B U Y I N G YO U R
HOME
SIMPLY THE
BEST
Cottingham Chalk consistently outperforms the market. Our agents draw on the collective knowledge and experience of our company. No house or person is the same. We get that. As a boutique firm, we’re able to provide a customized and tailored experience. Simply put, we set the standard for real estate excellence in Charlotte.
MARKET
LEADERS
Off-Market Insight
Experts in Charlotte & Surrounding Neighborhoods
Exclusive Access to Offer Helper Tool
We Sell Across All Price Ranges
Relationships with the Best Vendors
Higher Average Years of Experience
AT A GLANCE
COTTINGHAM CHALK
$10+
3
5
Billion in Residential Sales
Canopy Association Realtors® of the Year
Time Crown of Excellence Winner – Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®
8
2012
2019
Canopy Association Presidents
Charlotte Business Journal Best Places to Work
Charlotte Business Journal CEO of the Year
Built on a foundation of integrity and trust, Cottingham Chalk has a long history of serving the Charlotte community. From the beginning, our focus has been on people. Attracting the best brokers to build their careers under our roof and empowering them to provide excellent service to our community, and in turn, attracting the best clientele to trust us to shepherd them through the process of buying or selling a home. We identify wonderful people and develop them into excellent real estate agents, not the other way around. Our focus on homegrown talent has created a collaborative environment where brokers work together, share ideas, and support each other — and our clients reap the benefits of working with agents who are their best selves. Our brokers start here, learn here, grow here, and flourish here. They are leaders in our community and our industry. Now in our second generation of leadership, we are a family business more than ever. We help each other, we trust each other, we care about each other. When you work at Cottingham Chalk, you are part of the family. When you hire a Cottingham Chalk broker, you have the entire company in your corner. As a local, independent company, we are free to focus on the big picture as opposed to next quarter’s numbers. We can stay the course when it is the right path, and we can adjust quickly when change is appropriate. As an exclusive member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, we are equipped with market leading resources to serve our clients both locally and around the globe.
THE IMPORTANCE OF
BUYER AGENCY 1. Agents like working with agents. As Realtors, we spend a lot of time collaborating with agents at other real estate firms and maintaining strong relationships for our clients. 2. Record low inventory & record high demand have created an incredibly competitive market. We have the tools and the expertise to navigate the market and craft a smart offer that will help give you a leg up. 3. Vendors and contractors are busier than ever before. We have relationships and partnerships to get you from contract to closing on time and with ease.
STEPS TO
BUYING A HOME FINDING A HOME & GOING UNDER CONTRACT GET PRE-APPROVED > Select a mortgage provider and fill out application. > Average application takes one hour to fill out and one day to process. > Receive pre-approval le er from lender.
SET UP MLS SEARCH
> Co ingham Chalk agent will set up a personalized MLS search for you. > You can choose to have homes sent to you the minute they come on the market. > Full access to search the MLS database on your own as well.
TOUR SUBMIT OFFER GO UNDER CONTRACT > Write offer, submit offer, + offer acceptance. > Due Diligence period begins immediately.
DUE DILIGENCE TO CLOSING SUBMIT DUE DILIGENCE FEE & EARNEST MONEY
PREPARE FOR CLOSING
> Select a closing a orney and schedule closing. > Closing a orney will check for title defects and prepare closing documents.
> Due Diligence Fee is paid to Seller and credited at Closing. If you terminate the contract, this fee is retained by the Seller and non-refundable. > Earnest Money Deposit is held in an escrow account and credited at closing. It is refundable if you terminate the contract during the Due Diligence Period.
FINALIZE LOAN > Work with lender to finalize loan approval and have property appraised.
CONDUCT DUE DILIGENCE
> Select inspections with your agent. > Order survey, if desired. > Submit request to Sellers for any repairs. > Negotiate and finalize repair requests/reimbursements.
CONGRATULATIONS YOU’VE PURCHASED A HOME!
BUYER AGENCY
COMPENSATION At Cottingham Chalk, our fee is 3% of the sales price*, paid at closing. In most cases, the Listing Agency or Seller offers to pay our entire fee. Sometimes, however, the Listing Agency or Seller offers to pay only a portion of our fee, or no fee at all. If the fee offered is less than our 3% fee... • Your agent can request the listing agency cover the entire fee. • You can pay the balance of the fee at closing either with cash or through financing. • You can opt out of viewing any homes that offer a reduced fee. *exceptions may apply in rare circumstances.
PROJECTED
BUYER EXPENSES Out-of-pocket expenses will vary for each property, but we recommended that you budget for the following:
EARNEST MONEY DEPOSIT
LOAN APPLICATION & ORGINATION FEES
PROPERTY SURVEY FEE
DUE DILIGENCE FEE
APPRAISAL FEE
POST CLOSING REPAIRS
HOME INSPECTION FEES
CLOSING ATTORNEY FEE
MOVE-IN UPDATES
PACKERS/ MOVERS
EXCLUSIVE
BUYER AGENCY AGREEMENT
This is the contract that outlines the agency relationship between you as a buyer and Cottingham Chalk as your agent. The agreement outlines each parties responsibilies and duties through the buying process. Be sure to review this document in detail and discuss any questions with your agent.
WHAT MAKES THE BEST
BUYER AGENT • Expertise - complete understanding of the market and transaction. The ability to advise our clients throughout the process. • Relationships - works well with others/is in the know • Reputation - respected by the industry and the market • Referral based - our network is built off of happy clients • Knowledge - we know the market and the process • Support - we have a brain trust made up of other agents and a full-time support staff to help as needed • Work ethic - full-time and full-service • Fit - personality • Motivation - a ‘client-first’ mindset • Honest - trustworthy and ethical • Strategic - we proactivly advise you on how to reach your goals • Experience - we have a proven track record of success and client testimonials to prove it
A CLIENT
FOR LIFE Considering investment properties? We’ve got you covered. Looking for a vacation home? We can help with that. Curious about your current home value? We can provide that. Refinancing? We’ll provide supporting documentation for the appraiser. Investing in your home? Whether considering a small facelift or massive renovation, we will advise on what will have the biggest impact for resale. Need a repairman in a pinch? We have a solid list of trusted vendors. Bottom line, we are here for you.
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