Buyer's Guide

Buyer Consultation - We'll sit down and discuss what your needs are, including your "must haves" and your likes and dislikes for your next home.  I listen carefully as you relay your real estate objectives, as well as family or lifestyle goals as it relates to your purchase, and what your timeline for purchase is.  We'll then review the big picture including market conditions, strategies for gaining an edge over your competition, the sales process and what to expect, and how best to navigate both the search, as well as the contract-to-close process. 

Buyer Agreement - I'll also walk you through how our Buyer Agreement works, and how I will represent you and protect your interests throughout the home buying process.  Upon signing, we can officially get you started on the road to home ownership!

Because we focus on the homes that best match your needs ahead of time, we'll be able to find your dream home more quickly and with less stress. 

Once you've identified the home you'd like to purchase, we'll then discuss how you'd like to structure your offer.  I'll walk you through the best strategies that will not only protect your interests (even in a competitive market) but also increase the appeal of your offer to win the bid.  We'll then write your offer and submit it to the seller (along with your pre-approval letter). 

The seller may accept your initial offer, or, as it is in most cases, they will counter a few terms in your offer.  This process goes back and forth until agreement is made by buyer and seller, or the parties decline to go further.  

Upon ratification, you'll submit your EMD (earnest money deposit) to the title company.  The EMD is roughly 2% of the sales price of the home.  The EMD will be cashed and held by the title company in an escrow account until closing. 

And - keep in mind - assuming the sale proceeds in accordance with the contract, you'll get this EMD back at closing in the form of a credit off of your closing costs.  (In very rare instances, if a contract falls through due to buyer default, the EMD may be put at risk.  We can talk about that further when we meet).   I have strategies in place to help protect your EMD so that your hard earned money is not jeopardized.

If the home you are purchasing belongs within a home owner's association (HOA) or a condominium association (condo), your sellers will provide you with governing documents for the association(s) following ratification.  These documents will contain the bylaws, rules, and restrictions of the association, which you will be bound by as a new owner within the association.  (If you have pets, pay careful attention to find out if there are any pet or weight restrictions!)

Virginia allow buyers 3-days to review these documents (from receipt date) to ensure you are in agreement with these bylaws, etc.  If you don't agree or feel the community would be too restrictive, you may void the contract within this 3-day review window.  For the vast majority of buyers, this 3-day window comes and goes, with the buyers moving forward to closing.

Closing funds - In preparation for closing, your lender will relay the down payment amount you'll need to bring to closing.  You'll prepare with the title company the week of closing to either wire that amount or bring a check to closing in that amount. 

Walk Through - We'll walk through the home on the day of closing, to make sure everything looks good, and to confirm that all items that are supposed to convey are present and in good working order.  We'll then head to closing together! 

Closing - Together with the closing agent, we'll review the Settlement Statement to make sure your final numbers for the sale are correct.  Upon completion, you'll sign off on all lender and title documents to transfer ownership to you. 

You'll get keys to your new home at the closing table so you can go straight to your new home after closing is completed.

CONGRATS!  You're a new homeowner!