Choosing your real estate professional is, perhaps, the most important decision you will make when buying property. I believe the more you look around, the more you will see the value of working with me.

However, no matter whom you choose, these simple tips will help you find and purchase the home of your dreams more quickly and efficiently. If you're a first-time buyer you can find more information here.

Before you shop:

Be a smart consumer. Learn the financing basics. Know how to shop for a home loan that's right for you.

Get pre-approved. This takes very little time and lets you know the price range that fits your budget and lifestyle.

Know what you want. The last thing you need is to close a deal and realize you bought a house you don't want. Ask yourself what you're looking for in a home, before you shop. Think about size, commute time and required ammenities.

Keep your debt load to a minimum. Don't make major purchases or incur any additional debt until after your purchase. Pay down credit cards and don't apply for new ones. Remember, financial institutions evaluate your financial situation on your gross monthly income and your debt to income ratios.  This is part of the prequalification process before you buy and is usually reverified during the closing process to be sure there have been no major changes in your finances. 

Your total monthly house costs should not exceed 28 percent of your gross monthly income.

Be prepared to view new properties quickly. Sometimes homes sell quickly, so be ready to make fast decisions. Be accessible to change the terms.

Have instant access to your agent. Instant communication can mean the difference in purchasing the property of your choice.  I am available by cell phone, text messaging, facebook, twitter, email, and via this web site.  You may get my voice mail but that is generally because I track my calls by voice messages, however... prompt replies follow.

Before you buy:

Submit a strong competitive offer.

Include a substantial earnest money deposit. Sometimes offers are accepted based on the amount of the deposit.

Try to minimize the number of contingencies. Fewer contingencies mean a stronger offer.  Don't try to over-negotiate...trust that your agent knows the market.  I provide a CMA for any purchase  or sale so you'll see how the price you want to consider measures up against the competition.

Hire a professional inspector. A professional building inspector or appraiser will make sure the house of your choice is in satisfactory condition.

Check zoning regulations and covenants. Some residential neighborhoods will be zoned to keep out commercial and industrial users, allow small business (or not), allow only single family, etc.  Read any restrictive covenants and make sure they fit your lifestyle.

Request an updated property survey. Be sure it clearly marks boundaries. Buyers will likely pay for this if requested.  Check for problems. 

Perform Thorough Due Diligence             In Oregon, it is the BUYER's responsibility to perform all due diligence and buyers are not to depend on any information they have not personally obtained via their own investigations.  They may not (by law) rely on, nor expect their Real Estate Agent to perform the due dilligence for them. 

My original licensing and subsequent real estate experience required that I learn and perfom the services of due diligence and investigations during transactions on behalf of both buyer and seller. This experience has led me to understand what can be involved for the clients and therefore I have made it a habit to provide many resources to aid in the due diligence process for my Oregon clients.

Make sure you know what stays or goes.
Your contract should be very specific about which items (appliances, etc) are included in the sale. I will be sure to write these into the transaction to help eliminate any confusion. 

Get agreements in writing. Make certain verbal agreements are written into the final contract to avoid any stressful and expensive issues later. Verbal agreements don't hold water when it comes to real estate transactions.

There are no stupid questions!   If in doubt ask.  Although I try to walk each client through the ABC's of a transaction there is always a chance something could be missed and each transaction will present new challenges and opportunities for growth.  I welcome all manner of questions.  If I don't know the answer I have numerous resources to get the answer within a very short time.  Providing REAL Service is my service mark and I enjoy the opportunity to show you what that entails.