Wm French Your Relocation Services
About Wm French In 1977 Bill French started the relocation company now known
as Wm French Buyer’s Real Estate Services. The agency began as a result of Bill facing the same situation that numerous individuals and families face: his employer transferred him to St. Louis, but he was unfamiliar with the area. After going through a challenging relocation experience, Bill decided relocating families deserved better service. They should be represented by a relocation agent who had their interests in mind - the buyer’s interests! Since its inception, Wm French has worked exclusively with home buyers. Specializing in St. Louis area corporate relocations, Wm French is the oldest and largest exclusive buyer’s agency in the United States. Bill French, Owner
Wm French is comprised of an office support team and twenty exclusive buyer’s agents experienced in relocating the lifestyles of those moving to St. Louis. The team takes the time to research the specific needs of the individuals and families relocating to the area so they are able to relocate their entire life. They act as partners with families to make the transition to St. Louis an attractive and beneficial change for all.
Our Services to You There’s no doubt about it — moving can be stressful. Leaving your home and community behind to start over in a new city is a challenge for any individual or family. But we’re here to help! We know you need more than a new house — you need to relocate your whole way of life. And best of all, these home buying services are offered at no cost to you! Our purpose is to help you feel at home here in the shortest time possible — with the house you select, the lifestyle you maintain, and the activities you enjoy. We are proud of the successful relocations we’ve orchestrated over the past 34 years, and we are pleased to offer:
Prior to Your Visit Our work starts several days prior to your visit to St. Louis so your time here is focused.
Upon Your Arrival Tour of the city, viewing homes and neighborhoods, and special interest appointments.
Closing Services We are there for you through lending, inspections, title coordination, and closing services.
Meet Your Team
Your Relocation Advocate As Director of Relocation for Wm French, I am happy to make sure your relocation is off to a great start. After our initial conversation about your home finding needs, we are already in the process of personalizing a binder full of information for your relocation. You can rest assured you will be paired with one of our excellent Relocation Specialist who is a great match to your needs. After 34 years of working exclusively with buyers only, you will quickly learn we are truly your advocate in your relocation process. Julie Brown Director of Relocation, Wm French office: 314-469-2220 x 123 email: jbrown@wmfrench.com se habla expanol! !
Your Trusted Lender At WMF Mortgage Services, I am proud to offer you the same level of service and care you have already started receiving from the Wm French team. Plus, we offer a variety of loans, direct bill options, fast and free pre-approvals, and competitive rates. WMF Mortgage Services is located within the Wm French offices, so I am on site and ready to work hand-in-hand with your Relocation Specialist to make sure your entire transition happens as smoothly as possible. Angie Childs, VP, WMF Mortgage Services office: 314-469-1138 email: angelia.childs@usbank.com
a seamless transition “When we relocated to St. Louis we came from a different culture, so everything was new and unknown. We were excited, but anxious to make the right choices. Working with our Wm French Relocation Specialist helped us develop confidence about where to live, buy a car, set up bank accounts, enroll our children in school, and just understand how things work around here. And we loved that she was bilingual and could communicate with us fluently. We look back now and know we were fortunate to have had the guidance of Wm French to help relocate our lives seamlessly in St. Louis.� Juan Carlos Buitrago Suarez
& Liliana Botero Navia
with Miguel, Pablo, and Lorenzo Buitrago 2007 international relocation with Wm French
Prior to Your Visit Wm French Relocation Specialists are there to help you through every step of the relocation and home buying process. We perform numerous services prior to your visit to St. Louis. These services are offered at no charge to you and include:
• Initial Phone Consultation - The first person you'll speak with is our Director of Relocation. Tell her what's on your mind. Let her know your concerns about moving. Give her some general ideas about the location and style of home that interests you. If you're considering temporary housing, we would be happy to accommodate you. Even if your decision to move isn't final, call us! The sooner we get to know you, the sooner we can begin assessing the market with your needs in mind. Our initial phone contact will enable our team to address your concerns about moving to St. Louis, and to understand your housing preferences.
• Personalized Relocation Kit - After our initial phone consultation, we will send you a package of information to help acquaint you with St. Louis and Wm French. Included in this package will be a letter of introduction, a wealth of information about St. Louis, a brochure about our services, and any personalized research information you may request.
• Prepare Individual Lifestyle Research: We know there are many more aspects to your life than simply the house you choose to purchase. Our purpose is to make you feel at home here in the shortest time possible — with the house you select, the lifestyle you maintain, and the activities you enjoy. Based on the information you provided in our initial phone conversation, our team will begin to research your interests and find answers to your lifestyle needs. Do you play tennis or golf? Will you need to arrange childcare or music lessons? Are you looking for a church or synagogue? Tell us your needs and we will find what you’re looking for right here in St. Louis!
your research
Our purpose is to help you feel at home in St. Louis in the shortest time possible. We are anxious to research your alternatives in these and other areas: Education & Schools Places of worship Employment Health Care Facilities Housing & Neighborhood Children’s Activities Social & Recreation
• Research Living Areas - St. Louis offers a rich diversity in housing, from turn-of-the-century brick townhouses to modern suburban homes in all price ranges, from historic homes to new construction. Your Relocation Specialist will research your areas of interest and be prepared to show you what you want to see in St. Louis.
• Preview Potential Homes - Just because a house in your price range is on the market doesn’t mean you need to see it, so let us do the legwork for you! Your Relocation Specialist will take all of your housing criteria into consideration, preview all available properties, determine which properties are appropriate for your viewing, and rank them according to the information you’ve provided. What does that mean to you? No wasted time visiting property that doesn’t meet your specifications. When you visit St. Louis, your house hunting will be streamlined and tailored for your home and lifestyle requirements. You will accomplish more, faster. Many of our clients purchase a home within three days.
• Prepare Personalized Binder: The activities you enjoy, your educational needs, your housing budget, and your specific requirements are unique to your family. Your Relocation Specialist will prepare a personalized binder just for you. You will receive this binder upon meeting your Relocation Specialist the first day, so your house hunting gets started on the right foot.
your binder
Your personalized binder will include the following information:
Maps and residential descriptions Statistical profiles of school districts Comparative area demographics data Growth trends in various areas Average sales and appreciation data Tax rates in general Various commute times Comprehensive loan information
• Prepare Itineraries: When you visit St. Louis, you’ll need to make the most of it. You’ll have much to accomplish in a limited amount of time. Your Relocation Specialist will prepare a daily itinerary of areas you’ll visit, homes you’ll view, and other appointments you may want to include. Are you interested in visiting local health clubs or interviewing daycare facilities? Would you like to see shopping areas or local attractions? Your Relocation Specialist will include these important stops during your stay in St. Louis, and will provide you with the schedule of events before you even arrive.
great rental choices “We weren’t completely sure what to expect in housing when we relocated to the United States from Belgium, so we decided to rent an apartment initially. We were offered the guidance and assistance of Wm French and it was a great experience from start to finish. Our agent provided us with knowledge about rental communities, information about the city, and a relaxed comfort throughout the entire process. We turned to Wm French again when we were ready to buy a home in 2010, and we were given the same excellent level of service and care.” Edgar Acosta Chapparo
& Gabriela Carneiro Acosta
2008 relocation with Wm French
Upon Your Arrival
Wm French Relocation Specialists are there to guide you through your visit to St. Louis. They perform many services once you arrive in the St. Louis area. These services are offered at no charge to you and include:
• Tour of St. Louis - St. Louis is a great place to call home. Within its boundaries are both a rich history and a bright future. If this is your first visit, we’ll be proud to introduce you. You may have received the bird’s eye view from the air, but now we’ll acclimate you to the general layout of the area from the ground level, including municipalities, major highways, employment centers and residential areas.During your tour, you’ll begin to get an understanding of our metropolitan area and gain insight about where you may want to live. We’re proud of our city and we are looking forward to sharing it with you!
• Tour Homes/Apartments in St. Louis - After reviewing your personal binder with you, your Relocation Specialist will accompany you to pre-selected homes or apartments, help you evaluate choices, determine appropriate offers, and provide any information you need to make a final decision — either about living in St. Louis, or purchasing a home. Because your Relocation Specialist has researched your specific interests and previewed potential property, your time in St. Louis is maximized. In fact, many of our clients purchase property within three days! House hunting is a pleasure when you view apartments or homes that appeal to your unique requirements.
your interests
While in St. Louis, you’ll want to make the most of your time. During your visit we are happy to tour you to any special interest areas or you would like to see, including: daycare facilities shopping areas local attractions health care facilities schools places of worship other areas of interest
• Special Interest Appointments - We know that moving to a new city means much more than transferring your possessions from one house to another. You need to relocate your entire way of life! Your Relocation Specialist can set up these appointments for you, and incorporate them into your itinerary while you’re in St. Louis. Take advantage of this opportunity to begin making some of your most important lifestyle decisions!
• Home Selection - Whether you are seeking an apartment, townhouse, or single-family living, the home you select is probably one of the most critical factors in your successful move to St. Louis. There are many considerations: price range, location, commute time, closing date, and resale value. Everything must come together according to your particular requirements. Your Relocation Specialist will help you evaluate your choices, discover what is known about the seller’s motivation to sell, and provide any additional information you need to make a final decision. Your Relocation Specialist will help guide you to the specific home that is right for you. Further, we will help you determine viable alternatives as a back-up.
• Contract Negotiation - You want to get the most for your money when you purchase real estate. While your home is much more than a mere financial investment, for most families it is the most valuable investment they'll ever make. Be assured that you have someone negotiating on your behalf who has your interests in mind, and who will negotiate accordingly. The Addendum we've developed with our legal counsel will modify the standardized sale contract to protect your interests, including specific remedies should the seller default. Through experience and negotiation, we will work to save you money on the purchase price and the terms and conditions of the sale. Whether negotiating with another real estate company, builder, or the actual property owner (for-sale-by-owner), we are committed to representing you. Our experience in negotiating for the buyer is unrivaled!
• Home Financing Options - It is common knowledge that your financing package determines the monthly payment for your home. Some of the factors that influence your payment are interest rates and the mortgage holder. We are committed to assisting you in finding the best alternatives by analyzing lender bids, selecting the best program, and ascertaining the most competitive offer. Not only does Wm French maintain strong business relationships with many lenders, we also offer mortgage options through WMF Mortgage Services. WMF Mortgage Services is an in-house lender with competitive rates who works one-on-one with your Relocation Specialist during your home purchase. Whether you are seeking a fixed-rate mortgage or an adjustable rate option, we can secure financing that supports your financial interests.
in-house lending “The financing part of our move seemed overwhelming to us because we were first time home buyers, so we didn’t know much about the loan process. But we worked with WMF Mortgage Services in the Wm French office, and our lender held our hands through everything. She gave us confidence and really looked out for our best interest. It was a seamless process because she was right there partnering with our agent, so it turned out not to be stressful. We love our new home!” Andrew Carron
& Anna Vani
2010 home purchase with Wm French
Closing Services Wm French Relocation Specialists are there to help you through every step of the relocation and home buying process, including providing home closing services. These services are offered at no charge to you and include:
Coordinate Title Search: Rest assured that your Relocation Specialist will select a top-notch title company to thoroughly research the property you are purchasing. This process will be conducted in a • professional and timely manner, coordinating with your closing date. Having been in the business since 1977, and gaining a thorough understanding of St. Louis real estate, Wm French Buyer's Real Estate Services has identified and works solely with reputable, respected title companies. Coordinate Inspections and Permits: Sometimes homes can look great on the surface, yet contain • hidden hazards or unseen problems. That's why we recommend meticulous inspectors to fully evaluate the home you are purchasing. Your Relocation Specialist will coordinate inspectors to check for termites, structural integrity, and radon gas. Each inspector will submit a written report stating their conclusions about the property you are purchasing. Certain municipalities require occupancy permits, or building permits if you're thinking of remodeling. We coordinate those appointments, as well. Assist with Loan Application: Applying for a mortgage can be a complicated process, but we make it easy for you! You will be fully informed about associated fees, interest rates, and closing costs. You can • be confident that your Wm French Relocation Specialist, in conjunction with your lender, is handling your loan application promptly and professionally.
Attend Final Walk-Through: You are about to close on your new home, yet one task remains… the • final walk-through evaluation of the home. Your Wm French Relocation Specialist will accompany you to ensure the property is in expected condition before closing. Were all improvements completed? Are there any new concerns, such as previously undetected leaks? Are you satisfied with the general condition of the home? These are all important questions that will be answered by this final personal inspection. You can trust your Relocation Specialist to make sure that all property conditions are re-evaluated, and that nothing is overlooked.
Attend Final Closing: Closing on your new property should be quick and seamless due to the careful preparation by your Wm French Relocation Specialist. We will confirm the appointment time with your • closing company, double-check on fees and financing, and inform you of any new developments.
How do I get started? Getting started with Wm French is easy! You can contact us by phone, email, or go online.
314-469-2220 | wmfrench@wmfrench.com | www.wmfrench.com
Your Relocation Partners 14500 South Outer Forty Road Chesterfield, MO 63017 p: (314) 469-2220 f: (314) 469-7955 e: wmfrench@wmfrench.com www.wmfrench.com Š Wm French 2011