Why use a buyer's agent?

At one point or another, most of us have experienced the process of purchasing a vehicle. Now imagine going to purchase that new car and having a trusted vehicle advisor by your side. This advisor has already spoken with you and knows exactly what you are looking for. They also know your financial standing and what special incentives you are eligible for. This advisor has compared the prices of like models that sold recently and uses this information to negotiate the best price for you. They have researched the options that will reap the most benefits for you. This advisor will also help find the best lender and insurance for your situation. They will also help with the registration and anything else that you may need. The price for this trusted advisor with all of these benefits ... nothing to you. The dealership has already factored in the payment for this advisor whether you use them or not. Not using this advisor will not change the price you pay for the car; the dealership will instead pocket the difference. Sound too good to be true? Well, right now it may be ... for cars, but for buying that new home ... welcome to the wonderful world of using a Buyer's Agent.

What I will be covering next is all of the services that I can and will provide for YOU as your Realtor.

Consulting and Counseling

The first step in the home buying process is finding a Realtor that you trust who conducts themselves professionally and is honest with you. They are the professional that you are entrusting to place your best interest foremost in their minds. This is where I come into the picture. The first meeting between you and I is the most important to establishing our working relationship. My focus is to get to know you and your goals for purchasing your home. The more I learn about you, the better I can make finding the right home for you an enjoyable experience. We'll gather pertinent information from you that will assist in purchasing your home (i.e. permanent residence, investment, etc.). I will go over the entire process of buying a home and all the services that I will provide for you in purchasing your home smoothly. During this meeting, we will also establish whether we will be working together. A Buyer-Broker Agreement is a form that stipulates our commitment, duties and loyalty to each other throughout this process. I guarantee that during this process, if you are not satisfied with my services, you will be released from the agreement.

I will do the following during this phase:

• Establish your goals and objectives in purchasing a home.

• Explain the entire home buying process.

• Communicate consistently with you by providing and explaining information and answering any questions that you may have.

Arranging Proper Financing

This will be the next step we will take in purchasing your home. Getting pre-qualified for your home is an important step in the process. This will let us know what price range of homes to look at and whether or not we need to work to increase your credit qualifications. Starting this early in the process will prevent the frustration of finding a home you "love" and not being qualified to purchase the home. Also getting a head start in the process will give us time to fix any credit situations and give you the opportunity for the best rates and programs available.

I highly encourage you to check with different mortgage lenders for the best programs that fit your financial situation. I work diligently with lenders to find the best program for you. However, there are local mortgage consultants that I prefer to work with due to their vast knowledge and experience.

We will do the following during this phase:

• Establish the right price range for your home search.

• Increase the availability of the best interest rates by increasing credit qualifications.

• Strengthen your bargaining power with the seller, who may be more flexible with terms knowing that you are already approved to buy.

• You must be prepared to answer three primary questions: What do we earn? What do we owe? How much do we want to spend monthly?

Finding the Right Property

This step can either be a very exciting or stressful time for you. Our communication with each other is essential during this time because it will minimize unnecessary stresses. I will need to know exactly what you are looking for in a home as well as the community it's located in. We will go over your likes and dislikes, needs and preferences, and your plans for the future. Being aware of this information will help narrow down the search and help us to focus on various options available. Since owning a home may be the largest monetary investment in your life, we want to ensure everything works out right. I will also preview each home prior to showing it to you in order to ensure that it meets everything that we have talked about.

I will do the following during this phase:

• Search new property daily.

• Conduct detailed research on specific properties in order to elimate properties that don't meet the standard.

• E-mail you new listings that meet your criteria.

• Preview homes for you.

Negotiating on Your Behalf

Once we find the home that you want to purchase, we will begin the negotiation phase. I will evaluate the listed sales price of homes that are comparable to the home you are interested in with recently sold homes. This will give us a market value estimate of what the home is worth compared to the Seller's price. Sometimes the home may need repairs, which is also included in the negotiating process. We can make an offer to the Seller's agent and use this information in our negotiations.

We will do the following during this phase:

• Determine what terms and conditions you would like to offer, and then prepare and present your offer.

• Determine what will best overcome the seller's objections if they do not agree with the terms of our offer.

• Prepare and present your counter offer.

• Protect your best interest in the negotiating process by utilizing my skills and talent to negotiate on your behalf.

• Maintain good communication with you throughout the negotiating process.

Managing the Closing Process

Once we agree upon a contract, we will begin all the necessary tasks to complete the process. This consists of opening escrow, completing all the necessary documents and performing all of our inspections. All of these tasks are on a timeline and require coordination to complete properly. I will work diligently with professionals involved in the purchase to ensure that all issues are resolved in a timely manner. The home inspection period will allow you to have a professional inspector examine the home in our presence. The home inspection will also provide information about the home as well as identify any problems or issues with the home.

I will do the following during this phase:

• Monitor all time limits, terms, and conditions on contingencies that need to be adhered to during the closing of the transaction and guide you through the entire process.

• Arrange for all inspections (physical, geological, termite, and etc.) and assist in solving problems that may arise.

• Coordinate disclosure forms, including any pertinent regional/state disclosures, ensuring forms are completed in a timely manner.

• Review closing and HUD statements and documents prior to closing for accuracy.

• Facilitate closing details.

Utilizing Extensive Resources

I have selected a group of Professionals that I have chosen to conduct business with due to their extensive knowledge, experience and outstanding reputations within their field of expertise. These professionals are the people that I respect and have a great working relationship with. I will assist you in finding qualified professionals for each of the tasks ( i.e. financial, inspections, escrow, etc.); which don't necessarily have to be the professionals that I recommend.

I will do the following during this phase:

• Utilize our supportive, experienced management team within the Long Realty organization.

• Make the most of the expertise of all the professionals involved in your home purchase.

Bringing Personal Expertise

This is where my knowledge and experience of real estate will help you. I have experience in New Homes Sales as well as Resale of Residential Properties. I have also served in the military and my wife is currently serving as well. which allows me to not only understand a servicemembers point of view, but that of the military spouse and veteran as well.

I strongly believe in personal, professional service to my clients. When you contact me, it will be me, and not an assistant that you will be speaking with. My mission is to provide you with the highest quality service possible. It's not about quantity; you will not be treated as a number. I will be present at all meetings and inspections we have with other professionals involved in the process. A very personal and professional service is my commitment and guarantee to you.