Ava Lang
GrowingupinthegreaterSeattlearea,Avahasadeepappreciationforthe diversecommunitiesthattheregionhastooffer.Shegraduatedfrom UniversityofWashingtonwithadegreeinCommunication,minorin BusinessAdministration,andcertificateinProfessionalSales.Previously employedatKemperDevelopmentCompanyasRetailOperations Coordinator,shelearnedtheins&outsofpropertymanagementandclassAexecution.AvaisecstatictobeginhernewchapteratReal.Avasupports NickGlantandBradCahillastheirExecutiveClientManagerandaimsto deliverexcellentclientserviceandbuildlife-lastingrelationshipswith clients.Inherfreetime,Avaisanavidrunner,whoenjoyscompetingin half-marathonruns Aswellasenjoyingallthingsinvolvingsun,food,family andfriends!
Alongside Brad Cahill and Nick Glant
The Real Duty of Care
Every person deserves honesty We promise that honesty will be at the core of every communication we have with our clients
We promise to elevate our client over any self-interest
We promise to advise and educate.
We promise to treat our clients’ home as though it were our own
We promise to remain in our clients’ lives for anything they need that enhances their joy and convenience in their home
We promise that any request from our client will be answered honestly and timely
We promise to treat our fellow Broker colleagues inside and outside of Real with care and consideration
We promise to be REAL
Comprised of 34 industry professionals that include an unprecedented 8 of the region’s top-producing brokers, Real Residential continues to set records in sales price and sales volume
THE HISTORY OF
2007
NWG is founded in Downtown Seattle
NWG expands to Bellevue/Eastside
NWG becomes top independent brokerage in WA with over $500 million sold annually
2018
NWG joins Compass as the Founding Team
NWG is ranked top team in WA and #4 Nationally in WSJ
2022
Real Residential is founded and launched by the original NWG team
RealResidentialManifesto
At Real Residential, we believe every person deserves honesty
For most of us, a house is our single-greatest financial asset But a house is more than a structure for shelter and space it’s often also a home, and home is one of the most emotional assets we can own
The process of buying or selling a home can feel daunting, and it’s frequently cloaked in mystery and uncertainty especially in a competitive market like the Seattle metro Mortgage interest rates are unstable, properties are scarce, and bidding wars are tense But even amidst the chaos, it can also be a journey of joy in which you dream of your new life or experience financial opportunity Most of the time, the difference between a bad experience and a good one is the team supporting you
Our team is a select, nimble group of experts focused on our local communities and intentional about slow growth so we can provide the best service to our clients We’re on a mission to redefine the duty of care in real estate to mean more than just legal obligation For us, duty of care is a standard of how you treat people, and it starts with honesty Honesty means educating you about market conditions (so you can make your best decision) and advocating for you like you ’ re a family member Honesty means telling you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear Honesty means doing everything in our power to make your dreams come true
Honesty means being real And we promise to be real with you
Testimonials
The team at Real took a very valued relationship-based approach throughout our home buying and selling process. They took the time to get to know us, understand our goals, and earned trust from the get-go. They have an amazing depth of knowledge, offered great insights into the local market, and operated with a high degree of integrity to aid us both as home buyers and sellers. Brad, Nick, and Ava were each incredibly professional and communicative and led with a calm composure throughout. We were referred to them by a family member and we would absolutely work with them again and refer them over and over. They are an amazing team!
- Kate & Bobby Randall
From start to finish, Brad, Nick and Ava were extremely helpful and professional at each step of the process We felt confident that they had our best interests in mind and took great care to negotiate the best deal possible This was our 4th time working with their team and we'll continue to use them moving forward
- Dave & Caitlin Yusen
The Real Residential Team exceeded our expectations from the start of our search to close, even after close They are extremely communicative, responsive and guided our expectations thoughtfully Once we identified the perfect house, Nick, Brad and Ava led us through a very successful negotiation They were immensely helpful throughout close, working in tandem with our lender After close, they've stayed in touch and continue to provide their immense expertise We highly recommend Real Residential
- Zac & Candice Snedeker
Buying a Home in the Greater Seattle Area
The greater Seattle area is one of the most desirable and competitive real estate markets in the world, and we understand that making the decision to buy a home here can be a particularly overwhelming experience
That is why we have created this Buyer’s Guide to set you on the right course to owning your perfect home!
Why Work with a Real Residential Buyer’s Broker?
The purchase of a new home may be one of the most important decisions you make in your life A home is not just shelter It offers stability, security, and community, not to mention predictable housing costs, tax benefits and the ability to build equity over time
As with other major life decisions, it is important to get trusted, expert advice to ensure that you make an informed choice Your Real Residential broker is here to help you assess your financial situation, lifestyle and long-term goals, along with market conditions and any other relevant personal circumstances, to ensure you make the decision which is right for you
Here are some of the many ways in which your Real Residential broker can assist you:
INVENTORY ACCESS
Buyers have access to ample information about homes which are on the market, but your Real Residential broker is able to uncover unlisted opportunities through a variety of approaches, including a proprietary internal roster of offmarket properties Your Real Residential agent will show you properties of interest and provide feedback about the homes and how and whether they might be a fit for you and your goals
MARKET KNOWLEDGE
While buyers can identify properties of interest via public real estate portals, your Real Residential broker is well-versed in the local real estate market and has the ability to provide valuable insights into neighborhoods, property values, and market trends, in order to help you make informed decisions.
NEGOTIATION SKILLS
Your Real Residential broker is an experienced negotiator They can negotiate on your behalf to secure the best possible price and terms for the home, leveraging their knowledge of the market and understanding of the negotiation process.
PROFESSIONAL NETWORK
Your Real Residential broker has a professional network that includes mortgage brokers, home inspectors, real estate attorneys, and contractors They can recommend trusted professionals to help streamline the home-buying process and enhance the enjoyment of your home after closing
PAPERWORK & DOCUMENTATION
Purchasing a home involves a significant amount of paperwork Your Real Residential broker will help you navigate through the documentation, ensuring that all necessary forms are completed accurately and on time
SAVE TIME & REDUCE STRESS
With your Real Residential broker handling many aspects of the home-buying process, you can save time and reduce stress They can schedule property viewings, handle negotiations, and manage administrative tasks, allowing you to focus on finding the right home. Remember, you may only buy a home a handful of times in your life. You can relax knowing that your purchase is in the hands of a Real Residential broker with the experience and expertise to support you
GUIDANCE THROUGH THE PROCESS
Buying a home is a complex process with various steps, from identifying properties of interest, to making an offer, and then closing the sale Your Real Residential broker can guide you through each step, explaining the process, handling the paperwork, and ensuring that deadlines are met
INSPECTIONS
Your Real Residential broker can assist in coordinating property inspections and help you interpret the results They have experience identifying potential issues and can advise you on how to proceed based on the inspection findings
COST SAVINGS
While there is an expense associated with engaging a buyer’s agent (generally paid by the seller out of the sales price of the home), your Real Residential broker can save you money in the long run Their negotiation skills can help you secure a better deal, and their guidance can help prevent costly mistakes
DUTY OF CARE
Your Real Residential agent works for YOU, the buyer, and has an obligation to act in your best interests This means they will provide honest, objective advice, helping you avoid potential pitfalls and making decisions that align with your goals This may include telling you when NOT buying is the best decision Real Residential was founded on the idea that we have a duty of care to our clients, and that your needs and interests always come first
Steps in the Home Buying Process
1. CHOOSE A REAL ESTATE AGENT
You have already gotten in touch with a Real Residential broker, so you are off to a great start! Your broker will act as your advocate and trusted advisor throughout the home buying process
2. GET PRE-APPROVED
Before you begin your search, you will need to obtain a pre-approval for a mortgage loan Your Real Residential broker can connect you with an experienced mortgage broker or banker offering competitive rates and desirable terms The lender will review your financial information and creditworthiness to determine the maximum loan amount for which you are qualified The preapproval will be critical in determining a price range for your home search If you plan to pay the entire purchase price of the home in cash, you will just need to provide a bank statement, letter from your financial advisor, or other similar written proof of funds
3. VISIT PROPERTIES
Your Real Residential broker will coordinate and accompany you on showings of the homes you are interested in You may find a home you like online or visit an open house, or your broker may recommend you see a home that meets your criteria, including off-market properties which might be a fit Regardless of how the home is identified, your broker will provide you with important information and feedback about the property, neighborhood, and market trends, both at the showing and later as a follow-up, so that you can decide if the property is a good fit
4. CONDUCT A HOME INSPECTION
A home inspection can be conducted either prior to making an offer (a pre-inspection) or after mutual acceptance, depending on the terms of your offer The inspection is an important tool for identifying potential concerns with the home If issues are uncovered, you may have the opportunity to request repairs, a price reduction, or other concessions
5. REVIEW LISTING DOCUMENTS
A home inspection can be conducted either prior to making an offer (a pre-inspection) or after mutual acceptance, depending on the terms of your offer The inspection is an important tool for identifying potential concerns with the home If issues are uncovered, you may have the opportunity to request repairs, a price reduction, or other concessions
Key listing documents including the title report, seller disclosure, and (where applicable) HOA documentation These documents can be reviewed either prior to making an offer, or after mutual acceptance, depending on the terms of your offer
Title Report: This report provides important information about ownership history and any potential issues that may affect your ability to obtain clear and marketable title to the home, including liens, restrictions, judgments or disputes
Seller Disclosure (Form 17): This form is provided to potential buyers to disclose information about the condition of the property The purpose of this disclosure is to inform buyers about any known issues or defects with the property before they make an offer to purchase While sellers are generally required to disclose known issues, there may be situations where they are not aware of certain problems Buyers are therefore encouraged to conduct their own inspections and due diligence
6. MAKE AN OFFER
Once you have identified a home you wish to purchase, you will submit an offer on standardized forms which outlines the proposed price, closing date, earnest money amount, and other terms supported by your financing pre-approval or proof of funds letter Your Real Residential broker will assist you with structuring a competitive offer and negotiating the purchase
7. REACH MUTUAL ACCEPTANCE AND OPEN ESCROW
Once all terms of the home purchase have been agreed upon by you and the seller in writing, the parties have mutual acceptance and the home is considered at that point to be a pending sale or under contract Shortly after mutual acceptance, a file will be opened for the transaction at escrow
8. DEPOSIT EARNEST MONEY
Once the transaction file has been opened, you will deposit the agreed upon amount of earnest money with escrow
9. COMPLETE YOUR LOAD APPLICATION AND OBTAIN LOAN APPROVAL
If you have not already done so, make formal application for financing and submit all documentation required by the lender to obtain full loan approval through the underwriting process
10. CONDUCT THE FINAL WALK THROUGH
Prior to closing, you will conduct a final walk through to ensure that the home has been properly maintained and any agreed upon repairs completed
11. SIGN FINAL LISTING PAPERWORK
Escrow will prepare the closing paperwork for you and the sellers to sign Your closing paperwork will include escrow instructions, a settlement statement, mortgage loan documents (if applicable), excise tax affidavit and other supporting documents Signing the closing paperwork is a separate step of the actual closing of the sale itself
12. CLOSE THE SALE
Once all your funds (including those from your mortgage lender, if any) have been deposited with escrow, the title company will record the deed with the county on the closing date to officially transfer ownership of the property to you
13. OBTAIN THE KEYS
Once the sale has been recorded, the seller will provide the keys and other access devices for your new home to you via your broker
Key Terms
APPRAISAL
A professional assessment of the value of a property, generally done for the purpose of obtaining a mortgage loan
CLOSING COSTS
All charges and fees associated with the transfer of property ownership, including but not limited to escrow, title insurance, and recording fees
CLOSING DISCLOSURE
A form generated by the lender that provides final details about the mortgage loan including the loan terms, projected monthly payments, fees and other costs
A monthly maintenance fee paid by condo owners, which may include insurance, utilities and reserve contributions Property taxes are generally not included
A condition that must be met for a real estate purchase agreement to be binding Common contingencies include the inspection contingency and the financing contingency
DEBT-TO-INCOME RATIO
The percentage of an individual’s monthly gross income relative to the amount of debt owed
COMMON CHARGES OR DUES CONTINGENCY DEED
A signed legal document that transfers title, or the legal ownership of a property, to a new owner A deed to real property must be properly recorded with the local government for its owner to be able to sell it, refinance it, or obtain a line of credit on it
DOWN PAYMENT EARNEST MONEY
The money that the buyer provides together with the loan funds to purchase the property This is considered the buyer’s equity or cash investment in the property
A deposit of funds to escrow shortly after mutual acceptance, to be transferred to seller as a part of the purchase price upon closing of the home sale These funds are a way for the buyer to express their good faith and to compensate the seller for taking the property off the market while the buyer completes their due diligence, arranges financing, and fulfills other conditions specified in the purchase agreement. Depending on how the agreement was written, the buyer may forfeit the earnest money to the seller if the buyer fails to close on the sale
ESCROW
A neutral party which holds the earnest money, any down payment and mortgage funds, as well as the deed to the property, until all elements of the transaction are completed, and ownership of the property is legally transferred upon closing
HOME INSPECTION
A limited, non-invasive examination of the condition of a property, based on which the home inspector can assess the condition of a property’s roof, foundation, heating and cooling systems, plumbing, electrical, water and sewer, along with some fire and safety issues The home inspector describes the condition of the home at the time of inspection but does not guarantee future condition, efficiency, or life expectancy of systems or components
IN CONTRACT OR PENDING
Refers to the time between the signing of the purchase and sale agreement by the buyer and seller, and the closing
MUTUAL ACCEPTANCE
The point in time when a seller accepts all the terms of a buyer’s offer for a property
PRIVATE MORTGAGE INSURANCE (PMI)
A type of insurance which protects the lender if the borrower stops making payments on the loan PMI is arranged by the lender and provided by private insurance companies, but paid for by the borrower PMI is usually required when the down payment is less than 20% of the purchase price of the property
PRE-APPROVAL
A preliminary approval from the buyer’s lender, based upon financial information provided by the buyer This is not a final commitment to lend
TITLE INSURANCE
A type of insurance which protects the holder from financial loss sustained related to defects in a title to a property, which may include financial, tax or mechanic’s liens, building code and permitting issues, boundary disputes or other claims Owner’s title insurance is paid for by the seller to protect the buyer’s equity in the property Lender’s title insurance is paid for by the borrower to protect the lender
UNDERWRITING
Mortgage underwriting is the process that lenders use to assess the risk of lending money to a potential homebuyer It involves a detailed analysis of the borrower's financial situation, creditworthiness, and the property itself The goal of mortgage underwriting is to determine whether the borrower is a suitable candidate for a mortgage and to establish the terms and conditions of the loan Once a loan is fully underwritten, the lender will provide the buyer with the loan funds to complete the home purchase at closing
