March 2021 - Reno/Sparks Real Estate Market Statistics

 

Home Buyer Success Package

 

Buyer Success Package

Dear Home Buyer,

Re: Your guide to buying a home in Nevada

Thank you for the opportunity to help you with the most significant and largest purchase of your life.

We have helped many buyers, just like you, and yet the importance of this transaction to you is not lost on us. We know it’s exciting and scary at the same time. Don’t worry, we are here to guide you and help you every step of the way. We have the experience, the local knowledge and the interest to help you make the best possible home purchase and decisions.

A home is about how you feel when you walk through the front door. The way you can instantly envision your life unfolding there. It’s about more than real estate. It's about your life and your dreams.

We love matching you with the home you have always imagined. It's incredibly fulfilling to know we are helping you open a new chapter of your life. That's why we work so hard to not only find that perfect home, but also to handle every single detail of the purchase process from negotiating the terms of sale to sharing our considerable resources including good lenders, inspectors and so on.

This package contains helpful information for the home buying process. We’ve prepared it just for you!

Review this information packet prior to our meeting so we can spend quality time focusing on you and your new home when we meet.

We appreciate the opportunity to earn your business.

Sincerely,

Marilyn Dash

REALTOR ®

OUR MISSION

Our aim is to provide exceptional personalized service while attaining your goals.

We believe in personal and professional commitment to your objectives and success in all facets of your home sale.

A successful home purchase is one where you are happy in your new home, enjoyed the process and want to recommend us to everyone you know!

We have your back!

OUR PLEDGE TO YOU AS YOUR BUYER-AGENT

WE PROMISE TO:

● Use our Web-based Multiple Listing Service to tell you about all the new listings that meet your criteria

● Walk you through all the forms and paperwork

● Work for you and negotiate on your behalf

● Help you find qualified inspectors, appraisers, attorneys, and any other professional you need ● Tell you if we see something, or know something, you should or would want to know about the home you are considering buying

● Never pressure you (it doesn’t work anyway!)

● Tell you “the hard truth” even if it is something you don’t want to hear

● Attend your inspection and help you review and interpret the home inspection results

● Attend your final walk-through inspection

● Always return your phone calls or emails within 24 hours (usually within an hour)

● Always say “I don’t know” if I don’t know, and make our best effort obtaining answers to your questions

● Give you your choices and options, but never tell you what to do

● Put your needs first

AS PREFERRED BUYERS

YOU AGREE TO:

● Purchase any home you choose in Reno, Sparks, or surrounding area with our help

● Have us write and present your offer to purchase on any home you want to buy

● Be straightforward with us about your financial qualifications

● Tell us if your needs or financial situation changes

● Contact us when you see any property you are interested in – sign, advertisement, new development, online or by word-of-mouth

● Contact us to show you any property you are interested in – that is our job!

● Visit New Construction Sites with us first – the builder’s rep works for the builder. We work for you!

● When at Open Houses, tell the agent you are working with us and fill in Marilyn’s name and phone number in the place of your phone number

● Recommend us to all our friends, co-workers, and family – we will take very good care of them, too!

HOME BUYING PROCESS

1. Decide it’s time to find a new home

2. How are you funding your home purchase?

a. Cash: Document “Proof of Funds”

b. Financing: Get Pre-Qualification vs Pre-Approved

3. Determine your search criteria

4. Find your home

5. Make your offer (in contract form)

6. Contract accepted

7. HOA docs review

8. Home inspections, repairs or credits if any

9. Mortgage appraisal and commitment (If not a cash deal)

10. Obtain homeowner’s insurance

11. Final walk through and Closing

13. Move & Enjoy Your New Home

HOUSE HUNTING GUIDELINES

After our initial consultation, we will be emailing you home listings that match your criteria. Remember we have access to all the listings. If we don’t send a property to you, it is because it does not match your criteria for one reason or another. (Example: if you need a minimum of 2 bathrooms then 1.5 won’t be on your search). You don’t need to search on other websites for listings – you will just be duplicating our efforts. If you have any questions though, don’t hesitate to ask.

ADS / WEBSITES:

If you see an advertisement for a home on the web, on TV, in a magazine or newspaper that interests you, call or email us for additional information! (It could also be that the home already has an offer on it, too!)

FOR SALE SIGNS:

If you see a For Sale sign on a property and want to know more about the price or other information, call or email us ASAP! Calling the number on the sign means you’re dealing with the person who is negotiating for the seller to get them the best price, not you!

FOR SALE BY OWNERS:

If you drive by a home or see an ad for a For Sale by Owner, call or email us for the detailed information. (See a pattern emerging here?) Most For Sale by Owners are happy to work with a broker bringing them a qualified buyer who can help them through the process and get you the benefit of expertise. We manage everything and negotiate for you.

OPEN HOUSES and NEW CONSTRUCTION:

When you visit an open house or new construction site, let the agent know you are working with us. The agent should be happy to show you the home, but like above, remember they are representing the seller and exposing the property to the public in hopes of getting the seller the highest and best price. If you are asked to sign in, always give my name and number.

9 ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

OF YOUR REALTOR®

1. Clearly understand your needs and goals

2. Advocate for you

3. Be trustworthy

4. Be competent and skilled

5. Be knowledgeable of the market

6. Know what questions to ask to help determine what you are looking for

7. Help you find your home

8. Consult with you on the buying strategy

9. Manage the process from contract to closing and beyond

10. Keep you fully and regularly informed

WHY HIRE US TO HELP YOU
BUY YOUR HOME

• We are knowledge and trustworthiness

• We are tech savvy and use all the appropriate tools to expose and market your property to our target audience

• We know how to negotiate for you and advocate for you

• We are easy to work with and enthusiastic about helping you buy your home

• We love what we do and it shows

NEGOTIATIONS AND

FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY

Selling homes has given us a unique perspective in relation to real estate negotiations.

While we’re talking about buying the largest, or nearly largest single asset you will own, we are also talking about a highly charged emotional transaction. On all sides.

Understanding the components and strategies to use to your advantage, to accomplish your goals, is paramount. It is a straightforward yet complicated, critical task.

We pledge to bring all our resources and intelligence to bear to achieve your goals. All the while, taking care of you and your family in the process.

You can count on us!

MANAGING THE

CLOSING PROCESS

Finding the right home and successfully negotiating the contract for the purchase of your home is only part of our service.

Getting to the closing table includes several critical steps that we will coordinate and manage with your help.

Some of the steps in the process…

● Scheduling and arranging inspections

● Title commitment review

● HOA docs review, if applicable

● Scheduling and arranging appraisal, if applicable

● Review inspection report and negotiate requests

● Managing additional inspections, estimates, ect. as necessary

● Coordinating the walk through and closing

● Assisting with any final details in cooperation with all parties for a timely closing

ESTIMATED COSTS

 

Mortgage Fees $1,000 - $5,000*

Depending on the lender and the program that best fits your specific needs, application fee, appraisal, credit report, survey, bank attorney review fee, and other fees. Points, if any, are 1% of the loan amount. Please inquire of your lender - they are all different. You may be required to include PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance). Your lender will have more answers for you.

*More if jumbo loan

Inspections $400 - $2,000

General and structural inspection, plus radon, pest and sewer inspections. Other inspections may be warranted, ie: asbestos; water; lead paint; chimney, and others, depending on the situation.

Title Insurance $1,200 - $3,000

Based on the purchase price and mortgage amount. Includes preparation of New Deed & Affidavit of Title

Homeowner’s Insurance $800 - $5,000

This is also based on the price/value of the home, and of the valuables to be insured. The premium for 1 year will be paid at closing plus an escrow of 2-4 months towards the following year’s premium

Interest Due on the Loan

This is for the balance of the month in which the closing takes place. The later in the month the closing takes place, the less the interest paid at closing

Property Tax

Will be prorated as of closing day. As the buyer, you pay the taxes as of the day of closing. The lender will also require an advance payment of 2-4 months for your escrow account

Utilities

Gas, electric meters should be read immediately prior to closing.

Home Warranty $500+

Home Warranty can alleviate some of the financial burden of new homeownership. We have used it for a new oven, water heater, etc. It is an excellent security blanket from unexpected repairs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO BUY MY NEW HOME?

To find your new home can take anywhere from 1 day to 2 years or more - that is really up to you! Once we find your home and the offer is accepted, you can close as quickly as 10-15 days if you’re buying with cash, or 20-30 days with a loan (or you can delay closing to between 60-90 days)

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE TOLD THERE IS MORE THAN ONE OFFER?

I have heard clients claim that the listing agent is making up other buyers… If it is found out that they are, they can face fines and lose their license and ability to earn an income. It’s just not worth it! Do buyers withdraw their offer (for any number of reasons)? Yes, but it is not very common!

HOW CAN WE WIN A MULTIPLE BID SITUATION? 

I have had clients whose friends have made 2, 3, even 8 or 10 offers before finally getting the dream home… and then we know some who have won on the first try - and we’re not even the highest offer! It all comes down to your own unique situation, the terms the seller is looking for, and of course knowing how to negotiate and listen! We work with you to help you be the best possible qualified buyer to help you have buying power!

ZILLOW SAYS THE HOME IS WORTH & PREVIOUSLY SOLD FOR...

Well, a home is only worth what a buyer is willing to pay and a seller is willing to accept (Zillow said our friend’s home was worth $420,000 and they sold it for $776,000). An algorithm can’t take into account views, updates, changing market conditions, newly listed vs being “stale,” etc. This is where your REALTOR® comes in.

DO YOU USE AN ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE SYSTEM?

Yes, we do and can provide a simple and seamless document handling system that can be accessed from your computer, tablet, or smartphone with ease. Part of my job is to make this process easier for you.

NEXT STEPS

● Review and sign the paperwork

● Get Pre-Approved - if not already (if financing)

● Get Proof Of Funds Letter (if paying cash)

● Determine & review your search criteria

● Let’s make a list…

 Let me know if you’d like to get a copy of my book in electronic format or paperback.

Marilyn Dash   **   415-999-9087   **   marilyndash.com   **   marilyn.dash@exprealty.com