A. Get your ducks in a row.

You should know facts such as annual income, amount of cash you have for a down payment, other home loans, credit card balances, other loan balances such as vehicles, etc. and all other factors affecting your income such as child support, tax payments, etc.
 

A. Yes it is generally a good idea to get pre-qualified.

Some sellers may require a pre-qualification letter with your offer to purchase, so you should have that readily available when it comes time to make an offer. In general, it will make your offer look stronger and the sellers more apt to seriously consider your offer. Pre-qualification can be done with your bank or mortgage broker as simple as a phone call. You provide them with the information they require and they will give you an estimate of what they believe you could qualify for. This does not mean you are QUALIFIED. People often think because they are pre-qualified, they can get the loan when they find the home of their dreams. This is not true. At this point in the loan process, they have not run a credit check or verified any of the information you have provided. There may be things on your credit report that are inaccurate or that you have forgotten about that may inhibit the loan process or affect the loan amount.
 

A. Yes! I am able to show you ANY home, new or resale, no matter whom the listing broker is. If you see homes advertised in the newspaper or if you drive by a home that interests you, please call me! If you visit an Open House or a New Home Community, please tell the seller's agent in the home that I am representing you. Remember, home information is always available to me, even if it is not a RE/MAX real estate listing.
 

A. It is a many step process. Here is a brief overview of the process

You will need an "deposit cheque" or in some cases a certified cheque. The amount of monies to be deposited depends mainly upon the seller. The larger your deposit, the more the sellers will deem you to be a serious buyer. In an active market, the deposit should be a minimum of 2% of the purchase price. When your written Offer to Purchase is presented to the seller, they have three choices:
 

1. They can accept your offer

2. They can reject your offer

3. They can make a counteroffer
 

Negotiations after the initial written offer are often conducted verbally until an agreement is reached. When the seller accepts your offer, or you accept his counteroffer in writing, you have a binding contract for sale on that property. Your deposit money will then be deposited in the listing broker's trust account to be held until closing.
 

A. If your offer is too low you may take some unwanted risks. It is important to remember that if you make a low offer on a home and the offer is rejected or countered, another prospective buyer may submit an offer that may be accepted by the seller before you have the opportunity to submit another offer or accept the seller's counter to your offer. When a buyer makes a low offer to a seller and the seller is insulted, the seller may refuse to entertain any more offers from that client.
 

A. It is in YOUR best interest to work exclusively with me. I have access to every home that is in the Multiple Listing Service. I am self-employed, not on an expense account, and will be paid only when I find the right home for you.

Your loyalty is appreciated, and in return, you will receive the maximum in service from me to find you your dream home. All of my time, professional advice, experience and assistance is FREE to you!
 

A. I have been awarded the Accredited Buyer Representation (ABR) designation by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council, Inc. (REBAC) of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The ABR designation, the benchmark of excellence in buyer agency service, demonstrates to you, my client, that I have taken steps to continue my education in the field of buyer representation and have the proven experience and training to deliver ethical and professional service to my real estate buyers. I join more than 24,000 real estate professionals in North America who have earned the ABR designation.
 

I can legally represent you better under contract. There are three good reasons why you, as a client, should be represented under "Buyer Agency Contract".
 

A Customer is a buyer not under buyer agency contract.

A Client is a buyer under buyer agency contract.
 

1. Confidentiality:
As a buyer’s agent, I am obligated to keep any and all information about you, as a client buyer, confidential. You have a right to this confidentiality, as would a patient when confiding in a doctor. Lets say when I am presenting an offer on a property that you want very badly, the seller turns to me and asks why you want this particular house. I know that by disclosing that information, the seller’s negotiating position will be strengthened and disclosing that information will weaken yours. Under the guiding rules of confidentiality, I must not disclose your motivation for wanting the house.
 

2. Disclosure:
It is one thing to keep information private, it is quite another to be obligated to disclose all you know. In the above example, if you are a customer and not a client (under agency contract) then I am not a buyer’s agent, but a seller’s agent. Any and all information I know about you as a buyer I must share with the seller. For example, I must tell the seller how much you are willing to pay for the house and all other relevant information I have about you as a buyer.
 

3. Counseling:
Another benefit to you when using the services of a real estate professional, is the advice that professionals can give. As a buyer’s agent, it is my obligation to provide you, my client, with advice that will best suit your needs. However, remember that without having formed a buyer agency relationship in writing, I will be deemed to be a sub agent to the listing broker of the home you will eventually buy. That means I have no obligation whatsoever to counsel you as a buyer in any way. My obligation to counsel has been transferred to the seller of the property that you as a buyer customer (not under contract) eventually buy.