Heather Reardon Group_2024 Buyer's Guide

TheHome BuyingProcess

WhyWorkwith aBuyer?sAgent?

The decision to purchase a home is likely one of the largest financial and lifestyle decisions you will make By aligning yourself with a trusted advisor, you will be well positioned to find the right property, negotiate fair terms and overcome any obstacles that occur along the way.

Leveraging our vast local expertise, industry connections, and resourceful tools, Gibson Sotheby?s International Realty will not only assist in helping you find the right home, but guide you through the entire purchase process.

We have the keys to where you want to be.

STEPS TO BUYING A HOME

From initial meetings to the final closing, below is an overview of what to expect throughout the home buying process

01| GET PRE-APPROVED

The first step of the home buying process is getting pre-approved for a loan. During this process, your mortgage lender will review your income and credit history to determine what size loan you are eligible to receive

02 | BEGIN THE SEARCH

Once you have determined your budget, you and your agent will meet to review your wish list, desired timing,and begin your search Together you will review inventory and visit properties.

03 | OFFER STRATEGY MEETING

Prior to preparing an offer, your agent will show you comparable properties and collaborate with you to clearly review different offer strategies You have the right to a home inspection, a mortgage contingency and a lead paint inspection Discuss ways to make your offer more appealing and the implications including having a pre-inspection or waiving your rights to other contingencies

04 | SUBMIT AN OFFER

Once you find a property that you love, you will choose an offer strategy and discuss with your agent how to position your offer to get it accepted Based on the seller's response, your agent will guide you through next steps Offer deposit due (typically $1,000)

05 | CONDUCTING A HOME INSPECTION

There will be a "due diligence" window of time for you to bring in an independent licensed home inspector and/or other contractors that you would like to evaluate the property In addition, this period allows for speaking with the town office ie: building inspector's office, verifying that all permits have been signed off, research any work that has been done and do some fact finding if you have immediate plans to alter the structure.

06 | SIGN THE PURCHASE & SALE AGREEMENT

After the offer and terms are accepted, the seller?s attorney will draft a Purchase and Sale Agreement. It states the final sale price and all terms of the purchase. This binding contract needs to be reviewed by your attorney prior to you signing it P&S deposit due (typically 5%).

07 | FORMALLY APPLY FOR A LOAN & LOCK IN YOUR RATE

Your mortgage lender will work with you to review all final loan documents

08 | APPRAISAL

The property will be reviewed by a licensed professional to assess its value.

09 | HOME INSURANCE

You will need to review various options and select your homeowners insurance policy.

10 | FINAL WALK-THROUGH

Just prior to the closing, you will go through a final walk-through of the property This will ensure that the property is in the same condition as when you visited previously

11| CONGRATULATIONS!

Once you sign the final paperwork, exchange the payment, and the transaction is recorded at the Registry of Deeds, you are officially a homeowner Congratulations, you will now receive the keys to your new home

What toExpect from YourBuyer?sAgent

A buyer's agent represents you, the buyer, during the home buying process. The agent has a fiduciary responsibility to represent only the home buyer's best interest in all aspects of the home buying process

The buyer?s agent is generally paid a commission at the time of the closing through an offer of compensation made to members of the Multiple Listing Service. Alternatively, the buyer can pay his/ her agent directly. The amount of compensation offered often is factored into the purchase price and is publicly displayed on most real estate-related websites.

Prepares a Comparative Market Analysis

PeopletoHaveonYourTeam

BUYER?S AGENT

Take your time to select a buyer?s agent with whom you feel comfortable discussing your goals and priorities in home buying. A good agent is knowledgeable in market prices, neighborhood qualities, and the offer process. In addition to helping you shop for homes, using their experienced eye to point out features and flaws in the home that you might otherwise miss, they will negotiate on your behalf and will be your advocate from the beginning of the process right through closing

REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY

Ask friends, co-workers or your real estate agent for referrals to a good real estate attorney Don? t be shy about interviewing them, and finding one you are compatible with, who regularly represents home buyers and sellers Your attorney should be reasonably affordable, accessible and not too busy for you

LENDER

Your lender is the one who assists you with borrowing the funds to purchase your home, typically in the form of a mortgage Your lender should have a variety of consistently competitive lending programs. They should also be accessible as you may need them on weekends or at night especially during the offer process.

INSURANCE AGENT

The insurance agent comes in after you have signed the purchase and sale agreement Most lenders will not close the sale until the buyer has purchased insurance on the home

HOME INSPECTOR

However similar they may seem, a home inspector is different than an appraiser The home inspector can enter the home buying process either before or after the offer is submitted The inspector takes a deep dive into the home's condition and points out any areas of concern Armed with this information, the buyer can ask the seller to complete some of these repairs themselves, lower the total purchase price,or terminate the sale altogether.

CONTRACTORS

You may need various contractors throughout the process to assess issues that came up at the home inspection, or provide estimates for work you would like to do once you purchase the home Your real estate agent can usually help you with references for good contractors, including plumbers, electricians, painters, contractors, movers and cleaners.

TheRight Tools ForYour Search

DEPOSIT LINK

A simple, secure, and efficient way to send earnest money deposits electronically Payments clear in less than 24 hours You can safely send your deposits from anywhere. Track the status of transfers in real-time with your phone.

REALSCOUT

A collaborative home search tool that allows our clients and their buyer?s agent to share listings, compare properties and spotlight market alerts throughout the home buying process.

OFF MARKET & COMING SOON

Our powerful local network has access to exclusive off market inventory as well as properties before they launch on the MLS

SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY®WEBSITE AND APP

Our enhanced website now in 14 languages engages millions of buyers via high-resolution photography, 3D virtual reality tours, and ultra-high-definition videos. Listings from around the globe can be accessed seamlessly on any device and mobile users can directly text their buyer's agent from any listing page

LocalExpertise, GlobalConnections.

#1Massachusetts Based Firm

Locally owned and operated, Gibson Sotheby?s International Realty is Massachusetts?s largest independent real estate company and the premier provider in luxury real estate across Eastern Massachusetts With over 500 expert real estate advisors throughout our 25+ offices coupled with our powerful network of more than 1,110 Sotheby?s International Realty offices worldwide, we truly have the power to assist wherever your real estate needs may take you.

25+ Local Offices

500 Local Agents

83 Countries & Territories

1,110 Global Affiliate Offices

Proudly serving Boston,Greater Boston,MetroWest, the North Shore,South Shore,South Coast and Cape Cod.

HeatherReardon

The Heather Reardon Group | Real Estate Agent | HeatherR@GibsonSIRcom | 339 499 8646

Born and raised on the South Shore, Heather is a lifelong resident of Cohasset, where she and her husband are happily raising their two young daughters Everyone who knows Heather will tell you that when you meet her, you will feel like you?ve known her for a long time Known for her patience and approachability, Heather makes her clients feel comfortable and ensures that they are well taken care of during the buying and selling process In her first year in Real Estate, Boston Agent Magazine awarded her the ?Rookie of the Year? title for the Greater Boston area With an eye for interior design and staging, Heather is a great resource for her clients when they are getting their home ready to sell and takes pride in showcasing properties to their fullest potential

When Heather isn? t working with clients, you can find her enjoying the place she calls home From coaching youth basketball, attending her daughter?s soccer games, walking the trails in Whitney Woods or grabbing a coffee at Seabird, Heather loves being involved in the community She is an avid supporter of the ?Cohasset Working Dog Foundation? ; a cause near and dear to her heart as the ?mom?of two police K9?s As a yoga teacher for over 11years, Heather enjoys staying active and loves spending time at their family home in North Conway,NH whenever time allows

Testimonials

?Heather is the gold standard We had a rough experience trying to sell our house at the end of 2020, and we thought the lack of attention from our agent was typical Heather showed us that a real estate agent should be an advocate for your family She was always looking out for our best interests, did her research, and made herself available whenever she could (on top of being an amazing super mom) She is also one of the kindest,warmest souls we?ve ever met.It was our privilege to work with her!?

? JENNA S

?I can? t say enough good things about working with Heather Reardon She made everything easy for us and provided invaluable insights every step of the way! I would 100% recommend working with Heather to all my friends and family looking to buy or sell a house?

? HAYLEY C

?Heather was great with helping us purchase a home in Cohasset She helped us put together an appealing offer We were uncomfortable with excluding an inspection, even in this hot market, and she came up with a creative (and successful!) solution We didn? t know much about Cohasset and Heather provided a lot of information about places to visit and getting registered with the town She also provided us with her contacts for contractors and other services like cleaners After the closing, Heather stayed in contact and continued to be a resource She always quickly responds and has lots of knowledge We will definitely use Heather again in the future and recommend her to everyone?

? YASMIN M

?Heather is the dream of a real estate agent! She walks you through every step of the way, reassures you, is totally honest, and works tirelessly around the clock to make sure everything is going great She sold our house and helped us buy our new house in our dream location within two days You won? t find someone else who works harder and makes you feel like you?re their only client! She made the process so easy We?ve bought before and it was difficult, which made us hesitant to try buying again Heather changed all of that so I will forever recommend her! She literally changed our quality of life?

? THE AMES FAMILY

GerriHanney

The Heather Reardon Group | Realtor®| GerriH@GibsonSIRcom | 914 629 6068

Gerri is originally from New York where she worked in the fashion industry for renowned designers Fendi and Joseph Abboud Her family moved to the South Shore over fourteen years ago and they currently live in Hingham where Gerri also teaches Pilates Honest, professional and enthusiastic, Gerri is passionate about helping others This gives her clients the confidence that their best interests come first!

Gerri and her husband consider themselves fortunate to have raised their four children in a community that has something for everyone Her children have participated in everything from dance classes at the community center to football/ basketball/volleyball/soccer to book clubs and church activities Christmas in the Square is a family favorite! Now, with the children growing up, time together as a family is more treasured than ever You will often find Gerri enjoying visits to the Farmer?s Market, grabbing breakfast at Greenlight or on weekend walks in World?s End with her family and their sweet pups,Rudy and Gus

Just as she approaches her work as a Pilates instructor, where her students trust her to carefully guide them to achieve their best results, Gerri uses the same care to best position her real estate clients to find their perfect fit.

Testimonials

?As first-time homebuyers, we could not have asked for a better agent. Gerri was extremely knowledgeable, organized, and on top of everything! Throughout the entire process, Gerri made us feel like her top priority and not just a client She guided us through a crazy market and landed us in our dream home I highly recommend Gerri as an agent,you are in the best hands possible with her!?

? MATT AND OLIVIA

?Once we found our home, Gerri was phenomenal throughout negotiations The seller had some personal things going on and Gerri was on top of everything, and we never felt like we needed to step in We knew everything was under control Even our lawyer and lending agent expressed how great Gerri was to work with Even after the close,Gerri has consistently checked in with us to see how things were going All in all, Gerri is amazing The only downside of buying a house was that we would no longer be working with Gerri?

? KYLE J

?Realtor of your dreams! As first-time homebuyers we couldn? t have asked for a better realtor Gerri was recommended to us by a friend after we had experienced some difficulty in the crazy housing market Buying a home for the first time is a daunting task, there?s many things to consider and prioritize, but Gerri was a fantastic partner in helping us do that When looking at houses, Gerri was always present with us and we felt that she always gave us genuine and unbiased advice?

? ALEX B

MackenzieBaker McGowan

The Heather Reardon Group | Realtor®| Mackenzie McGowan@GibsonSIRcom | 6316814055

Mackenzie Baker is a hardworking and dedicated agent, always striving to act in her clients?best interests

A leader at heart, Mackenzie takes charge from the first meeting and offers round-the-clock support to streamline and simplify the real estate process She educates her clients on market trends and shares her industry knowledge, instilling confidence in their decisions and the guidance she provides Mackenzie builds lasting connections with her clients,knowing that a relationship built on trust and respect will result in a successful and enjoyable buying or selling experience

After residing in Charlestown for five years,Mackenzie relocated with her family to the South Shore, giving her a unique perspective on both urban and suburban lifestyles in the Greater Boston region She enjoys spending time outdoors, entertaining, and doing any activity that brings her family and friends together

Prior to moving to New England, Mackenzie attended Bryant University, where she was a captain of the Division 1Lacrosse program Mackenzie is an avid supporter of the Women?s Lunch Place in Back Bay, an organization that offers meals,support,and advocacy to disadvantaged women in Boston

Testimonials

"Mackenzie helped my husband and me find our first home, and she is a gem Professional, super organized, detail-oriented, responsive around the clock, proactive, and kind--Mackenzie was a wonderful partner in our long housing search and made the process astonishingly smooth Her expertise of the Beacon Hill market is exceptional, her dedication to client service is incredible, and she missed no details We are so happy to have found our home in a neighborhood that we previously were certain to be priced out of Mackenzie comes highly recommended!"

? JENNIFER L

"I sent Mackenzie a list of everything that I was looking for in a condo and she responded in a timely fashion with a list of properties. During showings, she did a great job pointing out certain features, both positive and negative,that are often overlooked when you're caught up in the excitement of the search Early on in the process, she provided me with multiple contacts including mortgage lenders, lawyers, and home inspectors She was very supportive throughout both the negotiation and closing stages, it was clear that she had my best interest in mind.I will certainly be contacting her for future deals."

? BRIAN O

"Highly recommend working with Mackenzie! Bought my first home in the Summer of 2021 & as a first-time buyer would have been lost without Mackenzie She listens to what you want in a home,provides honest feedback during the bidding process to get the home you want, & manages the closing process with a watchful eye She made sure that everyone involved (mortgage lender, seller, lawyers, inspectors, etc ) executed their tasks on time & correctly, while at the same time easing the nerves of a first-time homebuyer She responds quickly & is wicked friendly & fun to go on house tours with Again, highly recommend working with Mackenzie & I plan on reaching out to work with her again when I buy my next home "

? KELSEY P.

KevinMurphy

The Heather Reardon Group | Real Estate Agent | Kevin Murphy@GibsonSIRcom | 781660 0217

Kevin joined Gibson Sotheby's International Realty to be a part of an iconic company He brings his experiences as a builder, New York State broker, Building Information Modeling (BIM) manager, and investment property owner to help clients realize their own property goals In particular, as BIM manager, Kevin has an extensive understanding of building structure, maintenance, and composition This unique perspective on structural elements, integrity and future upkeep gives his clients peace of mind and helps them make well educated decisions A native of the South Shore, Kevin and his wife are raising their children in Hingham