Whether you’re a first-time buyer or an experienced investor, the home-buying process can be a challenge and at times seem overwhelming and complex. With the right help, however, finding the home of your dreams can be fun and exciting, not intimidating or frustrating. Our in-depth knowledge of the process and the areas we serve allows us to provide a superior level of service not available elsewhere.
See the outline below for some highlights of our model of service for our buyer clients. From our initial meeting through a successful settlement, we’ll work to find the home that’s just right for you.
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Understanding the Home-Buying Process: An initial meeting (either in person or by phone) allows us to provide you with an overview of the entire home-buying process so you have a clear set of expectations as we get started. This is also our first chance to learn about you and what you’re looking for and to answer your questions. From this meeting we develop a concise game plan to find you just the right home!
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Setting Your Budget (Financing & Lender Pre-Approval): This is your starting point in your search for a home. Until you know how much you’re qualified to borrow and, more importantly, what you’re comfortable spending we really don’t know where to look. Pre-approval removes uncertainty for buyers & sellers alike while maximizing your negotiating position! If you’re not yet working with a lender we can provide a list of experienced local lenders with whom we’ve worked for years and are comfortable recommending.
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Finding the Right Neighborhoods: As the saying goes, ‘location, location, location’. Nothing is more important in your search for a home than finding a neighborhood which meets your needs and makes you feel comfortable. As Montgomery County natives we know the areas we serve like the backs of our hands and can provide insights into neighborhoods and areas you can’t get elsewhere to help you fill in the gaps and make informed decisions.
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Seeing the Homes YOU Want to See: Armed with your criteria we’ll help identify homes which offer what you’re looking for and set up automated search routines on multiple websites to make sure we’re not missing any opportunities. Regular updates can be provided by email to make sure we’re seeing everything on the market – all you have to do is tell us which homes you’re interested in seeing. We’ll also preview properties for you to make the best use of your time.
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Making An Offer: Chances are you’ll know the house for you within a few minutes of stepping foot into it for the first time. And, once you find it, it’s time to move decisively to make it yours before someone beats you to the punch. We’ll provide a market analysis to help determine a fair offer price and advise on recommended contingencies. Our years of experience allow us to tailor your offer to be attractive to the sellers while providing you the protection you need to proceed with confidence.
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Navigating the Contingency Process: Once your contract has been accepted we’ll provide you with a written list of all short-term contingencies and the timelines for their removal so we can get them completed in a timely and efficient way. Typical contingencies will include (among others) home, radon and termite inspections and financing and appraisal contingencies. We can recommend professionals for all of these jobs and we attend the home inspection with you so we’re all on the same page and can focus on getting the important items remedied prior to settlement.
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Settlement: Settlement marks the successful conclusion to your home search and involves signing all the required loan documents, the deed and a document called the HUD-1 Settlement Statement which is an accounting of the transaction. We’ll work with your lender and title company to make sure you have a chance to review the closing statement BEFORE the settlement so you’re not seeing it for the first time at the settlement table. A successful settlement/closing ends with you being given the keys to your new home!
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Clients For Life!: Our relationship changes somewhat, but doesn’t end, with your settlement. In fact, in many ways it’s just a start. Our business model is based on long-term relationships rather than transactions and this approach means we’re available as a resource to you on an ongoing and as-needed basis. We feel confident that you’ll be so satisfied with the service we provide that you’ll refer us to your family, friends and colleagues and call upon us again the next time you have a need for real estate advice.