Megan Beechen Buyers Presentation

Real Estate Broker

B U Y E R S W I T H

P R E S E N T A T I O N M E G A N

B E E C H E N

ABOUT

MEGAN

ABOUT MEGAN BEECHEN Never a stranger to hard work, Megan became a multi-million dollar top office producer by striving to provide the very best service to her clients through dedication, persistence, and passion. Megan’s success is highly linked to her background in both marketing and real estate, havingattained degrees for both from DePaul University. Always having known that she was meant to be a Realtor®, she graduated DePaul on a Sunday afternoon and was in her real estate licensing class the following Monday morning. Since then, it has encompassed her whole life – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Megan believes her role as a Realtor® is much more than just a career and for this reason she is involved in many community and professional activities in the real estate realm, as well. Her passion drives her to improve the real estate industry as a whole and she does this by sitting on her local Board of Realtors’ Education Advisory Committee and Government Affairs Committee, by leading their Young Professional Network (YPN) Committee, and by holding various other roles in her office and community.

Her career, her business partners, and most importantly, her clients, mean everything to Megan. She hopes to never stop challenging herself to be the best resource for her clients and a proponent for homeownership in her community. Megan’s top priority is, and always will be, guiding her clients in making the best real estate decisions possible. “My job changes people’s lives, and for that, I am forever grateful”.

Megan Beechen Cell: 630.632.5486 www.meganbeechen.com

BUYER’S INFO 1. MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE It is very important to evaluate yourself and your situation to help ensure that buying a home is the right decision for you.

I believe in full disclosure and the importance of planning. Some questions you should ask yourself: What reasons are prompting you to move and what is your preferred timeline?

Have you been through the pre-approval process? If so, what amount have you been approved for?

When I find the right home for you, are you prepared to make an offer?

2. YOUR LIFESTYLE Deciding on what type of home you want to live in is just as important as deciding on where you want to live. For some, location is everything. For others, home details are everything. It is important that you decide what is most important for you and what type of lifestyle you truly desire.

3. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. Another important decision during the buying process is proximity to important things such as schools, work, grocery stores, and amenities such as shopping centers, restaurants, parks and recreation centers.

These things define your lifestyle choice and are not only necessary, but convenient.

WE ALWAYS OUTPERFORM Real estate is so much more than just a job, it is my passion and duty to provide all my clients with the necessary services to help them reach their real estate goals. Having the RIGHT AGENT helps.

IT ALL STARTS HERE...

Many agents offer great service, but not-so-great advice. Others offer great service, great advice, but lack communication. Though I am not perfect, I strive to offer my clients excellent service, excellent communication, trusted advice and a personal touch. I truly believe in people, their dreams, and care about all of my clients, who I now consider my extended real estate family.

KEEP THIS IN MIND WHEN LOOKING FOR AN AGENT...

1. EDUCATION The most important factor in choosing a real estate professional is their education in the real estate industry. I have advanced training and education, allowing them to be among the top agents in the world earning prestigious designations in the various fields of real estate.

2. EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE You want a full-time agent who is familiar with your area and with the type of property you intend to sell. Does he or she employ a diverse range of marketing and advertising strategies? How tech-savvy is your agent? How many similar properties has he or she been able to help clients buy in the past?

3. AVAILABILITY AND COMMITMENT Your agent should be capable of prompt and decisive action during the course of finding your home. Does your agent make it a point to keep in touch with you constantly? Is your agent easy to contact in case of emergencies or even for the simplest questions? Is your agent available on the weekends or in the evenings when most buyers are out looking?

4. RAPPORT Does your agent take the time to listen to your goals and clarify your needs? Can your agent understand your unique situation and be genuinely concerned about the outcome of the process? Your listing agent will be your guide and partner in this crucial decision, so it is important to find one with whom you can get along.

MORTGAGE INFORMATION GETTING STARTED You’ve decided you want to buy a home. Now what? The first – and most important step to the home buying process is financing. You can’t do anything until you know how much you can afford. To get started, you need to understand what lenders are looking for from a borrower. There are three main factors that help determine if you qualify for home financing: income, assets, and credit history.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF MORTGAGES: Getting a mortgage is one thing. Getting a mortgage that best suits your situation is another. Some mortgages have less strings attached but have more strict stipulations, while others may be harder to get, but have more flexibility. It is important to have all the information about mortgages available to you before you decide to move forward in the purchase of a home. Find out how I can help you find the mortgage that best suits you.

INCOME & ASSETS Most loan programs require the lender to verify all of your income sources. Typically you will need to provide pay stubs, your W-2 and copies of your tax returns. Lenders will also want to go through your assets and how much of a down payment you will have when determining your loan approval.

CREDIT HISTORY All lenders review a borrower’s credit history to determine the type of credit used, the amount owed, and the borrower’s repayment history.

MOVING CHECKLIST It is important that you use this checklist in order to be well-prepared when buying a home. The last thing you would want to happen is to move into a home without the necessities in life such as electricity, gas, water, or work/school related services such as Internet/phone, etc. Be sure everything is in order to keep things running smoothly during the buying process. If you need assistance, we are always here to lend a helping hand. It`s what we do!

UTILITY PROVIDERS • Electricity Providers • Telephone Providers • Water & Sewage • Cable & Internet Providers • Gas Providers

BUSINESS ACCOUNTS • Banking Institutions • Cell Phone Providers • Department Stores • Financial Companies • Credit Card Companies

GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS • IRS • Post Office • Schools • Driver’s License • Library • Veterans Administration

CLUBS & MISCELLANEOUS • Country Club • Health & Fitness Club • Recreation Club • Book Club • Other Club

INSURANCE COMPANIES • Accidental Insurance • Auto Insurance • Health Insurance • Benefits Provider • Home Insurance • Life Insurance PROFESSIONAL SERVICES • Broker • Accountant • Doctor • Dentist • Lawyer

MY SALES APPROACH I use the Internet and all online tools to help find your next home.

With more than 90% of buyers checking the web, getting online is the most effective and efficient way to search for homes. My web presence and online network will help me find a home that best suits you!

Below shows that 99% of people search for a home using three main search engines. I make sure to give you the widest possible access on these platforms.

81% 12% 6% BUYER SEARCH ONLINE! More than half of all homebuyers search online first when looking to purchase a home. It is vitally important that you are able to view the full range of potential homes to find the one that’s right for you.

|| TRUSTED ADVICE || TOURING HOMES IN PERSON AND ONLINE Some people look at several homes before finding just the right one. And others find “the one” immediately. Thanks to the Internet, you can view homes with your agent and streamline your search process significantly by checking out homes for sale online. You can visit open houses and preview everything that’s for sale in your market.

BUYER’S PREPARATION You’re ready to buy - or maybe you’re just ready to start seriously thinking about buying. There’s a lot you can do to prepare. With so much information available at your fingertips, you may already be doing a lot of your own research. Here are a few things to keep in mind while you get started.

DETERMINE YOUR PRICE RANGE The best place to start when buying a home is to find out how much house you can afford. I can refer you to a mortgage broker who can assist you with determining how much of a down payment you can afford, comfortable monthly payment, and the type of loan that fits your needs best. Serious buyers who are highly motivated should go through the effort of getting pre-approved; not only will this allow you to focus your home search, but it will also position you as a serious buyer in the eyes of sellers when the time comes to make an offer.

MAKE A LIST AND PRIORITIZE Imagine your ideal home and location. Now make a list of everything you envisioned, take that list and break it down from high to low priority. High-priority items are the things you cannot live without in your new home. (Large Bedrooms, Large Closets, High-end appliances, proximity to amenities and schools, etc.). Lower-priority items are those that are an added bonus, but not necessary. (Jetted-tub, landscaped yard).

YOUR LOCA CREATING POSSIBILITIES

AL EXPERTS THROUGH IDEAS & DREAMS

THE OFFER PROCESS NEGOTIATING THE RIGHT WAY I take the ethical responsibility of fairly negotiating contractual terms very seriously. It is my job to find a win-win agreement that is beneficial to all parties involved. You may even have to deal with multiple offers, so make sure that yours is strong if you really want the home. As your agent, I will guarantee a thorough and objective assessment of the home’s true value to help you make the right choice.

THE INITIAL AGREEMENT AND DEPOSIT An effective agreement is a legal arrangement between a potential purchaser and the property’s seller. Laws vary but in order to be a legally binding agreement, the agreement may require consideration.

This consideration (initial and additional deposit) is to be held in trust pending the fulfilment of conditions or contingencies in the effective agreement.

KEEP WRITTEN RECORDS OF EVERYTHING For the sake of clarity, it will be extremely useful to transcribe all verbal agreements including counter-offers and addendums, and convert them to written agreements to be signed by both parties. I will assist you in drafting all the paperwork for your purchase and make sure that you have copies of everything.

STICK TO THE SCHEDULE Now that you have made an offer, you and the seller will be given a timeline to mark every stage in the process of closing the real estate contract. Meeting the requirements on time ensures a smoother flow of negotiations and also ensures that each party involved is not in breach of their agreements. During the process I will keep you constantly updated so you will always be prepared for the next step.

HOME INSPECTIONS THE PRICE IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT It is a good idea to make sure what you think you are buying is indeed the property you are buying. It is so important to feel comfortable with your purchase during the home buying experience. Feeling comfortable starts with financing, but then leads into feeling confident that your purchase is sound.

Having a professional home inspector is the way to gain peace of mind.

A proper inspection will cover all areas of the house both structurally and mechanically and give you an objective view of the property. A qualified home inspector will also provide you with a written report indicating areas of concern and the estimated cost of repairs.

HERE ARE A FEW HOME INSPECTION TIPS: • Ensure the home inspector checks for visible issues with plumbing, electrical systems, roof, insulation, walls, ceilings, floors and windows, and the condition of the foundation.

• • Ensure your home inspector gives you a close and personal look at your new home. It takes about three hours to go through all the systems, and if there are any problems, you will see them with your own eyes. They will also give you maintenance tips and easy fix-ups, if necessary.

• Ensure that in the end, you receive a detailed report that summarizes the condition of your home.

WEB SYNDICATION It’s my responsibility to represent your interests as the buyer. This includes searching for a home, negotiating the best price, and handling all the details of your next purchased property. As an exceptional agent that never settles, I provide personalized access to more available property information.

AS EXCEPTIONAL AGENTS WE WILL: 1. Provide you with information regarding all properties listed with the Real Estate Board online at your convenience. This includes bank sales and “For Sale by Owner” sales. Furthermore, I provide complete, daily searches of homes appropriate to your needs and budget, complete access to a member of our team at all times and instant notification on all new properties matching your search criteria. I am also always available to show you homes at your request.

2. Mortgage Brokers, Building inspectors and Appraisers, Movers, Surveyors 3. Advise prospective sellers and their brokerages that we are representing you and negotiating on your behalf.

4. At all times, my team will demonstrate quality and professional conduct to provide the best possible real estate experience.

5. Keep everything between us. I will never disclose personal client information at any time in compliance with our privacy policy.

Exceptional clients deserve exceptional agents who always communicate, always put you first, but never settle.

EXCEPTIONAL AGENTS = EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS.

first steps

buyers take when looking for a home 51%

Internet (home searches & research)

34% REALTORÂŽ 4%

Call on yard sign

4%

Friend/relative/neighbor

4%

Open House

2%

New Builder

1%

Local newspaper & magazines

1%

Know the seller

A FEW TESTIMONIALS “We were conducting a complex transaction of selling our current home and buying a new home at the same time. As one can imagine a multitude of things that could go wrong when trying to handle the stick from both ends like my wife and I did, a working couple with odd hours. This was a challenge that Ms. Beechen handled like a pro. Actually, it’s “catch 22”: she’s so good at what she does she makes it look so simple and easy. She’s very accommodating and generous with her time even on short notices, odd hours, and weekends. But equally important she’s honest, knowledgeable, and a great communicator meaning she would always tell us in advance what to expect and always follows up on what she says will do. Will highly recommend her to friends and family.”

- Mustapha & Rana O. “Megan Beechen is very professional and has excellent marketing skills. I believe her expertise in marketing is the reason my home sold well. Megan is very hands on and always available when called. I would highly recommend Megan to everyone I know who will be selling their home in the future.”

- Kathy H. “What can I say, Megan is a gem, the ultimate professional. She is extremely organized and very detail oriented. What impressed me most about Megan is her presentation. She presented my husband and I with a binder of the home we were interested in as well as the comps to other properties in the neighborhood. She listed attorneys, lenders, and inspectors. She gave her recommendations, however, she listed several choices in each category. We of course accepted her recommendations. And, her recommendations paid off!!! They are as awesome as she is. She was involved in every aspect of the purchase of my home. She kept us on our toes and on task for deadlines. At one point, I got cold feet, but Megan was able to release those doubts with her knowledge. I will recommend Megan as a realtor to everyone I know and anyone I meet. What a great experience working with her.”

- Michael & Erika G. “Megan and her team are the BEST! They were very helpful and very professional in selling my home. Megan has a GREAT, POSITIVE approach. She doesn’t just list your home and sit back and wait for the phone to ring. She puts together a very nice presentation and gets the word out about your home through advertisement and sending notice of listing to other agents. I would STRONGLY recommend her and her team in helping find or sell your home!!!”

- Mike C.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY

Real Estate Broker

Real Estate Broker

630.632.5486 meganbeechen@comcast.net www.meganbeechen.com