Realtors often have access to information about homes going on the market before the public They can also arrange open houses and tours of homes that match your criteria
Realtors offer insightful details about the neighborhoods you are considering.
The process of buying a home requires a good deal of paperwork Your real estate agent will help you fill out all documents and get them submitted properly
Realtors deal with the difficult conversations that need to happen They will also help you submit a strong offer and negotiate with the seller on your behalf
Connect Knowledge Attention Professional Expert
Realtors are there to answer any questions you have along the way They offer an objective opinion when analyzing the features you're looking for
REAL ESTATE BROKER About Me
C: (509) 380-1480
My name is Annastasia Batsell. I was born and raised in the Tri-Cities and have developed a deep connection with my hometown. What I love most about Tri-Cities is that it is a great place to raise a family and we have the pleasure to enjoy all four beautiful seasons! I am a proud dog mom. I love the outdoors, hiking, camping, and dancing
I'm outgoing and have no problem carrying on a good conversation. I'm also a great listener and I care about your needs I express great empathy for my clients and also help to confidently guide them through the selling or buying process. It is a great investment that comes with a lot of emotions. I like to provide a good balance of knowledge and understanding when helping to buy or sell a home.
Annastasia
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
Annastasia was extremely helpful, energetic and friendly Always responded right back to me regarding a house to look at. Very knowledgeable on the whole process and who to contact for inspections and/or repairs Very happy with the results :)
Annastasia was the most incredible agent ever!! Didn’t matter what was needed or what needed to be done, she was there She is happy and bubbly and so sweet She makes the whole experience so much easier and less stressful. We would recommend her to anyone looking to buy or sell. We’ve done both with her and think she’s the best ever!!
Annastasia is the best! She is so kind and helpful. Her patience through the selling of our home made the world of a difference. She sees you as a person and not just a dollar sign She went above and beyond MULTIPLE times I would recommend her to anyone that is looking to sell or buy thank you so much Annastasia! You were part of a big chapter in our life and we’ll forever be grateful!
@annastasia realtortricities
Working with Anna was a breeze From the get go she knew exactly what we liked and wanted and in our second showing, was able to show us the house of our dreams. Super efficient!!! It checked all the boxes - price wise, specification wise we were pleasantly surprised Additionally as first time home buyers, we were completely oblivious of the process and she walked us through all the bits and bobs from start to finish The biggest plus was how wonderful she is as a human being and that comes through in the way she cares for her clients. We look forward to working with her again and highly recommend having her as your agent.
Anastasia was professional and prompt and I would highly recommend her!
BEHIND THE SCENES
When hiring your Windermere Group One Realtor®, you get the benefit of a t scenes to support your transaction Our team ranges from a full-fledged mark managers, and more, as seen below
❱ The "Hey Look At Us" Crew
Our marketing team makes sure all eyes are on your home They are award-winning and nationally recognized with backgrounds in digital marketing You can rest assured that you are in good hands with this crew!
❱ Socrates Of Real Estate
❱ Stats Queen
We don't know what we would do without our transaction review specialist She researches and organizes our local market statistics; keeping an eye on all of our contracts to ensure they meet all requirements and guidelines for a smooth closing
❱ Task Masters
Our sales managers teach and assist in daily transactions One phrase with which you may be familiar, "We know a thing or two because we've seen a thing or two," greatly applies to these two and the knowledge they hold!
*Quote From Farmer's Insurance
❱ Keepers Of The Cash
Agent support keeps everything organized and running smoothly. This team ensures all
❱ Stone Turner
Accounting ensures your earnest money is handled with care, they keep finances organized, secure, and accurate the fine details are in place so that nothing gets overlooked
Helping us always achieve our goal to raise the industry standard and bringing you the most forward-thinking ways of doing real estate
As they say, leaving no stone unturned!
❱ 70+ Realtors
Always lending a hand, sharing their expertise, assisting as needed, bringing buyers to your listings and more. It's good to have a team!
Sam Katie Haley
Mikayla
Andy Ryan
Angela Alison
Keith
THE WINDERMERE
Difference
Here at Windermere Group One, we believe there is a better way to do real estate - A more valuable, less invasive way Better real estate service is responsive to customers’ needs, builds a community, and earns brand loyalty It creates an environment that improves our entire industry – an environment where customers are earned rather than bought It starts with the core values we live by at the office every day
❱ Knowledge
We believe knowledge is confidence and there is always something to learn That is why we provide multiple training opportunities each week across all aspects of our industry to include contracts, marketing and more so that you can ensure you are in the best possible hands. We choose to build our company in a way that critically examines best practices, often paving our own better path forward. Working together and sharing information with all involved parties is rather unique in this business, but we believe it is the best way to get the job done
❱ Integrity
We believe in representing ourselves and our intentions honestly to our clients and coworkers. We believe our integrity is what sets us apart, but also brings us together
❱ Communication
We keep our clients and industry professionals informed every step of the way. We recognize there are different expectations on the level of communication wanted and strive to learn those expectations. Once we know the level of communication wanted and needed, we deliver on it
Care
We show the utmost care for our clients, coworkers and other professionals in the industry We recognize it’s not about the transaction, but about meeting the client's needs. The golden rule we learned in grade school said it best - treat others the way you wish to be treated. This way, clients and other professionals in the industry will look forward to working with us
❱ Commitment
Our job is to help our clients meet their goals We are committed to serving our clients long-term, meaning our relationship doesn’t end with the purchase or sale of a house. Our clients can always look to us for their real estate needs no matter where they are in their real estate journey. We are also committed to our community, giving back without asking for anything in return We believe providing value and helping others is its own reward
COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY
"The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members."
-Coretta Scott King
❱ Giving back has always been a big part of who we are In the early days of Windermere, it was pretty simple; we would see a need and help any way we could. But as we grew, we realized we could accomplish much more if we had a common purpose. That’s how the Windermere Foundation was born.
❱ Our agents have proven time and time again how committed they are to making their communities a better place to live Their generosity funds backpacks full of food so school kids don’t go hungry on the weekends They help keep families in their homes by covering housing costs And their donations make sure the homeless are getting their most basic needs met, and the dignity that goes with it
❱ Since 1984, Windermere agents have dedicated an annual day of work to those in need
❱ These hands-on projects benefit a wide variety of community-based organizations
❱ Projects have included maintenance at a senior center, construction of a children’s playground, sorting duties at a food bank and so much more!
FAQS Buyers Edition
1. How do I know if the property is a good deal?
While there's no crystal ball on whether a certain home is a bargain and/or if it will appreciate in value Rest assured that with your agent's market research, you can keep surprises to a minimum The best way is to check out comps "Comps" are what similar properties have sold for or are currently listed for on the market
2. Should I get a home inspection?
A home inspector takes a weight off your shoulders by looking into the condition of the roof, electrical, heating and air, plumbing, etc. Ensuring these things work prevents you from paying to fix them in the future. If some things are not up to par, you can negotiate with the seller to get those items fixed prior to moving forward.
3. When can I back out if I change my mind?
While buyers can always back out of a deal, often without paying a dime, doing so without good reason may forfeit their earnest money (the cash put down to secure the offer)
4. Third Party Estimates
Online evaluations such as Zestimates may be entertaining, however, they routinely trend about 6% higher than our current market
5. What is Earnest Money?
Earnest money is a deposit made to a seller that represents a buyer's good faith to purchase the home The deposit can be wired or be made via a personal/cashier's check It is due at the escrow company in a certain number of days as mutually agreed upon. The money will be held at the escrow company and applies toward your amount due at closing.
6. Can I write a contingent offer?
There are many different types of contingencies available to you as a buyer to include in your offer Options include: financing contingency, inspection contingency, appraisal contingency, sale and funding contingencies and more
7. What are things I can negotiate on?
You can often negotiate purchase price, earnest money, closing date, included items, seller contributions and contingencies
8. What's the difference between an appraisal and an inspection?
The purpose of an appraisal is to determine the fair market value of the property, typically ordered by your lender and conducted by a real estate appraiser An inspection determines the condition of the home and identifies any items in need of repair or replacement and is conducted by a real estate inspector.
C o u n t e r O f f e r
O f f e r D e n i e d
B U Y E R S T i m e l i n e
S t a r t H o u s e H u n t i n g M a k e a n O f f e r
G e t P r e q u a l i f i e d E a r n e s t M o n e y
M e e t W i t h L e n d e r
O f f e r A c c e p t e d
A p p r a s i a l
S c h e d u l e d I n s p e c t i o n
P u r c h a s e & s a l e a g r e e m e n t g o e s t o T i t l e a n d L e n d e r
I n ! S T A R T
B u y e r I n t e r v i e w
S O L D
C l o s i n g & E s c r o w
R e c o r d a t C o u n t y
Your First Step In Home Ownership
Why Get Pre-Approved?
Shopping for a home may be exciting and fun, but you don't want to fall in love with a home out of your budget Most sellers also expect buyers to have a pre-approval letter and will be more willing to negotiate with those who prove that they can obtain financing By getting pre-approved, you'll know how much house you can afford and let sellers and real estate agents know you have the finances lined up and are a serious buyer
Things to Have for Preapproval:
Your Residence History
- Your previous address for last 2 years and length lived at each If you rent, the landlord's contact info to verify recent rental history
Your Employment History
- Names & addresses of employers for the last 2 years Date of employment, gross income amount from paystubs for last 30 days
Savings, Checking, and Investment Accounts
- Balance of checking, savings, & mutual fund accounts on 2 most recent statements
*More info may be required, but this will get you started.
Questions To Ask A Lender:
❱ Which type of mortgage is best for me?
❱ How much down payment will I need?
❱ Do I qualify for any down payment assistance?
❱ What is my interest rate?
❱ Will you be pulling a hard credit check on me?
❱ Will I have to pay mortgage insurance?
❱ What will my monthly payment be?
❱ What other costs will I pay at closing?
❱ How often will I be updated on the loan’s progress?
THE FUNNEL PROCESS
Our goal is to help you find the right home and, at the same time, make sure you don't miss anything or pay too much We have a process called "The Funnel Process" that will help us accomplish those goals First, we'll start with what you have so far, the list of homes that have piqued your interests Then, taking these homes along with any others you may consider, we will start adding to the funnel Once everything is in the funnel, we'll start a simple process of elimination to remove the properties that don't work for you. We'll use this process of elimination versus the often frustrating process of selection to make sure you don't miss anything as we find the right home for you
Options
SELECTIONS
M a k e a l i s t o f a l l t h e
t h i n g s y o u n e e d a n d
w a n t i n a n e w h o m e
T h i n k a b o u t h o w m a n y
b e d r o o m s a n d
b a t h r o o m s y o u n e e d .
D o y o u w a n t a b i g
k i t c h e n o r i s a
f e n c e d - i n y a r d m o r e
i m p o r t a n t t o y o u ?
W e w i l l s t a r t t o u r i n g
h o m e s a n d w e i g h a l l t h e
p o s i t i v e a n d n e g a t i v e
a s p e c t s o f e a c h o n e
W h e n y o u f i n d T H E h o u s e ,
y o u r n e x t s t e p w i l l b e t o
m a k e a n d o f f e r a n d g o
t h r o u g h a n y n e g o t i a t i o n s
Home searching tips......
T a k e p h o t o s w i t h y o u r p h o n e w h i l e v i s i t i n g e a c h h o u s e O r g a n i z e
t h e p h o t o s a t h o m e w i t h t h e a d d r e s s o f t h e p r o p e r t y s o y o u c a n
r e m e m b e r d e t a i l s l a t e r
F o c u s o n t h e t h i n g s y o u c a n ' t c h a n g e l i k e t h e n e i g h b o r h o o d , l o t
o r s i z e o f b e d r o o m s
T e s t t h i n g s a s y o u w a l k t h r o u g h t h e h o m e O p e n a n d c l o s e
w i n d o w s , t u r n f a u c e t s o n a n d f l u s h t o i l e t s t o m a k e s u r e
e v e r y t h i n g i s i n w o r k i n g o r d e r .
5 POINTS OF NEGOTIATION
As a buyer you have a lot of decisions to make, and that doesn't end once you decide on the right home for you Once it's time to write an offer, there are five key areas to focus on Below we will break down these five decisions to help simplify the process so that it can become more clear During this process we want to ensure you feel safe, clear, and confident while making these decisions
❱ Price
When looking at putting in an offer it is important that you feel comfortable with the price. As your Realtor I will do a market analysis showing you similar sold properties to help you get a feel for value Our goal is to make sure you don't overpay
❱ Terms
During this stage of the process, it is important for me as your Realtor to communicate with the lender on the financing terms you've chosen to be best for you It is important to know your financing details, such as what loan type you will be using and how much of a down payment you plan on making
❱ Dates
If you could wave your magic wand and move into your new home at any time, when would that be?
❱ Inclusions & Exclusions
We will get to look at a list of personal property that is either included or excluded in the sale We will determine if you are okay with this list or if there is something you may like to ask to be included or removed
❱ Contingencies
Do you want to make the contract contingent on you obtaining financing, getting an inspection, or any other contingencies? As your Realtor, I will walk you through best practices for our current market to ensure you are protected throughout the transaction
CONTRACTS At a Glance
OPTIONAL CLAUSE
This is an extension of the Purchase and Sale Agreement. Creating more protections for the buyer regarding property information
SELLER DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
This form is required by state law. Seller(s) must complete this form and provide it to the buyer This form discloses the sellers knowledge of the property
LEAD-BASED PAINT DISCLOSURE
This is a federally required document for homes built in 1978 and older
PURCHASE & SALE AGREEMENT
Your agent will draft this document for the buyer to sign as the official document proposing an offer on the home This document includes offered purchase price, earnest money amount, included items, closing & possession dates as well as a list of all addendums included with the offer
FINANCING ADDENDUM
This addendum informs the seller as to the type of financing being sought and the amount of down payment In addition, it includes a deadline indicating the number of days that the buyer has to complete the loan application process, (if not already preapproved).
INSPECTION ADDENDUM
This addendum allows the buyer to have inspections of the home regarding structural specifics, hazardous material, roof condition, pests and other inspections
EXHIBIT A
This is the legal description of the property curated by the title company
IDENTIFICATION OF UTILITIES
Buyer and seller both sign this form to request the closing agent to disburse closing funds necessary to satisfy unpaid utility charges, (if any) associated with the sale of the home and property.
A h o m e i n s p e c t i o n c a n
h e l p y o u m a k e a m o r e
i n f o r m e d d e c i s i o n
a b o u t t h e h o m e y o u ' r e
c o n s i d e r i n g b u y i n g .
A n i n s p e c t o r c a n
i d e n t i f y p o t e n t i a l
i s s u e s , p l u s g i v e y o u a
b e t t e r i d e a o f t h e
o n g o i n g m a i n t e n a n c e
t h e p r o p e r t y m a y
r e q u i r e
T h e i n s p e c t o r w i l l c h e c k
t h a t m a j o r a p p l i a n c e s a r e
f u n c t i o n a l , s c r u t i n i z e t h e
h e a t i n g a n d a i r -
c o n d i t i o n i n g s y s t e m ,
e x a m i n e t h e p l u m b i n g a n d
e l e c t r i c a l s y s t e m s a n d w i l l
i n s p e c t t h e a t t i c a n d t h e
c r a w l s p a c e .
What To Expect...
T
h e i n s p e c t i o n t a k e s p l a c e o n c e a s e l l e r a c c e p t s y o u r o f f e r , b u t b e f o r e
y o u a c t u a l l y b u y t h e h o m e W h i c h i n s p e c t o r t o h i r e i s y o u r d e c i s i o n b u t a s
y o u r R e a l t o r , I c a n p r o v i d e y o u w i t h a l i s t o f i n s p e c t o r s t o c h o o s e f r o m ; o r
y o u c a n c h o o s e y o u r o w n
A h o m e i n s p e c t o r s h o u l d t a k e s e v e r a l h o u r s t o c o m p l e t e a d e t a i l e d w a l k - t h r o u g h o f t h e h o m e D u r i n g t h a t t i m e , t h e i n s p e c t o r w i l l t a k e n o t e s a n d p i c t u r e s a n d , i f y o u ’ r e t a g g i n g a l o n g , c o m m e n t o n w h a t t h e y s e e . M o s t i m p o r t a n t l y , t h e i n s p e c t o r w i l l p r o v i d e a n o b j e c t i v e o p i n i o n o n t h e h o m e ’ s c o n d i t i o n .
A g o o d h o m e i n s p e c t i o n r e p o r t i s e x t e n s i v e , c o n t a i n s c h e c k l i s t s , s u m m a r i e s , p h o t o g r a p h s a n d n o t e s I t m a y e s t i m a t e t h e r e m a i n i n g " u s e f u l
l i f e " o f m a j o r s y s t e m s a n d e q u i p m e n t , a s w e l l a s t h a t o f t h e r o o f a n d
s t r u c t u r e T h e c r i t i c a l i n f o r m a t i o n w i l l i n c l u d e r e c o m m e n d e d r e p a i r s a n d
r e p l a c e m e n t s t o o
You're Under Contract, Now What?
Deposit earnest money
Schedule the inspection
Send documents to lender (as requested)
Lock in your loan interest rate with your lender
Send inspection requests (as needed)
Lender to notify of appraisal date
Wait for appraisal
Reinspection (as needed)
Final walk-through
Schedule your move
Receive Closing Disclosure (CD) 72 hours before closing
Schedule signing
Call to transfer utilities into your name
Sign final documents with title company
Transfer keys
You're a homeowner!
GLOSSARY Buyer
ACTIVE:
This means that a property is currently on the market and available for sale The Seller may have received offers, but none have been accepted, which means that the home is still available.
APPRAISAL:
A real estate appraisal establishes a property's market value – the likely sale price it would bring if offered in an open and competitive real estate market An appraisal assures the lender that the property will sell for, at minimum, the amount of money he is lending.
CLOSING COSTS:
When finalizing the purchase of your home, you will have to pay a variety of fees associated with the home-buying process. These fees are referred to as closing costs and may include: selling compensation, title insurance (if applicable), escrow fees, etc The buyer should get an estimate of these fees shortly after applying for a loan
CONTINGENCY:
A provision of an agreement that keeps the agreement from being fully legally binding until a certain condition is met One example is a buyer’s contractual right to obtain a professional home inspection before purchasing the home
COUNTEROFFER:
A counteroffer is a seller's response to a buyer's offer It allows for each party to negotiate parts of the original offer (price, closing date, etc ) in order to come to mutual agreement
DOWN PAYMENT:
The sum of money that will be required at the time of purchase Various factors go into determining how much you need to put down, so be sure to talk with your lender "No-down-payment" loans exist for veterans and others There are also down payment assistance programs available for first-time buyers.
GLOSSARY Buyer
SELLER DISCLOSURE STATEMENT:
The Seller Disclosure Statement is a document provided by a home seller to a home buyer which outlines what the seller knows to be true about the property during the seller's ownership. A seller disclosure often includes details about defective appliances or systems, known repair needs, historical or past issues or environmental contamination
EARNEST MONEY:
A deposit made to a seller that represents a buyer's good faith to buy a home. Once deposited, the funds are typically held in an escrow account until closing, at which time the deposit is applied to the buyer's down payment and closing costs If a buyer backs out of an agreement without cause, the seller may keep the Earnest Money as compensation for time and opportunity lost while "under contract "
ESCROW:
Escrow is an impartial third party that holds the earnest money during a transaction You also have what your mortgage company will refer to as an "escrow account " This account holds the funds above and beyond your principal and interest payment and will be used to pay your yearly property taxes and homeowners insurance required by your lender
FOR SALE BY OWNER (FSBO):
A property being sold without the aid of a real estate agent With a FSBO, the owners legally represent themselves
HOME OWNERS ASSOCIATION (HOA):
An organization in a subdivision, planned community, or condominium that makes and enforces rules for the properties within its jurisdiction
LISTING:
An agreement between a real estate broker and a homeowner that allows the broker to market and arrange for the sale of the owner’s home The word “listing” is also used to refer to the for-sale home itself
GLOSSARY Buyers
MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE (MLS):
An MLS is an organization that collects, compiles and distributes information about homes listed for sale by its members, (ie real estate brokers and Realtors). Membership is not open to the general public, although selected MLS data may be sold to real estate listing websites An MLS is either local or regional There is no national MLS
MORTGAGE RATE:
A mortgage rate is the rate of interest charged on a mortgage. Mortgage rates are determined by the lender and can be either fixed (staying the same for the term of the mortgage) or variable (fluctuating with a benchmark interest rate) Mortgage rates vary for borrowers based on their credit profile
PENDING:
This means the seller has an accepted offer mutually agreed on by both parties. The status will show as "pending" until the closing Even though a sale is highly likely at this point, some pending properties may still accept backup offers If your offer is accepted as a backup, you’re in line to go under contract if the first sale falls through This is also referred to as "under contract "
PRIVATE MORTGAGE INSURANCE (PMI):
Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is a type of insurance used with mortgage loans PMI protects the lender, not you if you stop making payments on your loan It is typically required when a buyer puts less than 20% down on the purchase of their home.
REALTOR®:
A real estate broker or sales associate who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® He or she must uphold the standards of the association and its Code of Ethics Not all real estate agents are Realtors
UNDER CONTRACT:
This means the seller has an agreed-upon contract with a potential buyer This does not mean that the home has officially sold This is also referred to as "pending" on the Tri-Cities MLS
HOMEOWNERSHIP UNDER MANAGEMENT
Milestones is a collaborative space for your agent and you, the homeowner to stay in consistent contact after the transaction is closed. When invited to a Homeownership Hub, you can monitor your home’s value, upload important home documents to one central location, research vendors that WE the brokerage have personally vetted for you, as well as educate yourself on all matters of homeownership in the knowledge center. Buying a home is a huge milestone in our client's life, and now that you've unlocked the "Power of Ownership", our goal is to be there for all of your milestones down the road.
Windermere Group One will be inviting all home buyers to Milestones after their transaction has closed
