Choosing to Work with Us
When you choose us as your realtor, you ' re gaining the support of an entire team dedicated to your success! You can trust in our integrity and reliability to confidently guide you through the process.
As full-time brokers, we are honored to be part of Cascade Hasson Sotheby's International Realty. In 2023, our Sisters team sold over $16M in real estate Let's work together!
Suzanne Carvlin: 818-216-8542
Maddie Fischer: 541.419.5551 team@homeinsisters.com
What you can expect working with us
We are always one step ahead, anticipating potential roadblocks and finding creative solutions to overcome them. We’re Curious We’re Committed We’re Proactive We’re Personal
We want to have a clear understanding of your goals, who you are, and what your home means to you
We bring our A-game to every transaction, and we are committed to achieving the best possible outcome for our clients.
We believe in building relationships with our clients and treating them like family, because in the end, that's what leads to the best possible results
Maddie was an absolute We always felt like she h heart, whether it was for another. She was helpfu being pushy. We apprec knowledgeable she was and her willingness to pr and everything we reque resourceful, a wonderful consistently went above our needs. Since we we was imperative for us to ground and Maddie cam time. 5 star service! Than
Maddie Fischer
Home Buying Process Overview
Needs & Home Search
INITIAL CONSULTATION
Buying process overview
Determine needs and wants
Agent services
Market conditions
Lending qualification
Define agency relationship
INSPECTIONS AND PROPERTY
CONDITION REVIEW
Buyer inspections: Property, Pest, Roof etc
Second review of Seller disclosures
LOAN UNDERWRITING & APPRAISAL
Underwriter reviews files
Appraisal ordered by lender
LOAN PRE -APPROVAL
Obtain loan pre-approval letter from lender
Determine budget for home
SUBMIT HOME INFO TO LENDER
Escrow officer orders Preliminary Title Report Buyer funds are deposited into escrow account
HOME SHOPPING Tour properties that meet your “ideal home” criteria Monitor market inventory
OPEN ESCROW
Escrow officer will order Preliminary Title Report Buyer funds are deposited into escrow account
FIND HOME & MAKE OFFER
Review and sign off on available disclosures and reports
Discuss appropriate offer strategies with agent
Prepare and submit appropriate offer package
PRESENT & NEGOTIATE OFFER
Agent will present offer to sellers, Deal with any counteroffers, multiple offer situations or requests for changes in offer conditions
RECORD/TRANSFER TITLE & CLOSE OFE SCROW
Deed is recorded by the County Recorder’s Office
Get the keys to your new home!
UNDERWRITER REVIEWS FILES APPRAISAL
ORDERED BY LENDER If critical issues are discovered during buyer inspections or seller disclosure review determine appropriate action e g request for repairs, change to terms, price etc
LOAN FUNDING
Arrange for down payment and closing costs to be in escrow (e g cashiers check, wire transfer)
Lender sends balance of funding to Escrow Company
HOME INSURANCE
Select home insurance company and initiate coverage process Submit insurance information to escrow
SIGN-OFF DOCUMENTS
Review closing costs settlement
Sign loan documents
Return documents to lender for funding review
REMOVE CONTINGENCIES
After property inspections and confirmation of loan document approval, contingencies are removed
FINAL WALKTHROUGH
Final walkthrough is performed to confirm condition & completedrepairs if necessary
Property conditions should be consistent with condition on date of ratification
What is an escrow?
Escrow & Loan Process Overview
An escrow is a method of dosing a real estate transaction The escrow agent is given the responsibility to oversee and coordinate the closing activities, acting as a neutral third party between the buyers and sellers Your escrow officer must follow the instructions of both parties {buyers and sellers) involved in the transaction, and will remain unbiased.
Conditions Met Application
File Setup by Mortgage Specialist
Truth in Lending and Good Faith Estimate Sent to Borrower Send Verification(s)
Order Credit Report
Order Appraisal & Preliminary Title Report
Final Documentation to File
Underwriting Review
Approval
Loan Documents Sent to Escrow Agent
Borrower Sign Loan Documents Fund
Documents Recorded
What are your closing costs?
Lender Title Policy Premiums
Escrow Fee (shared 50/50 with Seller)
Document Preparation (if applicable)
HOA Transfer fees if applicable
Recording Charges and fees
Tax Prorations from date of close
New Loan charges, if any of home is financed
Financial Tips
Get your credit in check
Make sure you ’ re financially prepared for homeownership Do you have a lot of debt? Plenty saved for a down payment? What about closing costs? Ask yourself “how much house can I afford?” before you go further Additionally, know that lenders look closely at your credit score when determining your eligibility for a mortgage loan Check your credit score and do anything you can to improve it, such as lowering outstanding debt, disputing any errors and holding off on applying for any other loans or credit cards.
Find the right lender
Just like you want to get the home that best suits your needs, you’ll want to find a lender that best suits you. We suggest you consider using a broker to help you find a lender, talk to your agent we are here to help, ask friends and family for referrals, and compare at least three lenders.
Get Organized
A lender will need information from you in order to get you pre-approved for a mortgage loan Here are few things to have ready for them:
W-2 forms from the past two years
Pay stubs from the past 30 days
Tax returns from the past two years
Proof of other sources of income
Recent bank statements
Details on long-term debts such as car or student loans
ID and Social Security number
*If you ’ re self-employed, you may have to provide proof of your financial stability, including reasonable credit score, profit & loss statement, Year-to-date revenue, and possibly providing business tax returns.
The Initial Process
Consultation
This is where we discuss what type of home best suits your needs.
How long have you been looking for a new home?
What areas and neighborhoods are you considering?
What is your Plan B, if you can't find the home you have in mind?
What are some of your must haves?
What are deal breaker items?
Pre-Approval
We personalize the listings based on your specific criteria. We carefully select the best properties Now is an exciting time! When you are ready to write an offer, we will guide you through the contract. It's crucial to craft a fair offer to avoid the risk of the seller not responding or losing the property to another buyer
Draft the Offer
Negotiate the Offer
Fulfill Conditions for you to view and filter out the ones that don't meet your requirements.
House Hunting
Finding "the one "
We personalize the listings based on y specific criteria. We carefully select t properties for you to view and filter o ones that don't meet your requiremen
Typically, most buyers review around 1 properties before being ready to mak offer. If you haven't found the right ho then, it's highly advisable for us to rev review your criteria to ensure we are searching for the perfect house
Once you ' ve found a home you adore, to assess its market value. We will com the property to others that have recen allowing us to determine its true value.
4. Making an offer
This is a quick necessary process the h narrow down and determine how muc can afford!
Lenders typically recommend a home costs no more than three to five times annual household income, with a 20% payment. However, there are MANY d finacing structures that they can make for you!
Inspections & More
spections
er is accepted, the next crucial dule a home inspection within a ber of days. The home inspection ure that any defects or safety ressed before the closing.
l, title search & ter
f "title" refers to the right to use, and control a property. chase a home, you are quiring the seller's title to the to the closing, a title search is ensure there are no liens or at could hinder you from ear title to the property
s an evaluation of the property's s to not only justify the lender's t also to prevent the buyer from the property. Typically, your st the services of an appraiser u the associated fee at the g.
mitment lender's letter signifies f your home loan You will r detailing the terms of your loan is will include information such as rcentage rate, monthly fees, and repayment details for the loan
Closing Time
The
The closing process finalizes your hom purchase
A few things to bring to clos
A valid government issued photo Cashier's check payable for the t amount due
Any outstanding documents for t company or loan officer
Closing costs
Fees typically total 4% - 9% of purchase price and can include Escrow Fees
Recording fees
Application and underwriting fe
SIDs and/or LIDs
Appraisal Fees
Local Transfer Taxes
Homeowners Insurance
Homeowners Association Fees
Buyer Mistakes
AVOID THESE MISTAKES WHEN BUYING YOUR HOME
GETTING TOO EMOTIONAL
Thinking it's impossible? It's actually not When you decide to buy a home, start thinking of yourself as a businessperson and investor rather than just a future homeowner. In fact, forget that you ' re the "Buyer" altogether. By looking at the transaction from a purely financial perspective, you'll distance yourself from the emotional aspects of buying the property While it is important to factor in certain emotional aspects, don't let it cloud your judgment Real estate is an investment Don't let emotions distract you from that.
HOME SHOPPING BEFORE GETTING PRE-APPROVED
It's often more exciting to tour potential homes than to dive into financial discussions with a lender This leads many first-time home buyers to begin their search before determining their borrowing capacity. As a result, they may experience disappointment when realizing they were looking at properties outside their price range or when they find their dream home but are unable to make a strong offer To avoid this scenario, it's advisable to speak with a mortgage specialist to get pre-qualified or even pre-approved for a home loan before embarking on your house-hunting journey. This pre-qualification or pre-approval process involves a thorough assessment of your income and expenses, and it can enhance the competitiveness of your offer by demonstrating to sellers that you have the financial backing to support your bid
EMPTYING YOUR SAVINGS
If you purchase a pre-owned home, it's almost certain that unexpected repairs will be necessary shortly after Whether it's replacing a water heater or covering a homeowner's insurance deductible due to severe weather, these unforeseen expenses can add up. To avoid this situation, it's essential to save enough money to cover the down payment, closing costs, moving expenses, and potential repairs Lenders can provide estimates for closing costs, and it's advisable to reach out to multiple moving companies to obtain accurate estimates for your moving expenses. This proactive approach will help you prepare for any unforeseen costs associated with purchasing a home
CHOOSING THE WRONG
LENDER
When it comes to shopping for a mortgage, it's similar to shopping for a car or any other big-ticket item: it's worth it to compare offers. Mortgage interest rates and fees such as closing costs and discount points can vary from lender to lender
Surprisingly, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reports that almost half of borrowers don't shop around for a loan. To avoid this common mistake, it's recommended to apply with multiple mortgage lenders. By comparing offers from five lenders, the average borrower could potentially save $430 in interest just in the first year It's important to note that all mortgage applications made within a 45-day window will count as just one credit inquiry.
New Home Wish List
Know what you ' re looking for before you begin looking for a home. Create your own Wish List to help you identify all the things that you absolutely must have, as well as those items that would be nice but that you could live without. Print out the checklist, fill it in, and share it with us.
PROPERTY CHARACTERISTICS
Price Range
Approx. Square Footage
Newer Home
Two Stories
Master Bedroom Upstairs
Family Room
Family Room Fireplace
Formal Dining Room
Gas/Heat
Central Air
Eat-in Kitchen
Tub & Separate Shower
Refrigerator
Electric Range/Cook top
Den/Office
Built-In Range/Oven
Self-cleaning Oven
Hardwood Floors
Microwave Oven
Disposal
Dishwasher
Laundry Room
Newer Roof
Automatic Garage Door
Basement
Security System
Landscape Sprinklers
Swimming Pool
Home Shopping Worksheet
Property Address
Date of Visit
Square Feet
Number of Bedrooms
Number of Bathrooms
Large yard (1 acre or more)
Pool
Small yard (less than 1 acre)
Outdoor spa
Fenced yard Extra parking
Garage/carport Other buildings (barn, shed, etc.)
Patio/deck Nice view
INTERIOR
Family room
Separate dining room
Eat-in kitchen
Formal living room
Separate den
Greatroom
Laundry room
Basement
Hardwood floors
Wall-to-wall carpet
Ceramic tile
Fireplace
Storm windows
Ceiling fans
Central air conditioning
Energy-efficient features
In-law apartment
No interior steps
Close to schools
COMMUNITY FEATURES
Close to public transportation
Close to work
Close to childcare
Close to relatives/friends
Gated community
Community pool
Tennis courts
Close to parks
Close to hospitals
Basketball courts
Golf course
OVERALL IMPRESSION
Real Estate Terms
Buyers need to know
Adjustable-rate mortgage
There are two types of conventional loans: the fixedrate and the adjustable-rate mortgage In an adjustable-rate mortgage, the interest rate can change over the course of the loan at five, seven, or ten year intervals For homeowners who plan to stay in their home for more than a few years, this is a risky loan as rates can suddenly skyrocket depending on market conditions.
Amortization
This is the process of combining both interest and principal in payments, rather than simply paying off interest at the start. This allows you to build more equity in the home early on.
Appraisal
In order to get a loan from a bank to buy a home, you first need to get the home appraised so the bank can be sure they are lending the correct amount of money The appraiser will determine the value of the home based on an examination of the property itself, as well as the sale price of comparable homes in the area.
Assessed value
This is how much a home is worth according to a public tax assessor who makes that determination in order to figure out how much city or state tax the owner owes Buyer’s agent
This is the agent who represents the buyer in the homebuying process. On the other side is the listing agent, who represents the seller
Cash reserves
The cash reserves is the money left over for the buyer after the down payment and the closing costs
Closing
The closing refers to the meeting that takes place where the sale of the property is finalized. At the closing, buyers and sellers sign the final documents, and the buyer makes the down payment and pays closing costs
Closing costs
In addition to the final price of a home, there are also closing costs, which will typically make up about two to five percent of the purchase price, not including the down payment Examples of closings costs include loan processing costs, title insurance, and excise tax
Comparative market analysis
Comparative market analysis (CMA) is a report on comparable homes in the area that is used to derive an accurate value for the home in question.
Contingencies
This term refers to conditions that have to be met in order for the purchase of a home to be finalized. For example, there may be contingencies that the loan must be approved or the appraised value must be near the final sale price
Dual agency
Dual agency is when one agent represents both sides, rather than having both a buyer’s agent and a listing agent
Equity
Equity is ownership In homeownership, equity refers to how much of your home you actually own meaning how much of the principal you ’ ve paid off The more equity you have, the more financial flexibility you have, as you can refinance against whatever equity you ’ ve built. Put another way, equity is the difference between the fair market value of the home and the unpaid balance of the mortgage If you have a $200,000 home, and you still owe $150,000 on it, you have $50,000 in equity.
Escrow
Escrow is an account that the lender sets up that receives monthly payments from the buyer
Fixed-rate mortgage
There are two types of conventional loans: the fixedrate and the adjustable-rate mortgage In a fixed-rate mortgage, the interest rate stays the same throughout the life of the loan.
Home warranty
This warranty protects from future problems to things such as plumbing and heating, which can be extremely expensive to fix
Inspection
Home inspections are required once a potential buyer makes an offer. Typically, they cost a few hundred dollars The purpose is to check that the house’s plumbing, foundation, appliances, and other features are up to code Issues that may turn up during an inspection may factor into the negotiation on a final price. Failing to do an inspection may result in surprise costly repairs down the road for the home buyer.
Interest
This is the cost of borrowing money for a home Interest is combined with the principal to determine monthly mortgage payments The longer a mortgage is, the more you will pay in interest when you have finally paid off the loan.
Listing
A listing is essentially a home that is for sale. The term gets its name from the fact that these homes are often “listed” on a website or in a publication
Listing agent
This is the agent who represents the seller in the homebuying process. On the other side is the buyer’s agent, who represents the buyer.
Real Estate Terms
Buyers need to know
Mortgage broker
The broker is an individual or company that is respo care of all aspects of the deal between borrowers whether that be originating the loan or placing it w source such as a bank.
Offer
This is the initial price offered by a prospective buy seller may accept the offer, reject it, or counter wit offer
Pre-approval letter
Before buying a home, a buyer can obtain a pre-ap from a bank, which provides an estimate on how m lend that person This letter will help determine wha afford
Principal
The principal is the amount of money borrowed to p Paying off the principal allows a buyer to build equ The principal is combined with interest to determin mortgage payment
Private mortgage insurance
Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is an insurance p buyer pays to the lender in order to protect the len on a mortgage. These insurance payments typically buyer builds up 20% equity in a home.
Real estate agent
A real estate agent is a professional with a real est works under a broker and assists both buyers and s home-buying process
Real estate broker
A real estate broker is a real estate agent who has broker’s exam and met a minimum number of transa brokers are able to work on their own or hire their o Realtor
A Realtor is a real estate agent who specifically is National Association of Realtors NAR has a code o ethics that members must adhere to
Refinancing
Refinancing is when you restructure your home loan old loan with an entirely new loan that has differen payment structures The main reason people refina loans is to get a lower interest rate on their mortga lower not only the monthly payment but also the ov
Title insurance
Title insurance is often required as part of the closi research into public records to ensure that the title and ready for sale If you purchase a home and find there are liens on the home, you’ll be glad you had
