My goal is that your experience as a buyer is not only successful, but enjoyable as well. So, let's approach the various steps of purchasing or selling real estate in a cheerful manner. Below, I've outlined the practices and standards to which I am firmly committed. I've also learned to use my instinct and intuition and may suggest something you might not have considered before. To begin with, here is a basic road map of what it takes to make your real estate transaction a big success!

An Ideal Experience:

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I start by finding out what kind of lifestyle you want to lead, what you like and dislike, and - crucially - how much you have to spend. So, we begin with an in-depth conversation about your goals, your timetable, and your concerns about affordability and financing. I want to be clear about the type of property you are interested in purchasing, not only in size and features, but any special requirements or dreams you may have. When it comes to buying a home, it is very much about more than the building itself. It involves all the emotional factors that create the notion of "home". My job is to take your idea of "home" and find the place that comes closest to that idea.

• During our discovery conversation, I will:
  
  
  • Explain the various "agency" relationships in the state of California.
  • Outline your particular buying process and provide an approximate timeline.
  • Agree on our availability and the best manner in which to contact one another, whether e-mail or telephone, times of day, content, etc.
  • Discuss the surrounding communities to find the best match for your objectives.
  • Provide you with some resources on communities, schools, transportation, shopping and recreational facilities.

• During the buying process, I will:
  
  
  • Review the fees involved in the property-buying process.
  • Review all documents, including contracts, disclosures, disclaimers and inspection reports. If appropriate, I will refer you to a real estate attorney for further counsel.
  • Assist you throughout the financing. A mortgage specialist will meet with you to outline currently available loan types and make recommendations.
  • Facilitate the mortgage pre-approval process with our affiliated lender. This is done prior to showing you homes to place you in the best position for negotiating. A pre-approval is a simple calculation done by a mortgage lender that tells you (a) the amount you'll be able to finance through a loan and (b) what your monthly payment will be.
  • Provide you with referrals to an appropriate agent in areas outside my geographic or product expertise.
  • Be available throughout to assist you in the acquisition of your selected property, including the negotiation of all offers you authorize.

Finding The Right Property

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It seems pretty straightforward; we focus on properties that fit your objectives and don't bother with the unsuitable ones. However, often my clients themselves do not agree on precisely what they are looking for and it is up to me to read between the lines and find the property that is the best fit for all. My purpose is to save you time, energy, expense and hopefully a great deal of stress - not just by eliminating wasted viewings, but by creatively expanding your possibilities to include what is not readily obvious, even by negotiating a deal before a house hits the market.

• During your search, I will:
  
  
  • Research and present selected properties to you, and respect your time by focusing on the properties that best meet your criteria.
  • Where appropriate, I will search outside of our local MLS for additional properties you may wish to consider.
  • Preview, whenever possible, every property I recommend to make sure that it fulfills the most important aspects of your search.
  • Contact you as each promising new candidate becomes available.
  • Discuss with you, as you wish, the benefits and the drawbacks of each property in which you have expressed interest.
  • Encourage you to browse the property listings on my website, as well as to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). This service allows you receive e-mail updates, conduct additional research and communicate with me anytime, any day of the week.

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Making An Offer:

As you know, oral promises are not legally enforceable when it comes to the sale of real estate. Therefore, in order to purchase property, you'll need to enter into a written contract, which starts with your written proposal. This proposal not only specifies price, but all the terms and conditions of the purchase.

The purchase offer you submit, if accepted as it stands, will become a binding sales contract — a purchase agreement, earnest money agreement or deposit receipt. It's important, therefore, that it contains all the items that will serve as a blueprint for the final sale.

• To assist you in the process, I will:
  
  
  • Always represent your interests, respect your confidentiality, and work diligently to help you achieve your goals.
  • Review a competitive market analysis of the property with you, and discuss the best strategy for making an informed offer.
  • Help you decide whether to include a physical inspection contingency and/or a loan contingency in your offer, and whether to obtain a warranty for certain items in the home, provided by the seller.
  • Prepare your offer and, if possible, present it in person to the seller.
  • Discuss various approaches to negotiating and the best options for any special circumstance. I will negotiate the best price and terms for your purchase of the property, given existing market conditions and your personal situation.
  • Once your offer is accepted, handle the opening of escrow and schedule the events that will lead to a successful closing.

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Closing the Sale on Your New Property

Clients often tell me, after I have found them a property, that they didn't believe buying real estate could be as stress free as they felt it had been. While I take this as a huge compliment, I don't and can't make that promise to everyone. There may be circumstances beyond our control that come up, which is why it's important to be as prepared as possible, and why I am going over some of the details now. I continually promise my professional and personal best to help you avoid surprises where possible.

• For the best possible escrow closing, I will:
  
  
  • Discuss potential pitfalls or inspection issues that may arise at this stage of the process, to ensure your new property is everything the seller says it is.
  • Monitor the status and satisfaction of all contract contingencies and assist you in any further negotiations with the seller, and provide you with regular updates.
  • Provide you with a list of professionals or vendors who perform the services and/or inspections recommended.
  • Deliver and/or communicate to you, in a timely manner, all disclosures, materials or information that has been received by me and that could materially affect your decision to complete the purchase.
  • Schedule property inspections and attend inspections where practical or instructed by you, as well as any subsequent meetings or appointments with the professionals of your choice.
  • Discuss your options based on inspection results.
  • Monitor your loan approval process, according to your wishes. I will coordinate the appraisal of the property and, if appropriate, provide access and assistance to the appraiser.
  • Advise you of options should problems arise with any part of the escrow process from loan, to title, to property inspections and assist in renegotiating the contract if necessary.
  • Accompany you on a property walk-through inspection before closing as provided for in the contract. Contact you after the closing to confirm the completion of all the details.
  • Be there for you even after you move in, to answer your questions or offer further resources on your new neighborhood!

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