When you're ready to buy, I'm here to help!
If you’re ready to buy a home, here’s how to get started:
- A lender can help you determine your budget and what loan program is right for your real estate goals. If you don't have one, I'd be happy to recommend a few that I trust.
- If credit or finances require time to meet your real estate goals, take the time and effort to do it right. Your credit and finances are easy to ruin and hard to repair.
- When time, money, and motivation are right, the next step is to decide what your search parameters should be based on your budget and preferred location.
Ready, Set, Buy!
When we know what we want to find, where we want to look, and when we want to get started, I will generate a search based on your preferences. I can set it up to automatically send you results that match those preferences ASAP, daily, weekly, monthly, or anything in between.
When you see something, say something...
As my client, you’ll have access to a private portal directly linked to the MLS where you can categorize the homes in your list, send me ‘sticky notes’ asking questions/making comments, and generating your own search with limited capabilities from that portal. When there are homes in your search or found elsewhere that you want to see in person, let me know via text, email, or call. I will book appointments to see whatever is available that you want to see according to your availability for in-person tours.
Often the process is generally one of elimination, not of selection. Today’s market is a mix of buyer’s markets, balanced markets, and seller’s markets. Some areas of Virginia experience a buyer’s market where inventory is high and demand is low; some experience a seller’s market where inventory is low and demand is high; and some are balanced, which means the number of homes for sale and the number of buyers buying are equal.
In a seller’s market, you will likely face competition with other buyers making multiple offers on one home. We will discuss options and strategies for writing a winning offer as part of my experience and skills as your Buyer Agent.
In a buyer’s market, we may be able to negotiate more than in a seller’s market; as your Buyer Agent, I will advise you in making a successful offer according to your goals, budget, and timeline.
Getting Under Contract
In any market, we should be able to shop, ratify a contract, and close in less than 45 days. You may end up writing more than one offer before we succeed, so your home search should begin about 90 days before your ‘gotta be in my new home’ date. Seasonal trends, price range, competition, economic factors, and market conditions work together to set the time it takes to buy your home.
Once we are under contract, I will continue to advise you, keep you updated, and provide any additional resources you may need along the way.
contact Kelli to schedule your consultation today!
Buyer F.A.Q.
Talking to your realtor is the best place to start. We have resources, experience, and connections that will benefit you not just financially but also with forethought and preparation. The next step will be talking to a lender to get qualified and pre-approved. If there are credit issues to repair or address, the lender usually can advise you or connect you with the right help. It is highly likely you started a search before you contacted either a lender or a realtor, but together, we can narrow your search, maximize your time and efforts, and strategize the best plan considering the current market conditions, your budget, and your goals.
Yes, you should have your own representation. The representative at a new construction community represents the Builder/Seller. They are going to be friendly, warm, and amicable, but they cannot provide you with anything that is not approved by the Seller/Builder. They do not work on behalf of your interests. The sales contract will be written as Seller-sided entirely. There is little we can change, although as your Buyer Agent, I can advise you, alert you, and help keep you and the Builder on track for what you want. Keep in mind that nearly every Builder/Seller will not allow you to bring Buyer Agency Representation if your Realtor does not make the initial contact or attend the first visit with you.
That’s very kind of you, but it is my job (and the most fun part!) to show you homes or attend open houses with you or for you. If you want to attend Open Houses without me, by all means, you are welcome to do so; just be sure to provide the agent at the Open House with my card or my information so that it’s clear you already have representation.
When we have a Buyer Agency Agreement, your best interests are my obligation and priority. In 2024 an NAR lawsuit settlement changed the previously assumed Seller paid buyer agent commissions to a fully negotiable item between Buyers and Sellers. In our Buyer Agency Agreement, you and I will reach an agreement to what I will be compensated directly (or indirectly) from you. It becomes my goal to negotiate with the Seller in your offer to purchase to have the Seller pay all or as much as possible of my buyer agency compensation. If they negotiate to more than you and I agreed, I cannot accept it–it can only be as much or some portion of what you and I agreed to. Any portion not covered in the negotiation with seller remains your obligation to me. This amount is added to the closing cost fees from your lender, title company, and entity (ie, HOA fees) and government fees (aka, taxes).