YOUR PARTNERS IN NAVIGATING REAL ESTATE WITH CONFIDENCE
IT'S NOT JUST A HOUSE.
IT'S YOUR HOME.
We make a lot of purchases in our lives. But there is one purchase that will impact your life or your family's life more than any other. It's the memories of a bonfire in the backyard, the giant flour mess while baking cookies, laughing together playing games.
It's more than just a house. It's where you live. Where you love. Where you raise a family. Where you have your best days and your worst days. It's your home.
CONTENTS
THE BUYING PROCESS
BUYING COSTS
REAL ESTATE TERMS
COMMON QUESTIONS
MOVING?
MEET THE SOUTHERN DREAMING TEAM
BUYER REPRESENTATION
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
BUYER EXPERIENCES
THE BUYING JOURNEY
CONSULTATION
PRE-APPROVAL
HOUSING GOALS
HOME SEARCH
Meet with your real estate agent early on. They will help you determine the best approach for your situation.
Get pre-approved by a lender. This will set your budget and give you a leg up when writing offers.
Determine your needs and wants when it comes to a house and it's location.
Once the foundation is set, it's time to go look homes! This is the fun part!
OFFER
You will find that perfect home. When you do, it'll be critical to write an effective, strategic offer.
LENDER & TITLE
INSPECTION
CLOSING
Once under contract, your lender and title company will get to work on the details.
An inspection is a very important part of the process and something we always recommend.
After all the hard work, closing day will finally come and you will be a new homeowner!
CONSULTATION
it's never too early to start the conversation
You can never talk to your trusted real estate agent too early. It's important that you consult with your realtor very early in the process. You want to be aware of the process well in advance, so you can begin preparing. Sometimes moves can be unexpected, but if you have the luxury of planning ahead, take advantage of it.
In an initial consultation, your agent will help you understand the buying process and local market conditions. You will make a timeline and general game plan of how to work together to find your perfect home. Your agent should be giving you names of their vetter industry professionals who can help you with the process, such as lenders. They also will likely give you some homework to help you better understand what you're looking for.
PRE-APPROVAL
While it's way more fun to think about what kind of kitchen you want, it's extremely important to first understand your finances. Your budget is going to be one of the major criteria for your home search.
To begin, we always suggest our clients reach out to several lenders for quotes. Lenders' rates and fees can vary drastically, and it's worth taking your time exploring different options. Once you select a lender, you can apply for the mortgage loan.
The lender then does a very extensive review of your finances. A pre-approval letter spells out how much they will let you borrow, the down payment amount, and the loan type. This letter not only helps you understand how much you can afford, but it also lets sellers know you are serious and capable of purchasing their home.
YOUR HOUSING GOALS
MUST HAVE WANT TO HAVE NICE TO HAVE
LOCATION
FLOOR PLAN
HOME TYPE
from $_ to $_ city, neighborhood, schools, commute, proximity to activities, safety
open concept, flow, one level or multi-level
single family, townhouse, condo
SIZE ROOMS
sqaure footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms
bonus room, formal dining, office, separate den, laundry
KITCHEN
style, island, cabinet storge, pantry, open concept
STYLE
modern, traditional, historic, new construction, renovated
FINISHES
COMMUNITY
YARD PARKING
flooring, countertops, lighting, hardware
pool, golf course, playground, tennic courts, clubhouse, gated, HOA
size, maintenance, privacy, deck, patio, entertaining space, fence, pool
garage spaces, carport, open parking pad
SHOWINGS
After the background work getting ready, it's finally time to look at some homes! This is our chance to start exploring houses and seeing what does and doesn't feel right for you. When you do your homework on the front end, this part is easy and fun.
Buyers look at 10 homes on average before writing an offer. Some of our clients have written an offer on the first house they saw while others have looked at dozens before finding the one. The right home is out there for you and we will find it!
WRITING AN OFFER
This is such an exciting part of the process because it means you found a home that you love! While it can be a little bit intimidating to know how to structuture a sound offer, just know we'll be by your side to guide you through every step of the way.
There are many aspects of the offer agreement that can be used as negotiation leverage. We have a deep knowledge of current market conditions, so we can best advise you on the terms to choose in order to have the best chance of moving forward.
The sellers can accept, reject, or counter your offer. It's very common for a counter and further negotiations to find an outcome both parties like.
TITLE
You and the seller will each have a title company working on the deal. After the title company receives the contract, they will open escrow.
They will need some information from you throughout the process. We will continue to help faciliatate communication and keep you on track with your deadlines.
LENDER
You will need to notify your lender as soon as you go under contract. They will begin the underwriting process and collect any additional documents needed.
Your lender will also order an appraisal of the property. This is a professional assessment of the value of the home.
INSPECTION
We strongly advise all of our buyers to have a home inspection. During an inspection, a qualitifed professional takes a very detailed look through the entire home.
There are usually several unknown issues that are uncovered during the inspection. There's often further negotiation after this is complete.
FINAL WALK
A day or two before closing, we will do our final walkthrough. This is to ensure everything is in the same or better condition than when you went under contract. We will also verify that any agreed-upon repairs have been fully completed.
CLOSING!
This is the big day! We know getting to this day is not easy. There is a lot of work that goes into finally getting to the closing table.
Your last little step is signing documents at your title office. This should take around 45 minutes. Make sure you bring your ID!
After you and the sellers have signed, the house is officially yours! Sellers usually provide keys as soon as the loan funds, then you can go home! Congratulations!
HOME BUYING COSTS
INITIAL
Earnest Money: 1% - 2% Purchase Price
Down Payment: 3% - 25% Purchase Price
Inspection: $300 - $900
Loan & Title Costs
Appraisal: $300 - $600
Mortgage Fees
Loan Application Fee: $0 - $500
Loan Origination Fee: 0.5% - 1%
Title Search: $75 - $200
Prorated Amounts
Transfer Tax
Title Search/Insurance
Moving expenses
Mortgage Insurance
HOA Fees
Utilities
Maintenance
MLS
The MLS is the Multiple Listing Service. This is the best way to find all available, upcoming, pending, and sold listings. Only licensed realtors can view all of the relevant information on this platform.
THE LINGO
CMA
A comparative market analysis is a way to determine a home’s value by comparing it to other similar homes. We will provide a CMA for the home you’re interested in to give you an estimated value.
PITI
PITI is short for principle, interest, taxes, and insurance. With most mortgages, these components are combined together to determine what your monthly mortgage payment will be.
CD
A closing disclosure will be provided by your lender 3 days before closing. This document provides all your loan info. You'll also receive a settlement statement from your title companny.
EARNEST MONEY
This deposit to the seller shows your intention to purchase their home. It’s usually 1-3% of the purchase price and will be credited to you at closing.
CONTINGENCY
When writing an offer, buyers have the ability to add contingencies. These are conditions that if not met, the contract can be terminated. Exaples of are financing, inspection, or home sale.
COMMON QUESTIONS
WHAT SHOULD I DO FIRST?
We recommend beginning with loan preapproval, because that frames the rest of your home buying process and makes you stand out to sellers.
HOW MUCH DO I NEED FOR A DOWN PAYMENT?
Your down payment requirement depends on your loan and financial situation. It can be as low as 3% or you can pay 100% cash for the property. Many buyers put down 20%.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO FIND A HOME?
It can take days or even months to find the perfect home depending on what you want and the market. Once we are under contract, it’s typically 30-45 days to close.
DO I REALLY NEED A REAL ESTATE AGENT?
You can find a home without an agent. However, the process is much easier for you if you hire an agent. You’re more likely to find the right house and get it for a better price.
SHOULD I OFFER ASKING PRICE?
It depends on how the property is priced relative to the market, how long it's been for sale, and how badly you want the home. We'll advise you based on specific circumstances.
WHAT KIND OF MORTGAGE DO I NEED?
The type of mortgage you need will depend on your available cash, income, and credit score. There are several types available, and your lender will help you decide.
WHAT HAPPENS IF WE FIND ISSUES WTIH THE HOME?
Inspections often uncover issues with homes that sellers are unaware of. You can walk away from the deal, accept it as is, or try to renegotiate with the sellers for repairs or credits.
CAN I LOSE MY DOWN PAYMENT?
Yes, you can potentially lose your down payment if you breach the contract. There are times in which you can legal exit the contract and times in which you risk losing your deposit.
WHEN DO I GET THE KEYS TO MY NEW HOUSE?
After closing, your lender funds the loan (typically same day but it may take longer depending on the closing day/time). Once the loan is funded, you can get the keys and go home!
MEET YOUR TEAM
We are a mother-daughter team and are incredibly grateful for the privilege to work alongside one another while serving our clients. Through our combined strengths, experiences, and perspectives, we deliver an effective and well-rounded approach. With our team, you gain not only the advantage of a broader skillset but also the unwavering commitment of two highly motivated individuals.
JESSICA LEE
Jessica is a highly motivated and driven individual, always striving for excellence. She holds a double major in Marketing and Entrepreneurship and loves being able to serve clients through real estate. She is also a professional photographer, an outdoor enthusiast, and a lifelong learner.
MONIKA LEE
Monika brings over 25 years of expertise across various facets of real estate. Her expertise shines when guiding buyers and sellers, navigating investments and 1031 exchanges, and managing rental homes. She consistently exceeds client expectations. Monika enjoys spending time with family, hiking, and traveling.
THE SOUTHERN DREAMING DIFFERENCE
We are committed to making the process of finding and buying a home fun and engaging, while equipping you to feel condident in your purchase. With our extensive experience, unwavering passion for real estate, successful negotiating strategies, and unparalleled work ethic, we are well-positioned to help you achieve your home-buying goals.
Our comprehensive, detail-oriented buyer ensures we find you the perfect home that meets your needs. We'll help you navigate this entire process, making sure nothing is overlooked. This is your time to focus on your move, leave the nuanced details to us.
EXPERIENCE
30+ YEARS OF COMBINED REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
EXPERTISE
IMMENSE LOCAL KNOWLEDGE OF MARKET DYNAMICS
EXPECTATION
PROFESSIONALISM, COMMITTMENT, AND CLEAR COMMUNICATION
SELLER'S AGENT
Professional advocating solely for sellers' interests
Complete loyalty to sellers' needs
Obligated to share all information you provide with their client
Working to maximize sales price
All terms made benfit the sellers
Negotiate on behalf of sellers
Work to optimize seller outcomes
BUYER'S AGENT
Professional advocates for your interests
Complete loyalty to your needs
Confidentiality aids in better negotiation strategies and free communication
Working to get you the best deal
Terms that benefit you
Negotiate on your behalf
Work to optimize your outcome
REPRESENTATION MATTERS
Buying and selling agents have very contradictory duties to buyers. If you choose to go at this journey alone, you'll have an agent on the other side who is actively working against your best interest.
Having a knowledgeable, experienced realtor representing you puts you on a more level playing field. Our full-time job is to know the ins and outs of this process. We are equipped to handle the nuanced details of negotiating, writing strategic contracts, legal obligations.
A GREAT REAL ESTATE AGENT WILL PROVIDE INVALUABLE INSIGHT AND GUIDE YOU TOWARD YOUR BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME
LEVERAGING SOURCES TO FIND HOMES
TRAINED NEGOTIATION
PROPERTY & MARKET INSIGHT
PRICING EVALUATIONS
UNDERSTANDING FINANCING
STRATEGIC OFFER STRUCTURING
LEGAL DOCUMENT GUIDANCE
STREAMLINED INSPECTIONS
NAVIGATING DEADLINES
OVERCOMING ROADBLOCKS
OFFER PRESENTATION
POST-CLOSING SUPPORT
OUR COMMITTMENTS
EXPERTISE COMMUNICATION
INTEGRITY
UNDERSTANDING
ORGANIZATION
LISTENING PATIENCE
LOYAL AVAILABLE
YOU COULD GO AT IT ALONE . . .
OR HAVE A TEAM BY YOUR SIDE EVERY STEP OF THE JOURNEY
WORDS FROM OUR CLIENTS
I have been fortunate enough to have found Monika Lee to be our real estate agent. She has represented us in a residential sale and has also as we have purchased a primary residence and several rental properties over the last year. Monika has been consistent and works with a sense of urgency from the beginning to the end of the process whether it be a purchase or a resale. She makes you feel like you are the most important customer to her, knowing that she has many other clients that she is also working with. She is professional, very knowledgeable and is a very sharp negotiator always considering what is best for her client. If you or someone you know is ever in need of a true real estate professional, I would urge you to reach out to Monika Lee! She is the best.
Andy Slay
Monika is such a kind, caring and knowledgeable professional. She brought our family through a very challenging process of getting back to a specific neighborhood that we needed to be in - NOT an easy task in this market. I was always able to reach Monika when I needed her, and she gives above and beyond what is required to get the best result possible. A true treasure!
Beth Miller
We recently had the pleasure of working with Monika to move across the country. Her wealth of information about the Nashville area was invaluable to us. She has a vast amount of knowledge, not only about the different areas, but a keen understanding of neighborhood nuances. She is a long time real estate investor, a savvy real estate negotiator, a very good listener and an agent who will always look out for clients best interest. On top of that, she is a genuinely nice person who is trustworthy and honest. She loves what she does and it shows. We would not hesitate for a second to recommend Monika Lee to any seller or buyer. You will be in excellent hands from start to finish.
Thomas Koeppe
BUYER SUCCESS STORIES
3351 CHERRY JACK LN, THOMPSON ST. NEW CONSTRUCTION
The buying process is different in new constuction compared to existing home sales. Through our experience with developers, we know how to effectively negotiate deals. We helped our clients through negotiating an offer that made the house more functional for them, while saving them a signifcant portion of cash at closing.
This home was listed during a hot housing market. With our understanding of niche market activity, we knew our clients needed to act fast and submit a strong offer. We guided our buyer on how to strucutre an effective offer that would win among other competing buyers.
9171 RADRICK RIDGE, BRENTWOOD OFF-MARKET SALE
Our buyers were very eager to get into this specific neighborhood, but there were no homes available. Using our network, we were able to find an owner willing to sell. When we have clients looking for something specific, we go the extra mile to find creative approaches to meeting their needs.
7009 SALMON RUN, SPRING HILL REAL ESTATE INVESTING
With an extensive background in property management and investing, we are well-equipped to help real estate investors.. We worked with this client to find several properties in locations that would offer good returns. Finding a home with strong income potential is important in these circumstances.
BUYING A HOME IS LIFE-ALTERING DECISION. NOT ONLY DOES IT IMPACT YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE, BUT IT'S A MASSIVE FINANCIAL INVESTMENT. WE'D LOVE TO GUIDE YOU TOWARD MAKING THE RIGHT DECISION.
