Is it Time to buy?
It's all about being prepared to ACT.

It's that time of year again. The warm weather is returning, our landscape is beginning to show the value of our Oregon winter. But is this year going to be different than last year? The answer is a resounding YES - we are indeed in a different housing environment today.

As an Accredited Buyer's representative, my goal is to help you be prepared and informed as you begin the search for the best property at the best possible price. Throughout the country, and throughout our Portland Metro area, we are seeing a larger supply of homes on the market, which means that you as a buyer have much more bargining power than you have had in many years. More than ever, negotiating skills will be needed. So here are the rules:

1) Know your Realtor - Know your Negotiator
Whether you are a first-time buyer, or if you are trading up or scaling down. it is important that we know each other well. For the weeks ahead we will be working as a team to make sure all the various pphases of the home buying process not only go smoothly for you, but that you step out into the market of today with confidence and knowledge. I have found that it important that we take some time now, at the beginning to discuss your goals and hopes for your new home, or investment.

2) Know Your Numbers - Get Pre-Approved
Unless you are one of those fortunate ones who will be paying cash, and do not need a loan, it is important today that you know your spending abilitiy BEFORE you begin to view properties. Although it's fun to "shop" for a house or condo on the internet (you are not alone - more than 75% of today's buyers begin this way), be smart and get pre-approved in writing by a lender. In today's market, you are the king as the buyer IF you come to the market prepared to ACT. Having that preapproval letter in hand puts us in a position to be able to move quickly when new opportunities come on the market. If you need reputable mortgage brokers or lenders to interview, I am more than happy to refer you to those who have proven themselves over the years with my clients. You may also wish to check the Referral Directory on this site.

As part of the "Know Your Numbers" rule, I encourage you to know your credit score, or your credit history. You are entitled to a free credit report once a year. Two sites that I have personally found helpful are AnnualCreditReport.com and MyFico.com.

3) Create your buyer's Wish list
Putting something down on paper always seems to help. Taking the time to sit down with all those involved in your home search, including not only your family, but also myself as your Realtor, can be a great help in focusing the search and finding exactly what you look for in a home. You will find that talking through the wish list, prior to going out and looking at homes can help save you both time and stress. Talking through the number of bedrooms, style, schools, meighborhood, price range, special features and much more can make the whole home buying experience a fun event as well as again putting you in a position of power. Once we have established your Buyer's Profile, I will begin the search for properties that match your needs. Daily you receive via email listings that match your wishes. Of course, if you happen to see something you are only a phone call away at all times.

4) Preview Properties
Now the real fun begins. Let's get out together and begin looking at those target properties. Often times my clients have found it helpful that as the list of target properties is developed, I take the time to personally preview them in advance to make sure they're worth your time - do they really look as good as those pictures?

5) Write the Sales Agreement
Here is where all the previous efforts begin to pay off. With the pre-approval letter in hand, the "perfect" home found, we put together the offer, or sales agreement. Although the 7 or 8 pages may seem like a lot of fine print, I'll take the time to explain the terms and conditions as we go. Finally we have an offer ready to present to the seller

6) Present Your offer
One of the highlights of my role as your Realtor is to present your offer in person to the sellers. Whenever possible I find that personally representing you to the seller's agent and the seller puts you in the best postion to get your offer accepted, rather than the seller being presented with a faxed offer. When that personal approach is not possible, then it is important that I take other means to make sure the sellers receive some information about you - whether it be a letter from you along with the offer, or a letter I have written having now had the opportunity to work closely with you. Over and over again I have found that personalizing this set is critically important.

7) Offer Accepted - Let's Get to the Finish
Once we have an accepted offer, many steps still remain that require focus and at times further negotiation. Normally within 5 to 10 days after mutual acceptance, a complete home inspection, at your cost, needs to be undertaken. There may be corrective action that needs to be taken as a result of that inspection that may require further negotiation. Deadlines also exist for the loan process, insurance issues, and for title/escrow company matters. As your Realtor, I will be in close contact not only with you, but with all the parties involved in order to get to that day where I have the privledge of handing you your keys.

8) Let's Party - Welcome to your new home
Finally you have moved into your new home - gotten unpacked and settled in. Let's now celebrate. With your permission I look forward to hosting a house-warming celebration for your family, friends and new neighbors. That's right. You simply provide me with your guest list, I, along with your lender, send out the invitations, prepare the party, and even clean-up. Congratulations!!