Andrew Fortune's Buyers Guide

Helpful Tips For Home Buyers

Andrew Fortune Realty Associates 19333 Highway 59 Ste. 170 Humble, TX 77338

404-981-HOME (4663) andrew@fortunehomesales.com

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Your Home Search I personally designed this home buyers guide to be easy to navigate and too the point. It is split into 3 basic sections: A. Searching for the right home B. Making an offer C. How I make it all work out for you It is designed to be a simple tool for any basic home buying questions that you may have, but it is not going to answer everything. That is my job. I am always available to help you through your home buying process and strive to make it as smooth as possible.

It is my hope that you will be so pleased with my service, that you will refer me to your friends, co-workers, and family. I strive to get most of my work from referrals, as it has been the strongest part of my business to date.

So, enough about me. Let’s start planning your future home purchase out together.

Andrew Fortune • 404-981-HOME (4663) andrew@fortunehomesales.com

Section A

Searching For The Right House

Most Common 1st Time Buyer Questions: How much do I have to pay a REALTOR® to help me?

NOTHING! Seller’s pay their agent a commission to sell their house and that agent then offers a percentage to the buyer’s agent for bringing the buyer. You can utilize all the tools and techniques of a top agent and find the best possible home for you without paying a penny.

What is the best way to find a home?

Over 90% of buyers find their home online. In Houston, Har.com is the most popular website for home searching online. They one the local MLS and have most every listing accessible in real time. I can set you up with an email alert system that will send you any new listing in your criteria as soon as it comes on the market. This is one of the best ways to find the hottest deals.

Andrew Fortune • 404-981-HOME (4663) andrew@fortunehomesales.com

The Summarized Home-Buying Process

Your Home Wish List What are the 5 most important factors in your home search?

1.___________________________________________________________

2.___________________________________________________________

3.___________________________________________________________

4.___________________________________________________________

5.___________________________________________________________

Andrew Fortune • 404-981-HOME (4663) andrew@fortunehomesales.com

The Mortgage and Loan Process Funding Your Home Purchase 1. Financial pre-qualification or pre-approval Application and interview Buyer provides pertinent documentation, including verification of employment Credit report is requested Appraisal scheduled for current home owned, if any 2. Underwriting Loan package is submitted to underwriter for approval 3. Loan approval Parties are notified of approval Loan documents are completed and sent to title 4. Title company Title exam, insurance and title survey conducted Borrowers come in for final signatures 5. Funding Lender reviews the loan package Funds are transferred by wire Why pre-qualify?

We recommend our buyers get pre-qualified before beginning their home search.

Knowing exactly how much you can comfortably spend on a home reduces the potential frustration of looking at homes beyond your means.

Andrew Fortune • 404-981-HOME (4663) andrew@fortunehomesales.com

Section B

Making An Offer

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Making an Offer Once you have found the property you want, we will write a purchase agreement. While much of the agreement is standard, there are a few areas that we can negotiate: The Price What you offer on a property depends on a number of factors, including its condition, length of time on the market, buyer activity, and the urgency of the seller.

The Move-in Date If you can be flexible on the possession date, the seller will be more apt to choose your offer over others.

Additional Property Often, the seller plans on leaving major appliances in the home; however, which items stay or go is often a matter of negotiation.

Typically, you will not be present at the offer presentation - we will present it to the listing agent and/or seller. The seller will then do one of the following: • Accept the offer • Reject the offer • Counter the offer with changes By far the most common is the counteroffer. In these cases, my experience and negotiating skills become powerful in representing your best interests.

When a counteroffer is presented, you and I will work together to review each specific area of it, making sure that we move forward with your goals in mind and ensuring that we negotiate the best possible price and terms on your behalf.

Andrew Fortune • 404-981-HOME (4663) andrew@fortunehomesales.com

Closing 101 Prepare for It Closing day marks the end of your home-buying process and the beginning of your new life! To make sure your closing goes smoothly, you should bring the following: • A certified check for closing costs and down payment. Make the check payable to yourself; you will then endorse it to the title company at closing • An insurance binder and paid receipt • Photo IDs • Social security numbers • Addresses for the past 10 years

Own It Transfer of title moves ownership of the property from the seller to you. The two events that make this happen are: Delivery of the buyers funds This is the check or wire funds provided by your lender in the amount of the loan.

Delivery of the deed A deed is the document that transfers ownership of real estate. The deed names the seller and buyer, gives a legal description of the property, and contains the notarized signatures of the seller and witnesses.

At the end of closing, the deed will be taken and recorded at the county clerk’s office. It will be sent to you after processing.

Andrew Fortune • 404-981-HOME (4663) andrew@fortunehomesales.com

Moving Checklist New Telephone Number: ____________________________________________ New Address: _____________________________________________________ Before you move, you should contact the following companies and service providers: Utilities: ______Electric ______Telephone ______Water ______Cable ______Gas

Insurance Companies: ______Accidental ______Auto ______Health ______Home ______Life ______Renters

Professional Services: ______Broker ______Accountant ______Doctor ______Dentist ______Lawyer

Business Accounts: ______Banks ______Cellular Phones ______Department Stores ______Finance Companies/Credit Cards

Government: ______Internal Revenue Service ______Post Office ______Schools ______State Licensing ______Library ______Veterans Administration

Subscriptions: ______Magazines ______Newspapers Miscellaneous: ______Business Associates ______House of Worship ______Drugstore ______Dry Cleaner

Andrew Fortune • 404-981-HOME (4663) andrew@fortunehomesales.com

Section B How I Make It All Work For You!

How I Will Be Working For You Communication One of my main goals as an agent is to really get to know my clients needs and always be available when they need me. I will commit to always return phone calls and emails as fast as possible so that you never feel forgotten.

Lack of communication is the #1 complaint that consumers have against realtors and I will make sure that it doesn’t happen to you.

Teamwork Realty Associates has a very large network of REALTORS® who are on the cutting edge of real estate today. We team up together to help strategize weekly on different methods to best serve our buyers. This is a great asset to you.

Technology My experience with technology has served me well as a realtor. I will make sure that you are getting daily emails from the MLS to update you EVERYDAY on any new properties in your search fields. I am committed to make sure that you will have every home listing, even For Sale By Owners and Foreclosures, presented to you as soon as the are listed.

Negotiation One of my favorite things about being a REALTOR® is negotiating terms for my clients. When I am on your side, you will never get pushed around by any other agents. I make every effort to represent my clients in the most fair and honorable way possible. It is my goal to make you feel proud to recommend me to your friends and family.

Andrew Fortune • 404-981-HOME (4663) andrew@fortunehomesales.com

My Attitude As Your Agent My real estate business has been built around one guiding principle: IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU!

Your needs Your dreams Your concerns Your questions Your finances Your time Your life My focus is on your complete satisfaction. In fact, I work to get the job done so well, you will want to tell your friends and associates about it. I strive to get most of my business from referrals from past clients.

Good service speaks for itself. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to earn your referrals too!

Andrew Fortune • 404-981-HOME (4663) andrew@fortunehomesales.com