class for new agents), a volunteer position she has now held since 2022
In this Seller’s market that we now find ourselves in, Andrea prides herself on thinking out of the box and finding creative solutions to help get the results you want Customer service is something she feels very strongly about To put it simply, she treats her clients and customers the way she would like and expect to be treated!
Andrea grew up in Baton Rouge, La and then spent over a decade in western New York after meeting and marrying her husband, John. While in NY, she worked in television broadcasting for both the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills among other organizations Andrea and her family moved to Dane County in 2010 after John accepted a position in Madison A southerner at heart, she makes it her priority to carry on the south Louisiana tradition of providing “Lagniappe” (translation: a little something extra) every chance she gets
In her free time Andrea enjoys reading, traveling, volunteering, and walking the dogs Her oldest daughter is currently a member of the Illinois Tech lacrosse team so she and John try to make it to as many games as they can while also cheering on their younger two as they pursue football, lacrosse, and showing their horse Paisley
Liz Lauer
BROKER/OWNER
Tobi Silgman
REALTOR®
Rachel Whaley
REALTOR®
Asher Masino
REALTOR®
Kate Weis
BROKER ASSOCIATE
Lindsey Cooper
REALTOR®
Minh Nguyen
REALTOR®
Tamara McDougal
REALTOR®
Mark Gladue
BROKER
Alejandra Torres
BROKER ASSOCIATE
Tina Rogers-Frisch
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT COMPLIANCE BROKER
Brett Larson
BROKER ASSOCIATE
Ben Anton
BROKER ASSOCIATE
Renee Heine
REALTOR®
Lindsey DeFlorian
REALTOR®
Tom Syring
REALTOR®
Tiffany Bekx
MARKETING COORDINATOR
REALTOR®
Toni Kraile
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT FOR GLADUE TEAM
We believe in and are committed to staying connected and involved with our local community. We love to give back and throughout the year we participate, contribute, sponsor, and donate time and resources to many wonderful organizations and causes. You’ll be sure to find us volunteering in neighborhood festivals, walking in a community parade, and supporting local artists. Whether it’s fundraising with the Goodman Center for the Annual Thanksgiving Drive, or working with GSAFE to ensure LGBTQ+ youth and families thrive, we are dedicated and passionate about the community we live in.
#atLRGinthecommunity
“Andrea is very knowledgeable with local market She provided great insight on the properties available. She made sure she understood my needs and worked with me to get the best house that fit. She did a great job assisting with staging the house, setting a good price, and getting solid offers and being there to assist getting it closed”
“This was my first home buying experience so I was not that savvy in my assessment of each property I had to look at a ton of houses before I started to feel comfortable with what was feeling right to me Andrea was very patient and stuck with us on our lengthy search She was always very prompt responding to our calls and emails and made herself readily available for showings She was honest with her opinions of the properties we saw and kept our priorities in mind. She got us in to see the home we purchased just before it went on the market which was critical in the competitive downtown area we were looking in I really enjoyed working with Andrea and would definitely use her again in the future ”
“We would both like to express our extreme pleasure with our experience working with Andrea. You have been incredibly helpful and patient working with us. I am amazed that you all were available virtually any hour of the day, and how quickly things are being done I’m still abbergasted at the fact that that 8:45 pm we decided to put an offer in, and by 9:45 that same night the sellers agent had the o er in hand I’ve never worked with a real estate office before, and in the back of my head I figured it would be like working with a combination of lawyers and car salesmen you all dispelled that idea, and I wouldn’t hesitate to work with you and your office again ”
“As first time home buyers, we could not have appreciated Andrea’s enthusiasm, flexibility and responsiveness more! She was great from start to finish and walked us through everything so we could understand it. She was incredibly energetic from the moment we met her and was willing to take whatever approach we wanted. I felt as though she was always in our corner, working with us to get what we wanted We will definitely recommend Andrea to my family and friends who are looking to purchase a home ”
“As first time home buyers, we could not have appreciated Andrea’s enthusiasm, flexibility and responsiveness more! She was great from start to finish and walked us through everything so we could understand it She was incredibly energetic from the moment we met her and was willing to take whatever approach we wanted I felt as though she was always in our corner, working with us to get what we wanted. We will definitely recommend Andrea to my family and friends who are looking to purchase a home.”
“My experience of working with Andrea was wonderful She went above and beyond to make the whole process go smoothly and make me feel at ease ”
These terms represent a small portion of the jargon used in describing the purchase process for Real Estate. An important part of our relationship is making you more familiar with how these terms are part of your puchase and ownership of Real Estate We have provided here a simplified, common language explanation of these terms limited to how they will most likley be used in your home puchase process
Appraisal-An estimate of the quanitity, quality or value of something The process through which conclusions of property value are obtained; also refers to the report that sets forth the process of estimation and conclusion of value (Most Lenders require an appraisal of a property before giving you a loan to confirm that the sale price reflects the market value of the home )
Assessment-The imposition of a tax, charge or levy, usually according to established rates (In Dane County, Real Estate taxes are based on the Municipality’s assessment or financial value assigned to a home and land. Ask us for the current tax rates in the areas you are looking.)
Buyer Agency Agreement-An agreement which allows a REALTOR® to represent the best interests of a Buyer throughout the search, negotiations, and purchase process
Capital Gain-Profit earned from the sale of an asset
Closing Statement-A detailed accounting of a Real Estate sale showing all cash received, all charges and credits accounted for, and all cash paid out in the transaction This is the standardized form which is used as the final accounting at time of closing to determine the amount of funds due at the time of closing (Also known as a Settlement Statement or ALTA )
Competitive Market Analysis (CMA)-A comparison of the prices of recently sold homes that are similar to a particular home in terms of location, style and amenities (When we find you a home that you are going to make an offer on, we will look at the sale prices of comparable properties to help determine an offer price )
Earnest Money-Money paid by a Buyer under the terms of an offer contract, held by the Listing Broker during the term of the contract, and credited back to the Buyer at time of closing. This money is understood to be forfeited if the Buyer defaults on their offer contract.
Easement-A right to use the land of another for a specific purpose, such as for a right-of-way or utilities. An easement can stay in place beyond the sale of a property, therefore any Buyer will receive Title Insurance to discover any recorded easements that will stay with the property
Equity-The interest or value that the owner has in proeprty over and above any indebtedness
Escrow-The closing of a transaction through a third party called an Escrow Agent, or escrowee, who receives certain funds and documents to be delivered upon the performance of certain conditions outlined in the escrow instructions (Brokerage companies, i e Lauer Realty Group Inc, acts as an Escrow Agent while holding earnest money )
Fixture-An item of personal property that is attached to the Real Estate property or function of the property in such a way that it is considered part of that Real Estate (i e light fixtures, floorboards, furnace, water heater, doorknobs
Lien-A right given by law to certain creditors to have their debts paid out of the debtor’s property This is a debt that must be paid by the Seller prior to receiving any proceeds on the sale of a home and includes any debts for which the property is put up as collateral (a mortgage).
PITI-Principle, Interest, Taxes and Insurance. This amount makes up the monthly payment normally due monthly to the home owner’s mortgage company.
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)-Insurance provided by private carrier that protects a Lender against a loss in the event of a foreclosure and defi ciency. This is usually required when a loan amount exceeds 80% of the value of the property Ask about loan program options that avoid PMI
Special Assessment-A tax or levy customarily imposed against only those specific parcels of Real Estate that will benefit from a proposed public improvement like a street or sewer (It is important in a Real Estate transaction to determine who will be paying the balance if a special assessment is upcoming or currently due )
Title Insurance-A policy insuring the owner or mortgagee against loss by reasons of defects in the title (ownership) of a parcel of Real Estate, other than encumbrances, defects and matters specifically excluded by the policy It is also provided as proof of ownership of the property, usually provided by the Seller to a Buyer, which also shows any other liens or encumbrances which are attached to a property
