:: The Schwarz Group :: Edina Realty - Chanhassen, Minnesota Real Estate

HOME BUYING PROCESS

CHOOSING A REALTOR

One of the most important decisions you’ll make when buying a home is choosing a Realtor. A true real estate professional will focus on you the customer, always keeping your interests in mind. They will guide you through the buying process, educating you on the various forms, processes and options. They will ultimately use their experience, expertise and knowledge to find you the home of your dreams, for the least amount of money, in the shortest amount of time. A true real estate professional will be with you from the beginning of the process to the end. And if they’ve done their job right, they’ll be their again the next time you think about buying or selling. Consider the following when selecting a real estate professional:

Trust
Experience
Reputation
Market Knowledge
Available Resources

Ask these questions when interviewing agents to determine if they’re truly a real estate professional and the right fit for you:

Are you a full-time real estate agent? Be careful, many agents only work part time.
How many years have you been in the business?
What is your track record?
Do you work more with buyers or seller? Some agents specialize and only work with buyers or sellers. Some work with both. Understand the agent’s expertise.
Can you provide me with a list of referrals?

Keep looking until you find someone who is solid, someone you trust, and someone that listens to you and understands your wants, needs and dreams. Look for an agent who delivers on promises made and goes the extra mile to meet and exceed your expectations. Someone that does the "little" things right, i.e., returning phone calls and e-mails timely, staying in constant contact, following through on things discussed, and avoiding surprises. These are the things you can count on from The Schwarz Group. Just ask our clients.

FINDING YOUR DREAM HOME

Our goal is simple . . . To help you find the home of your dreams in the shortest amount of time, while making a smart financial decision. When you call us, you’ll be tapping into a wealth of information and market experience. We will help you navigate through the time consuming and complicated process of searching for properties, writing the offer, negotiating the deal, and ultimately closing the sale. We will work tirelessly on your behalf. Since we’re in the market and networking every day, you’ll have access to many properties not yet listed. At the end of the day the Schwarz Group will save you time and money. We are accustomed to working with a variety of clients, from first-time home buyers to seasoned veterans. Regardless of the level of experience of our client, we will always speak honestly and openly. Straight talk backed up by facts.

We also guarantee your satisfaction! If after 45 days you’re not completely satisfied, you have the option to cancel your representation agreement, no questions asked.

We look forward to working with you!

Getting Started

The first time we meet a customer we spend as much time as possible getting to know them including their wants, needs, expectations and dreams. We’ll discuss your time frame, your "must haves" and "nice to haves."

After we’re clear on search parameters your home search becomes our responsibility. We will move quickly to provide you with options that meet your criteria, properties that are currently listed for sale and many times properties not yet advertised. We make it our priority to know what’s going on in the communities we serve.

Searching For Your Dream Home

After our first meeting we start to preview homes (assuming this works with your timeline). We only want to show you homes that are likely candidates. We don’t want to waste your time looking at homes that aren’t suitable. It’s possible that if we’ve clearly understood your requirements that we’ll be able to find you the home of your dreams in just a few days or weeks. Typically the first day or week becomes a familiarization of homes and neighborhoods. It takes a few more days or weeks to narrow down the choices.

Subsequent to that first meeting we also add our clients to an "Instant Buyer Notification System." When a new listing meeting your search criteria hits the market, you’ll be notified immediately. This is a tool that helps ensure that you’re the first one through the front door.

Once you’ve fallen in love with a home, we’ll use our knowledge, experience and familiarity with the marketplace to write up an offer that has a realistic chance of succeeding.

Making an Offer

Locating the right house is only the first step in the process. Once your dream home has been found, we will work with you to write up an offer aimed at acquiring the property for the best possible terms and lowest price. Factors to consider include price, terms of financing, contingencies (e.g., inspection, sale of your home, etc.), inclusion/exclusion of personal property, as well as many others.

As your real estate representative, we will provide you with advice and counsel during every step of the process; however, it’s ultimately your decision as to the exact price and terms that you wish to offer.

We can help you determine the best offer to make. Our years of experience and familiarity with the marketplace, including information about recent sales in the area, will help you make an informed decision. The following are tips to consider in making a strong offer:

The offer should be as clean and simple as possible. The fewer contingencies the better.
Pre-qualify with your mortgage broker or lender. Submit the pre-qualification letter with your offer to demonstrate to the Seller that you have the financial wherewithal to close the deal.
Consider personalizing the offer. Write a letter (we can help you write it) to the Sellers explaining why you want to purchase their home. Maybe even include a picture or two of your family. We’ll include the letter in the offer. Personalizing your offer can sometimes make a big impact on the Seller

Because we know the marketplace we can help you negotiate an offer that has the best chance of succeeding. For example, the Twin Cities market is currently a "Buyer’s market." Buyers can and should be aggressive. Along with being aggressive on price consider asking the seller to pay all or a portion of your closing costs, or ask them to buy down your mortgage rate, or have the seller purchase a home warranty on your behalf. These are just some of the options to consider. At the end of the day we will help you write up an offer that benefits you and at the same time has a great chance of being accepted.

FINANCING

In today’s real estate world its imperative that serious Buyer’s go through the pre-approval process before searching for their dream home. Seller’s expect it and many times demand it. Unlike pre-qualification, which is a quick estimate of your borrowing potential, a pre-approval is a formal approval of a specific mortgage amount. The pre-approval process will help you:

Determine the price range you can afford.
Understand the types of loans you qualify for.
Determine what your monthly payment will be.
Estimate the down payment and closing costs.

Pre-approving puts you in the best possible position to make an offer. Once you find the home of your dreams you can act quickly and be confident.

We’ve worked with a number of highly capable and reliable mortgage professionals over the years. We would be happy to put you in touch with them. We’re fortunate to have Sue Larson, Edina Realty Mortgage, in our office. Sue is quite simply a superstar. If you’re looking for a mortgage professional you can depend on for great service and rates, give her a call. You won’t be disappointed.

WE NEVER STOP WORKING FOR YOU

Our work doesn’t stop once both sides reach agreement on price and terms. We will help to arrange for any inspections and monitor that all contingencies are addressed prior to closing. We will work with you to resolve any issues that may be uncovered. We will maintain day-to-day communication between the Buyer and Seller, the lender and the title company. And if you’re using Sue Larson at Edina Realty Mortgage or Tess Lawson at Edina Realty Title, you can feel confident that things will run smoothly.

We commit to staying in touch many months or years after the closing, remaining your primary source of information. The relationship that has developed is one that we hope will last a long time. We’re always here to assist you with your real estate needs. We know the greatest praise we can receive for a job well done is the referral of your friends and family. Someday we hope to meet them!

We would love to talk with you about how we can help you! Please give us a call.

The Schwarz Group. Real Estate and Homes for Sale in Minnesota. Minnesota Real Estate, Chanhassen, Charka, Victoria, Eden Prairie, Carver County.

Jim Schwarz

(612) 251-7201

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