HOME FINDING GUIDE
“A home is one of the most important assets that most people will ever buy. Homes are also where memories are made and you want to work with someone you can trust.” WARREN BUFFETT, CHAIRMAN AND CEO, BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
WHO WE ARE
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES The Strength Behind the Sign Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is a worldwide holding company based in Omaha, Nebraska. Its chairman and CEO is Warren Buffett, who according to Time magazine’s ranking is among the world’s most influential people. Berkshire Hathaway is the No. 1 company in Barron’s 2013 ranking of the world’s 100 most respected companies; it ranks at No. 8 in Fortune magazine’s 50 Most Admired Companies survey; and is No.18 in Harris Interactive’s reputation study of the 60 Most Visible Companies.
TOTAL ASSETS US $484.931 billion NET INCOME US $19.476 billion EMPLOYEES 302,000 PRODUCTS Diversified investments, property and casualty insurance. COMPANY MAKEUP Insurance, Utilities & Energy Group, Manufacturing, Service & Retail, Media, HomeServices, Equity/Bonds/Investments.
WHO WE ARE
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES ROCKY MOUNTAIN REALTORS ® Tradition, Experience, Success In 2013, the Berkshire Hathaway portfolio expanded to include Home Services of America, Inc., the nation’s second-largest full service residential brokerage firm. This powerful joint venture, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, includes over 830 offices and 30,000 brokers with projections of 1,200 offices and just under 40,000 by year end. Rocky Mountain, REALTORS® is backed by over 130 agents covering eight offices throughout Colorado’s Front Range, including Cherry Creek, Boulder, Fort Collins, Greeley, Loveland and Colorado Springs.
CHERRY CREEK 100 Fillmore St, Denver CO 80206 BOULDER 4710 Table Mesa Dr, Suite A, Boulder, CO 80305 FORT COLLINS 2700 S. College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80525 GREELEY 4673 W. 20th St, Unit B, Greeley, CO 80634 LOVELAND 2903 Aspen Dr, Unit E, Loveland, CO 80538 COLORADO SPRINGS 660 Southpointe Ct, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 216 N. Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
THE BUYING PROCESS
MEET WITH ME
Sign Agency Agreement
Secure Financing
Set Up Home Search
Set Up Mobile App
Visit Available Homes
Present Offer
Negotiate Terms
Accepted Offer
Inspections
Repair Requests
CLOSING
Complete Loan & Appraisal
THE BUYING PROCESS
IDENTIFYING YOUR NEW HOME The following considerations are important when looking for a new home: • The price that is within your budgetary comfort level and/or approved by your Lender if you are obtaining a mortgage. • The time frame for your move. • The number of people who will be living in your household. • The neighborhoods that appeal to you. • Social and community activities that are important to members of your household. • The features you liked most about homes you’ve lived in previously; and those that you dislike. • The “must have” features of your ideal home and neighborhood.
THE BUYING PROCESS
FINANCING All offers must be accompanied by a Proof of Funds letter if you are puchasing your new home with cash, or a Pre Qualification/Approval letter if you will be obtaining a home loan (mortgage) to complete the purchase. I will assist you with this process. If you are financing your home, you can expect the lender to ask for standard information regarding your income, expenses and obligations. In order to ensure successful financing, you will be expected to maintain your credit standing by keeping up with timely bill pay, and to avoid making large purchases until after closing.
THE BUYING PROCESS
PROPERTY SEARCH You will have access to virtually every property for sale in this market, regardless of whether or not it is being offered by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices: • All homes marketed by our network members. • All properties listed by other brokers through the Multiple Listing Services. • Properties not on the Active market yet. • Suitable properties offered by “For Sale by Owner”. • Properties advertised in newspapers. • Properties advertised on the Internet. • Open houses. • Properties displaying “For Sale” or “Coming Soon” signs.
THE BUYING PROCESS
ONLINE HOME SEARCH BerkshireHathawayHS.com & Mobile App BerkshireHathawayHS.com is a sophisticated real estate destination that offers maximum exposure for listings and delivers highly detailed property information to prospective buyers. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services mobile app allows you to view property information in real time, and at your convenience—anytime and anywhere.
THE BUYING PROCESS
THE OFFER Once you have selected the right property, the next step is to present the offer to the seller: • Determine the price you want to offer. • Decide on other issues that are important to you, such as items you want included and inspections, repairs, closing and possession dates. • I will present your offer and negotiate with the seller’s Broker for your best interests. • When you and the seller have reached an agreement, you will be Under Contract to purchase the home.
SETTLEMENT PROCESS There are several ways to help support a trouble-free home purchase: • A careful review of the Property Disclosures from the seller will reveal any problems with the house and the surrounding area that you need to know about. • Professional inspections can reveal environmental (Radon), plumbing, structural, roofing, and other potential problems with the property that the seller will need to remedy. • A home warranty plan can give you peace of mind by providing repair-or-replacement coverage of major home operating systems and appliances. • A preliminary title report informs you of any problems with the property’s title and a policy of title insurance protects your rights to the property. • A walk-through before closing will allow you to make sure all required work has been taken care of and that the property is ready to become yours.
THE BUYING PROCESS
CLOSING It can generally take up to 60 days to complete all the steps involved in a home sale, depending on the complexity of the transactions. I will work closely with everyone involved in the transaction to help ensure that it moves ahead as smoothly as possible.