• You look like a more sincere buyer to the seller when he is evaluating your offer, which gives you an edge in negotiations.
• You do not waste your time looking at homes not in your budget.
• You get peace of mind knowing that once we successfully negotiate on the home you love, you are already well on your way to making ownership a reality.
• You can pack without worrying about your loan approval. Of course this requires using an experienced loan agent. You are free to use any loan company you choose, however we recommend Cindy Mersch at Washington Mutual Home Loans. You may apply on-line by clicking her

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• Real estate buyer´s representatives are responsible for protecting their clients´ best interests. The buyer´s agent is held to a higher standard of skill and care in dealing with you than is a subagent of the seller or the seller´s listing agent, who would work with you on a customer basis.
• Buyers´ agents have an affirmative duty to their clients to investigate and disclose all facts that bear on your decision to buy. You can also expect to receive more counseling, expert opinion, advocacy, and advice regarding the buying decision.
• The quantity and quality of client-level services are at least the same as those a listing agent would give sellers. Buyers are not legally entitled to this level of service unless they retain their own real estate agent to represent them.
• As your buyer representatives we actively work to find a home for you, check market data to avoid you paying too much, represent you in negotiations and much more. We will help to make your purchase an easy one.
• If you buy an MLS listed house, (since seller has already offered a fee to the buyer´s agent on these types of listings), there is no cost to you for representation.
  

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• Schools. You can compare school districts and even check out information on specific schools by going here.
• Property Values. As your representative, we will gladly check the market data and give you a report on the neighborhood you are interested in to help avoid paying too much for your next home.
• Traffic. Drive through neighborhoods during what could be a potential high traffic time. Example: Friday & Saturday Nights.
• Crime Rate. To compare crime in two Texas cities head-to-head click here. The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains a database that you may search to find out if registered sex offenders are located in certain zip code areas.
• Proximity to: Schools, Hospitals, Shopping, Freeways, Airports, Parks, Stadiums, and Cultural Activities like museums, concerts, & theaters.
  

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• Establish a set of minimum necessities - "A Needs List". Minimum necessities are things that a house must have to fit your needs, whereas a "wants list" has things that you would like to have but are not crucial.
• Your 'needs list' should include things like: Number of Bedrooms,Bathrooms, & Living Areas? A Square Footage Range? Lot Size? Age? Number of Floors? & Garage Size?
• Your 'wants list' should evaluate the importance of things like: Eat-in Kitchen vs. Separate Dining Room; Bedroom Size vs. Size of Living Areas; Walk-in Closets; Tub in Master Bath; Fireplaces; Pool; Yard Size; ... And any other features you want to consider in a home.
• After you have decided what is most important to you, keep in mind some things can be altered (depending on your taste and budget), as others cannot. You should discuss this with your Buyer Representative.
  

• Homes with less than three bedrooms do not suite the majority of families.
• Homes with great "curb appeal" are the easiest to resell.
• The largest homes in the neighborhood generally sale for less when compared to the more moderately sized homes in the neighborhood.
• One-bathroom homes are more difficult to resell than homes with two full bathrooms.
  

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• Negotiating the offer is one of our most valuable services we offer as your buyer representative. Since oral promises are not legally binding in real estate, you must have a written offer. (We provide all the necessary contract offer forms and addenda.) The written offer not only specifies the price you want to give, but also all the terms and conditions of the purchase as well.
• Remember: Without a pre-qualification letter, many sellers will not accept your offer.
• What is a home warranty? In Florida we have Residential Service Contracts a.k.a. "Home Warranties", which usually cover your home´s systems and appliances against breakdowns from normal wear and tear. We will write in the contract offer a one-year coverage policy for all our buyer clients unless asked not to do so. Usually the seller will agree to pay for this service, after a year it is up to you to continue on with the coverage.

• How much are closing costs? As your buyer representative, we will go over this with you upfront. The closings costs will include taxes, insurance, notary fees, loan fees, escrow fees, recording fees, & prorations. Your lender should also give you a written, good-faith estimate of all your closing costs.
• How long after closing on the home can we move in? This is negotiable. If the home is vacant, move-in is usually right away! If the seller is still living in the home, the seller may need a day or two to move out after closing.