BUYERS PRESENTATION
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ABOU T VA U N I T E D VA UNITED REALTY TEAM My name is Noelle and I am a fully accredited Realtor specializing in residential real estate in the Hampton Roads, VA Area and head of the VA United Realty Team. My team and I pride ourselves on having strong ethics, integrity, and professionalism. We always go the extra mile to ensure that our client’s experience is like no other and they receive the best quality customer service. Whether you are buying or selling an entry level home or a multi-million dollar property, you will receive exceptional luxury service from The VA United Realty Team. We understand that finding a home that suits your needs is essential to your lifestyle, hope and dreams. We understand it’s not just about size and space, it’s about how you feel when you walk through the front door, and the way you instantly envision your future happily unfolding there. We have access to the latest technologies and market research will truly benefit you, as our valued client and enhance your overall buying experience. Our company’s approach to real estate is one built on personal touches, “win-win” transactions and positive results. We listen; which means we find solutions that are tailored uniquely to you!
Exceptional Agents.
Exceptional Results.
TRUSTED ADVICE I ARE YOU DEALING WITH AN EXPERT? Did you know that the average agent sells or helps clients buy only 6 homes per year? Did you know that 45% of real estate agents spend less than $500 per year on training and professional development. These are the facts, so how do you know if your agent is an expert when it comes to helping you buy a home?
BUYE R’S I N FO THE BUYING EXPERIENCE 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. We 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 we 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 centres, restaurants, parks and recreation centres. These things define your lifestyle choice and are not only necessary, but convenient.
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TRUSTED ADVICE II EXPECTATIONS, NEEDS & WANTS By determining buyers’ expectations, needs and wants, and comparing them to what the market is showing, an expert will help find the ideal home for you. However, it is important to understand how an agent will be able to identify these factors.
THE R I G H T AGE N TS WE ALWAYS OUTPERFORM Real estate is so much more than just a job, it is our passion, and our duty is to provide all our clients with the necessary services to help them reach their real estate goals. Having the RIGHT AGENTS 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 we are not perfect, we strive to offer our clients excellent service, excellent communication, trusted advice and a personal touch. We truly believe in people, their dreams, and care about all of our clients, who we now consider our 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 his or her education in the real estate industry. Our professionals 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. “FOR MOST OF US, OUR HOME IS OUR BIGGEST INVESTMENT. WHEN IT’S TIME TO BUY WE MAKE SURE YOU MAKE THE BEST DECISION IN PREPARATION FOR YOUR HOME. IN THIS BOOK YOU WILL FIND DETAILED INFORMATION ON HOW TO PREPARE YOURSELF TO BECOME AN EDUCATED BUYER.”
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TRUSTED ADVICE III REAL ESTATE AS AN INVESTMENT AND A HOME Everyone needs a home, however, one cannot overlook the importance of real estate as both an investment and a home. You simply don’t want to just live, but also build capital with something tangible, valuable and essential to life.
M O RTGAGE I N FO READY TO BUY YOUR HOME? 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 the Agent Marketing Group 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 T-4 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.
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TRUSTED ADVICE IV PREFERENCES, QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS Throughout the search process, many questions will arise. Common preferences are floorplan/layout, local amenities, schools, crime level, demographics, quality of life, price range, age of home and more. These preferences should always be taken into account by your agent to speed up the process and allow you to find the ideal home sooner rather than later.
MOVIN G CH ECKL I ST PREPARING YOUR NEXT MOVE IMPORTANT INFORMATION 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
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES • Broker • Accountant • Doctor • Dentist • Lawyer
GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS • IRS • Post Office • Schools • Provincial Licensing • Library • Veterans Administration
BUSINESS ACCOUNTS • Banking Institutions • Cell Phone Providers • Department Stores • Financial Companies • Credit Card Companies
INSURANCE COMPANIES • Accidental Insurance • Auto Insurance • Health Insurance • Benefits Provider • Home Insurance • Life Insurance
CLUBS & MISCELLANEOUS • Country Club • Health & Fitness Club • Recreation Club • Book Club • Other Club
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TRUSTED ADVICE V 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 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.
ONLINE FACTS & TOOLS LET’S GET ONLINE! Our team uses 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. Our web presence and online network will help us find a home that best suits you! Below shows that 99% of people search for a home using three main search engines. We 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.
51%
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TRUSTED ADVICE VI WHO YOU WORK WITH MATTERS We want to point you in the right direction and provide you with a little bit more understanding of the process, the questions you should ask and what you should expect from an expert advisor. Remember, if they’re not experts, then they’re not qualified to help you find your ideal home.
BUYERS PREPARATION BEING AN INFORMED BUYER 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. A Nicole Hanson Group agent 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). TOUR 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 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 on one of our websites.
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TRUSTED ADVICE VII PURCHASE & SALES AGREEMENT Once an offer on a property has been made by a buyer and accepted by the seller, they enter into a legal contract known as a Purchase and Sale Agreement. This document outlines the specific terms and conditions of the transaction and is acknowledged by both parties by the signing of the document.
THE OFFER PROCESS MAKING AN OFFER NEGOTIATING THE RIGHT WAY We take the ethical responsibility of fairly negotiating contractual terms very seriously. It is our 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 agents, we 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. We 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 we will keep you constantly updated so you will always be prepared for the next step.
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TRUSTED ADVICE VIII A HOME THAT SUITS YOUR NEEDS Contact us anytime you need to know what’s really going on in the market. If you have questions, then we’ll have the answer! When you’re ready to take the next step toward finding a home, we’re here to help. We’ll make sure to match you with a home that best suits your needs in the right neighbourhood.
HOME INSPECTIONS IMPORTANCE OF AN INSPECTION 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.
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TRUSTED ADVICE IX REALTORSÂŽ WITH YOUR BEST INTEREST IN MIND Real estate agents come in different shapes and sizes. They also have different mentalities. It is important to make sure that your agent is looking out for you and not simply for themselves. It is important that you, the buyer, feels comfortable during the whole process and that all your questions are answered, your requests are met, if possible, and there is never a breakdown in communication.
OUR CONCLUSION It’s our 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 exceptional agents that never settle, we 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, we 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. We are 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, our team will demonstrate quality and professional conduct to provide the best possible real estate experience. 5. Keep everything between us. We 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.
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03 LENDING PARTNER
GEORGE TEMPLE JR. PRESIDENT
A lifelong Virginia Beach resident, George has been a leader in mortgage banking production for the last ten years. Believing in long lasting business relationships with both customers and partner sources, he has always been in the top two percent of loan producers during his term at First Jefferson Mortgage, Resource Bank, and now OVM Financial, Inc. George is among the top twenty producers in the state for first time homebuyer loans, otherwise known as VHDA loans. He has been quoted in Inside Business Magazine several times and is regarded as one of the foremost authorities in the mortgage banking industry throughout Hampton Roads. George is a graduate of the College of Charleston in South Carolina and lives in Virginia Beach with his wife Judi Temple, his son, George III, and his two dogs, Sunny and Murray.
www.ovmfinancial.com
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INSPECTION PARTNERS SAFE HOUSE
Safe House Property Inspections utilizes the team approach on every inspection. We have a team of at least two inspectors for each property inspection. This allows for a more thorough inspection without taking up anymore of your precious time. Instead of being on site for 3 – 4 hours, your inspection will take 1 -2 hours. We will review your report with you at the end of the inspection, and have it emailed to you shortly after the inspection.
www.safehousepropertyinspections.com
QUALITY HOME INSPECTIONS
Floyd is the founder and co-owner of Quality Home Inspections. He started the business in 1999 as a home inspector after selling his construction business. Floyd has propelled the company into one of the largest family owned and operated home inspection companies in Southeast Virginia. Floyd has an extensive resume which includes, but not limited to, being a Certified Master Inspector, State certified home inspector in Virginia, State licensed home inspector in North Carolina and a Class “A” contractor in residential and commercial building in Virginia.
www.safehousepropertyinspections.com
ACD HOME INSPECTIONS
We are a locally owned, full service, property inspection company licensed in the state of Virginia. We offer residential home inspections as well as light commercial building surveys to the Tidewater (Richmond, Norfolk, Suffolk, Newport News, Hampton, Yorktown, Virginia Beach, and Gloucester) area. All of our inspection services meet or exceed both the State of Virginia’s Standards of Practice for homes and ASTM E2018-8 standards for light commercial property surveys. ACD Home Inspections LLC is also happy to provide “Life Time” support to our customers with no hidden or additional for as long as they own their home.
www.acdhomeinspections.com
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03 SETTLEMENT PARTNERS PRIORITY TITLE Priority Title & Escrow was established in 2005. Our goal was to create significant value to borrowers, homeowners, lenders, and realtors for the purchase, sale, or refinance of real estate in the Hampton Roads area. Our mission is the same as it was then: give more for less and create value where there is none. Since then, the only change is our reach. Now, we service all 50 states. Service, integrity, and a commitment to innovation transformed us into a Nationwide closing company. Our extraordinary team of professionals and lenders share our passion for accurate work, completed quickly, for the good of our customers.
WE SERVICE BUYERS & SELLERS
Simplify the closing process with a settlement company you can trust – Priority Title & Escrow. We have the knowledge, experience, and a nation-wide network of professionals to help you close painlessly, on time and with confidence. Visit our FAQ page to learn more.
www.prioritytitleus.com
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SETTLEMENT PARTNERS OMNI TITLE & ESCROW THE REAL ESTATE CLOSING EXPERIENCE YOU DESERVE Congratulations on moving forward with your real estate transaction! Omni Title & Escrow can assist you in finalizing your purchase, sale, or mortgage refinance pursuant to those terms agreed upon in the applicable agreement. We value our clients’ business and appreciate their trust so we have committed to providing each of you with the exceptional, professional, and timely closing and settlement services you deserve. MNI TITLE & ESCROW STANDARDS O Timely, accurate, and professional settlement services provided to buyers, seller, lenders and realtors. Our team is committed to actively fostering a work culture and environment of integrity and excellence. ur first priority is to protect our clients’ interests by ensuring that O we obtain thorough title searches and require that they be reviewed by qualified, experienced, and ethical underwriters prior to Omni offering a title policy. Omni Title & Escrow strives to make a true difference in the real estate industry around us by informing and educating its team, clients, and other real estate professionals. You don’t have to take our word for it. We provide our clients with the tools they need to make their own decisions and we are here to assist them every step of the way. Please feel free to give us a call or send an email with any questions or concerns you may have by clicking here. We look forward to hearing from you!
www.omnititleinva.com
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THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
NOELLE SHIELDS REALTOR®
757.338.0208
noelle.shields@gmail.com