 You’ve decided to start fresh and purchase a new home. This is a very exciting time for you. I look forward to guiding you smoothly through this process, helping you to efficiently find the home of your dreams.
There are several steps you need to take before you can move into your new home.
A vital first step in buying a home is to choose:
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The right Real Estate Company
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The right Sales Associate
I have learned that the following four areas are very important to buyers when choosing an agent to help them find their dream home:
Communication
Listening to you and keeping you informed
Affordability
Showing you homes within your price range
Needs
Showing you properties that fit your needs
Convenience
Simplifying the home buying process
Our Reputation Gives You “The Competitive Edge”
We have assembled a team of 30 real estate professionals to help you buy or sell your property.
Backed by Coldwell Banker, the largest real estate company in the world, with local, national and international networking resources.
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Coldwell Banker Holman Premier Realty has earned the prestigious Coldwell Banker President’s Award of Honor, a distinction limited to only 106 firms of the more than 1,200 Coldwell Banker companies throughout the world!
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We are consistently in the top 15 in the nation for Coldwell Banker offices of our size (21-35 associates) for the total number of units sold!
#1 In Residential sales in Klamath County for the past 5 years!*
**Based on total dollar volume and units sold, for years 1999 through 2004, as reported to Klamath County MLS.
I will work hard to help you understand the home purchase process. The following guides will also help you gain an understanding of the process:
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Planning to buy property in Oregon? – The Oregon Property Buyer Advisory written by the Oregon Real Estate Agency tells you what the buyer is responsible for and what the seller is responsible for in the State of Oregon.
I highly recommend you look at this site!
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Coldwell Banker® HomeBuyer Guidebook
A step-by-step guide to finding and financing the home you want. Provides information, worksheets and charts with sections on:
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Beginning the search
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Finding the right home
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Financing your home
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Understanding the language of home buying
…… and much more
1) Determine your budget and how much you can afford.
2) Get pre-approved for a mortgage.
In today’s fast paced real estate sales environment, home buyers need every possible advantage to get their offer accepted.
Coldwell Banker Mortgage has made home buying simpler by helping buyers get “pre-approved” and not merely “pre-qualified”.
 There are also many reputable mortgage companies in the Klamath Falls area - please contact me for more information.
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Pre-Approved
A confirmation letter from the lender will give you a commitment to support your purchase. A pre-approval:
- Is a firm decision on a home loan
- Makes you a “cash buyer” in the seller’s eyes
- Sellers and their agents know that a pre-approved buyer is a serious one and that they can afford the property they are looking at. NO SURPRISES!
- Gives you increased bargaining power
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Pre-Qualified
An estimate of what you can afford. A pre-qualification:
- Establishes how much you can afford to borrow
- Is not an assurance of mortgage approval
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THE FASTEST, SIMPLEST,
MOST CONVENIENT WAY HOME® |
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You will get a same-day loan decision, guaranteed.
In fact, most loan decisions are made within 20 minutes over the phone. You can get pre-approved by phone or online.
Coldwell Banker Mortgage’s highly efficient application system enables their sales consultants to truly coach customers through the first steps of the mortgage process. Once you are pre-approved, a letter of pre-approval will arrive immediately via fax or e-mail, so you can begin house-hunting right away.
They also offer convenient hours for you to call them for a pre-approval decision.
Call
Coldwell Banker Mortgage toll free at
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. EST
Saturday - Sunday 10:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. EST
Click below to get Preapproved for a Coldwell Banker Mortgage!
When you apply for a mortgage, you will need to furnish information regarding your income, expenses, and financial obligations. It will save time if you have the following items available:
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Two most recent pay stubs
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W-2 forms for the past two years
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Federal tax returns for the past two years
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Last two months bank statements
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Long-term debt information such as credit cards, auto loans, etc.
Have a few minor blemishes on your credit report?
Some lenders will work with you to find a credit solution. They have special programs and financing options that allow you to get a mortgage even with minor credit blemishes. Here are some helpful hints for improving your credit report:
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Begin to pay your bills on time. Never go over 90 days past due on any account
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Use two to four credit cards so you can keep track of them
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Keep your credit card debt below 50% of your monthly obligations
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Keep a separate checking and savings account
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Keep the same job for a few years
Once you have completed your application for a mortgage, you will choose the type of mortgage loan. Fixed rate and adjustable rate are two popular types of mortgages and each have advantages to consider:
Fixed Rate Mortgage Loans
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Have the same interest rate for the entire term of the loan
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Payments are stable and predictable
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Higher interest rates than others
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans (ARMs)
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Have interest rates linked to a financial index that changes periodically over the life of the loan
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Initial payments may be lower, making the loans more affordable
You have all of your financial papers in order, you’ve been pre-approved for a mortgage, and you’ve calculated your budget, now it’s time to have some fun finding your brand new home!
 What’s important to you in a home?
Can you picture your dream house? Does it have a huge backyard? A lot of land? What kind of neighborhood is it in? Is it important to have a good school system nearby? What about public transportation or daycare facilities? Do you want to live by a lake, a river, or a town?
These are just a few of the questions you should consider before you begin your search. Remember, the more you know about what you’re looking for, the quicker I will be able to find the perfect match!
Luckily, you can use my worksheet, My Perfect Home, to help you prioritize your wants and needs in your new home. Take some time to fill out the worksheet and have some fun. Your dream home is just a few steps away.
Click here to download the worksheet My Perfect Home
Now that you know what your perfect home looks like, take some time to review your worksheet, My Perfect Home, with me. The more I know about what you want, the easier it will be to help you find the right home.
Searching for a home has never been easier thanks to the following services and resources that my website provides:
The Personal Retriever service can match your home needs to one currently listed with COLDWELL BANKER HOLMAN PREMIER REALTY or with another office in the Klamath Area. With Personal Retriever you can:
- Save searches for a one-click update of new listings in the Klamath County Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
- Save listings for easy access
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Get automatic email updates when new listings are posted that match your criteria, even if it’s from another Real Estate office in the Klamath Area.
 One of the many advantages of working with me is my access to the Klamath County Association of Realtors, Multiple Listing Service.
- My office offers multiple listing information for the Klamath County area. I can show you hundreds of broker-listed homes for sale, regardless of the Real Estate Office listing the property.
- I can help you “visit” many of these homes online or on paper.
- I will only show you properties that match your criteria
 The property you see in newspapers and buyer’s guides are available right here.
- You can ask me about any properties that are advertised, no matter who the broker is.
- I will provide you with detailed information and show you the homes that interest you.
 A yard sign or open house can let you know a home is available, but I can help you know if it’s worthwhile.
- I can arrange private showings of homes displaying an “Open House” or “For Sale” yard sign.
- When visiting an open house on your own, please tell them I am representing you.
Now that you and I have found your perfect home, it is time to make an offer. But how much should you offer? Some of the factors that contribute to the price a seller asks is:
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Physical characteristics of the house |
Market conditions |
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- Location
- Size of house and lot
- Physical condition
- Floor plan and style
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- Interest rates
- Availability of financing
- Qualified buyer demand
- Prices of recent sales
- State of the economy
- Seasonal demand
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Competition |
Asking price may also be affected by |
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- Number of properties available
- Their prices and terms
- Their location and physical condition
- How long they’ve been on the market
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- Seller’s motivation to sell
- Seller’s original purchase price
- Seller’s need for cash
- Opinions of others
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Before you have me write up the purchase agreement you should have me answer ten important questions. Print off the
Questions to Ask Agents form here. Not only have I put together the questions you should ask, I also gave you the reasons why you should be asking them. Many of these questions can be answered by:
- Using the data in the MLS system for the property you're interested in
- Asking the Seller’s Sales Associate
- A Competitive Market Analysis
 As your COLDWELL BANKER HOLMAN PREMIER REALTY
Sales Associate I can prepare a Competitive Market Analysis for you, with information on properties similar to the one you’re considering. The Competitive Market Analysis will describe homes that:
- Are currently on the market
- Have been on the market for a long time
- Sold recently
- Failed to sell
This comparative data will help you decide
whether the home you like is worth the price
Using the above information and my knowledge of the current real estate market, I will prepare an offer that will meet your needs and provide a solid basis for negotiating with the Seller. Other items to consider before writing the offer are:
Why do you need a home inspection?
The purchase of a home is one of the biggest investments you will make in your lifetime. It is also among the greatest sources of anxiety. A home inspection helps ensure you of the quality of your investment by making you aware of its condition and alerting you to any concerns. This can serve to relieve stress, increase confidence and even reduce the threat of legal action in the future.
Some of the benefits of a home inspection are:
Understanding exactly what you're buying - old or new
Helps in making a sound buying decision
The home inspection reveals the need for repairs or replacements before you buy
The home inspection limits the number of problems you may discover after you move in
A good home inspection also gives you invaluable details about your new home in addition to information about the condition of the property. You'll learn where the main shutoff valves to the utilities are located, how the house operates and more.
How do I find a good Home Inspector?
Not all inspection companies are alike, and selecting the wrong company could cost you thousands of dollars in repair and replacement costs. Consider the following when shopping for home inspection companies.
Experience:
How much experience do the inspectors have and how long have they have been in the business? The best home inspectors have been in business for years and have seen hundreds of homes.
Home Inspection Training:
Have the inspectors gone through any extensive home inspection training? In many states inspectors can simply call themselves home inspectors without any training or licensing.
Contractors License:
Does the Inspector have a Contractors License? Oregon law requires individuals who perform home inspections of two of more components to be certified by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB). An Individual must pass a comprehensive test to become certified and must complete continuing education courses to renew their certificate. Check to see if an individual is licensed in Oregon at www.ccb.state.or.us .
Association Membership:
Is the inspector a member of a professional home inspection organization? Companies that are affiliated with professional organizations are serious about what they do, and know about all the new developments in their fields. Some well-known trade associations are: American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI), and American Institute of Inspectors (AII). Inspectors in your area can be located through these associations. Liability Insurance: Does the inspector carry Professional Liability Insurance (Errors and Omissions Insurance)? If you ever need to collect on a legal judgment, an inspector without insurance my not be able to pay your claim.
Please contact me for a list of licensed, reputable Home Inspectors in the Klamath Area.
No one can predict the life expectancy of a furnace, air conditioner, water heater or even an appliance. The older a mechanical system is, the greater chance of it breaking down. Even new equipment can be faulty and costly to repair. That’s why you need a home warranty.
The Coldwell Banker Home Protection Plan gives home buyers peace of mind about their purchase, knowing that covered* systems and appliances are protected for 12 full months against the high cost of potential repairs. This confidence in the home and the Coldwell Banker Home Protection Plan can translate into less stress and anxiety when you purchase your home.
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COLDWELL BANKER® Home Protection Plan Can Offer….
Savings
You have one low deductible per service call instead of paying the full cost of the repairs
Security
You don’t have the worry of how you’re going to pay for costly repairs if a breakdown occurs*
Convenience
You have a network of local pre-qualified professional contractors at your service through the Home Protection Plan 24/7 automated Customer Care Line
It’s easy to apply. Contact me and we will discuss the types of coverage offered and I can help you select the right plan.
*The Coldwell Banker Home Protection Plan does not cover everything and is only intended to provide protection for covered breakdowns. Certain exclusions and limitations apply. Be sure to read the entire Terms and Conditions on the Home Protection Plan application. The Home Protection Plan does not replace the need for a home inspection – pre-existing defects, improper installation or building code violations are not covered.
 After the offer is accepted, there are various steps that need to take place before you can close. These include the loan application, qualification and commitment, all inspections completed and repairs made if necessary, property may be surveyed and appraised, the title is analyzed and the title insurance commitment is issued, and you have secured homeowner’s insurance.
As your transaction works its way through the closing process you can depend on me, to:
- Track the satisfactory completion of all contingencies and conditions required under your purchase agreement
- Keep you informed of the progress of the transaction
When all documents are signed, funds are exchanged, and the transaction is recorded at the County, the property is yours!
 Finally, the day has come, when your home closes and I will have guided you through every step of the way. You will get the keys to your home and get settled in.
Because of my commitment to quality customer service, I trust on this day, you will be able to say:
COLDWELL BANKER HOLMAN PREMIER REALTY
…… Your Perfect Partner!
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AWARDS/RECOGNITION
Knowledge: