MY EXPERIENCE IS YOUR ADVANTAGE

1. Select your Realtor and make the decision to work with them exclusively:  Some buyers are under the false impression that it is better to have more than one agent searching for their new home.  There are many reasons to have a Realtor work for you exclusively.  One of them being; that if your agent knows they have your loyalty, you can rest assured you have their's.  Do you want to be first on your agent’s mind, or just another phone call?  Doesn’t one of your largest investments deserve exclusive, catered and professional representation?

2. Sit with your Realtor to discuss your needs and expectations:  Location, size, style, special requirements, etc…  When you ask your agent to find you a home, their first task is to explore your needs, wishes and expectations.  This is important, so little time and energy is wasted.  Therefore you will only be shown homes of serious interest.   Additionally, discuss the best days and times for you to preview homes and choose & for your agent to call you to introduce homes that have just entered the market place. During this interview, your Realtor will also explain whatever you need to know and what to expect during the buying process.

3. Pre-qualify for a loan to help ascertain your price range:  This is critical for the forthcoming negotiations that your agent will encounter.  “You and your agent know that you are qualified, but the seller does not.”  When a seller has more than one offer to choose from, it is the buyer’s and agent’s preparation that will make a considerable difference.

4. Target locations within your price range:   This is accomplished after you pre-qualify for your home loan (item 3).   Your agent will introduce neighborhoods with homes that meet your description and price range.

5. Attending open houses:  If you decide to attend an open house without your agent, please make sure you ALWAYS inform the other agent at the open house that you are working with your Realtor.  The agent holding the open house will request for you to “sign in” on the their registry.  Of course, do so, however, ONLY list your full name (without any other information, i.e. address, phone, etc...) with your agent’s name immediately next to yours.  This will prevent confusion and of course, unnecessary follow up from the other agent.

6. Homes advertised:   It is important for you to call your Realtor when you see a home adevertised in the newspaper or magazine that “catches your eye.”  Do not call the agent from the ad.  Here are four important reasons: One, so there is no confusion in representation if you have further interest in the property.  Second, you want your agent to be completely aware of homes that “catch your eye".  Third, your agent is probably already familiar with the home and can immediately discuss the features with you.  Fourth, the listing agent has one goal, to sell you the home that you called on, not your best interest!

7. Now your Realtor will go to work finding your dream home:  As mentioned in (item 1), having a consultant work for you exclusively is going to raise the level of work and attention being done on your behalf.  As we mentioned before, good agents see a large number of homes.  When you and your agent first discussed your dream home, possibilities came to mind.  Your Realtor will have a number of sources to make sure that you see every property that suits your needs.  Additionally, searching DAILY for NEW homes that become available.  The Radcliffe Group has all the resources necessary to locate the home of your dreams.   We have the daily and current information from ALL the members of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).  This means we have access to ALL of the other real estate brokerage firms listing information, and all companies cooperate with each other.  (In certain cases, because of our knowledge of the neighborhood and networking relationships with the Brokerage community, you will probably receive information on homes which are not listed for sale on the open market).   Your agent will also be reading the classified ads and the real estate section of the newspaper for appropriate properties throughout your working relationship.  Your Realtor will then organize the appropriate list of homes for you to see.  Please be prompt for these appointments.  Keep in mind when viewing homes, there are the other agents and sellers that these appointments are being scheduled with, therefore, being prompt is important.

8. Success! You have found your new home:  You and your agent will first determine the value of the property, based on recent sales that compare.  It is your Realtor’s responsibility to be completely familiar with these sales that support the value of the subject home, in order to properly guide you towards a “smart” purchase.  Your agent will explain this process to you in detail.  NOTE: This is the critical stage for your Realtor and your choice of representation will make all the difference.  Any agent can do items 1-7 above, however determining value and clearly communicating it to you is crucial.  In addition, structuring your offer with terms and PROTECTION is what you need from your agent.   Please ask us for our brochure on how to hire an agent when buying.  Most of the public believes all agents are alike. Nothing is further from the truth!

9. Making your offer:  Your offer is then presented to the seller’s agent, generally by your Realtor (sometimes with the seller present).  Negotiations begin, which may include several counter offers between you and the seller.  It is important to negotiate within a timely manner to avoid the possibility of another buyer purchasing the home, if you are negotiating slowly.  Again, this process is critical for your representative and an experienced agent can make all the difference in either securing the home of your dreams, or losing it.

10. Opening escrow: When everything has been agreed upon between you and the seller, your Realtor opens the escrow (he and the escrow officer will explain this process in detail).

11. Escrow Instructions:  You, the seller and both agents receive the same escrow instructions to review and approve (your agent and the escrow officer will explain in detail).

12. Inspections:  Your new home will be inspected by outside professionals to determine its’ condition.  Your Realtor can introduce inspectors, if you don't have your own.  You can then choose inspectors that you approve.  Before this undertaking, your agent will explain what to expect before, during and after these inspections.  If you are uncomfortable with any of the reports completed by these inspectors, you have the ability to cancel escrow and have your deposit money returned to you after both parties have signed cancellation instructions. Your agent guides you through this entire process.

13. Paperwork and financing:  When all inspections have been completed and the final closing date is near, the escrow company will notify you to sign the final loan papers and to deposit the balance of your down payment.  Your choice in lender will make a significant difference in this process.  Your Realtor will advise about quality lenders and programs available.

14. Final walk through:  Just prior to the closing, you and your agent will do a “walk through” of the property, to make sure that it is in the same condition as when you made your initial offer.

15. Congratulations:  Escrow closes and you move into your new home.  At this point you are totally satisfied with your buying experience.  Remember, buying or selling a home is rated as one of the most stressful events that you can go through in life.  You must be prepared to experience emotions and maybe a little stress through this process.  A Radcliffe Group agent is always on your side, guiding you through this entire process.  It is very important to always communicate with your Realtor, therefore, allowing him to know how to best represent you.