Committed to bringing you the most professional, informative, trustworthy & dedicated service.
My responsibility is protecting the interests of my clients in every transaction.
Welcome
Powerful Results. Real People
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
n s t e p s
BUYING
HOME 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
FINDTHERIGHTAGENT
PREPAREFINANCES
GETPRE-APPROVED
STARTHOMESHOPPING
MAKEANOFFER
ORDERANINSPECTION
NEGOTIATEFINALOFFER
APPRAISALORDERED
SCHEDULETHEMOVE CLOSINGDAY
FINDTHERIGHTAGENT
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 has a fiduciary responsibility 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.
GETTINGYOUINTHEDOOR
Wewillnarrowdownthehomesthatfityouruniquewantsandneedsandgetyouinthedoor!Ilookatdozensofhomesevery week,andIcanhelpyouidentifypotentialproblemswithinahome
HANDLINGCHALLENGINGCONVERSATIONS
Whenrepairsorchangesinpriceneedtobemade,Iwillbeyourguideandhandlerequestinganyrepairsorchangesinpriceto thesellers
STAYINGONTOPOFTHEPAPERWORK
Buyingahomeinvolvesmanytypesofdocumentation.Ihavetheexperienceandknowledgetonavigaterealestatecontracts. Ensuringthatnothingisoverlooked,andthatyoutrulyunderstandwhatapapermeansbeforeeversigningonthedottedline
ONYOURSIDE
Abuyer’sagentwillrepresentyourbestinterests.Withapulseonthelocalmarketandasoundunderstandingofhowvarious amenitieseffectthevalueofahome,wewillmakesurewesubmitacompetitiveofferontherighthouseforyou.
NEIGHBORHOODEXPERT
Iworkdailyinneighborhoodswithinspectors,contractors,andnegotiatingwithsellers Ihavethemarketknowledgeyouneedtoget youthehomeofyourdreamsatthebestprice!Understandingthelocalrealestatemarketisessentialwhenitcomestimetomakean offeronahouse
PROBLEMSOLVER
Iwillworkhardtoprotectallofyourinterestsandtakeonanyissuesthatmayarisethroughouttheentireprocess Iwork tirelesslytomakesurebuyingahomeisafunandstress-freeprocess
Thesellertypicallypaysthecommissionforboththeseller’sagentandthebuyer’sagent AFFORDABILITY
Home Wishlist/Must Haves
P R E P A R I N G f o r a h o m e l o a n
PREPAREFINANCES
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
GETPRE-APPROVED
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
W2’S FROM THE PAST 2 YEARS 3 MONTHS WORTH OF PAY-STUBS BANK
TYPES OF mortgage
S T A R T s h o p p i n g
STARTHOMESHOPPING 4
START TOURING HOMES IN YOUR PRICE RANGE
Time to start shopping! We will take notes on all the homes we visit It can be hard to remember all the details of each home, so take pictures or video to help you remember each home, and review the notes you have written 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
TIP
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?
M A K E A N o f f e r
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
•CashTalks
A transaction that is not dependent on receiving loan approval is often more attractive to a seller
•ShorterInspectionPeriods
Try shortening the inspection period to 10 days
•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
THE PROCESS
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
ORDERANINSPECTION
During the inspection period, 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 as-is 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
NEGOTIATE
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 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 Repairs are still up for negotiation and perhaps a small credit would help with closing costs.
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
APPRAISALORDERED
Your lender will arrange for a third party appraiser to provide an independent estimate of the value of the house you are buying The appraisal lets all parties involved know that the price is fair The loan file then moves on to the mortgage underwriter
If approved you will receive your final commitment letter that includes the final loan terms & percentage rates
PropertyTitleSearch
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
scheduling
AFTER SIGNING YOUR MOVE
•FINALIZE MORTGAGE
•SCHEDULE HOME INSPECTION
•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 30 days notice if you are currently renting
•Schedule movers/moving truck
•Buy/find packing materials
•START PACKING
WEEKS
•ARRANGE APPRAISAL
•COMPLETE TITLE SEARCH (TITLE COMPANY WILL DO THIS)
WEEKS
•SECUREHOMEWARRANTY
•GETQUOTESFORHOMEINSURANCE
•SCHEDULETIMEFORCLOSING
•Contactutilitycompanies(water,electric,cable)
•Changeaddress:mailing,subscriptions,etc.
•Minimizegroceryshopping
•Keeponpacking
1 WEEKS TO MOVE
•OBTAINCERTIFIEDCHECKSFORCLOSING
•SCHEDULEANDATTENDFINALWALKTHROUGH
•Finishpacking
•Clean
•Packessentialsforafewnightsinnewhome
•Confirmdeliverydatewiththemovingcompany Writedirectionstothe newhome,alongwithyourcellphonenumber
closing day 10
CLOSING DAY
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.
CLOSING DISCLOSURE
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.
FINAL WALK THROUGH
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
CLOSING TABLE
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
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.
BRING TO CLOSING
• 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)
RECEIVE YOUR KEYS
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!
L E N D E R S & I N S P E C T O R S
protect your loan approval
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.
recommended LENDERS
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
AMYFOSDICK
Bank of Sun Prairie
Office: 608-467-1831
Mobile: 608-220-7731
Email: amy.fosdick@bankofsunprairie.com
MARGARETLANDPHIER
Johnson Financial Group
Office: 608-250-7234
Mobile: 608-225-0642
Email: mlandphier@johnsonfinancialgroup.com
RICKMCKINLEY
UW Credit Union
Office: 608-232-5000 x2015
Email: rmckinley@uwcu.org
DANO’BRIEN
Educated Mortgage Services, LLC
Office: 608-834-5000
Email: dan@edumtg.com
HomeInspections
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, such as an Electrician, Plumber, Roofer, etc
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 may be 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
We strongly recommend for you to be present at the inspection. If you have never seen an inspection report, it migh look a bit scary After all, the inspector does not tell you all of the good things about the house, only about the things that may need attention in the future If you are present, the inspector can explain what they see while both of you are right in the home
qualified INSPECTORS
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.
MIKEHOESER
AmeriSpec
Office: 608-276-8060
Email: mike.hoeser@amerispec.net
KYLEJENSEN
HomeStart Inspections
Cell: 608-609-0369
Email: kyle@homestart.pro
PATSKEFFINGTON
Inspection 360 Pros
Office: 608-492-0360
Email: pjskeffington@gmail.com
BRIANPAULL
Premier Inspection & Consulting Office: 608-845-9300
Email: brian@premierhomeinspector.com
KYLEBECKSTROM
Madison Home Inspection Office: 608-395-9689
Email: madisonhomeinspectionllc@gmail.com
PATRICKSHANNAHAN
New Roots Home Inspections Office: 608-354-5366
Email: Newrootshomeinspection@gmail.com
A B O U T U S
nice to meet you
Tom Syring
REALTOR®
“The Green Agent”*
Tom is a Realtor® with 20 years of experience as a real estate investor and home improvement contractor. He grew up in Green Bay and came to Madison to study Economics at the UW. Like many UW grads, Tom fell in love with Madison and decided to make it his home
As a Realtor®, Tom uses his extensive knowledge of homes and housing markets to help clients make informed decisions when buying or selling their homes He is well versed in new construction to turn of the century houses He enjoys helping people navigate the complex and occasionally stressful process of buying or selling a home. He is currently mentored by Broker Liz Lauer, one of the best in the business, and works alongside a team of outstanding Realtors at Lauer Realty Group who continually collaborate and share insights on the housing market.
Tom is a dedicated member of the Madison community He loves yoga and completed the 200-hour yoga teacher training at Perennial Yoga Tom enjoys bicycling, and twice finished the 300-mile ACT Ride, raising money to support people living with HIV/AIDS He served over 10 years in the US Army Reserve, and now serves regularly at Luke House, a community meals program on Madison’s east side During the summer, you may see him enjoying one of Madison’s great outdoor music festivals, such as AtwoodFest or La Fete de Marquette, or just out walking his dog Harry – a rescued Shih Poo.
Tom and his wife and daughter lived for 10 years in Sunset Village on the west side before moving to the near east side 8 years ago He loves character filled, walkable neighborhoods with a variety of architectural styles
* Tom likes to think of himself as The Green Agent because it reminds him of the superheroes from his childhood comic books - The Green Lantern and The Green Arrow And he worked in the “ green ” field of sustainability for 6 years, which helps him advise clients about sustainability in their homes.
MEET THE TEAM
Liz Lauer
BROKER/OWNER
Rachel Whaley
REALTOR®
Asher Masino
REALTOR®
Tamara McDougal
REALTOR®
Mark Gladue
BROKER
Minh Nguyen
REALTOR®
Lindsey Cooper
REALTOR®
Alejandra Torres
BROKER ASSOCIATE
Tina Rogers-Frisch
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT COMPLIANCE BROKER
Kate Weis
BROKER ASSOCIATE
Ben Anton
BROKER ASSOCIATE
Tobi Silgman
REALTOR®
Lindsey DeFlorian
REALTOR®
Brett Larson
BROKER ASSOCIATE
Jon Millard
MARKETING COORDINATOR
Toni Kraile
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT FOR GLADUE TEAM
Brian Rea
AGENT ENGAGMENT LAISON ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Cristina Daza
REALTOR®
Renee Heine
REALTOR®
OUTREACH Community
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.
R E V I E W S & M O R E
"It was a pleasure working with Lauer Realty Group Very knowledgeable and professional ”
"Top notch, straight-shooter, effective We're using them again "
"Great people to work with!"
"Liz Lauer and her team are amazing! We recently referred our client from Texas who was looking to buy a new home in Madison Liz was able to help her find the perfect new home We couldn't have been happier and highly recommend her services If you want a team of professionals, go with the Lauer Realty Group!"
"Friendly, knowledgeable staff that is fantastic to work with! I will always use them with any real estate deal in the future and recommend to friends and family!"
"The Lauer Reality Group is fantastic! They know how to get things done!"
We had a lot of questions and anxiety as a first time home buyer. Liz and her team were always there for us to answer any questions, big or small, and expertly guide us through the process of buying a house Liz's knowledge of Madison area housing market as well as her keen eye in noticing our needs was amazing We loved that she helped to focus and prioritize what really mattered to us We found a house perfect for us and will highly recommend Lauer Realty Group s done!"
"All around incredibly amazing experience with Liz and the Lauer Realty Group. The professionalism yet personal experience allowed for an enjoyable, smooth and successful purchase of a new home. Will be a future customer for sure-love working with the Lauer Realty Group team Best relators in Madison!"
"Liz has a great team and made the effort of getting a home painless. It’s clear that Liz has a lot of knowledge about the area, and helped out-of-towners like us get better integrated."
"Very comfortable to talk to! Great at giving suggestions on how to present our house! Right away we had showing after showing! Pretty much didn't stop until we accepted an offer! Very quick process for us!"
"I could not have had a better experience selling my house. Lauer is a true expert in real estate. I felt very comfortable and well cared for throughout the entire process."
"Totally knowledgeable about the process and market. Extremely trustworthy and does not hesitate to go to bat for you. Goes the extra mile without being asked. An all around great person to work with."
glossary of Real Estate terms
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
