Find Your Home
Finding a home to buy involves many more steps than just searching the MLS. Read below for my approach to working with home buyers or Click Here to Search the MLS.
How We Find Your Home
1. I meet with you to determine your needs, timeline and budget and present you with a customized Home Buyer Plan.
2. Help you to select a lender and obtain mortgage pre-approval.
3. Set up a customized search in the MLS, where you will receive listings as soon as they come on the market or when prices are reduced.
4. In addition to the MLS, I search FSBO ads in the newspaper and on-line and network with other agents.
5. If once we have seen available homes for sale on the market and none are viable options, I will create a direct mail campaign to potential home sellers. *Your information will be held in confidence until you submit an offer.
6. I am available to do property previews in the event that you are out of town or not sure you want to actually see the property.
7. For out-of-town buyers, I can take additional pictures or video and post it to web address for you to login and view the house at your leisure.
8. I strongly suggest you explore the following resources if you have any concerns about crime, schools, environmental or future/planned developments that may impact property values.
State of Connecticut Department of Education – school reports
Environmental Protection Agency – environmental hazards
Crime Statistics
Contact Local Police Department
Zoning/Building/Developments
Contact Local Town Hall for Economic Development, Zoning and/or Building Departments
9. When you are ready to write an offer, I will provide you with a detailed comparative market analysis including:
Recent sales in the neighborhood
Whether neighborhood property values are increasing, decreasing, or stable
Property tax information
Local school information, such as Elementary, Middle & High Schools
Study of how long it takes the average home to sell in the neighborhood
Evaluation of the listing price
Price and amenities compared to previously sold homes in area
Similar neighborhood homes that have sold in past two years
Past listing information when the was last sold, and how long it took to sell
Street card
Seller’s property disclosures
Price seller paid for the property
Listing agent questions
10. Each listing is unique and requires a different strategy for offer presentation. I will review your options at the time of offer presentation and make recommendations based on your and the seller’s situation.
11. I will accompany you on the home inspection. Shortly after the inspection, the inspector will provide you with a copy of the inspection report. If there are any issues with the condition of the property or anything you were not aware of, you may ask the seller to remedy those issues. Like presenting the offer, negotiating the inspection items may require us to strategize in order to get the best outcome for you. If needed, I will recommend licensed contractors to provide estimates or make repairs.
12. The period after the inspection and before the closing can be the most stressful time. I pledge that I or another member of your home buying team will be in regular contact with you to make sure there are no loose ends or surprises.
13. I will accompany you on the final walk-through where you will take one last look at the property to ensure it is in the condition you anticipated and that repairs per the inspection agreement have been made.
Closing
14. I will accompany you to the closing, usually at your attorney’s office. The seller may or may not be present. At this time, you will sign & receive closing documents, pay for closing costs (if applicable), and obtain keys to your new home.
15. Shortly after the closing, I will contact you to make sure that you moved in successfully. I am available after the closing to recommend additional contractors or service providers if you need them.
16. As a client, you will automatically be enrolled in my CLIENT APPRECIATION PROGRAM. Monthly, you will receive valuable information related to owning a home and special offers for my clients.
