Buyers Guide - Generic - Luxury

YOUR EXCLUSIVE GUIDE TO

LUXURY HOME BUYING P R EPAR ED E S P E C IA LLY F O R YO U BY JA N E S MITH

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JAN E SM ITH REALTOR®, CLHMS, CRS

619.456.7890 janesmith@rec.net www.JaneSmith.com Real Estate Concepts 123 Main Street San Diego, CA 92126 619.456.8900

A B OUT JAN E SM I TH The most important decision you can make when buying a home is choosing the right Realtor. You need someone with experience, who is dedicated to looking out for YOUR best interests.

Jane Smith is an energetic, passionate, driven woman who thrives in going the extra mile. She is a devoted wife who loves being active, and inspiring others to live well and be healthy. Jane brings this same passion and drive to every relationship she develops as a real estate agent. She is a top producer for Real Estate Concepts, focusing on luxury properties and their communities.

Jane attributes her success in real estate to her ability to understand the individual motivations of each client and her desire to forge lasting relationships with them. She measures her achievements in any real estate relationship by the value she’s added and the difference she’s made.

As a luxury real estate consultant, Jane is committed to staying on top of the latest trends in the local market. She also focuses on areas of specific concern for her clients, including upcoming local events and happenings and any news impacting the health and well-being of the community as a whole. xx 10 years of committed service in real estate xx Lifelong resident of your community xx Respected consultant within the community amongst homeowners and fellow REALTORS® xx Over 75 closed transactions per year xx Member of the Chamber of Commerce xx Proud supporter of The Children’s Miracle Network

CONTENTS Introduction

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My Commitment to You

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Understanding Your Requirements

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Researching Your Options

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Custom Build or Buy?

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Get PreApproved

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Look For a Property

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The Evaluation Process

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Presenting Your Offer

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Remove Contingencies

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Prepare for Closing

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Move In

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Frequently Asked Questions

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A Home Buyer's Glossary

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Your Guide to Buying a Home in the Prestigious Market Purchasing a luxury home requires sophisticated representation, including but not limited to, experience, market knowledge, professionalism, dedicated service, and most importantly, the ability to discern and negotiate the right property on behalf of your client.

My exclusive guide is intended to provide a tangible resource in the process of buying a luxury home.

My guarantee is to commit to the utmost discretion and provide personal concierge services throughout the process of finding your new property.

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MY C OM M IT M ENT TO YOU It is important to work with a Realtor who is not only committed to working with you, but who is also dedicated to finding you the RIGHT home. Your Realtor should be someone you trust and who is protective of your interests. As your Realtor, this is my commitment to you: CONCIERGE To focus on your specific needs and take care of all the small details, so you don't have to

VIEWING AND ASSESSING HOMES To view homes with you, provide a comparative analysis, and work with experts who can provide an in-depth analysis and advice

RESPONSIBILITIES To educate you about the professional responsibilities, including disclosure, loyalty, confidentiality, compliance, and accountability

CONSULTATION AND NEGOTIATION To provide full service consultation, together with expert negotiation on pricing and terms, with management of all documentation

UNDERSTANDING YOUR REQUIREMENTS To take the time to understand your requirements – location, property type, purpose, your must haves, local amenities – even if your goals changes

CLOSING To keep you fully informed about all activities that lead to the transaction closing

RESEARCHING THE MARKET To provide a sophisticated home search that will assist you with previewing homes and to keep you informed as new homes come on the market

DISCRETION To always keep your interests and privacy secure, so you know that you are working with someone with the utmost discretion

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UNDERSTANDING YOUR REQUIREMENTS Establishing Your Preferences and Expectations Traditionally, people purchase a property as a main residence. Understanding that your reason for buying a home may be different, it is important that I know your exact goals, along with your preferences and expectations.

PURPOSE What will be the home's primary purpose? Vacation home, a home closer to work?

LOCATION Are you looking at a specific area? City, rural, gated community, convenient location, privacy?

TYPE Is there a specific type of home that you are looking for? House, condo, lots of land, no land?

LIFESTYLE What is the lifestyle you are looking to lead and how can I help you achieve it?

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RESEARCHING YOUR OPTIONS Market Value vs Market Price As your real estate consultant, I will make note of all of your considerations and desires and begin researching the market to find your perfect home.

Regardless of your desired location, property type, or purpose, a critical part of a home search is to research the value of homes currently on the market.

The current selling price of a home does not mean that a property is ‘worth’ that amount to you– market conditions and what a buyer is willing to pay for a property affect the true value of the home at any moment.

When deciding the value of any property, the following criteria should be considered: xx Location of the property xx Condition of the property xx Buyer demand

xx Current prices of similar properties xx Recent sales of competitive properties xx Availability of financing and funds

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CUSTOM BUILD OR BUY? Determine Your Best Option As a discerning buyer, it can often be difficult to find your exact requirements when searching the market. Another option that should be investigated is the option to build your custom home.

LOCATION If location is the most important priority in your search, but the ideal home is not available, my insider knowledge of the area will assist you in purchasing a tear-down or empty lot.

BUILDERS As part of my service, I offer local, accredited architects and builders - but my ultimate goal is to ensure that you have both confidence and trust in my recommendations.

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS My service offers you all the right connections from interior designers to landscape architects, surveyors to appraisers, and mortgage advisors to international banking services. If you decide to renovate or build a new home, allow me to assist you.

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GET PRE -APPROVED Financial Considerations Luxury home sellers are only looking for serious and qualified buyers - whether you require a mortgage or not, it is always recommended to have your financial pre-approval ready to present.

PRE-QUALIFY VS. PRE-APPROVAL A pre-qualification letter provides general information on your finances, whereas a pre-approval letter requires extensive documentation and verification of your finances. It will state the amount you are pre-approved for and includes much more rigorous financial information.

BE PREPARED I will provide you with a comprehensive list of the items that are required when you wish to submit an offer – rules, regulations, and requirements are varied.

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LOOK FOR A PROPERTY Time To Find Your Dream Home With your requirements in mind, allow me to search for your dream home.

While the majority of home buyers start their search on the Internet, many high-end properties aren’t officially listed on the MLS or major search engines. As your consultant, I will: xx Tap into my network of recommended Realtors and Brokers, who specialize in the local, high-end market xx Research the local market so I can advise on schools, nuances to neighborhoods, as well as the property specifics xx Utilize technology that automatically sends home matches xx Access global networks to find properties not listed PROPERTY VISITS Zero in on your top picks by seeing properties in person because many sellers, protective of their privacy, refrain from putting extensive photos of their homes on the Internet.

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THE EVALUATION PROCESS Narrowing Down the Prospects Evaluating a luxury home is more complicated than a typical home; its unique features and aspects need to be thoroughly reviewed, as it is these very qualities that often make a home distinctively luxurious.

AS YOUR REAL ESTATE CONSULTANT I WILL: xx Schedule very detailed property tours to ensure you are able to appreciate aspects such as construction methods. xx Each county has its own requirements for seller's disclosures, and I will ensure you have full knowledge and understanding, so you can make an informed decision. xx Examine comparable properties - despite luxury homes being unique, it is still important that we review homes of similar stature to ensure we have a good basis on which to negotiate.

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PRESENTING YOUR OFFER Starting the Process As your consultant, it is my duty to provide you with the best information and advice so that your can make an informed decision. As your negotiator, I will utilize my experience and expertise to negotiate on your behalf.

An offer can be drafted with or without conditions; an offer without conditions is known as a firm or subject-free offer, and one with conditions is known as a conditional offer, which protects one party with the placement of certain conditions on the purchase.

POINTS TO CONSIDER IN YOUR NEGOTIATIONS: xx The condition of the home xx Length of time it’s been on the market xx Buyer activity xx Location xx Urgency of the seller The seller may accept your initial offer, reject your offer, or present a counter offer. The counter offer may differ from your original offer in respect to price, conditions, the closing date, or any other items. Offers can be countered back and forth between the parties until one of you accepts or rejects, ending the negotiations all together.

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A Few Reminders...

The complexity and scale of buying a luxury home raises the stakes.

Experts such as tax and financial planners, bankers, and attorneys should be consulted up front and often will be directly involved in the transaction. xx Never skip the inspection process; you always want to know what you are buying. xx Make sure inspections and repairs are made in a timely manner. xx While not required in every state or buying circumstance, a good local real estate attorney can save you a lot of headaches. xx Be prepared for closing costs. As your real estate consultant, I will advise you on what is expected for you to pay for – expenses at closing like transfer tax, attorney’s fees, title insurance, etc.

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REMOVE CONTINGENCIES Managing the Details Once both parties accept the sales contract and its contingencies (that is, any conditions either party may be subject to) they will start to work towards removing these conditions.

It is important to understand the options available to you should one of your conditions not be removable prior to the contract date. This does not automatically mean that the deal is dead: as your consultant, I will work with the seller’s agent to find a solution.

Equally, conditions that the seller needs to address can also be provided with extensions – this is particularly important when a problem is found during the house inspection.

As your consultant, I will advise you on the right course of action based on my knowledge and experience.

Once you are satisfied and wish to commit to purchasing the home, a contingency removal document will be prepared for both parties to sign.

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PREPARE FOR CLOSING Finalizing the Details After all the contingencies have been removed, it becomes the responsibility of the legal and financial institutions to prepare all the necessary paperwork. Should there be any issues, I will contact you.

Closing day marks the end of your home buying process. I will provide you with a comprehensive list of personal and financial requirements prior to this date.

At closing, you or your legal representative will sign all your documentation.

When closing is finished, I will give you the keys to the property and any documentation that relates to the property, including a statement of costs, a statement outlining your mortgage terms, your mortgage note, and a copy of your deed of trust. At the end of closing, the deed will be taken and recorded at the county clerk’s office. It will be sent to you after processing. I will also make arrangements to see the home the day before closing to ensure the home is in the condition per the contract agreement.

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MOVE IN The Moving Details Moving into your new home can be exciting time, but it can also be stressful. As your consultant, I will be there to help coordinate all the final moving details.

AS YOU CONSULTANT, I WILL:

YOU WILL WANT TO:

xx Locate and oversee a moving company that will be responsible for moving your belongings.

xx Clearly label each box on the outside, with a quick checklist of the items inside – this makes unpacking so much easier.

xx Order any moving supplies that are needed for the moving process.

xx Make a list of the items that need extra attention during moving. Label boxes as fragile, as needed.

xx Prepare a detailed map and directions for your movers, including a cell phone number where I can be reached on moving day.

xx Change your address – post office, banks, cable, Internet and phone, insurance company, utility company, credit card company, doctor and dentists, and any subscriptions you may have.

xx Be present when the truck is being loaded and unloaded just in case your movers have questions.

xx Pack a travel bag with the items your family may need on moving day such as toothbrushes, a change of clothing, medications, hair brushes, soap, toilet paper, etc.

xx Arrange for cleaners for the new home and old home. Even if the previous owner hires a cleaner, that extra touch before you arrive makes your new home feel fresh and ready.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO BUY? When you have found the right home. Don’t wait for perfect conditions to buy – they don’t exist.

HOW DO I CHOOSE A REALTOR? Ask if they know the local market, can they give you references, etc. Think of the process as equivalent to giving a job interview - do they know your local market, price points, and types of homes – ask for references!

HOW DO I FIND THE PERFECT HOME? Prioritizing and compromising are necessary elements to finding the right home. Compile a list of ‘must haves’ and then a list of ‘would likes’ – you will never find the right home otherwise.

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN IT’S RIGHT TO PRESENT AN OFFER? Don’t be afraid to write an offer - there is no commitment until you remove all the contingencies. However, don’t write an unrealistic offer. Offer instead what the property is worth to you, otherwise you may be helping someone else’s offer look good.

CAN I GET OUT OF A DEAL IF I DECIDE THE PROPERTY OR DEAL ISN’T RIGHT FOR ME? Don’t be afraid to back out of the deal, you have not gone too far until the subjects have been removed.

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A HOME BUYER’S GLOSSARY When buying a home, it’s important to understand some of the key concepts and terms. Throughout the purchase process, your Realtor will be available to explain any unfamiliar terms you encounter. That said, here is a short list of terms you’ll want to know: Abstract Of Title – A complete historical summary of the public records relating to the Contingency – A clause in the purchase contract that describes certain conditions that legal ownership of a particular property from the time of the first transfer to the present. must be met and agreed upon by both buyer and seller before the contract is binding.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) – Also known as a variable-rate loan, an ARM is one in Conventional Mortgage – One that is not insured or guaranteed by the federal government. which the interest rate changes over time.

Counter Offer – An offer, made in response to a previous offer, that rejects all or part of Agreement of Sale – Also known as contract of purchase, purchase agreement, or sales it, while enabling negotiations to continue towards a mutually-acceptable sales contract. agreement according to location or jurisdiction. A contract in which a seller and buyer agree to transact under certain terms spelled out in writing and signed by both parties.

Debt-to-Income Ratio – A ratio that measures total debt burden. It is calculated by dividing gross monthly debt repayments, including mortgages, by gross monthly income.

Amortization – The process of reducing the principal debt through a schedule of fixed payments at regular intervals of time, with an interest rate specified in a loan document. Deposit – The amount of money provided from the buyer to the seller as a token of the buyer’s assurance and intention to buy the property involved. The deposit is applied Appraisal – An appraiser’s estimate of the market value of a property, based on local against the purchase price of the home once the sale has closed. Your agent can assist you market data and the recent sale prices of similar properties. in proposing an appropriate amount for the deposit.

Assessed Value – The value placed on a home by municipal assessors for the purposes of Disclosures – Disclosure statements, which can come in a variety of forms, are the buyer’s determining property taxes. opportunity to learn as much as they can about the property. Seller disclosures include knowledge of issues with the home. They serve to inform buyers and they can protect Closing – The final steps in the transfer of property ownership. On the Closing Date, as the sellers from future legal action. It is the seller’s chance to lay out anything that can specified by the sales agreement, the buyer inspects and signs all the documents relating negatively affect the value, usefulness, or enjoyment of the property. to the transaction and the final disbursements are paid. Also referred to as the Settlement.

Down Payment – The money paid by the buyer to the lender at the time of the closing. The Closing Costs – The costs to complete a real estate transaction, in addition to the price of amount is the difference between the sales price and the mortgage loan. Requirements the home and may include: points, taxes, title insurance, appraisal fees, and legal fees. vary by loan type. Down payments less than 20% usually require mortgage insurance.

Closing Date – This is usually the date that the legal ownership of the property transfers Earnest Money – A deposit given by the buyer to bind a purchase offer and which is held from the seller to the buyer. in escrow. If the property sale is closed, the deposit is applied to the purchase price. If the buyer does not fulfill all contract obligations, the deposit may be forfeited.

Conditions or "Subjects" – Items that are usually put in place to protect a party’s interests upon selling or buying the property and refer to things that must occur or be in place Easements – Legal right of access to use a property by individuals or groups for specific before the sale closes. Some of these conditions could be “subject to financing approval,” purposes. Easements may affect property values and are sometimes part of the deed. “subject to the strata council allowing pets,” “subject to the buyer’s house selling,” “subject to seller finding suitable housing,” etc.

Equity – The value of the property, less the loan balance and any outstanding liens or other debts against the property.

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Escrow – Funds held by a neutral third party (the escrow agent) until conditions of a Principal – The amount of money borrowed from a lender to buy a home, or the amount contract are met and the funds can be paid out. Escrow accounts are also used by loan of the loan that has not yet been repaid. Does not include the interest paid to borrow. services to pay property taxes and homeowners insurance.

Purchase Contract – A detailed written document which makes an offer to purchase a Fixed-Rate Mortgage – A type of mortgage loan in which the interest rate does not change property, and may be amended several times in the process of negotiations. When signed during the entire term of the loan. by all parties involved in the sale, the Purchase Offer becomes a legally-binding sales agreement.* Home Inspection – Professional inspection of a home, paid for by the buyer, to evaluate the quality and safety of its plumbing, heating, wiring, appliances, roof, foundation, etc. Purchase Price – The amount that the buyer is offering to pay for the property, usually dependent on market conditions and may differ from the seller’s current asking price.

Home Warranty - Service contract that covers the repair or replacement of home system There is no “normal” amount or percentage that a price will differ from its asking price, components and appliances that break down. as the final price will be determined by many factors, including the seller’s motivation and how close the asking price is to actual “market value”.

Homeowners Insurance – A policy that protects you and the lender from natural disasters and liabilities such as a visitor injury or damage to your personal property.

Terms – An offer includes certain “terms”, which specify the total price offered and how the financing will be arranged, such as if you will arrange your own with a financial Inclusions and Exclusions – Specifications within the offer that detail the items to be institution or mortgage broker, or if you wish to take over the seller’s mortgage included or excluded from the purchase of the property. Typical inclusions are appliances, (assumability). window coverings, fixtures, and decorative pieces.

Title – The right to, and the ownership of, property. A Title or Deed is sometimes used as Lien – A claim or charge on property for payment of a debt. With a mortgage, the lender proof of ownership of land. Clear title refers to a title that has no legal defects. has the right to take the Title to your property if you don’t make the mortgage payments.

Title Insurance – Insurance policy that guarantees the accuracy of the title search and Market Value – The amount a buyer would pay a seller for a home. An appraised value is protects lenders and homeowners against legal problems with the title. an estimate of the current fair market value.

Title Search – A historical review of all legal documents relating to ownership of a property Mortgage Insurance – Purchased by the buyer to protect the lender in the event of default to determine if there have been any flaws in prior transfers of ownership or if there are (typically for loans with less than 20% down). Available through a government agency like any claims or encumbrances on the title to the property. the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or through private mortgage insurers (PMI).

Truth-In-Lending Act (TILA) – Federal law that requires disclosure of a Truth-In-Lending Possession and Adjustment Dates – When the buyer takes possession as specified in contract statement for consumer loans. The statement includes a summary of the total cost of of purchase sale and adjustments are made for prepaid taxes, maintenance fees, etc. They credit. are usually the same date. * The Purchase Offer and contract procedures vary by region.

Possession Date – The date, as specified by the sales agreement, that the buyer can move into the property. Generally, it occurs within a couple days of the Closing Date.

Pre-Approval Letter – A letter from a mortgage lender indicating that a buyer qualifies for a mortgage of a specific amount. It also shows a home seller that you’re a serious buyer.

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On behalf of myself and my team, I would like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to represent you. My goal and commitment is to make the home buying process as seamless as possible.

Regardless of your real estate needs, know that I am always here to assist you because I am not just providing a service, I am building a relationship.

Jane Smith

JA N E SMI TH | 619. 456. 7890 | J ANES MI TH@REC.N ET

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Each office independently owned and operated. Copyright Š April 2018