Leann is with you all the way.
* Please note that all buyer services will not necessarily be the same, since each buyer has their own special needs. Individual needs are assessed for the best and most appropriate service programs .
- I represent full service, a full time Real Estate Agent. Call me anytime directly. Have me paged, call me on my cell phone, e-mail me...you will always have me available to you.
- My exclusive home buyer analysis sets the stage for finding you the best home possible. This initial introduction session determines what your needs are, saving us both valuable time because you only view homes meeting your criteria.
- Pay zero for my buyer services. It costs you nothing to use me as your Realtor® when shopping for your new home.
- You will immediately placed on my MLS® Express Home Finding system, e-mailing you the most current information within seconds of it hitting the market. (sometimes up to 7 days before it is available to the general public)
- I will visit homes with you that your specifications; carefully evaluating everything as we go along.
- Home tours and showings will be scheduled for any time and day that is convenient for you. Usually 12-24 hours notice is required in order to contact the listing realtor and set up the viewing.
- Don't have an lawyer, mortgage contact, home inspector etc.? Don't worry, I provide you with several choices in any field you need.
- Valuable, free information is provided to aid you along the way. Everything is done to make your home buying process smooth and easy.
- Leann is there with complete guidance and monitoring of all activity; even after a contract has been accepted by the seller. You are never left in the dark. I keep in touch to update you on progress or changes.
- New Home Construction is the one place where my services are CRITICAL! You need an advocate and negotiator on your side. In addition, I can help you with design changes and option choices. Once again, my Realtor® services and expertise does not add a dime to the cost of your new home.
- After purchasing your home, I are always available to help you with any problems, paperwork or questions you may have. After all, you are now a member of the family!
Determine How Much Home You Can Afford
The first thing that needs to be determined is how much home can you afford ? Many first time home buyers are under the impression that they need a huge down payment like 20%. This is not true today. In fact, $0 down is not only possible but commonplace. Self employed? Credit challenged? With so many mortgage plans available today, you can own your own home easily. Contact me for details. My preferred lenders are eager to help you.
It is well advised to determine your level of affordability before you begin searching for a home. The reason is because you may be looking at homes out of your price range or even under your price range. Most people qualify for more home than they often think.
A more important reason why you may wish to get pre qualified or approved is to determine your credit qualifications. You may find that an old credit card account is still active, or late fees have created problems for you. These items may require a little to be cleared up before you can successfully apply for a loan. Always keep in mind that there are lenders ready to provide a mortgage, regardless of past credit problems, even bankruptcy.
Tell me about your ideal home?
I will take you through my Home Search Questionnaire and create a profile of the home that will not only suit your needs, but also fulfill as many ‘wants' as possible.
- Number of bedrooms
- Number of Full/half Bathrooms
- Garage space for x cars
- Full or Partial Basement: finished or unfinished
- Square footage of the Home
- Age of the home
- Style of the home
- Neighborhood
- Annual Property Taxes
- Distance to Work, Schools and Shopping
- And so on.
Working together, I then use your information to begin your search!
The Search Begins!
Armed with the details of your specific needs and wants, I begin searching the market for homes that meet your selected criteria. You will automatically receive (by e-mail) home information specific to your outline the minute they come on the market. Feel free to browse the net. Call me when you find something of interest and I will obtain a little more background information for you, then we can take it a step further and arrange a showing. I have access to EVERY LISTING - it doesn't matter who the listing agent is.
Keep in mind that a minimum half days notice is generally necessary. This is because I must contact each respective agent and receive permission from them prior to showing their clients home. Sometimes it may take hours, even a day to receive a verbal consent.
Yard Signs, Magazine And Newspaper Ads
Everywhere you go, you will see yard signs, newspaper ads free home magazines and of course the Calgary Real Estate News. Feel free to search for your future home anywhere. If you are asked if you are currently working with a Realtor®, please show them my card or simply let them know that you are represented.
New Construction, Before You Go Alone
Should you decide to buy new construction, it is critical that I represent your needs. You still pay nothing for our services. Many people think that they can negotiate a better price because they take the real estate agent out of the picture. The fact is, any reputable builder who is a member of the CRHBA will not allow this as it contravenes the agreement they have with the Calgary Real Estate Board.
Contact me before you visit a new construction site. If you do decide to go by yourself, tell the associates that you are working with a Realtor® and give them my card.
Open House
Feel free to visit any open houses you come across. When you meet the agent showing the home, you will be (or should be) asked if you have a real estate agent that you are working with. Simply give them my card and mention my name so that they know you are represented. Otherwise they may solicit you unknowingly and that would be very unfair to them. The same applies for ‘for sale by owner' open houses . Should you find a home you like, contact me immediately. I will initiate the purchase process if that is your wish.
For Sale By Owners
A home purchase is most often your largest and most precious purchase that also carries with it a lot of emotional decision making. Always keep in mind ‘caveat emptor' buyer beware! Bottom line is, you cannot sacrifice for the lack of seeking expert advice. As a licensed real estate agent, I am here to protect your interests at zero cost to you. If you are interested in seeing a home that is advertised as for sale by owner, simply contact me to schedule a showing and I will accompany you. That's all, you need to do nothing more. Most will cooperate with you even if you do have a real estate agent.
Be aware that many for sale by owners may try to negotiate with you. Without being adequately represented by an experienced, licensed real estate agent, you may not know if the home is overpriced. You may also lack the courage to say NO or negotiate properly. Bottom line is, would you call upon a police officer to visit a domestic dispute (a professional) or would you walk into the situation yourself and try to settle the dispute. It would be foolish not to call a professional. As a professional I will not be intimidated when it comes to negotiating the best price for you. If you do it alone, you could be asking for problems that you just don't need. Part of my job is to check the pricing of homes. How can you accurately price the home, and more importantly, how do you know what all the other houses sold for? The usual response we hear is "because the owner told me that his neighbor said he sold a month ago for $xxxx. Honest!"
As a real estate agent, I have excess to virtually all the sales history records of homes sold. Through the MLS I have access to far more details and facts. What does that mean for you ?
- We check the records.
- Determine if the home is over priced or under priced to your advantage.
- Negotiate on your behalf because that is what we do every day.
- Run a comparative market analysis on the home to check the price accuracy
- Tell you what every home on the block sold for and when. Not based on hearsay.
- Tell you how many times the home has been on the market before. Very important!
- You still pay no commissions or fees.
- Represent you during the entire home buying process, otherwise you are alone. Caveat Emptor.
- You will not over pay for the home.
Here are a few Buying Questions to start thinking about...
What features in your current home or a friend/family member's home would you like in your next home?
What style really grabs you?
Do you prefer single story, two-story, or multi-level living?
Do you want a yard?
Are you looking for a maintenance-free lifestyle? If yes, do you have a preference for single family, townhouse or condominium living?
How many bedrooms?
How many bathrooms?
What would be the most compelling reason for you to purchase a particular property?
Which of the amenities you have mentioned, would be nice to have but not necessary?
What in your current home would you like to change?
What do you think your current home would list and sell for?
What is the most money per month that you think a bank would qualify you to make as a payment?
If the perfect home presented itself, are you in the position to buy it? Y / N. What would have to happen before you would be in the position to buy it?
Who helps you make decisions on real estate purchases?
Who else will play a decision in making your final decision?
After reviewing our list of appreciating characteristics, which are of paramount importance to you?
What is the minimum square footage that you can live with?
What features and benefits should a great real estate agent provide?
How easy or hard is it to get your hands on money for a down payment? What is the absolute maximum you could use as a down payment on the home that meets all your needs?
What is your preferred way of viewing homes? Internet or in person? With an agent or just drive by? Appointments or open houses?
When do you want to start looking?
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