Buying Tips
How I Can Help You Buy a Home
Whether it’s your first home or if you’re an experienced buyer, purchasing a home is a complex process. By working with me, you’ll find a home in the neighborhood where you want to live, one that fits your budget and meets your goals for features, quality and value. Once you’ve found the home that’s right for you, I will guide you through the process of making an offer; negotiating the terms of the sale; getting your potential purchase inspected, repaired and appraised; and closing the sale.
There are loan costs which are determined by the loan program and the lender charges regarding the total cost to carry the loan including the amount of down payment required under the loan program, appraisal, and loan fees (to the lender). Additional costs include the following: pre-paids including property taxes determined by the date that you close and the county property taxes owed (different for every county), HOA fees owed (if any), recording fees, escrow which is usually split 50/50 in WA, title. Keep in mind that repair costs, though not officially considered closing costs, may be included as a negotiated item throughout the process.
When you work with me, you will:
- Be more likely to find the home that meets all your criteria
- Lessen the amount of time it will take to find your home
- Understand all the terms, processes and documents used when buying your home
- Have up-to-date market information that will allow you to make informed decision
- Have a skilled negotiator working on your behalf, one who is committed to looking after your best interests
- Enjoy peace of mind, knowing that all the details of your purchase are being taken care of by an experienced and knowledgeable professional
Selling Tips
How I Can Help You Sell a Home
Helping find a buyer for your home is only one facet of a real estate professional’s job. There are many more aspects including explaining the basic real estate practices and principles and all the related paperwork, Performing a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to help determine your home’s value, helping to prepare your home for sale, listing your home, marketing your home, keeping you informed throughout the process. When the sale begins, it’s important to work with someone who will assist you with the paperwork, negotiate on your behalf, make sure deadlines are met, and work with the escrow company.
Property taxes if not paid to the date of closing, escrow, title premium, excise tax on sale of property depends on the sale price of home but ranges in WA from 1.1% to 3.0% (2023), reconveyance fee of approximately $50 in Clark County WA, agent commissions which are negotiated up front usually ranging from 5% – 6%. Also, as with the buyer, repair costs may be negotiated during the inspection process (though these are not considered closing costs, it may require more cash on hand.) This cost will vary substantially. Lastly, estimated closing costs for both buyer and seller should always be a part of the pre-buying and selling process.
By working with me, you will:
- Be more likely to realize the highest return on the sale of your home
- Reduce the number of days your home is on the market
- Become familiar with all the terms, processes and paperwork involved in selling your home
- Have confidence that your home will enjoy exposure to more buyers and agents with qualified buyers
- Receive regularly updated market information that will enable you to make informed decisions
- Have a skilled negotiator working on your behalf
- Have peace of mind knowing that all the details of your sale are being handled properly by a licensed and trained professional