Service

What must I do to get my home ready to sell?

If your home is not "show ready" - it leaves "points of negotiation".  If the backyard or the kitchen needs work, a Buyer can use this disadvantage as a tactical reason to ask you to reduce your price. While other factors impact price - market climate, the condition of the other homes in the area at the time of sale - we believe strongly in eliminating points of negotiation before introducing your home to the market.  Even if they cannot articulate it, Buyers know when a home "feels right." Harmer/Alexander will assist you with getting your home "ready to show" and "ready to go," so it will look spectacular in the marketing materials they create and will have that "I got to have it!" feeling when potential Buyers enter.



I want to buy a house...what's the first step? 



How exciting!  The first step is scheduling a time to meet with Harmer/Alexander for a Buyer Consultation.  They will want to hear all about you wants, needs, and answer any questions you have about the home buying process.

If you intend to obtain a loan to purchase a home, the next step is the loan preapproval process.  You see, cooperating brokers will require all Buyers to be preapproved before viewing a property.  If you have a lender/mortgage you trust, fantastic.  If not, we will introduce you to a highly reputable, experienced, and trustworthy mortgage broker.  Someone we trust will give you an honest and accurate assessment, and be able to provide you with all your options, and answer any questions you will have about the home loan process.  Once we're through the loan preapproval process, it's time to start shopping!  When you find a property that meets all your wants, needs, and you know you've found "the one", we discuss the next step: writing an offer!

The pricing of your initial offer, the subsequent negotiations, the contingencies – all require the expertise of experienced strategists who know the market better than anyone and know how to win. That’s where we really shine. We have a proven systematic approach to negotiating the lowest price and most favorable terms possible for you and your new home. Let us help you find, and purchase, that one-of-a-kind home that appeals to you emotionally AND makes sense financially.

Once your offer is accepted, the Harmer/Alexander Team will guide you through the escrow process. From beginning to end - the physical home inspection, through the disclosures, to overseeing the mortgage, escrow, and title processes - Scott and Jonathan are there to ensure the escrow process is as seamless and stress-free as possible.  Harmer/Alexander and their Concierge will provide any referrals you may need as you prepare your move, and also to ensure all inspections and investigations are handled by the best of the best.

What is a "short sale"? 

A short sale is the name used to describe a real estate transaction where the Seller's lender(s) agree to allow the property owner to sell the property for less than the amount of the loan(s) secured by the property.  The consent of the Seller's lender is necessary because without it there would not be enough money from the sale to pay off the lender in full and to pay other costs of the sale (commissions and closing costs).  Properties that are worth less than the amount owed to the secured lender are often referred to as being "underwater" or distressed properties. Short sales can be a lengthy and difficult process that test the patience of all parties involved...both Buyer and Seller.

For Buyers: If the property you are interested in is a short sale, and you have time to wait for lender approval, then purchasing a short sale is not a bad option.

For Sellers: There are alternatives to a short sale, and I would be happy to make an appointment to discuss with you.  The most important thing is meeting so I can help you avoid foreclosure.

What is an "REO"? 


REO stands for "real estate owned", and is commonly referred to as an REO or "bank-owned" property.  It is a type of property owned by a lender - typically a bank or government loan insurer - after an unsuccessful sale at a foreclosure auction.  A lender will typically set the opening bid at a foreclosure auction for at least the outstanding loan amount.  If there are no interested bidders, then he lender will repossess the property, and market the property for sale.  Once you make an offer to purchase a bank-owned property, the bank will generally present a "counter offer"  Banks typically want to see a property in "as is" condition.  This is why it is important to always include an inspection contingency period that allows you to terminate the sale if the inspections reveal conditions you an uncomfortable with.