Real Estate buyer’s Guide
Andree Hurley REALTOR® (206) 669-1622 andreehurley@cbbain.com andreehurley.cbbain.com
Your Guide To BUYING Real Estate In Washington Statement of Purpose
To help my clients either gain a benefit or avoid a loss with their real estate investments.
Agency Relationships
When real estate professionals work with sellers and buyers, “agency” relationships are established. As you start working with a real estate professional, please ask for a clear explanation of the current agency laws in Washington. There are three kinds of agency relationships:
Seller’s Agent
A “seller’s agent” represents the interests of the seller and has a responsibility of reasonable care, loyalty, confi-dentiality and disclosure to the seller. A seller’s real es-tate professional (agent) works to assist the seller in lo-cating a buyer and in negotiating a transaction suitable to the seller’s specific needs.
Buyer’s Agent
A “buyer’s agent” represents the buyer during the home buying process. The buyer’s real estate professional (agent) has a responsibility to represent the buyer’s best interest including reasonable care, loyalty and confidentiality.
Dual Agent
A “dual agent” represents the interest of both the seller and the buyer during the same transaction. A dual agent has responsibilities to both seller and buyer and must act in the best interest of both parties.
I am a born educator. In the past, I have been part of Seattle’s Lakeside School’s multiday wilderness leadership program. It was rewarding to see the students, adults as well as teens, not just learn basic skills but to be able, by the last two days of the trip, to take the lead. I’ve also trained and certified sea kayaking instructors. I’ve benefited from education too. My degree from the Jackson School of International Studies, along with the ability to speak some French and Spanish, opened my eyes to culture, world affairs and trade. All great preparation for working with many different people from different walks of life in their pursuit of a home. Helping people move to the next chapter of their lives, either by selling their current one of buying a new one, is what I love most about being a broker. And educating clients on all aspects of the real estate process, to make reaching their real estate goals, is where I excel. Before becoming a broker, I spent 18 years in desktop publishing and web design. I had my first email account in 1989 and many people have called me an early adapter to the internet. Good thing, because knowing how to navigate the MLS, how to research properties or do a thorough comparative analysis are essential to helping clients find their dream home – or to sell a beloved family home at a great price. I love project management, so helping clients prepare their home for sale, or working through issues that come up with any given transaction, is satisfying to me. It’s where my ability to logically think through and solve problems shines. An asset that makes me the broker you want to have in your corner. If you’re ready to take that next step in your life, please contact me. Let’s work together.
TESTIMONIALS & DESIGNATIONS “Andree kept on top of things, and was in constant contact with the financing company keeping things moving. I would happily use her again. The process was smooth and easy. Kept us well informed of every step. Communication was excellent. That was the best part. We always knew what was happening.” - Ken Zelin “I am a first time home buyer. Andree Hurley helped me find my beautiful condo in Edmonds. I knew I wanted it the moment I saw it. Andree made herself available to write the offer that very day. She was patient and instructive throughout the hours it took to complete the offer. From then on, she was on top of everything that needed to be done. She communicated well with me and with the seller’s agent. The sale closed quickly and on time. I am very happy with her services and definitely would recommend her.” - Cindy Bailey “Andrée is warm and patient and friendly. As a first time buyer I felt that we were in very competent and knowledgeable hands. And she was able to negotiate a very good price for us! Thank you Andree Hurley and your team with Coldwell Banker Bain!” - Will & Tina Tanaka “I am very pleased with the effort Andree made as my agent and finding my “forever home”. Throughout the search, questions I asked were always answered promptly, and she made sure that I had information about CC&R’s and HOA dues, so I wouldn’t exceed my budget. She really seems to love what she does and is committed to her clients. Andree went to great lengths to find the home I ultimately purchased. It was her creativity in preparing and negotiating the final offer that sealed the deal with the seller. I would recommend Andree to anyone wanting purchase or sell property.” - Karen Scharer
“Andree and I were friends prior to my looking for a new residence. Her knowing me, my propensity towards kayaking and fishing, and my likes and dislikes greatly assisted her in finding this great house for me. I totally think that our friendship was definite plus In our client-realtor relationship. In fact, when I changed my mind on becoming a landlord for my previous home, I had her list it and it sold within the next month! I highly recommend her to be your realtor should you ever need one regardless if you are a friend or not.” - Tomas Tabisola “Andree was a great resource and friend during the process of trying to buy a house in Magnolia. She was able to get us to see the houses we were interested in, and she did a great job organizing contact with all the other key players in the house buying process. Her placement at Coldwell Banker Bain gives her access to other great resources too (including lending).” - Jeffrey Mitton “I was looking for a home for over nine months and during that time Andree helped me to make multiple offers on homes during a very hot, competitive market. She did an excellent job of making contact with the seller agent and positioning my offers to be competitive and timely. Her assistance and responsiveness ultimately resulting in me finding and buying the perfect Seattle home. 10/10 Timely and thorough!” - Sheri Hargus “The professional manner in which Andrée conducted herself was exceptional…on a personal level she showed she cared by treating me as a member of her family. I appreciated her empathy and hard work.” - Morella Bombardini “Andree was able to help us find the perfect place in Leavenworth and worked hard through the entire process going above and beyond when the listing agent was not doing their job. We would highly recommend Andree to anyone! “- Carmen Decker
I Can Help You Buy Any Home By choosing me, you have found an advocate. You will have access to information on all properties currently listed for sale in our area. I can help you buy any property, no matter how or where you find it.
• Properties advertised online • Properties identified by a “For Sale” sign in the front yard • Properties found during an Open House tour • Properties you’ve heard about from friends, family, or other contacts • Properties listed for sale by another agent or real estate company
Through the Multiple Listing Service and Board of Realtors, agents cooperate between companies and allow other companies and their agents to show their listings. Approacing the listing agent for home you’re interested without representation is not the ideal situation you want to be in. The listing agent is bound by their listing agreement with the seller to protect the seller’s best interest over a potential buyer’s. This is why it is imparative to have your own representation as a buyer.
By choosing me,
YOU HAVE FOUND AN ADVOCATE
A home is the largest single investment most families will ever make. A home is also an expression of personality, a statement of a multitude of personal values. A home shapes the life lived within it, allowing patterns of daily activity while also prohibiting some. The selection of a home from a number of possible choices involves a complex string of personal and financial decisions. The purchase or sale of a home requires that you enter into a number of legally binding documents. The various steps should be clearly understood, for each binds you to certain obligations as well as committing others to meet obligations to you. You need to know both your duties and your rights. It is my hope that this booklet will assist you in selecting a suitable home for yourself. It is designed to help you understand the steps involved in real estate transactions and to guide you through each step of the buying process.
buyer representation and loyalty It is in your best interest.
You may create an Agency relationship with any agent you wish, but you will find it is in your own best interest to select one agent with whom you have established trust, confidence, and rapport. Interview your prospective agents. Ask them questions and establish in your mind if he/she is listening to you and has your best interests in mind. There is nothing complicated about selecting an agent, you just need to feel good about them. Are they competent? Do they show a caring attitude? What is their past sales experience and record?
FACT
FACT
FACT
Real Estate Agents are
All agents have access to
All agents work hardest for
compensated for their
the same information about
clients that are not
work by commissions paid
properties, through the
working with another
by the seller
Multiple Listing Service. How
agent in most cases
they interpret or understand it is another matter.
Once you have selected your agent, enter into an agency relationship and be true and loyal to him or her. You are asking him or her to commit his time and energy to your interests. Your broker deserves your trust, confidence, honesty and loyalty in return. For most people, the largest investment they make in their lifetime is their home. Therefore, it is wise to be represented when you make an offer on a property. You would not go into a court of law without representation, so you should not go into purchasing real property without doing the same. The legal ramifications and pitfalls can be just as costly to you. But, it should also be a fun time for you. Picking and choosing the “perfect home.,” whether it is your first home or not, can be fun, so do it with someone who wants to make it a pleasant experience for you. Finally, work with an agent who will sell you the house you want...not the house they want you to buy.
How I work for you Your goal is to find a property of your choice at an affordable price, with acceptable terms, and within your time frame with a commitment to quality service as my standard. My goal is to help you find the property that’s right for you and to “walk you through the
coordination & Communication • Through conversation, I will learn your most important considerations in selecting a property. • I will continuously preview and screen all selected properties for you by:
A. Checking company and other real estate office listings
B. Online property searches
C. Driving selected neighborhoods
• I am glad to arrange and confirm appointments with you and sellers to show you the best homes available, or give you the address and let you drive by prior to showing. • I will continue to maintain communication with you, updating you on current real estate market conditions and investment opportunities.
representation • I will work on your behalf to get the best possible price and best possible terms. I will disclose to you anything we can find out about the seller’s situation that may be beneficial to you. • I will assist in the preparation of your offer and present it to the seller, negotiating your communicated interests and concerns. • I will follow through on the loan processing and all the details related to a successful closing and move-in, assisting you and communicating with you along the way.
education • I will provide and familiarize you with information regarding local real estate market conditions • I will acquaint you with the area amenities, i.e, schools, churches, shopping, recreation, etc.
How I Help You Buy Your Home Helping you find and purchase a home is only one facet of my job.
I will... • Explain real estate principles, contracts and documents • Refer you to a reputable lender that can help you assess your financial situation and pre-approve you for a loan • Help you determine the types of homes and neighborhoods that most fit your needs • Arrange tours of homes that meet your criteria • Provide you with detailed information about homes you’re interested in • Assist you in writing and negotiating a mutually accepted purchase and sale agreement • Arrange for, and accompany you to the home inspection • Coordinate necessary steps after the inspection • Work with the escrow company to ensure all needed documents are in order and completed in a timely manner
you will... • Be more likely to find the home that meets your criteria • Decrease the amount of time it takes to find your home • Understand all the terms, processes and documents involved in the purchase • Have current market information to make informed decisions • Have a skilled negotiator on your side • Have peace of mind that all the details are being handled
How Much Housing Can I Afford? - Financing Determining how much you can afford before you begin your home search will save you valuable time.
There are a few steps you should consider before starting the financing process to make it as smooth as possible. When you are ready, it is important to find lender you feel confident in and can trust, who will work with you to find a financing package that will best meet your needs.
Credit Report It’s important to check your credit report before you see your lender because: • Lenders check this to determine the amount of loan you qualify for • It allows you to correct any mistakes in the report before lenders see it • If there are any blemishes in your report that are not errors, you should be prepared to explain them to your lender
Credit Score You may want to check your credit score at the same time you check your credit report (usually for a fee). This score influences how much lenders are willing to loan to you and at what interest rate.
Down Payment Most lenders will give better financing terms to borrowers that can put a 20% down payment on the purchase. If you are unable to do so, you will likely be required to purchase Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) and perhaps pay a higher interest rate.
Pre-approval A letter of pre-approval from a lender shows that they have checked all your documentation and are prepared to give you a loan. Getting pre-approved prior to starting your home search saves you time by: • Keeping you focused on viewing only the homes that are within your budget • Helping you obtain your financing ore quickly once you find a house to buy
Pre-Qualified vs. Pre-Approved What does this mean and will I need to do either? Pre-qualification or pre-approval are the sellers’ assurances that the buyer has the capacity to execute any contract they enter and will more than likely complete the transaction. It also allows your real estate agent to know that you are a qualified buyer, and what price homes to be searching out for you. In this market, most sellers require pre-approved or at least pre-qualified offers before they will even consider them.
Pre-Qualified
Pre-Approved
Basically, this means you have been asked
This means you have been pre-qualified
by a lender a series of questions concerning
plus you have paid for a credit report and
your employment history, income and debt
submitted pay stubs, W-2’s, and bank
status, and other financial considerations,
statements to your lender to have your
like savings accounts, etc. Based on the
credit, income and employment verified.
answers to these questions, the lender will
Getting pre-approved can be done relatively
compute your debt to income ratios and
quickly, ranging in time from a few hours to
determine what price loan you will be able
a day or two, depending on circumstances.
to qualify for.
Your lender will then issue a letter or certificate to your agent that he/she in turn presents to the seller at the time of the offer, displaying that you are an approved buyer. What this tells the seller is that you are not a financial risk to buy this house. This puts
Always opt for Pre-Approval. You will be required to do this within a specific number of days after your offer is accepted. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to do it before you make an offer, putting you in a stronger position of negotiating and/or acceptance. It is important for you to know and understand that some sellers consider pre-qualification of no real value and may only accept pre-approved offers. Double offers, or multiple offers, are not uncommon in real estate transactions in this market. Sometimes sellers have more than one offer to consider at the same time. Price is not always the deciding factor. If you offer, as an example, $2,000 less than another party and you are approved and they are not, the seller could easily decide to go with you, the sure thing, as opposed to the other offer that is just a probable or a maybe. Another example might be that two offers are made at one time and the price offered is the same, but you are pre-approved and the other buyers are just pre-qualified. Your offer may likely be accepted over the other buyers’.
the loan process It is important to identify your financial information before the process begins to determine exactly how much house you are both qualified for and are comfortable to buy.
How Much Down Payment? Down payments can range from zero down to 99% down. There is no standard amount. It is based on your personal situation and requirements. Your lender can advise you which program is best for you. Many first-time homebuyers put 3% or 5% down. This will require the buyer to purchase Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). This, of course, adds to your closing costs and monthly payments. Buyers putting 20% or more down avoid paying PMI.
What Will My Closing Costs Be? These are expenses associated with the transfer of property ownership. As a rule of thumb, these costs can range from about 4% to 8% of the cost of the home. They can include attorney fees, lender fees (points), escrow fees, recording fees, and title insurance. Other up-front costs that you will want to earmark some of your funds for would be for things like a building inspector to evaluate your home’s soundness. It’s an optional expense, but one worth strongly considering.
How High Should I allow For A Monthly Payment Amount? This answer will depend on how much you require for other living expenses. One thing you certainly do not want to do is make yourself “house poor” or “payment poor” so that you cannot afford the quality of life you envisioned in your new home. As a rule of thumb, your monthly house payment, including principal, interest, taxes and insurance (PITI), should not be more than one third of your gross income. Of course, you should adjust this figure for unusual or extraordinary monthly expenses, such as schooling, unusual health care expenses, and so forth. It is important to identify your financial information before the process begins to determine exactly how much house you are both qualified for and are comfortable to buy.
making an offer Once you have chosen the home of your dream, it’s time to make an offer. I will present your offer on your behalf and negotiate the terms to your best interest, to either the listing agent or the seller, or both, depending on the circumstances. You will not have to concern yourself with being present at the offer. This is a time of delicacy and diplomacy. This is where you will want the experience and expertise of your agent(s) to take over. All transactions vary in terms of when you can expect a reply, but I will present the offer as quickly as possible, before another buyer can enter the situation as competition, and I will push for a response just as quickly, to avoid another buyer entering into the picture before the seller has had a chance to respond to your offer. The important thing to know and understand is that an offer is not binding or “done” until all parties have agreed to all terms (which can take several counteroffers, spanning many hours or days), and both buyer and seller have “signed around.” Until that moment, other buyers or offers can enter into the picture, jeopardizing your position. For that reason, speed and timing is of the essence.
determining an offer price I will advise you if the price is good or if this property is priced high. One way to determine this is to search the comparable properties around your selection to determine their selling price. If you offer less money, the seller has three options: They can accept the lower offer, counter your offer, or reject it completely. Remember that there could be another buyer who is also interested in the home you’ve chosen. If they happen to write an offer at the same time you do, the seller will have two offers to compare. There are usually an aspects of each offer to consider, but ultimately the seller will want to accept the best and most complete offer. In active real estate markets, homes often sell for their listed price. In hot markets, there may be many buyers vying for the same house, which sometimes drives the final sale price above the original list price. As a real estate professional, I can help you plan your strategy, based on the current real estate market in our area. pre-approval letter if you have not already done so, you will need to provide me with a letter of pre-approval from your lender (pre-qualification may also be acceptable but not as strong as pre-approval). This will be necessary for the seller to consider your offer, or accept your offer over another. earnest money You will also need to provide a personal check, cashiers check or wire for earnest money for deposit after your offer has been accepted. Washington State law requires this check to be deposited within two business days after mutual acceptance, unless both parties agree otherwise in the contract. Once the buyer and seller have a mutually accepted offer, the earnest money is deposited into a trust account. That deposit becomes a credit to the buyer and becomes part of the purchase price. purchase and sale agreement You will need to prepare the actual purchase and sale agreement with me to determine all the terms and conditions of the sale. This agreement is then given to the seller and their agent for consideration. presenting the offer I will call the agent who is the listing agent for the home you have chosen. We will make arrangements with the seller to present your offer; I will be there to explain the details of your offer and negotiate on your behalf.
Buying contingent Simply, this means you have a house to sell and you cannot buy another until you have sold yours. In other words, you are making an offer to a seller subject to the sale of your current home. This is a less-than desirable situation as a buyer. It gives you the least negotiation room and offers you less clout as a buyer. Many sellers will not even consider contingent offers because they do not want to remove their home from the market while they wait in anticipation of your home selling. After all, they do not know what condition your home is in, whether it is priced to sell, or if it is in a desirable location—all key factors when selling a home. If you must sell your home in order to purchase, it is important that your home is ready to market, and even better, if you have a pending sale on it.
Once you have a pending sale, you can now establish a closing date. When you find your dream home, you simply set the closing date for the following day or two and you will be able to cover your closing costs and down payment from the sale of your home, eliminating the need for a bridge loan.
bridge loans The other option that may be available to you is a bridge loan. This is a tool often used by contingent buyers. They can protect you in the event another buyer tries to “bump” you from your purchase. A Bridge Loan is basically a loan against the equity of your current home and is designed to cover the closing costs of your new purchase until such time as your current home sells. Then you reimburse the lender with proceeds from your sale.
earnest money Before any document or agreement can become a legal and binding contract, for both sides, there has to be consideration. Something must be offered as evidence and proof that an agreement is more than just a person’s word to buy. Earnest money is that consideration. The more money you put down, the more earnest you are displaying to the seller that you indeed want to buy their home. how much shows good earnest? An excellent question with no black and white answer. All real estate transactions are individual circumstances and situations and require different approaches. But, as a general rule, earnest money usually falls within 2% to 5% of the purchase price. When do I need to pay this? You place earnest money at the time of your offer generally in the form of a personal check, cashiers check, or wire. Funds should be deposited within two business days of an accepted offer. What happens to my earnest money and how is it used? Earnest money will go into a trust account held by either the escrow company or the buyer’s real estate brokerage. Who holds earnest money is determined on the purchase and sale agreement. When all contingecies have been met, the earnest money will be released to escrow by the party holding it and applied the purchase price. What happens if someone defaults? Do I get my money back? This can be a very complex question to answer, depending on the situation. While this question can become too deep to answer in a simple sentence, the general rule is that if a buyer backs out for no legitimate contractual reason, the seller would be allowed to retain the earnest money as damages. The reverse holds true if the seller backs out for no legitimate reason. Then the buyer is refunded the money.
Inspections Are they really necessary? Every home that is offered for sale, whether it is brand new construction or a 100 year-old historic home, should be inspected for your protection. A home inspection is meant to evaluate the structural and mechanical condition of the property. It is not the same as an appraisal which evaluates the market value of a property. Persons involved in real estate transactions need unbiased information about the physical condition of property they plan to buy and your contract should include a contingency that you obtain a satisfactory inspection report. The inspection report is a buyer expense, paid at the time of the inspection and usually costs $500 to $700 depending on the size of home and length of time it takes to inspect (Washington State). A home inspector will examine the components of the building through visual means. Your home inspector will inspect attics and crawl spaces looking for signs of moisture, leakage and ventilation. He/she will check all appliances and plumbing fixtures as well as electrical circuits. He/she will also check the roof for soundness and exterior for rot or areas of concern. This process is by no means a guarantee that the home or its systems aren’t flawed, but simply one person’s opinion of the overall condition of the home.
will the lender require an
What happens if I elect to
inspection?
waive an inspection?
Many lenders will require inspections on
Many buyers opt to do exactly that. But
certain loan programs. These are usually
remember, you are buying the home in
done by the appraiser, but they are
“as-is” condition.
seldom as thorough as an actual structural inspection. These charges will show up on your closing cost statement.
In short, consider this...at worst case, you spend $500 to $700 to find out nothing is wrong with the home. At best, you find out everything that is wrong and you now have the option of negotiating a remedy, accepting the condition as-is, or terminating the sale.
the path to closing Once your home is in contract, I will work tirelessly to help you through the labyrinth of details required in the closing process.
I will... • Guide you through the system • Provide timely updates • Coordinate the details with all the parties and participants • Work with the escrow company to make certain all the documents needed are complete and in order to help facilitate a timely closing
I can assure you that you will receive my utmost attention, support and a guiding hand throughout.
the closing process Steps to Closing a Purchase Loan Application Usually, the buyer will have already made loan application or will within five (5) working days after a purchase and sale agreement has been signed by a Purchase and Seller. Reference the loan application checklist for items the lend-er will need. Lending Institution The buyer’s lending institution will take a credit application, verify employment and salary history. The loan processor orders Preliminary Title for the property and an appraisal on the property. The appraiser inspects and submits his/her report to the loan company. The seller orders the septic tank pumping, if negotiated. The processor gathers together appraisal, credit report, verification of purchaser’s employment and funds available for down payment and submits the whole package to underwriting. This can be an extremely frustrating time because everything seems out of your control. The loan officer will then notify the buyer of loan approval, or of additional requirements. Do not worry be-cause we will be in touch with you and the lender on a regular basis. Escrow: What is it and why is it needed? Escrow is an arrangement in which a neutral third party, called an escrow officer, holds documents and funds on be-half of a buyer and seller, and distributes them according to the buyer’s and seller’s instructions.
What the Buyer does in the escrow process: • Deposits funds required, in addition to any borrowed funds to pay the purchase price with the escrow officer • Deposits funds sufficient for home and title insurance • Arranges for any borrowed funds to be delivered to the escrow officer • Signs any deed of trust or mortgages necessary to secure loans • Approves any inspection reports, title insurance commitments etc. called for by the purchase and sale agreements • Fulfills any other conditions specified in the es-crow instructions • Purchaser arranges for fire insurance on the new property
What the Escrow Officer Does in the escrow process: • Opens the order for title insurance, if the lender hasn’t already ordered • Obtains approvals from the buyer on title insurance report, and any/all inspections • Receives funds from the buyer and/or lender • Prorates insurance taxes, rents, etc. • Disburses funds for title insurance, recordation fees, real estate brokerage, lien clearance, etc. • Prepares final statement for each party indicating amounts to be disbursed for services and any further amounts necessary to close escrow • Records deed and loan documents, delivers the deed to the buyer, loan documents to the lender, and funds to the seller, closing the escrow What the Lender does in the escrow process: • Deposits proceeds of the loan to the purchaser • Directs the escrow officer on the conditions under which the loan funds may be used What We do in the escrow process • Communicate with all parties on a regular basis to assure the process is proceeding smoothly with all required documents and facts available • Act to correct and eliminate any potential problems or delays that may occur along the way • Be available for any questions or concerns
What Exactly Does “Closing” Mean? When Does the Buyer Move In? In Washington State, closing is considered the day that the deed is recorded into the buyer’s name and the proceeds are paid to the seller. When buyer can take legal possession of the property depends on the terms or conditions of your contract. But let’s digress for a moment. Different states handle closing procedures in various ways. In Washington State, buyers and sellers sign at separate times, typically two to three days prior to closing. Closings are predominately handled by escrow companies, although some prefer to use attorneys. Again, your purchase contract determined which you would use. Prior to signing, the escrow company will set an appointment with you to come in and sign. They will also notify the buyer the total amount of funds needed to close the sale so they can arrange to bring a certified or cashier’s check to their signing appointment. As far as possession is concerned, legal possession can only occur when the deed is recorded and funds are disbursed. We will assist you in determining the actual day and time when you ay take possession. Knowing exactly when you must move out of the home is a great relief to many and allows you to proceed for-ward with your moving plans. It also establishes an ex-act cut off/start time for utilities. Please speak with your real estate broker regarding payment of fees.
Who Pays For What? A simple breakdown of the typical fees paid by a buyer and seller in a real estate transaction at closing:
Seller is responsible for... • Owner’s title insurance policy* • 1/2 escrow fee * • Excise tax * • Real estate commissions * • Utility payoffs • Loan balances • Doc preparation fees—power of attorney, etc. • Miscellaneous fees (i.e., wire, courier, signing fees) • Pro-rated property taxes • Home warrant (depends on contract) • Homeowner’s Association Fees including pro-rated association dues, resale certificate, miscellaneous fees • FHA/VA financing– other seller fees may apply
Buyer is responsible for... • Lender’s title insurance policy* • 1/2 escrow fee* • Recording fees • Surveys (if applicable) • 1st year fire insurance • 1st year flood insurance (if applicable) • Doc preparation fees—quit claim deed, etc. • Miscellaneous fees (i.e., wire, courier, signing fees) • Pro-rated property taxes • Home warranty (depends on contract) • Homeowner’s Association Fees including pro-rated association dues • Transfer fee/capital contribution • Structural/home inspection • Lender fees including appraisal, credit report, loan origination fee*, loan interest*, private mortgage insurance* *Fees determined by sales price and/or loan amount. Please speak with your real estate broker regarding payment of fees. The Path to Closing Once your home is sold, I will work tirelessly to help you through the labyrinth of details required in the closing process. I will: Guide you through the system • Provide timely updates • Coordinate all the details with the closing service providers • Work with the escrow company to make certain all the documents needed are complete and in order to help facilitate a timely closing I can assure you that you will receive my utmost attention, support and a guiding hand throughout.
Local Utilities and Services School Districts
Sewer and Water
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425.456.4000
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425.452.6932
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425.936.1200
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425.333.4192
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425.408.6000
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425.204.2300
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425.235.9200
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425.788.1185
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425.771.0221
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425.257.8999
Telephone Services AT&T
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1.800.244.1111
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253.856.5201
Comcast
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425.670.5000
Verizon
1.800.922.0204
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206.275.7783
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360.863.4529
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425.744.6214
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1.866.642.0444
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425.888.7633
Comcast
1.855.270.0397
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206.362.8100
DirecTV
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Redmond, City of
425.556.2152
Dish
1.855.415.0313
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425.430.6852
Frontier
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Ronald Wastewater District
206.546.2494
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425.868.1144
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425.392.6256
Seattle Public Utilities
206.684.3000
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360.568.3115
Sultan Water
360.793.1129
Electricity and Gas Puget Sound Energy
1.888.225.5773
Garbage and Recycling Recology Cleanscapes
206.859.6700
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425.497.1812
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360.892.5370
notes: