B U Y E R S P R E S E N TAT I O N
JAN HIGGINS C: 541.408.8962 E: jan@janhiggins.com W: JanHiggins.com Licensed in Oregon & California
486 SW Bluff Dr. Bend, OR 97702
Jan Higgins has always believed in living without regrets, listening to your heart and following your intuitions. This personal mantra is apparent in every aspect of her life and the driving force behind her career as a respected real estate agent. She knows that buying a home involves more than just relocating. It’s also an opportunity to achieve a lifetime goal and getting the results you want and deserve. From consultation to closing, Jan takes the guesswork out of the process by providing open, one-on-one communication, intimate market familiarity and meticulous attention to detail. Add to that her caring demeanor and dedication to make this experience emotionally rewarding and you’ve got the ideal professional to work with. When you’re ready to buy a home, don’t put limits on what you want. Follow Your Heart and work with an agent whose empathetic and conscientious approach will enable you to reach your dreams. That’s Jan Higgins. Call her today for a free consultation.... Follow Your Heart
AWARDS AND QUALIFICATIONS • 2019, 2018 & 2017 – International Diamond Society Member – given to top 10% of teams internationally • Member of National Associations of Realtors, Oregon Associations of Realtors & California Association of Realtors • 2nd Generation Realtor • 14 Years of Experience
TESTIMONIALS “Jan explores all possibilities that may or may not fit a clients needs and/or wants in a very timely manner. Jan’s knowledge of the area was exemplary in that our questions were answered correctly and quickly. Jan’s presentation to us was ‘I am here to help.’ it was an absolute joy to work with Jan on our project. She even took us beyond the sell to help us understand the “permit” process in lake county she was always warm and welcoming in her communication. Jan’s services, I believe, provides an excellent service for the community, from your company and her professionalism, she is tops. I felt so honored to have her in my corner”
William & Carolyn J.
“You went out of your way for us each step of the way. You returned calls, text in a timely manner. Also, coming to the home last minute to talk to the previous owner, landed us the home. You are selfless and truly care about your clients. Your professionalism and compassion show in your actions and your words. Thank you Jan.”
Jeffrey & Diane P.
“Jan Higgins was such a knowledgeable and helpful agent. She took the time to email us property information (which is a big plus in finding a home). My calls were always returned promptly. I can’t even begin to tell you how smoothly this whole entire process has been, thanks to Jan Higgins. I am a first time home buyer... All my questions were answered...my dream home became a reality, thanks to Jan Higgins. I will always be grateful to Jan. I will also look to her for future home purchases.”
Nancy P.
HOME SEARCH CHECKLIST PREFERRED HOME FEATURES Home style (ie. Ranch, Craftsman etc.)______________________________________________________________ Number of Bedrooms ______________________________________________________________________________ Number of Bathrooms _____________________________________________________________________________ Family Room _______________________________________________________________________________________ Bonus or Game Room ______________________________________________________________________________ Fireplace ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Home Office _______________________________________________________________________________________ Kitchen Amenities___________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Shop_______________________________________________________________________________________________ Garage (no. of cars)_________________________________________________________________________________ Central A/C_________________________________________________________________________________________ Lot Size/Acreage___________________________________________________________________________________ View________________________________________________________________________________________________ Other Features______________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
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LOCATION Ideal Neighborhood________________________________________________________________________________ Ideal Commute Time_______________________________________________________________________________ Convenient to Transportation Convenient to Schools Convenient to Shopping Convenient to Recreation
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Other Location Preferences_________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
LIFESTYLE Eco-friendly Urban life Low-maintenance property Close to nature Gardening Outdoor entertaining
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Other lifestyle preferences__________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
SUCCESSFUL HOME PURCHASES BEGIN WITH AN HONEST CONVERSATION WITH YOUR BROKER. SHARING YOUR NEEDS, EXPECTATIONS AND GOALS.
WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE? Tell me which city, neighborhood or area you want to live in? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT ARE YOUR WANTS? A realistic list of what you want in a property: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT ARE YOUR NEEDS? List the things that are absolutely necessary: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
COMMUNICATION Real Estate can be a fast-moving train at times. It is very important we establish reliable forms of communication or we may miss out on an opportunity. Some prefer to only communicate via email, others through a phone call. Whatever your preference, be aware that a quick response can mean the difference between winning the bid or losing out to another buyer. What form(s) of communication do you prefer? Email
Phone
Text
Email:_______________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone:______________________________________________________________________________________________
FREQUENCY Depending on the urgency of your home search, the frequency of our communication can vary a great deal. From several times per day if you’re a highly motivated buyer to a few times per week or less if you are not in a rush to find a property. Your privacy will always be respected.
DUTIES OF A BUYER’S AGENT/BROKER IN OREGON An agent, other than the Seller’s Agent, may agree to act as the Buyer’s Agent only. The Buyer’s Agent is not representing the seller, even if the Buyer’s Agent is receiving compensation for services rendered, whether in full or in part, from the seller or through the Seller’s Agent. An agent who represents only the buyer owes the following affirmative duties to the buyer, the other parties and the other parties’ agents involved in a real estate transaction: 1. To deal honestly and in good faith;
2. To present all written offers, notices and other communications to and from the parties in a timely manner without regard to whether the property is subject to a contract for sale or the buyer is already a party to a contract to purchase; and 3. To disclose material facts known by the agent and to apparent or readily ascertainable to a party. A Buyer’s Agent owes the buyer the following affirmative duties: 1. To exercise reasonable care and diligence;
2. To account in a timely manner for money and property received from or on behalf of the buyer;
3. To be loyal to the buyer by not taking action that is adverse or detrimental to the buyer’s interest in a transaction; 4. To disclose in a timely manner to the buyer any conflict of interest, exisiting or contemplated.
5. To advise the buyer to seek expert advice on matters related to the transaction that are beyond the agent’s expertise; 6. To maintain confidential information from or about the buyer except under supoena or court order, even after termination of the agency relationship; and
7. Unless agreed otherwise in writing, to make a continuous good faith effort to find property for the buyer, except that a buyer’s agent is not required to seek additional properties for the buyer while the buyer is subject to a contract for purchase.
Making your dream home a reality.
BEND OFFICE When it comes to selling real estate,
Coldwell Banker Bain’s Bend office succeeds
on the strength of our local expertise. We’re Central Oregon specialists with deep roots in this community. We have a passion for
real estate and superior customer service
that is unrivaled in the industry. Our awardwinning brokers are career professionals
whose impeccable skill and focus on your needs and desires mean no one is more committed to your success than we are.
As part of Coldwell Banker’s global network, we have the knowledge, insight, training
and resources to guide our clients through
even the most complex transactions. Using advanced technology and capitalizing on local and national market dynamics, we make selling your home seamless and
stress-free. Clients list with us confident that our market strength and advocacy will get real results. And we do. Plus, we proudly
partner with schools, organizations and local festivals throughout the year to enhance this vibrant community that we call home.
MY COMMITMENT As your buyer’s agent I am committed to using my experience, education and expertise to >
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Find the right property
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Analyze the value
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Negotiate the best deal
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Execute and inform
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Assist in closing
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Follow up
FINDING THE RIGHT HOME
LISTEN Only you know your needs in a home. So it’s my job to listen carefully and to fully understand your needs as we begin our search.
COMMUNICATE Keeping you informed on availability, market trends, status of homes in your search and many other things is critical to a sucessful home purchase. That’s why I value open communication.
PLAN Outlining the steps we need to take to prepare for a successful transaction. From pre-qualifiying to the closing table, I will assist you every step of the way.
FIND A LENDER & GET PRE-APPROVED Having a pre-approved loan amount is a fantastic place to start your road to home ownership. It provides a benchmark for what you can comfortably afford and will allow us to quickly narrow your home search. If you are uncertain about which lender to use, ask us. As brokers, we generally have a good relationship with one or more lenders and can help you find one who will address your needs and get you the best loan terms available.
LISTEN TO YOUR LENDER Your lender will give you specific instructions on getting your finances in order so your closing will go smoothly. Make sure you follow these instructions to avoid delays in closing or possibly losing out on a property.
ASK QUESTIONS There are many special financing programs available to home buyers. Ask your lender and me if there are programs that you may qualify for. From special veteran programs to rehabilitation loans, your lender will be able to tell you what is available. Be sure to ask about any restrictions that may apply to special programs.
LOCATION The only thing better than finding your ideal home is finding your ideal home in the ideal location. Schools, commute to work, proximity to restaurants and activities, views and distances to recreation are all things to consider when deciding on location. Share as much information with us as you can about your ideal location.
YOUR IDEAL HOME Do you dream of a Craftsman with hardwood floors or a modern condo with the latest smart home technology? Whatever your taste, your perfect home is out there and I will help you find it. Beyond the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, share your ideal home features. From garden space to off street parking, each detail is important to note in your search request. The more information you provide, the easier it will be to narrow your search and find homes that are viable options.
UNDERSTANDING THE SALE PRICE There are several factors that affect the price sellers ask for their homes. Understanding these factors is important when trying to evaluate the asking price.
Physical characteristics of the home: Location, age, size of home and lot, physical condition and architectural style are all factors to consider.
Market condition and competition: Inventory, days on market, interest rates, qualified buyer demand, health of the economy and availability of financing can all affect the strength of the market and home prices. Other factors to consider are the time of the year, the sellers motivation and economic forecasts.
UNDERSTANDING THE MARKET One of the best ways to get a full understanding of your market is with a comparative market analysis. Comparing the sold price of comparable homes, as well as the number of days on market, the sold vs. list price and facts about properties that did not sell will give you insight to the value of the property you are considering. As a well-informed, educated and experienced broker, I am able to make sense of this information and help you determine if you should move forward on a property and how you should position your offer.
SUBMITTING THE OFFER Making the right offer the first time could mean the difference between having your offer accepted, getting a counter offer from the seller, or losing out to a competing offer. It is also very important to make sure you understand 100% of the terms of your offer. The legal terms in real-estate contracts can sometimes be confusing. I will help you avoid common mistakes and guide you through the process to a successful offer.
NEGOTIATING Rarely does an offer get accepted the first time around. In a competitive market it is very important to draw on the knowledge of an experienced broker. Sellers typically make a counter offer if they are unsatisfied with an initial offer. Knowing when to bend or when to stand firm on your offer is a skill that requires essential knowledge and experience. With my negotiating skills, experience and knowledge, you will be able to know when and how to make a good counter offer and also when to walk away from the deal.
THEY ACCEPTED YOUR OFFER! After a brief celebration, we will need to get to work to ensure a smooth closing. There are several potential items that will be required to close the transaction. I will be there assisting you every step of the way. Among these are: 1. Open escrow 2. Order title report 3. Provide additional documentation to lender 4. Send the contract to your lender 5. Home inspection 6. Negotiate inspection items 7. Set closing time
THE MORTGAGE Several factors affect your mortgage payment, which will often include the following:
PRINCIPAL- The balance owed to the lender INTEREST - Based on your annual percentage rate (APR) TAXES - Property taxes INSURANCE - Property and liability PMI - Private mortgage insurance
HISTORY OF THE 30-YEAR FIXED INTEREST RATE
20 16.63% 15
10
5
0
3.99%
WHY TITLE INSURANCE IS IMPORTANT Protecting your investment in your home is critical. Title insurance offers you protection from unforseen claims against your property like: • Forged deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, or releases • Deed by person who is mentally incompetent • Deed by person in a foreign country, vulnerable to challenge as incompetent, unauthorized, or defective under foreign laws • Deed challenged as being given under fraud, undue influence or duress • Deed signed by mistake (grantor did not know what was signed) • Deed executed under falsified power of attorney • Undisclosed divorce of one who conveys as sole heir of a deceased former spouse • Deed affecting property of deceased person, not joining all heirs • Deed recorded but not properly indexed so as to be locatable in the land records • Undisclosed but recorded federal or state tax lien • Undisclosed but recorded judgment or spousal/child support lien • Undisclosed but recorded prior mortgage • Undisclosed but recorded boundary, party wall, or setback agreements • Misinterpretation of wills, deeds, and other instruments • Discovery of later will after probate of first will • Erroneous or inadequate legal descriptions • Deed to land without a right of access to a public street or road • Forged notarization or witness acknowledgment • Deed not properly recorded (wrong county, missing pages or other contents, or without required payment) • Deed to a purchaser from one who has previously sold or leased the same land to a third party under an unrecorded contract, where the third party is in possession of the premises
WHAT EACH PARTY DOES IN ESCROW
SELLER Provides executed deed.
Because large sums of money move around in a real estate transaction, a trusted closing agent is required to ensure the contractual obligations of all parties are fulfilled. The safe exchange of proceeds and title are also executed at this time.
Provides evidence of required inspections and any required repair work. Provides other required documents such as tax receipts etc.
CLOSING/ ESCROW AGENT Orders title insurance Documents approvals on inspections Receives funds from buyer/lender Prorates taxes, rents etc. Disburses funds Records deed and documents Issues final closing statement
LENDER
BUYER
Prepares loan documents
Deposits required funds
Deposits loan proceeds with settlement agent
Arranges funds transfer from lender
Provides conditions for loan funds use
Approves inspections Fulfills conditions of sale
CLOSING The final inspection and closing disclosure statement are complete. By now it should be down to a few simple tasks: 1. Execute the mortgage documents 2. Settle closing expenses and escrow items 3. Receive closing documents 4. Record the deed and ownership transfer 5. Receive keys - Congratulations!
SERVICE COMMITMENT As you can see, buying a home is no small feat. There are several steps to this process and it’s important that you have an educated, experienced and committed broker protecting your interest. Each buyer has a unique set of requirements. From the key features of the home to location or special financing needs, I have all the necessary resources to get you the best possible service. You will never be alone on this journey and I am committed to making sure your experience is exceptional.
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HOME SEARCH TOOLS
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ACCESS TO MLS DATA & LISTING DETAILS
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COMPARATIVE MARKET ANALYSIS
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NEIGHBORHOOD AND SCHOOL PROFILES
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PROPERTY HISTORY AND TAX INFORMATION
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MARKET TREND INFORMATION
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EXPLANATION OF REAL ESTATE TERMS
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RELATIONSHIPS WITH LENDERS & TITLE COMPANIES
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HOME INSPECTORS & CONTRACTORS
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INSPECTION REPORT REVIEW
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PROFESSIONAL NEGOTIATIONS
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EXPERIENCE WITH CLOSING PROCESSES
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SERVICE AFTER THE SALE
LONG TERM RELATIONSHIP Establishing a long term relationship with clients is important to me, both personally and professionally. I devote myself to servicing the needs of my clients before, during and after each transaction. My business is largely run by the referrals of past clients to their friends and family, and my goal is for you to feel confident enough in my services that you can’t wait to tell everyone you know! Once you have moved into your new home I will be available to help you find answers to any questions that may come up. You might need a recommendation on a contractor or handyman or possibly just want to know more about the neighborhood, and I am happy to help. I want your new home to be everything you hoped for!
Jan Higgins 541.408.8926 Jan@JanHiggins.com
