Buy

EXPERIENCE

When I say, “It’s all about your experience…” it’s my number one goal to provide you with a planned approach to make your transaction smooth, anxiety-free, seamless and transparent.

I keep in mind that my clients are real people, with real needs and many other things going on in their lives. It’s my job to find you the perfect place and make the entire experience from Pre-Approval through closing and beyond, an exceptional transaction, one which they can’t wait to share with their friends and family.

From the start of our experience with Julie Dean, my fiancé Stewart & I felt comfortable, motivated, and heard. We were recommended to seek Julie’s help by great friends who had a very positive experience finding their first home with her. Julie is extremely knowledgeable about the area we were looking (Woodward Corridor), as well as all of southeast MI. This was not only comforting but again motivating to our process. Julie took time to get to know us as a couple and get to know what each of us was seeking in our first home. Julie establishes trust quickly, provides her opinion when asked, and lets you talk out your thoughts & first impressions. Julie also navigates this process giving great thought & respect to the importance of resale & overall value; setting you up for success before, during, and potentially after living in the home you’re hunting. Being that this is Stewart & I’s first home, this expertise of Julie’s put us in a great position. Julie leads the process with style & sophistication. This gave us great confidence in any home she showed us. The home we ended up with was an add-on to a schedule of tours we had one Saturday. The second we pulled down the street we were in love. The character & the charm of the neighborhood alone was verbatim what we had been describing to her. Put your trust in Julie Dean, she gets the job done and is dedicated to finding you what you want!

– Liz Ashley Hynes

THE TRANSACTION IS ALL ABOUT YOU

Our goal is to make you feel comfortable every step of the way. We can promise to counsel you and help you to identify your wants, needs, and wishes. Tell us about the style of the home, school district, neighborhood, number of bedrooms, budget, and other must-haves. Are you downsizing, a first-time homebuyer, looking to accommodate your growing family, or moving up? Don’t hold back, tell us everything! The more we know, the more closely we can zero in on your dream home.

THE IMPORTANCE OF A BUYERS AGENT

We’re dedicated to making your search an outstanding experience. We’re exceptionally well qualified and are all full-time Realtors. We will help you to negotiate the best terms, provide you with financial information, refer you to our trusted service providers, and act on your behalf in every aspect of the buying experience. We’re sure you will appreciate the extra level of service and intense attention to detail.

DO NOT CALL THE NAME ON THE SIGN

Keep in mind that the Agent on the sign is working to get the best and highest price for the seller. Call your Buyer’s Agent instead, they represent your best interest. If you decide to go to Open Houses, be sure to tell the showing agent that you are currently working with a Buyer’s Agent. This will protect you from continuous follow-up contacts from the agent.

Talking about money isn’t always easy, we realize that but it is helpful to know what you can realistically afford or want to spend before you start looking. We work with a group of experienced, reputable lenders who can qualify you for a mortgage. The lender will advise you on what documents, information, and paperwork are needed. It is a simple, painless process. Once you know your number we will target specific properties in your price range.

I provide you with a number of homes that match your needs. Select the ones that look like the best fit and I will schedule showings. Viewing a prospective home can be a very emotional experience. It‘s your chance to try on the property as you would try on clothes in a store. You and I will check out the details of the home including the: Usability of the floor plan, structure, age, condition of systems, appliances, and location.

Upon leaving the home, review all the positives and negatives so that you have a good understanding of how it fits your needs and objectives. Ask yourself…Does this feel like it could be home? Does it have most of the features that are important to me? What would it feel like to wake up here in the morning? Most importantly, Is this home within my affordable price range?

Remember that no home is going to have every feature you want. If the answer to any of the above questions is – no, I will be happy to keep looking until you find “the one”. If the answer is yes, it’s time to stop looking and move on to the next step, writing an offer!

Once your contract offer is written and you have signed, initialed, and dated it in all the appropriate places, the contract will be presented by your agent to the sellers or the seller’s agent.

SCENARIOS

Once you’ve submitted the offer, there are a number of scenarios that can follow.

1. 1. Your offer may be accepted exactly as written.

OR

1. It may be returned with a counteroffer. In a counteroffer, the seller proposes somewhat different terms from the ones originally offered. I will keep you informed on the progress of your offer and provide guidance on how to deal with any situation that may arise. To increase the chance of sellers accepting your offer as written, I will investigate the sellers‘ objectives and needs prior to writing the contract. Are the sellers relocating and, therefore, looking for a timely sale? Are they thinking of downsizing and, consequently, more relaxed in their time frame to move? Each situation requires a different strategy when submitting an offer. Once the sellers receive your offer, they will review the contract terms. In this market there often are multiple offers. Sellers will compare each offer to determine which best suits their needs and objectives.

Once the sellers accept your offer and all terms have been fully agreed to in writing by both parties, your contract is officially ratified. Congratulations! You‘re getting closer to moving into that new home. The next phase includes the inspection and appraisal of the home. After this step, you are on your way to closing.

THE TITLE COMPANY PROCESS

Once your contract is finalized, it will be sent to the title company. I coordinate all aspects of the contract process. You will also receive a checklist of items required to complete the closing.

1. Order and review the title search
2. Obtain Seller’s payoff figures
3. Contact the HOA or condo management company, as applicable
4. Prepare the Title Insurance Binder for the lender
5. Obtain current property tax information
6. Prepare settlement documents including final settlement statement
7. Conduct the settlement and signing

OBTAIN TITLE INSURANCE BECAUSE:

• Forged deeds and other title instruments
• False impersonation of a true owner
• Deeds by persons of unsound mind or capacity
• Mistakes in recording legal documents
• Undisclosed heirs and divorce settlements
• Undisclosed liens on the property
• The lender’s title insurance (mandatory) will be required by the mortgage
• Lender providing the funds for your purchase.

Now is the time to start planning the logistics of your big move. I will help you to navigate the road to closing by assisting and coordinating inspections, appraisals, loans, the final walk-through, utility set-up, moving needs, and any other details that make the process go as easily as possible. Listed below are the next steps:

1. The first step is to get estimates for movers, and needed services
2. The final walk-through usually takes place one or two days prior to closing. During the walk-through, you along with your agent make sure that the property is in the same condition that it was when you contracted to buy it. If not, the seller’s agent is notified and a second walk-through may be necessary.
3. The property should be free of all personal belongings and trash and will be broom clean (unless there is an occupancy clause in your contract.) If you have any concerns during your walk-through, your agent will address them prior to closing, before signing any papers.
4. Don’t forget to transfer the utilities: Gas, Electric & Phone. Schedule your cable and other services in advance so they will be on when you move in.