Despite what you might have heard about buying your new home, it does not need to be stressful or scary! My approach to Buyer representation comes from nearly 25 years of experience in working with first, last, and in-between home purchasers.

I began with national builders where I learned to uncover wants and needs and expectations and how to help folks figure out the differences. Then I worked with Re/Max where I perfected helping folks narrow down the many options available based on price, area, features and amenities while learning to read my clients' reactions to the many homes we were seeing. Finally I was able to bring all these together while adding a light, enjoyable, and caring atmosphere to the entire experience.         

I think that my being honest about the properties we see puts my clients at ease and the old style of trying to make any listing fit somehow doesn't convey the sense that the client is being heard. After all, clients are looking for just one home (at least at one time) and there are are always enough options. So, if a home isn't right, it isn't right, and we just need to move on. My clients have appreciated this approach.

I think it's very important to help a client learn what he/she can afford and having worked in the lending field gives me the unique ability to help in the pre-qualifying process, prepare my clients for what it will cost to close, and help with exactly what to expect during each phase. I feel that the more my clients know about this entire experience, up front, the more relaxed they feel and the more ready they are to make a buying decision when we do find the right place.  

Last, my team takes care of all the procedures by administrating every aspect. The loan, structural and termite inspections, survey, appraisal, repairs, negotiations, and all the rest, are completely taken off my clients'shoulders. This is another aspect of my approach that I believe makes buying a home through me relaxing, and a genuine pleasure.

In the end, as a Buyer Representative, I am determined to help my clients find just the right home and to make sure they really enjoy the whole process from beginning to end. Having sold over 1000 homes so far in my career, I feel sure I can enrich this experience no matter what your needs. And, in North Carolina, I can give this level of representation though the seller will pay my fee!

This rule keeps the costs of closing for buyers to a minimum and keeps a larger number of buyers in the marketplace. So, in this way, it serves as an advantage to the sellers as well. It's really the best of all worlds. If you're not familiar with this system please feel free to ask me any question so I can elaborate further for you.          

All in all, if you'll call me today for help in your home search, I'll guarantee that you won't be disappointed with me or the On The Ball team! Here are some notes to ask me about when we meet about how buying your new home works. I'll also give you a booklet called "Working with a Real Estate Agent" that will cover some of these points.

In the meantime this will give you some questions to think about for when we get together. North Carolina State law requires that you be informed of all forms of agency:

• Listing Agent represents the seller only           

• Seller's Agent works with buyers but represents the seller       

• Buyer's Agent works with and represents the buyer

• Dual Agent works with both buyers and sellers, representing both (This form of agency is also practiced when two agents work for the same company.)

• Designated Agent works with either buyers or sellers, representing either – not both. An offer to purchase and contract carries more weight when you have a letter of pre-approval.     

• Pre-qualified: You qualify for a specific loan amount based on a review of your income and debt ratio.

• Pre-approved: In addition to a review of your income and debt ratio, your credit report will be ordered and considered in qualifying for a specific loan amount. Mortgage bankers and brokers will likely ask you to document your income and debt.

• The Mortgage Lender usually loans you money from his company (i.e. bank) and typically offers several set programs with specific guidelines.       

• The Mortgage Broker works with many different lenders and facilitates numerous types of loan programs.      

You may find a home that is being sold by its owner without the benefit of being listed with a real estate agency. We endearingly call these homes FSBO's. You may request that your agent contact the home's owner to view the home. Often, the home's owner will allow this and pay the selling side of the commission to your buyer's agent. Never hesitate to involve your buyer's agent! This is when you are most likely to need the help of Rob's On The Ball team the most.         

This is the one! You have found the perfect home for you and your family. Now, with your buyer's specialist, you will review the listing price and decide what amount you would like to offer for the home. Your agent will help you prepare an offer to purchase and contract, including any appropriate addenda. Your offer must be accompanied by earnest money, which is considered a deposit made in good faith to show that you are serious about purchasing this particular home.

Your agent must present your offer immediately. In a perfect world your offer would be accepted immediately, but in reality, you can expect a counter offer – unless you have offered to pay the asking price. These negotiations are usually done verbally but can be done in writing.

This often takes several days. Once you have agreement on all the terms of your contract, you will be ready for the final steps:   

Inspections Your buyer's agent will recommend several different types of inspections for your protection. Inspections are performed at the buyer's expense. These are not required unless specified by your lender (i.e. termite inspection), but they are very important to protect you and your new investment. Your agent will help you set up the necessary inspections and should be present during the inspections.          

• Home Inspection – This inspection covers the entire home including structural, drainage, plumbing and mechanical systems.           

• Termites – In North Carolina, this could be one of the most important inspections you will need.         

• Radon Gas – This inspection looks for trap radon gas, which is found mostly in homes with slabs and basements.        

• Mold – This is a relatively new inspection for the Triangle market. This inspection looks for toxic mold growth that could be hazardous to your health.     

• Well & Septic – If this inspection applies to the particular home you are purchasing, it will verify the quality of your water and identify any need for repairs or cleaning of the septic system.          

Repairs that are identified as a result of these inspections are negotiable with the seller. Please be cautious not to confuse required repairs with cosmetic repairs. Sellers are not required to make cosmetic repairs unless otherwise agreed to in the original contract. Appraisal Your lender will order an appraisal as part of the loan process.

A house will almost always appraise for the contract price, or higher. In the unlikely event that it does not appraise for the sale price, you may choose to re-negotiate your contract or withdraw your offer.          

Walk Through As the new homebuyer, you are entitled to a walk through 24 hours in advance of your closing. This is where you ensure that the home is in the same or better condition then when you originally selected it. This also provides the opportunity to verify that all requested repairs have been made. This is extremely important since a closing constitutes acceptance of the property in its current condition.        

Closing: the real estate closing attorney that you selected with the help of your buyer's specialist will review the final numbers with you prior to the closing. You will sign the necessary paperwork that is provided to your attorney by your mortgage lender.

Please remember to bring personal identification with you to the closing so that your attorney can notarize your signatures. Congratulations! This is where you get the keys to your new home and you can move in. For heaven's sake, let's go celebrate! We've earned it!

Triangle Condos and Townhomes and Plexus Realty, LLC, along with their owners have been in the Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, North Raleigh, Inside the Beltline and, generally, the entire Research Triangle Park area for over 18 years! We have sold thousands of homes all over Raleigh NC and have broadened our services to include a specialty in Raleigh Condos, Raleigh Townhomes, and Condos and Townhouses in virtually every county in the area. Our webistes Trianglecondos.com and Plexus-realty.com offer the user the ability to search every available Raleigh home, Cary home, Triangle condo, Triangle townhouse, and so on, at the mere few clicks of the mouse. Please enjoy using our site for locating any Triangle Homes, Land, Condos, Townhouses, Farms, Investment Properties, and really, any form of Raleigh North Carolina Real Estate you could imagine. Please enjoy the site and let us know how we can be of service in any way concerning the purchase of your new Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Apex, Morrisville, Fuquay, North Raleigh, or Downtown properties and we'll make serving you our #1 priority!