Investing in a home is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. So much more than a roof over your head, your home is where life unfolds and memories are made, while building a financial foundation for your future.
Your needs drive how and when we find your next home. From this day forward, everything I do will be motivated by your goals and how you imagine your life in a new environment. Once I get a thorough understanding of where you see yourself, finding your dream home will move faster and with minimal interruption to your daily life. And, it all starts here in my app.
How do I start my search on the KW App?
With layers of options found on no other app, my app allows you to search by neighborhood and school district, revealing the details that matter most to you. Your neighborhood is an extension of your home. Neighbors, surroundings, and access to everyday things can and should factor into your home-buying decision. My app provides background on neighborhoods you won’t find anywhere else – including lifestyle trends, walkability ratings, local restaurants, and more.
Once you have identified the neighborhoods that you are most interested in, favorite the homes in those neighborhoods that best meet your needs. When you tap the ‘heart’ icon next to a home that catches your eye, you will have the option to add it to a collection. From there, you can share the collection with me, a co-buyer, friends, and family. Because searching for a home is anything but a solo activity, my app allows for true collaboration so that everyone stays on the same page.
Another helpful tool you may want to consider is to create a saved search. This is a preset filtered search that updates automatically with any new homes for sale. Simply fill out your desired search criteria (neighborhood, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.) and tap the ‘save’ icon. You can then choose to be alerted through text or email whenever a new home meets your criteria. I can also set up saved searches for you, noting specific homes I think you may like and we can decide which ones are worth exploring further.
One of the first priorities in your home buying process, assuming you are not looking to buy with cash upfront, is to get pre-approved by your preferred lender. This gives you several advantages over a buyer that has not yet been pre-approved.
Once you receive your pre-approval from your lender, you will know what your actual budget for your new home is. One of the most heartbreaking things is watching a buyer that has not been pre-approved fall in love with a home, only to find out their lender will not approve the purchase.
In addition to giving us a realistic budget, a pre-approval letter will significantly speed up the process when we move into making offers and contracting on a home. Sellers often will not even accept an offer from a buyer that has not been pre-approved, so it is imperative we are ready to move once we do find your dream home!
If you are not sure which lender you would like to use yet, that is absolutely no problem! I work with many buyers who have not yet established a relationship with a lending partner, and I am happy to assist with explaining the process and referring you to the right fit for your needs.
When we’re ready to start looking at homes in person, it’s best to start with a consultation with a lender. I am happy to recommend a trusted professional who can talk to you about your financing options.
We’ll work together to get an accurate idea of your price range, an estimate of your monthly payments, and a pre-approval letter, so we can move quickly if need be.
Refining your “wants” and “needs” list will help us identify what’s most important to you, including both the location and the house itself.
Preview, favorite, and hide homes through the KW App to eliminate those you won’t need to visit in person.
Once we narrow your list, we’ll plan an itinerary together.
We will typically tour homes together alongside any co-buyers, friends, or family you’d like to join.
Homeowners usually aren’t home, so you’re free to spend as little or as much time as you want. You may have a gut reaction when visiting a home. First impressions count, but I’ll advise you on home values and help evaluate priorities in the context of what’s available in your price range.
Sometimes buyers find their future home the first time out, and others look at several before they see one that checks all their boxes. It’s a good idea to see at least a few alternatives so you have some points of comparison, but sometimes you just know a place is where you want to live.
After you’ve found the one, I’ll evaluate the market and draft a well-thought-out offer that also protects your interests.
Your offer will be written using the most recent standard-purchase offer forms that comply with all state and local laws.
Your offer will include:
In a hot housing market, you may find yourself competing against other buyers. If that’s the case, I will work on your behalf, strategizing for your offer to be accepted. With access to real-time market data, I’ll know how to best position your offer.
If there’s more than one on the table, the seller can:
Working to find out what’s important to the seller, such as a specific moving date, and to discuss possibly waiving contingencies, adjusting your price, or writing a “love letter” about the house are all options we can consider when facing multiple offers.
The seller can accept your offer as is, or they can make a counteroffer with an adjustment to your terms. You can accept or reject the counteroffer and make your own counteroffer. The contract is final once you and the seller have agreed to all terms.
I’ll work on your behalf to negotiate the terms of your purchase.
The crucial period between an offer and a final contract is an important time to stay in close contact with me, so you’re equipped with all the information you need to make smart decisions.
Some of the key points in your multipage contract include:
In some cases, such as if your offer is contingent on the sale of your home, the seller may add a “kick-out” clause, which means that the seller could accept another offer if one is made before your home is sold. I’ll review the contract with you to make sure all of your questions are answered.
We’ll work together to balance how much you want a particular property and what you’re willing to accept to get it.
You may want to let go when:
We’ll watch out for:
According to the National Association of REALTORS®, the most common reasons for contracts to fail or be delayed are home inspection problems, financing problems, or an appraisal issue. I will be by your side at every step to help you navigate the complexities of a real estate contract.
Your home inspector will check a massive list (more than 1,000 items) of systems, appliances, and structures in your home to evaluate its condition. You’ll get a written report that identifies potential problems and future maintenance issues. We’ll look at it together to decide whether the report means you want to walk away from a house or ask the sellers to make repairs. You can also have an “information only” inspection, which means you’re buying the house as is, but want to know its condition.
What’s included in a home inspection?
The inspector will check:
Together, we’ll attend the home inspection to learn more about home maintenance and so you can see any potential problems yourself. The inspector can answer questions as you go, so if there’s anything you don’t understand or are worried about, just ask.
We can decide whether to negotiate on anything in the inspection report and ask the inspector the following questions:
Every home needs a good insurance policy to protect from any possible unforeseen accidents, natural disasters, or construction issues. Each home is different so make sure you are getting the right insurance policy that will cover any possibilities.
When you know which insurance company and policy you would like to purchase, make sure to read over the paperwork and consider:
I will help you with this step and answer any questions you may have about the property and insurance considerations to take. I would also be happy to provide referrals to insurance agents that can answer any questions you have in detail.
Some home sellers pay for a home warranty that covers them while their home is on the market and conveys to the buyers after the sale. We can work together to determine whether we should negotiate for the seller to pay for a warranty or buy one yourself.
A home warranty policy, which typically lasts for one year and is renewable, provides coverage for some of your home’s systems and appliances. In return for the annual fee, the company will cover repair costs and arrange for contractors. You’ll pay a deductible fee and possibly service fees if you need to use the warranty.
If you’re buying an existing home, especially one with appliances that are more than four years old, a home warranty can give you peace of mind about paying for unexpected repairs and finding a reliable contractor. If you’re a first-time buyer, especially if you have limited savings, this can be particularly important.
If you have plenty of emergency savings, you’re handy, or you know good contractors, you may not need a warranty. You can count on me to provide referrals for recommended contractors.
If you’re buying a newly built home, structural defects are usually under warranty by the builder for 10 years, and other items are typically covered for six months to two years, so you don’t usually need a home warranty.
To choose a good home warranty, we will review:
You can always turn to me for home warranty recommendations and advice.
There’s no need to feel jittery before your closing as I will have you fully prepared for the day. As the buyer, you choose the title company for your title search and the closing. I can recommend reliable title companies.
We’ll stay in close communication to make sure that your questions are answered and you feel ready to sign on the dotted line. As your closing day nears, keep this list handy:
We’ll be finalizing all of the paperwork to close on the sale of your new home. You will want to allot a few hours for your closing.
Bring to the closing:
You’ll be signing numerous documents, including a repeat of the documents you signed when you applied for your loan.
The most important documents you’ll sign are:
After your closing:
Congratulations! You’ve got the keys to your new home!
After your purchase, ask me to recommend fully-vetted service specialists in town or how you can care for your home. Further down the road, should you ever want to sell, I’ll have the scoop. You’ll always have my number, and I’ll always be ready to spring into action.