Meet with you to conduct a "needs/wants assessment" to ensure I understand your needs
Provide you with a copy of my Home Buyer's Guide
Answer all your question about the home buying process
Provide you with my chart explaining different mortgage loan options. I wrote this chart myself in an effort to help my clients understand the “nuts & bolts” of different loan options. Note: There are many other loan programs available. Please consult a lender before selecting a mortgage loan.
Provide you with my list of reputable lenders -- those with whom I’ve personally worked
Assist you in obtaining a mortgage pre-approval at the best possible terms, and provide you with a list of questions to ask lenders (loan officer) so that you can compare different lender packages
Assist you in obtaining “Estimated Costs of Settlement” from your lender. An “Estimated Cost of Settlement” itemizes your closing expenses and shows you (on paper) what your monthly mortgage payment will be for various loan programs. I require all lenders that I have a business relationship with to provide my clients with this detailed written document.
Access the Proprietary Realtor Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and search for homes that best meet your criteria and are within your designated price range.
Enter your home search criteria in the MLS to continually search for new listings as soon as they become available.
Target homes in neighborhoods that interest you
Target your preferences -- search for special features (e.g., family rooms, gourmet kitchens, hardwood floors, preferred home styles, etc.) or types of properties (i.e., re-sale homes, new homes, luxury homes, large lots, foreclosures, etc.)
Provide you with access to homes you want to pre-view, and point out key features and deficiencies in each home.
Seek information from Listing Agents concerning those properties that interest you
Give you advice regarding which homes will make sound investments.
Keep in contact with you frequently during the home buying process
Assist you in preparing an offer that protects your interests and your Earnest Money Deposit
Provide you with, and explain, a “Competitive Market Analysis” of homes that are currently available, are contracted to sell, or have sold so that you will understand the “fair market value” of the home you are purchasing.
Recommend offer conditions that are most appropriate for you
Safeguard your Earnest Money Deposit in my company’s Escrow account according to the laws of the State of Virginia
Fully explain all terms and conditions of the Sales Contract and Addendums to you
Fully explain your responsibilities under the Contract and Addendums
Fully explain the seller's responsibilities under the Contract & Addendums
Fully explain what is included in the purchase and what is not
Represent you in negotiations to obtain the best possible price and terms
Prepare and submit your Offer to Purchase property and prepare and submit all counter-offers in a timely manner and according to the laws of the State of Virginia.
Obtain a Property Condition Disclosure or Disclaimer Statement from the seller concerning the condition of the property… and all other applicable disclosures (e.g., lead-based paint)
I will guide you and the seller (if the home is sold “For-Sale-By-Owner”) incompliance with all required federal and state laws in the transfer of home ownership (e.g., anti-trust laws, civil rights laws, etc.)
Assist you in hiring a home inspector who will thoroughly inspect the property, and provide you with a list of reputable inspectors; schedule inspectors
Assist you in obtaining final mortgage approval on the home you select
Monitor your loan as it is processed in underwriting
Verify the appraisal value of the property
Assist you in removing conditions and contingencies from your offer to purchase as per the contract.
Assist you in selecting a Settlement Company to close the purchase
Monitor the activities of the Settlement company to ensure the necessary documentation and reviews are being performed (e.g., title work, tax adjustments, receipt of loan documentation, assessments and adjustments, preparation of an accurate HUD-1 Settlement Statement)
Convey all documents and final instructions to your Settlement Company
Provide you with a checklist of things to do between this point and possession (e.g., arranging for certified funds to cover your closing costs; a moving checklist, utility information, etc.)
Conduct a final walk through with you at possession to ensure all systems are in proper working order and that all items on the Home Inspection Addendum have been complied with.
Attend your Settlement and provide you with the keys to your new home
City of Alexandria Department of Planning and Zoning -- Comprehensive plans & current projects; Zoning Plans, regulations, appeals & resources; historic preservation, Environmental issues that affect Alexandria City residents and more.
BRAC (Bases Realignment & Closure) - Alexandria City @ Mark Center
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors -- News, calendars, public hearings, District information: Braddock, Dranesville, Hunter Mill, Lee, Mason, Mount Vernon, Providence, Springfield & Sully
Fairfax County Housing Programs: Home improvement loans, Home repair for the elderly, Rental Housing Programs, 1st-time buyer programs, community revitalization, Affordable Housing programs.
Fairfax County Consumer Central -- Tenant-Landlord issues, Homeowner & Condo Association laws, fees & guidelines; licensing guidelines; utilities, cable & telephone regulations & information.
Fairfax County Planning Commission -- Learn what's areas are planned for improvement in Fairfax County; links page
Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning -- Comprehensive plans & current projects; Zoning Plans, regulations, appeals & resources; historic preservation, Environmental issues that affect FX county residents and more.
National Database/search: search by city, state, zip, map and calendar re: current stats; includes list of names/locations of “registered” sex offenders]
Family Watchdog: search by street address & zipcode (nationwide databse)
Alexandria City: search by block range, street address or district. See map to locate codes for districts of interest. Note: if this link stops working, then delete a portion of the URL from “/crime to end”, then locate the info again from the list of police resources and reports
Fairfax County: obtain police/crime reports by address/zip and district through separate database
EZ-PASS (so you don’t have to put coins in the toll booth, ie., using the Dulles Toll Rd or any toll in the following states: Current E-ZPass States: Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Maine, Massachusetts, Indiana and Illinois)
A home warranty is a service contract that protects homeowners/sellers -- while their home is listed and through settlement/closing -- in the event a major system or appliance breaks down during the term of the warranty (usually 1 year). Home warranties are also transferable from seller to purchaser and would continue to protect the buyer/new homeowner if any of the home's major systems or appliances fail for the remainder of the term.
For example, the seller purchases a home warranty to protect himself/herself during the listing period (say 4 months from list to closing). The remainder of the year (8 months) would transfer to the purchaser & protect the new homeowner from Settlement to the end of ther warranty term (8 months in this scenario) in the event of a system/appliance failure. The new homeowner would have the option to renew the warranty policy at the end of the term (i.e., 8 months). If extended, the new term would be 1 year.
Coverage usually includes the following: home's heating, plumbing & electrical systems, water heater and major appliances: range/oven/cooktop, dishwasher, refrigerator, garbage disposal. Generally, deductibles are about $100 per service call per system regardless of whether the system is merely repaired or replaced. Example: If, during the term of the warranty, your heating system ($3500+/- cost) requires replacement, it will cost you $100 to replace that system.
Sellers/homeowners are not required to purchase a home warranty. In this current market, many homeowners can't afford to do so. A purchaser/new homeowner is then free to purchase a home warranty themselves. The papework (application) & the fee (approximately $400) is provided to the Escrow/Settlement office on the day of settlement and they deliver the application & warranty fee to the home warranty provider. The purchaser is usually covered by the home warranty effective the date of settlement.
