For Buyers

Buying a home is an exciting time in one's life, no matter what the economy is like.

• Make the smart move of choosing a Realtor to professionally represent you who'll LISTEN to you in an initial conversation to help you create a strategy we can follow together to help you purchase your home and meet your personal goals.
• Rather than settling for using an 'order taker' who can only do 'cookie cutter' or 'vanilla' deals, work with a seasoned Realtor who has an extensive background in Regulatory Compliance who'll work with your attorney to prevent problems up front and can handle complicated transactions involving estate sales, multiple contingent parties, short sales or bank-owned properties, deals needing approval through a bankruptcy or guardianship court, new construction or unrepresented sellers such as for-sale-by owners. Besides being in real estate 11 years, I have over 30 years of business experience and a Master's Degree in Business. I've worked closely with attorneys for most of the past 30 years.
• Be aware of the 7/23/07 'Anti-Flipper' law and what that means to you as a buyer.
• I'll also help you with the emotionally challenging issues that can arise from a seller not having enough equity to negotiate on the price of your favorite property, losing properties in a multiple bid scenario, bank offer rejections on short sales, unsettling inspection findings or your needing to terminate your rental lease. We learn, process and either regroup or move on to the next property.
• Learn how you can earn credits towards your closing costs using the Integrity Pricing business model from Rockwell Realty based on your proactiveness and timeliness in the home buying process. Ask about Corporate Discounts. The company list below represents the employers of some of my past and current clients.
  

• Contact some of my trusted loan officers on the 'Mortgage & Title' page and tell them you're working with Sage. Ask them about corporate discounts or credits available. Request GFEs 'Good Faith Estimates' which states your loan program, interest rate, closing costs, prepaid items and your estimated monthly mortgage payment. Remember to include property taxes, home owners insurance and condo or other home owner dues. Compare 2-3 GFEs before deciding on which lender to submit your loan application to.  Put all documents in pdf files to email.
• Take advantage of the lower interest rates. 1% lower can be roughly equivalent to 10% off the sales price.
• Once you know your price range and have received a Pre-Approval letter from your loan officer, then we can prepare to tour homes.
• You can key in your own search criteria in the 'Online Property Search' on www.SageCleigh.com and I'm glad to email you listings matching your parameters as well. Then we can tour your 'shortlist' that includes your favorite neighborhoods and school districts when it fits your timeframe. Before you make your final decision, we'll also do a 'Make Sure Tour' for a final look and a comparison against any new listings.
• We'll go over the entire home buying process upfront. When you're ready to submit an offer, then we can review the purchase and sale agreement, builder addendums, disclosure statements and other paperwork prior to your submitting your offer to your attorney for review. Your attorney may want to add language or an addendum to your offer before we proceed. NEW CONSTRUCTION is subject to a Sewer Capacity Charge which is usually assessed to the buyer at the time of close and is due quarterly for 15 years. It can be paid off early. Some loan types may require the seller to pay, but most builders will not pay this charge up front. This is typically not a recorded lien with King County (unless delinquent) and is not included on any lender's Good Faith Estimate - we just need to know to ask. It may appear in a Public Offering Statement and is considered another utility payment. http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/wastewater/capacitycharge.aspx
• We'll discuss a negotiation strategy, your loan deadlines and if you can do a rate 'float down' or not. I'm happy to meet with builders of new construction at the highest level, whether with the President or CFO, if allowed, to negotiate on your behalf.  You have much more negotiation power if you're the only buyer. Once another buyer decides to place an offer on the same home, then you lose many negotiation opportunities in the attempt to do your best to just get the property. Time is of the essence in submitting offers!
• Be aware of the laws of feng shui and vastu while reviewing and comparing homes. Check directions and consult with your family. http://www.ehow.com/video_4427075_how-much-how-soon-vastu.html
• I'll recommend inspectors to you and listen closely during the inspection to emphasize points the inspector points out that may not end up in your written inspection report. The inspection is typically done within a few days of mutual acceptance and you'll need to pay the inspector at the time of the inspection.
• I'll attend the escrow signing with you a few days before closing. If you need to be out of town, I'm glad to set up courtesy signings in the city where you'll be to make it a smooth transaction.
• My team of attorneys, inspectors, contractors and other professionals are available not only during the transaction, but years after your closing if you have any questions or if problems arise. Long-term relationships and trust are important to us so that you're happy with your home and will recommend us to your co-workers and friends on a continual basis.
• Confer with your attorney about the $8,000 tax incentive available until 12/1/09 with no payback . Here's the link to the actual form http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5405.pdf.
• Read http://www.financialstability.gov/ for updates on the economic stimulus program and how it affects you. Check out http://www.recovery.gov/ to see where all the money is going.
• I'll work with you and your builder of new construction for required Warranty repairs at the 45-60 day mark and within the 1-year Warranty Coverage Period. If there are serious problems, I'll confer with your attorney and the Builder's Customer Service division until the matter is resolved to your satisfaction.
• Microsoft employees contact me about Prime Card benefits.