 KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
The first step in establishing a relationship with a buyer is
to assure the buyer that I will share all I know about the
house, neighborhood, and surrounding areas. Surprises aren't
acceptable, and I know that buyers will make better educated
decisions if I share all the information I have with them.
MY BUYER SKILLS
- Thoroughly explaining Buyer Agency for the Buyer as required by State law prior to showing any properties
- Counsel the Buyer regarding the local real estate market and possible pitfalls in the market
- Discuss the myriad of financing options available and refer mortgage professionals as needed
- Answer any and all questions, as there are no dumb questions when it comes to buying real estate
- Be available to show properties within the Buyer’s price range
- While showing properties, point out any noticeable defects/flaws
- Discuss advantages/disadvantages of purchasing a particular property
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PRE-HOME SEARCH
Your home search will be a fun experience and should start with an examination of your housing needs. Write down your needs because it will help you and your real estate sales professional narrow your home search and more efficiently match your requirements with currently available properties. Below are some questions to ask as you start to think about your new home requirements.
- What is your credit score (FICO)? This number determines your interest rate and how much you can borrow.
- What is your price range?
- What payment will you feel comfortable making each month including principle, interest, taxes, and insurance?
- Do you need a neighborhood close to your job, shopping, and hospitals?
- Do you need a particular school district?
- What floor plan do you need for your current and future lifestyle?
- Are trees or views important?
- What sized lot would you like?
- Do you need a single family home, or would you like little or no maintenance that a patio home, townhome, or condo offers?
- How much are you willing to pay in association dues?
- Do you want a neighborhood filled with children or maybe a quieter one?
- Does a newer home fit your needs or do you want an older more established neighborhood?
- How important is sun exposure? Homes buried in the trees and on the west side of town will see less sun than ones in the open and facing another direction.
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During the search process
Ask the following questions as you look
at the properties.
- How long has the property been on the market?
- Are there a lot of cars?
- What is the condition of the property? Does it need
updating or repairs?
- What repairs/updating will the seller be willing to
make?
- What is the condition of the landscaping?
- Are there are lot of cars parked on the street?
- Is there excessive noise such as barking dogs or
traffic?
- If you have a home to sell, will the seller entertain a
contingency upon the sale of your home?
- Is the property priced competitively?
Many buyers will drive by properties they're interested in at
different times of the day to determine the different levels of
activity throughout the day.
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MY CONTRACT SKILLS
Unless the property is a new-built with a builder who has his/her own contract, the contracts used are written and approved by the Colorado Real Estate Commission. They are legally binding contracts and clearly set forth the responsibilities and requirements of each party involved. As your realtor, I commit to the following:
- Preparation of a Competitive Market Analysis prior to writing the contract to show if property is properly priced as compared to recent sales in the neighborhood
- Extensive knowledge of all required State and office contract forms and paperwork
- Review and discuss the entire contract, answering all questions prior to buyer signing
- Discuss the down payment, amount of earnest money, financing details, offering price, and proposed move-in date
- Work closely with the lender to ensure that all financing requirements are met
- Recommend a home inspection, give list of qualified inspectors if needed, and be present at the home inspection
- Discuss CLUE reports and how they can make or break a deal
- Review the appraisal process and discuss the potential problems/requirements that may arise from the appraisal
- Negotiate the contract with professionalism and courtesy to everyone involved
- Track all contract deadlines on behalf of the client
- Discuss lender requirements regarding “good funds” at the closing
- Encourage good-will and cooperation throughout the entire contract process
- Communicate often without delay throughout the transaction
- Attend the pre-closing walk through
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INSPECTIONS
The sales contract allows a period of time the buyers can have inspections done at their expense. This includes radon testing, well and septic inspections, and water testing for bacteria in addition to the regular home inspection. If these tests show problems an Inspection Notice is completed asking the seller to take care of some or all the items on the list.
CLOSING SKILLS
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