What your agent can do for you buyers guide
INTRODUCTION
WELCOME TO SAHAN REALTY!
We are thrilled to assist you on your
journey to finding your dream home. Our
dedicated buyer’s agents are here to
provide expert guidance and personalized
support every step of the way. This guide is
designed to give you a comprehensive
understanding of the services we offer and
how we can make your home-buying
experience smooth and successful.
THE ROLE OF YOUR BUYER’S AGENT
As your buyer’s agent, our primary
goal is to represent your best
interests throughout the entire
home-buying process. Our services
include finding the right property,
negotiating the best deal, and
managing the transaction to ensure
everything goes smoothly. Here’s a
closer look at what we do:
- Advocacy: We work exclusively for you and advocate for your interests.
- Expert Advice: Provide knowledgeable insights into the real estate market and the buying process.
- Seamless Transactions: Handle the complexities of the transaction to ensure a stress-free experience.
STEP-BY-STEP HOME BUYING PROCESS
INITIAL CONSULTATION AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT
- Understanding Your Needs: We start by discussing your preferences, priorities, budget, and desired locations. This helps us understand what you’re looking for in a new home.
- Setting Expectations: We’ll outline the home- buying process, including what you can expect from us and the steps involved.
FINANCIAL GUIDANCE
- Budget and Affordability Analysis: We’ll help you evaluate your budget and determine how much you can afford. This includes assessing your income, expenses, and potential mortgage payments.
- Recommend Lenders: We can refer you to trusted mortgage brokers or lenders who can assist with pre-approval and financing.
- Pre-Approval Assistance: Guide you through the process of obtaining pre-approval for a mortgage, which strengthens your position when making an offer.
PROPERTY SEARCH AND SELECTION
- Customized Home Search: Based on your criteria, we’ll find properties that meet your needs. This includes searching MLS listings and accessing off-market opportunities.
- Access to Listings: Get early and exclusive access to new listings before they are publicly available.
- Arrange Property Tours: We’ll schedule and accompany you on property viewings, including virtual tours if necessary, to help you evaluate potential homes.
MARKET ANALYSIS
- Comparative Market Analysis (CMA): We provide a detailed analysis of recent sales and market trends to determine a fair market value for the properties you’re interested in.
- Neighborhood Insights: Offer comprehensive information about neighborhoods, including schools, amenities, safety, and future development plans.
PROPERTY EVALUATION
- Home Evaluation: Assist in assessing the condition and value of homes through inspections and appraisals. This includes evaluating the structural integrity, systems, and overall condition of the property.
- Highlight Potential Issues: Point out any potential problems or red flags in a property, such as needed repairs or upgrades.
POST-PURCHASE SUPPORT
- Move-In Guidance: Offer advice on the moving process, including organizing utilities, addressing address changes, and settling into your new home.
- Home Maintenance Tips: Provide recommendations for maintaining and improving your new property to ensure it remains in excellent condition.
- Ongoing Assistance: Continue to assist with any questions or issues that arise after the purchase, and provide support for future real estate needs.
NEGOTIATION AND OFFER MANAGEMENT
- Strategic Offer Preparation: Help craft a competitive offer based on market analysis and property value, ensuring it meets your needs and stands out to sellers.
- Submit Offers: Prepare and present your offer to the seller in a professional manner.
- Negotiate Terms: Negotiate on your behalf to achieve the best possible price and terms. This includes negotiating repairs, closing costs, and contingencies.
- Contingency Management: Address contingencies such as home inspections, financing, and appraisal issues.
TRANSACTION COORDINATION
- Contract Management: Review and explain the terms, conditions, and obligations of the contract to ensure you understand your commitments.
- Communicate with Parties: Coordinate communication between the seller, seller’s agent, lenders, and other relevant parties to keep the transaction on track.
- Document Assistance: Help with the completion and submission of all necessary paperwork, including purchase agreements and disclosures.
INSPECTION AND APPRAISAL COORDINATION
- Schedule Inspections: Arrange for necessary home inspections, pest inspections, and other evaluations to assess the property’s condition.
- Review Inspection Reports: Assist in understanding and addressing any issues identified in inspection reports, negotiating repairs or adjustments as needed.
- Appraisal Coordination: Ensure the property appraisal is completed and address any discrepancies between the appraisal value and the agreed purchase price.
CLOSING PROCESS
- Final Walkthrough: Conduct a final walkthrough of the property to ensure it meets your expectations and is in the agreed-upon condition.
- Closing Coordination: Manage the closing process, including working with your attorney, title company, and other involved parties to finalize the transaction.
- Review Closing Documents: Help review and understand all closing documents, financial statements, and legal paperwork.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
RELOCATION SERVICES
- Relocation Assistance: If moving from another city or state, we can help with relocation needs, including finding temporary housing or settling into the new area.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SERVICES
- Trusted Providers: Offer referrals to reliable contractors, landscapers, home improvement specialists, and other service providers.
MARKET UPDATES
- Ongoing Market Information: Keep you informed about market trends and property values, even after the purchase, for future investment or selling considerations.
WHY CHOOSE US?
- Experienced Professionals: Our team has extensive experience and deep knowledge of the local real estate market.
- Personalized Service: We offer a tailored approach to meet your specific needs and preferences.
- Trusted Network: Benefit from our network of industry professionals, including inspectors, lenders, and contractors.
- Commitment to Your Success: We are dedicated to ensuring a successful and satisfying home- buying experience.
HOW LONG DOES THE HOME-BUYING PROCESS TAKE?
The timeline can vary, but from start to
finish, it generally takes 1-3 months,
depending on market conditions and
individual circumstances.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR DURING PROPERTY VIEWINGS?
Pay attention to the condition of the
home, neighborhood features, and how
well the property meets your needs and
preferences.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR DURING A HOME INSPECTION?
During a home inspection, look for any
major structural issues, problems with
the roof, plumbing, electrical systems,
HVAC, and potential pest infestations.
It’s also important to check or water
damage, mold, and the condition of
appliances. Your inspector will provide a
detailed report of their findings.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO WORK WITH A BUYER’S AGENT?
Typically, the seller covers the commission for
both the seller’s and buyer’s agents. However,
according to the NAR settlement, the seller is
not required to pay the buyer’s agent. That said,
it’s all negotiable, and the seller can still pay
both commissions.
In the event the seller doesn’t cover both sides,
we charge 2.7% to the buyer. We are successful
90% of the time in having the seller pay this cost.
Sometimes, the seller covers 2%, leaving you to
cover only 0.7% of the property price. For
example, on a $350,000 property, you would only
pay $2,450, which would be added at the
successful closing. We will work hard to ensure
you don’t have any out-of-pocket expenses.
Additionally, there is a $595 broker fee, which is
taken by the broker, not your realtor. Generally,
this fee is part of your closing costs and is not an
extra charge.
HOW MUCH CAN I AFFORD TO SPEND ON A HOUSE?
The amount you can afford depends on your
income, debts, credit score, and the down
payment you can make. A general rule of thumb is
to spend no more than 28-30% of your monthly
gross income on housing costs. It’s best to get
pre-approved for a mortgage to understand your
budget more accurately.In addition to the purchase price, you should
budget for closing costs (typically 2-5% of the
purchase price), home inspections, appraisal fees,
property taxes, homeowners insurance, and
potential homeowners association (HOA) fees. Be
sure to ask your lender for a detailed estimate of
these costs. add closing 2-3 percent. in the events
you have to pay your buyer’s agent, your
closing costs could increase to 4.5-5%.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY OFFER IS NOT ACCEPTED?
We will help you reassess and adjust
your offer or continue searching for
other suitable properties.