Yahaira Boykin Buyer's Presentation

Yahaira

& COHEN

Yahaira Boykin, who was born in Detroit, Michigan, relocated to Tulsa from Nashville, Tennessee, in 2013. She holds both a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Bachelor of Science in Call Center Management. She also earned a qualification in Project Management.

Prior to working in real estate, Yahaira had a successful career at Verizon Wireless for more than 20 years. She held a variety of jobs, including those of project manager, supervisor, district consultant, and customer service agent. Additionally, she spent the previous two years managing special events at Bishop Kelley High School.

Being a full-service professional with extensive local real estate market expertise in Tulsa and the neighboring areas, Yahaira brings to her buyers and sellers the great communication, sales, and customer service skills she honed throughout her tenure at Verizon. She is a skilled problem-solver, diligent, and dedicated to seeing her clients succeed. Yahaira works hard to ensure that her clients’ real estate transactions are successful and live up to their expectations.

Her hobbies include spending time with her family, gardening, watching movies, and helping at Church of St. Mary hospitality events.

Advantages

of using a REALTOR®

Congratulations on your decision to buy a home! It’s a challenging project, and there are many ways a professional can help. Here are some of the many ways you may benefit from working with a REALTOR®

MANY MORE HOME CHOICES

Your REALTOR® has thousands of homes to choose from through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), so you’re more likely to find the home that’s just right for you and find it quicker. In fact, a majority of the homes for sale are listed by REALTORS® and aren’t available to you unless you are working with a REALTOR® Networking with other realtors to find out about upcoming listings is part of the service provided.

A NUMBER OF TRANSACTIONS “FALL OUT”

Unfortunately, it’s true. Some transactions fall apart before closing. An experienced REALTOR® may be able to resolve problems and see your transaction through to a successful closing.

KNOWLEDGE OF NEW HOME SUBDIVISIONS

New home subdivisions will welcome you and your REALTOR®.

If you’re interested in buying a new home, take your agent with you on your first visit to each subdivision. Your professional REALTOR® is an important source of information who can supply background on the builder, nearby subdivisions, and the local community, as well as ensuring your interests are out first.

IT’S A MAJOR INVESTMENT

You use a professional for your legal, financial and health needs. Why gamble on what may be your biggest investment without a professional at your side?

HELP WITH FSBO’S

If you consider a “For Sale By Owner,” take your REALTOR® along to help negotiate the contract.

LESS LIABILITY

You may have more protection from legal and financial liability, especially as real estate transactions become more complicated.

THE PAPERWORK

Your experienced REALTOR ® will negotiate and prepare the purchase contract for you and assist you throughout the escrow process.

Buyer Services

YOUR REALTOR PUTS YOU FIRST, ALWAYS

Real Estate is a commission-only world, however, they know when they lead with integrity and do what is best for the client above all else, you’ll send every friend, family member, and co-worker their way, which is worth so much more!

CUSTOM PROPERTY SEARCH

Zillow, Realtor.com, and other home sites are great resources for the public to find listings for sale, however, your realtor can provide you with more accurate and detailed information on properties from the Multiple Listings Service (MLS) that is only available to Realtors. In a hot market, it’s imperative that you take advantage of a custom search from your realtor to ensure you’re one of the first to know about new properties hitting the market.

ANY LISTING, EVEN IF IT’S FOR SALE BY OWNER

If a home is for sale, your realtor can help! Whether it’s their listing, one of their competitor’s listings, or even a property that is not listed with a Realtor, your realtor is more than happy to schedule all showings for you, furnish market data, assist you in making an offer, and provide strategic negotiation tips.

FROM START TO FINISH

From pre-qualification with a trusted lender, to scheduling all showings and inspections, to finalizing the closing, your realtor coordinates each step of the home-buying process for you.

FIND A REALTOR to represent your interests in the transaction. Communication is key. We will be a team, when you have a need or concern please tell me. I will assist you in purchasing a home: for sale by owner, marketed by a realty company, new construction...

FULL LOAN APPROVAL from a mortgage banker. Most sellers are requiring a pre-approval letter from a lender before looking at an offer on their home. Getting fully approved puts you ahead of the game. (Have a copy emailed to me.) Your loan officer will let you know how much you qualify for and can give you a good idea of payments, closing costs, and other expenses you can expect along the way.

LET’S GO SHOPPING!! Now that you know how much you want to spend, we can work together to find the perfect home for you. Don’t forget your checkbook! (Yes, you will need it for earnest money.

MAKING AN OFFER? Once you have found a home you love you will want to put an offer in. I will look up the comps in the area and disclosure for the property. Then we will want to sit down and discuss the details of your offer: purchase price, financing option or cash, earnest money amount, close date, additional items to be left on premise, things to be removed, home warranty, contingencies, any other requirements or items to be paid by the seller.

EARNEST MONEY is a check or money order that is given to secure the property. It is only cashed once an agreement has been reached by both parties. It is held in an escrow account until closing. At closing it will go towards to purchase of the home. You can lose this earnest money if you do something outside of the confines of the contract so remember when your Realtor, the closer or lender ask you for information or decisions, you need to respond as quickly as possible. If there is a reason you can’t respond, then you need to discuss with us so we can help or do an extension if necessary/doable to protect you.

NEGOTIATIONS: Once the offer is submitted, the seller can do one of three things: accept the offer as is, counter offer, or reject the offer. Here is where I come in handy...

What To Expect When Purchasing a Home

INSPECTION: Now that you are under contract, your time period to do inspections begins. I will assist in scheduling the inspections to fit your schedule. Most homes have minor faults, it does not mean they are uninhabitable. You need to be aware of any issues you can take care of on your own and what if any you would like to ask that the seller be responsible for taking care of before closing. (Note: during this time your financing must get locked in and appraisal ordered.)

REPAIR REQUEST: You have a specified amount of time to request any repairs. You must submit in writing all repair requests to the sellers. The sellers will then do one of three things: they will sign off on all requested repairs, counter offer on the repairs, or they will refuse to do the repairs.

RE-INSPECTION: This may be done by the inspector for a fee or by yourself, unless specified by your lender. (ie: sometimes you must pay an appraiser to come out to re-inspect a required repair.)

CLOSING: Have the funds wired to the title company for the amount specified by your lender. When you get the encrypted email call me or your closer, to make sure it goes to the right place. Get ready to sign a stack of papers... Once they are all signed and the funding has come through...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! You are the proud new owner of a home!!!

Go to open houses, enjoy looking, and I can get information on any house you like!

Just remember to tell the agents at the open house as soon as you walk in that you are working with me and write my information down at opens, not yours. That way the Realtors can contact me for feedback and will not bug you.

Pieces of Money You Need to Know About

EARNEST MONEY

Earnest money is a check written at time of offer that proves to a seller you’re serious about the purchase. Earnest money is held in escrow until closing and then applied towards the purchase. Earnest money usually ranges from $500–$5,000 depending on the price of the home.

INSPECTION MONEY

It’s your right to choose any inspector you dream qualified, even if that’s your Uncle Billy Bob. If you don’t already have an inspector in mind, I will recommend and even schedule on your behalf a group of highly skilled, experienced, and licensed inspectors that put your best interest first. Inspections typically occur in the first 7–10 days after having a fully executed contract and can range from $250–$1,500 depending on the home’s features (pool, septic, chimney, etc) and depending on how in depth you want to go.

APPRAISAL MONEY

If a mortgage is involved, your lender must order an appraisal to ensure the house is worth the amount it’s lending. This typically costs between $450–$650 and is paid directly to your lender within the first five days of the contract period.

Closing Costs and Other Costs in Home Buying

EARNEST MONEY

$500—$2,000. This is a check you will write when you submit an offer. It ensures to the seller that you are serious about purchasing the home. It’s held in an escrow account (usually through the brokerage or title company) and applied towards the purchase at closing.

APPRAISAL MONEY

$450—$650. If you are taking out a mortgage for your home purchase your lender will order the appraisal to make sure you don’t pay too much for your purchase. This money is paid to your lender within the first week of a fully executed contract.

INSPECTION MONEY

$250—$1,000. It’s always smart to have a home inspection. You can choose the inspector or Donna can give you recommendations for an inspector her clients have used in the past. EMP (electrical, mechanical, and plumbing), termite and wood rot, roof, drainage, pool, and structural inspections are just a few of the most common home inspections. Inspections usually occur within the first 10 days of the fully executed contract.

CLOSING COSTS

$5,000—$7,500 (from 2% to 5% of the purchase price). If necessary, we may be able to negotiate to have the seller cover some or all of the closing costs or you can pay closing costs associated with the loan. This includes down payment, loan origination fees, credit reports, attorney fees, survey fees, title search fees, deed recording fees, escrow deposit, proration, transfer fees, title insurance policy and more.

Things to Remember During the Home Buying Process

THE DO’S

• Pay your mortgage or rent payments on time.

• Notify your lender of any change in job status, income reduction, etc.

• Do not change employers.

• Pay all your bills.

WHAT AFFECTS YOUR CREDIT SCORE?

1. Have you paid your debts on time?

2. How much debt do you have to your income ratio?

3. How long is your credit history?

THE DON’TS

• Do NOT change jobs, quit your job, or become self-employed.

• Do NOT buy or trade in a vehicle.

• Do NOT increase debt/balances or miss payments.

• Do NOT spend money you have set aside for closing.

• Do NOT omit debts of liabilities from your loan application.

• Do NOT buy furniture or appliances or make a new credit application.

• Do NOT originate credit inquiries (i.e. no new loans, credit cards, or lines of credit).

• Do NOT make large deposits or transfer funds.

• Do NOT co-Sign any loan.

Credit scores range from 200 to 800. Scores above 640 are usually good for obtaining a mortgage.

Home Warranties

WHAT IS A HOME WARRANTY?

A service contract that covers the repair or replacement of important home system components and appliances that break down over time. That means whether it’s you’re A/C unit burning up in the summer, your heater failing in the winter or any number of other covered systems and appliances calling it quits, you and your family will have one less thing to worry about.

WHY IS A WARRANTY RECOMMENDED?

Breakdowns are inevitable—home system components and appliances simply wear out over time. Unlike most homeowners insurance, a home warranty plan protects your budget by covering an unexpected repair or replacement of crucial items when they stop working due to normal wear and tear, saving you money in the long run. Think of it like this…

HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE COVERS THINGS THAT MIGHT HAPPEN

Fire damage, Hail and Wind damage. Theft & Vandalism

HOME WARRANTY COVERS THINGS THAT WILL HAPPEN

Breakdowns of HVAC systems, Water Heater, Oven, Dishwasher, Plumbing & More

WITHOUT A HOME WARRANTY

Repair or replacement of key home systems and appliances can be expensive. Talk with me about the average cost of a home warranty and strategies for including one in the contract so that you’re protected from unexpected problems in your first year of home ownership.

Inspection

1. EMP (Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing)

2. Roof

3. Structural

4. Drainage

5. Termite & Wood Rot

6. Additional Inspections (i.e. Spetic, Pool & Spa, Crawl Space)

Be sure to inform me if you want any of these additional inspections preformed since they are an additional cost and may even require different inspectors to be scheduled. It is also important to note that the inspection only covers the main dwelling, therefore shops, detached garages, pool house, and other structures are not included unless specifically requested and an additional fee will likely be applied.

ARE ALL INSPECTIONS THE SAME?

No! Picking an experienced and thorough inspector is crucial. It’s also important to note that ONLY structural engineers can make structural recommendations. Beware of general home inspectors claiming to do structural inspections. In the state of Oklahoma they are not licensed to suggest remedies and will typically refer you to an engineer if there is something of concern which might end up costing you more in the long run.

Tips For New Homeowner

CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS

Start forwarding for mail right away with the Post Office. But some places you may not think to notify and they may only mail you something once a year. Places like:

• Tag agency to change it on your vehicles and Drivers Licenses

• Voter Registration

• Employer for tax forms

• Licensing / certification boards

• Schools, Civic organizations, and churches

• Doctors

SECURITY & SAFETY

Change locks. Spares could be floating around anywhere.

Reset the key codes for garage doors, gates, etc. The former owners might have trusted half the neighborhood.

Test fire and carbon monoxide detectors. Who knows when the last time was. Definitely install them if there are none.

Check the temperature on your water heater, especially if you have young ones, so it won’t accidentally scald. Manufacturers tend to set them high. (but the best temperature setting for hot water is 120 degrees).

Put a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and each additional floor.

MAINTENANCE PLANNING

Start your master maintenance plan (and good home-keeping habits) by setting reminders in your calendar to do these basic maintenance tasks:

• Clean out the dryer hose and vent yearly. Clogged ones burn down houses. And you don’t know the last time the previous homeowner did it.

• Change your HVAC filters at least once a season. You’ll save on heating and cooling — and your unit will last longer. (While you’re at it, go ahead and stock up on them, too.)

• Schedule HVAC maintenance for spring and fall.

• Clean your fridge coils at least once a year. It’ll run better and last longer. (Don’t see any coils? Lucky you! Newer fridges often have coils insulated, so there’s no need for annual cleaning.)

• Clean your gutters at least twice a year. Depending on how many trees you have you may need to do this more!

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

You really don’t want to be figuring any of this out in a real emergency. Do it now. You’ll sleep better and be less likely to ruin your home. Locate the main water shut-off valve. Because busted pipes happen to almost every homeowner at least once. And water damage is value-busting and pricey to fix.

Find the circuit box, and label all circuit breakers. Find the gas shut-off valve, too, if you have gas. Assemble an emergency supply kit. Some key items are:

• Flashlights and batteries

• Emergency numbers

• Non-perishable food and water

• Blankets and warm clothing

• A radio, TV, or cell phone with backup batteries

HOME & MORTGAGE DOCUMENTS

Store copies (the originals should be in a fireproof safe or safety deposit box) of important home documents so they’re readily available. Go paper, cloud, or better, yet, both.

• Title Insurance Policy (comes about 60 days after you close)

• Property survey

• Final closing documents

• Insurance documents

• Apply for homestead with your county the first January after you purchase your house.

9 Odd Moving Tips That Really Work

You’ve got the basics - cardboard boxes, newspaper, and the phone number of a pizza place so you can feed the friends helping you move all your worldly goods. But do you have enough socks for the stemware?

1. FOOTWEAR, MEET STEMWARE

About those socks and glasses... If you can double up and use some of your belongings to protect others, you cut down on space and moving supplies. Socks slipped around the wine glasses can help pad the delicate stems.

2. PLATES ON PLATES

Instead of painstakingly wrapping each dinner dish in newsprint or bubble wrap, or purchasing those prepackaged dish packs, buy one cheap bag of Styrofoam plates. Alternate stacking the real plates with the disposables and—voila!—Instant padding.

3. MAKE LIKE A GHOST

Worn sheets can be used as an extra layer of protection around your mattress, or any piece of furniture. You may not want to use that extra-fancy satin set, but old, cheap stand-bys can take a stain or risk a tear better than a mattress or sofa upholstery.

Bonus: Like the socks, using sheets as packing material frees up more box space.

4. PACK IN COLOR

Sure, you can painstakingly label every box. Or, just slap on some color. Buy color dots or several rolls of duct tape, designate a specific color for each room, and stick the appropriate dot or tape on each box. The best part, we think, is the idea of making a legend that can keep track of all of your colors. That way, you won’t mistake the red for the den instead of the kitchen, and unpacking becomes a snap.

5. USE YOUR WHEELS

Have wheelie bags? Use them for heavy things like books, especially if it’s a relatively smaller suitcase and not an Army-size duffel. You won’t be able to get away without ever having to lift the bag, such as in and out of a vehicle, but at least you ‘11 have a little extra help.

6. BAG YOUR CLOTHES

This tip may not work for every move, since some moving companies won’t touch any goods not packed in boxes. However, if such restrictions don’t pertain to you, break out the garbage bags. Pull one bag up around a cluster of your hanging clothes, and tie the open end by the hangers. One blogger bragged that she packed her entire closet in 15 minutes this way.

7. TAKE PICTURES

The serving dishes fit in the dozen breakfront shelves like puzzle pieces now, but such a tight fit may be hard to replicate after everything has been removed to boxes. Pictures can act as an unpacking guide. Photos also protect your goods for insurance purposes - you’ 11 have proof should anything break or chip in transit.

8. LEAVE THE GARAGE EMPTY

In the new digs, resist the temptation to pile boxes into the garage, or attic, or back closet, with a promise to get to them later. “Later” can last months. If a boxful of stuff is so unnecessary that a year could pass without needing the contents, maybe that’s a tip to ditch the contents before the move. Otherwise, you risk forgetting where you put important things, or end up parking the car outside all winter.

9. UNPACK THE TV LAST

The desire to relax is strong. The coffee table pushed up against the sofa looks so inviting, but those boxes aren’t going to unpack themselves. Resist the urge to derail your momentum. Otherwise, those boxes will just stand over your head. Unpack the TV last, sink deeply into that comfy couch, and revel in the knowledge of a well-done moving job any pro would envy.

Regular House Maintenance Check List

MONTHLY

Clean or replace furnace and air conditioner filters as needed

Flush out your kitchen drain with a commercial product or a homemade solution

SUMMER

Clean kitchen exhaust hood and filter

Vacuum refrigerator coils

Reverse ceiling fans

Inspect your foundation for drainage problems like clogged downspouts and grading issues

Inspect basement or crawl space for moisture issues

Inspect for activity by termites, ants, wood bees, and other pests

WINTER

Clean kitchen exhaust hood and filter

Test GFCI outlets

Vacuum refrigerator coils

Clean dryer vent

Check sinks and toilets for leaks

Inspect hoses on the washing machine, dishwasher, and ice maker for leaks

Change direction of ceiling fans

Test sump pump

SPRING

Install fresh batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Test and dust all detectors

Inspect bathroom and kitchen caulk; recaulk as needed

Vacuum refrigerator coils

Schedule air conditioning inspection

Check fire extinguishers

Clean kitchen exhaust hood and filter

Clean and seal deck (if needed)

Inspect exterior paint and touch up as needed

Inspect siding and masonry for damage

Remove storm windows and install screens

Repair or replace damaged window screens

Inspect roof for damage

Inspect attic for leaks

Inspect outdoor play equipment

Clean gutters

FALL

Test and dust all detectors

Check fire extinguishers

Clean kitchen exhaust hood and filter

Drain sediment from hot water heater

Vacuum refrigerator coils

Insulate exposed pipes as needed

Schedule furnace inspection

Remove or cover window air conditioners

Have chimneys and flues inspected and cleaned

Remove screens and install storm windows

Turn off outdoor water supply, remove and store hoses

Inspect roof for damage

Clean gutters

Inspect caulk around windows and doors; recaulk as needed

Clean up leaves and other yard debris

Trim trees and shrubs away from the house

Inspect deck for any nails or screws that may be popping up

Cover or store outdoor furniture

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