a guide to HOME BUYING
home is
…
Where we make memories. Where we build relationships. Where we celebrate milestones. Where we laugh. Where we love. Where we dream.
It’s so much more than a place to live – and finding that special place you want to call home starts with finding an agent who understands that.
But for most, a real estate professional is an indispensable partner in the homebuying process. While today’s buyers are more educated about real estate than ever before, all the research in the world can’t match an experienced agent’s “in-the-trenches” understanding of what’s happening in the market today And when the most in-depth market knowledge is backed by the best marketing and technology in the business, the results are unmatched.
With a wealth of online resources and countless reality T V shows about real estate, it’s not surprising some homebuyers consider a DIY approach when purchasing a new home.
an i ndi s p e nsabl e pa r tne r
As one of the nation’s largest and most innovative real estate brands, @properties o ers the expertise and resources to make your home-buying experience seamless, and just as importantly, enjoyable
brokerage firm in the U.S. annual sales volume network of agents let’s get better @ p ro p e r ti e s h a s g row n i nto o n e of th e to p 1 0 b ro ke r a g e fi rm s i n th e n ati o n with ove r $2 3 b ill i o n i n ann u a l s a l e s vol u me M ea nw h i l e , R L A H @ p ro p e r ti e s h a s b e e n n a m e d th e f a s te s t g rowi n g re a l e s t ate co m pa ny i n th e D M V a cco rd i n g to th e Wa s h i n g to n B u si n e s s J o u r na l.
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While we continue to grow, @properties maintains its entrepreneurial spirit, collaborative environment, and commitment to delivering the very best experience in local real estate We are constantly evolving, but remain focused on that one simple idea behind our founding
@properties was built around a simple but elusive concept: provide agents and clients with the highest level of service in the industry through cutting-edge sales and marketing programs and a culture that values innovation, relationships, and excellence.
What began as a four-person company in 2000 has grown into one of the Chicagoland and surrounding areas.
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the buying process
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It’s important to ask potential agents questions related to their experience and routines, and to listen for the questions they ask to be certain they will understand your Experienneedsce
ch o o s e a n ag e n t
in your preferred neighborhood and/or style of home is important, but so is the comfort level between agent and client, because buying a home is a highly personal experience Your agent should be someone you like, trust, and respect—and who feels the same way about you.
In today’s home-buying environment, a mortgage pre-approval is essential. It not only lets you know what you can a ord to buy, but also demonstrates to sellers that you are a willing and able buyer What’s more, it gives you an important head start in securing an actual loan commitment.
Location Consider important factors such as schools, transportation, and neighborhood amenities like shops, restaurants and parks.
Compare Properties – Provide candid feedback to your agent after every property you see so they will be able to adjust the parameters of your search. When you
View Properties Your agent will schedule showings and accompany you on appointments.
At this stage of the game, you are ready to begin your home search. Here’s what you can expect to do:
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Review Listings Your agent will present you with available listings. Beyond price and property attributes, pay close attention to data like property taxes, market time, and monthly assessments for condos and townhomes.
Features and Amenities Think about your wants and needs, such as garage parking,
Type of Home There are a variety of housing styles to consider Weigh the pros and cons to narrow your focus.
Almost every home purchase involves some degree of compromise. There are many variables to think about depending on your lifestyle, budget and future plans, but some universal considerations include:
c re ate a wis h li st
Open Houses If you’re attending open houses without your agent, be sure to mention that you are represented by an RLAH @properties agent, along with their name This will save you from being inundated with calls from other agents.
ke a n o e r
A mortgage contingency stipulates that you will buy the home subject to obtaining a mortgage If you cannot obtain a mortgage, and the then the contract will be void
based on the strategy you and your agent have discussed. Your agent will draw up a contract that includes your o er price and other terms and contingencies Here are some of the most common elements of a real estate contract:
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Earnest Money –
ma
Home Inspection Contingency
Mortgage Contingency
Price The market will determine the formulate an o er based on current market conditions and comparable listings and sales
A thorough inspection of the property by a licensed home inspector highlights potential structural or material problems that may not be detectable in a casual walk-through.
Closing Date This is usually the date the seller must vacate and the buyer may occupy the property Flexibility on the closing date can give a buyer a big advantage over other potential buyers
Earnest money is a good-faith deposit, given to the seller, which secures the contract until the closing If the sale does not go through due to contingencies in the contract, the earnest money may be returned to the buyer. Discussion with your RLAH @properties agent about earnest money is highly recommended
con t ra c t to c l o si n g
• be present
There are dozens of loose ends to tie up between signing the contract and closing the sale Your agent will coordinate and oversee the following steps:
• they have been met
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• Deliver earnest money
• Obtain important documents, such as property disclosure forms and condominium documents (budget, and deliver them to the buyer and buyer’s attorney, if applicable
After submitting an o er on a property there will likely be countero ers made during negotiation. Your agent will draw upon his or her experience and market knowledge to o er sound advice during a negotiation, and he or she can also serve as a bu er between the buyer and the seller/seller ’s agent.
• Recommend mortgage brokers and help expedite the loan-application process
ne g o ti ate co un te ro er s
• Recommend and schedule a home inspector and accompany the buyer on the inspection
• Recommend service providers for moving, home-improvement and repairs
• Coordinate and attend your closing
One of our core values is “Everything is Relationship ” We maintain relationships with clients long after the closing. That means we’re always excited to help you make life a little easier
• Home Improvement want to tackle once they move in. Your agent has the network and resources to a davit of title.
a f te r yo u bu y
Typically, a day or two prior to the closing, your lender will forward all loan documentation to the title company and let you know the amount required to close You will be responsible for bringing the balance of your down payment and closing costs (such as lender fees, title
to the closing in the form of a cashier ’s check or other, predetermined payment form such as a wire transfer At the closing, the title company company and your agent will guide you through the documents you need to sign, including the bill of sale, the deed, and the
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c losi n g
• Rebuilding Your Savings and Maintaining Financial Discipline It’s important to set up an automatic electronic payment with your mortgage lender, to avoid costly penalties associated with late payments. Buyers should also make a plan for gradually rebuilding their savings account.
• Refinancing Keep an eye on interest rates even after you purchase your home
Your agent will work closely with you, your lender, as well as the seller ’s agent and the title company to make sure everything is in place for a smooth and e cient closing.
Do you have to be close to public transportation?
If we could time this perfectly, when would you like to move into your new home?
GarageBathrooms:Bedrooms:Locations:(Y/N, Detached/Attached):
Basement (Full / Partial / Finished / Unfinished):
How much renovation are you willing to do?
Do you have any physical needs that must be met, such as wheelchair access?
Describe Your Ideal Home
Are there any features/needs that you want to consider when looking for your home?
Would you like to live in an area with a community association?
Do you have any pets? Do they have any needs as you look for a home?
Home Type:Yard (Y/N):
Have you purchased a home in the past, and what was that experience like?
If we found your ideal home today, are you in a position to write an offer immediately?
online tools
• Interactive maps embedded within search results
• Listing detail pages with professional
• Video library that showcases neighborhoods and @properties listings
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• Enhanced property search functionality that allows users to draw their search area and sort through properties by neighborhood, price, property type, schools and transportation
Our website includes access to all properties listed in the local MLS along with detailed community information and market trends. Sign up to customize and manage your houses, and save properties. Other features include:
• Advanced school district boundary data
• Social sharing
At the heart of this e ort is pl@tform™, our proprietary suite of end-to-end technology applications that make the buying and selling process more seamless. Core technologies include a digital Comparative Market Analysis tool that helps buyers gauge pricing and market activity relative to their home search, and a number of behind-the-scenes tools real pl@testateform™
pl@t f or m ™
While real estate is still very much a relationship business, RLAH@properties embraces technology in ways that enhance the consumer experience and keep our clients ahead of the curve
was developed in-house by @properties’ programming and marketing teams,
Your RLAH@properties agent will prepare a CMA to help you formulate an o er based on the market right here, right now.
At RLAH@properties, we have created a technology that streamlines the CMA and ensures our clients are one step ahead of the competition. Unlike a traditional CMA, RLAH@properties’ Digital CMA is up-to-the-minute accurate, using real-time data from the local Multiple Listing Service The interactive report allows you to add comments to individual listings, pin new properties to your CMA, and receive e-mail alerts with information on newly-listed properties as well as status changes to current listings
A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is one of the most relied-upon pricing resources that agents use to gauge a home’s current value This report evaluates a home alongside other properties closed, active and pending “comparables” taking into account variables like location, property features, market times, and price changes
RLAH@p rop e rties' digi t al CM A
Guiding
your real estate transaction from contract to closing is a multi-step process that requires proactive management and thorough attention to detail.
188 Harbor St NW Washington DC 20036 610 Dundee Rd Bethesda MD 20815 250 White Oak Lane Arlington VA 22203 12 Westmoor St NW Washington DC 20036 Our emphasis on communication, organization and follow through ensures that deadlines are met, documents are distributed, and every item is in place to make your trans Our agents managementwill: • Distribute contracts to all relevant parties • Coordinate attorney review, if applicable • Coordinate a home inspection • Provide information to lenders • Distribute required disclosure forms • Collect important documents such as condominium declaration and required • Coordinate an appraisal • Coordinate walk-throughs • Update you when contingencies have • Coordinate your closing contract to closing –what we do for you
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