Bri O'Leary - Home Buyer's Guide

Home Buyer's Guide

Going the extra mile and taking pride in my profession is how I define my real estate career. I hold myself to high standards in all I do in both business and personal life. I put my heart in all that I do, hence my slogan “Homes with Heart.”

When not dedicating myself to my work, I can be found enjoying time with my husband and three children, three dogs, out riding horses, unapologetically trying new foods, or traveling both Montana and the international world. Having a degree in both Spanish and Secondary Education through the University of Montana, I spent nine years dedicated to teaching high school at two local high schools, demonstrating my ability to communicate in more than one language and my passion for education both in and out of the real estate world. Educating and guiding first time home buyers is one of my passions! I am also highly involved in MOR4Kids, a local committee of Missoula Organization of Realtors dedicated to serving students of all local schools. I have called Missoula home for the last 11 years, as it provided the perfect combination of the country living I was raised in and the “big city” amenities that I lacked growing up. I am a proud PSA (Pricing Strategy Advisor) and have a wide variety of personal experience living in all quadrants of Missoula and surrounding areas and I am eager to share that knowledge with you. I so look forward to working with you and helping you realize your next real estate goal!

bri.oleary@evrealestate.com

102MainStreet,SuiteB|Stevensville

406 546 2125(cell)

facebook.com/briolearyrealestate

BRI O'LEARY | REALTOR ESTATE ADVISOR | 406.546.2125

Helping you follow your dream, home.

From starter homes to dream homes and even castles (yes, we can help with those, too) Engel & Völkers Western Frontier provides an exceptional, personalized buying experience. We believe luxury goes beyond any object, property, or price point it's personal and it's priceless. It's about the richness of life that begins and ends in the most important space we know: home

Whether it's around the corner or around the globe, let us help you discover more.

Home Buyer's Road Map

Get your financials in order, including a credit check and preapproval for a mortgage if necessary.

STEP 02

Financials

STEP 01

Find an agent

Match with an agent you feel comfortable with.

STEP 03

Start the search

Begin your search! Look online, via real estate apps, or word of mouth!

STEP 04

Make your offer

STEP 05

Make an offer. Know that negotiations may be coming. If it's "the one," be prepared to write your highest and best. Arrange for a professional inspector and appraiser to visit the home.

Inspection & Apprasial

Begin making flexible moving plans.

STEP 06

Begin moving plans

STEP 07 Closing

Sign, get your keys, and celebrate your new home!

Find Your Agent TO

BUY YOUR HOME

Buying a home without a realtor can be stressful and challenging The majority of and cups.

A real estate agent's full-time job is to act as a liaison between buyers and sellers. This means to assist you I will have easy access to all other properties listed on our local MLS (Multiple Listing Service) as well as access to other properties that haven't yet hit the market.

Understanding your complete list of wants and needs while being familiar with your budget, desired terms, and desired time frame is what sets an agent apart in creating a smooth and successful transaction.

An experienced real estate agent deals with the same contracts and conditions on a regular basis and is familiar with which conditions should be used. This is to protect you whether you're selling or buying. This is why I use only state approved forms to complete all transactions legally, ethically, and in your best interest.

Agents are far more familiar with these types of transactions. Agents work together while also supporting their own clients to ensure successful buying or selling transactions.

When a sale nears closing numerous challenges can threaten the deal in the final hours A real estate agent has experience and resources to bring you to the closing table!

Before You Buy

UNDERSTAND YOUR FINANCIAL HEALTH

An important first step on your journey to success is to be fully aware of your personal financial situation. Understanding your personal financial situation will guarantee your long term success in this process. It will ultimately confirm your financial eligibility & readiness for the purchase and long term maintenance costs that come with purchasing a home. I work with many trusted experts in this area.

LOOK AT YOUR SAVINGS

It is always recommended that you come prepared when purchasing a home. It is highly important to have available sufficient emergency cash to cover critical expenses. A great rule of thumb is to have a minimum of three to six months set aside for expenses. And let's not forget the major upfront expenses such as cash down, closing and moving costs

REVIEW YOUR SPENDING

You need to know where your money is presently going every month to better understand and plan for this future purchase. How much money is going to bills or necessities vs how much is going towards extras. Knowing your spending limits helps towards an ultimate successful purchase.

CHECK YOUR CREDIT WHAT DO YOU WANT IN A HOME

Lowering your debt to credit ratio and credit reliability are among some of the main criteria for approval lenders are tasked to evaluate and interpret.

Knowing what you are happy with when you are heading towards purchasing a property is key to long term happiness With so many types of homes available to the consumer, it is advantageous to become familiar with ALL of your options

Find Your Dream Home

IT'S TIME FOR THOSE OPEN HOUSES + SHOWINGS

Once you have your budget, wants and needs, and a time frame solidified it's time to dive into showings and open houses. You can always bring your real estate agent to your open house visits. Remember, I am here to keep your best interests first and to help you accomplish your goals. It is my pleasure to schedule any showings of homes that meet your criteria and interest you!

Some are easier to get into than others and know I will always be prompt in finding us a showing time. Your patience makes it easier and more enjoyable.

Home Hunting Tips...

G e t p r e - a p p r o v e d

K n o w y o u r b u d g e t

D e c i d e u p o n n e i g h b o r h o o d ( s )

K n o w y o u r w a n t s + n e e d s

( T h e y a r e n o t t h e s a m e t h i n g )

T h i n k l o n g t e r m

U n d e r s t a n d w h a t c a n a n d

c a n ' t b e c h a n g e d a b o u t a h o m e

B e o n t h e s a m e p a g e a s y o u r

b u y i n g p a r t n e r

S h o p a r o u n d u s i n g y o u r

f a v o r i t e a p p s , a g e n t

r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s , o r e v e n

t a k e a S u n d a y d r i v e

U n d e r s t a n d a d d i t i o n a l c o s t s

t o c l o s e

K e e p r e p a i r + u p d a t i n g c o s t s

i n m i n d

Make an Offer

MAKING AN OFFE

When the time comes to submit an offer on the home of your choice, I will guide you in the entire process but ultimately you make the final decision. Price is not the only area of consideration during offer-writing, as there are important contingencies to keep in mind also. I'm here to help with all the big, and little, decisions so you feel confident in the offer you submit. Some offers are accepted, some are countered, and others are simply rejected. You can count on me every step of the way to navigate each scenario confidently.

AGREEMENT

Once both parties agree, the next steps include depositing of earnest money, scheduling inspections or appraisals, deciding upon homeowners insurance, the final walk-through, and more.

THE VALUE OF HOME INSPECTIONS

An important condition to consider in the purchase contract, is including a home inspection contingency. This protects your investment should the home have any serious defects that affect your desire to continue with the purchase. If you elect for a home inspection, then an inspection professional will submit a report upon your new home which helps eliminate any unwanted surprises. With their professional findings, I will help you determine how you would like to proceed

Schedule Your Move

Congratulations. You're under contract...

Celebrations are in order, but there is still work to be done. Depending on your escrow period and what you would like to accomplish before moving in, we will discuss what needs to be scheduled to successfully make it to closing day.

Making flexible moving plans early on can help the process stay smooth. But keep in mind that sometimes extra time is needed to bring the sale to a close. So being flexible with dates as well as expectations is helpful!

CLOSING DAY!

Closing day is what everyone has been waiting for because it becomes official! On the day of closing, both parties sign documents, funds are dispersed, and property ownership is formally transferred to the buyer.

Congratulations on buying your home!

CLOSING EXPENSES FOR BUYERS MAY INCLUDE:

Home Appraisal

Title Search

Obtaining private mortgage insurance

Completing mortgage paperwork

Loan-origination fees

Title insurance

Credit report charge

BRING ITEMS TO CLOSING:

2 Government Issued

Photo ID

Cashier's check or

proof of wire transfer

Proof of property insurance

T e s t i m o n i a l s

From the very first minute Bri came to the table very prepared and knowledgeable about our home and neighborhood Bri was a very good problem solver and very helpful when we were up against time constraints during the selling process She took a lot of pressure off of us and made sure that we were comfortable with every decision along the way. We look forward to working with her in the future

Sarah B.

"Bri has hands down blown me out of the water with her knowledge, and how she truly makes you feel comfortable. Buying a house is hard and sometimes draining. Bri has made this process so much easier from setting up showings to explaining what the fancy big words mean. I would not be in the market to buy if I didn’t have Bri’s guidance. Thank you Bri!"

Briana K.

"Bri is hard working and passionate about her work. She is a great communicator and gets along with all types of people. She truly enjoys helping and guiding people. She is honest, caring, and understanding."

LouAnne C.

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