Information for Buyers

Buying a home is a very exciting time. It is a time where emotions run high. It is no secret that buying a home is usually the largest investment someone makes. It is imperative during this emotional time to have a Realtor that is grounded and always looking out for your best interest.

Searching for a home

Despite (and perhaps because of) the great selections in homes in this area, buyers are having a difficult time zeroing in on the home or property that is uniquely appropriate for their needs.

Search for homes

Just remember: Browsing the listings for months is one way search out the deals, but weighing the investment potential of each property can be difficult, and many homes for sale are never listed publicly.

The Home Buying Process

As you begin to think about buying a home, you're probably acutely aware that this is likely to be your greatest investment ever (short of children or a good marriage), and you might be wondering if there's anything you really need to know as you go into this process. This is where your real estate professionals come in. With the help of a trained agent, you can come out on top of a closing that might otherwise have pushed your retirement ahead a decade! This happens all the time to buyers, who are left reflecting on the relatively small commission that would have brought a Realtor into the bargain to help them.

If you'd like to know about the home buying process, we'd love to tell you all about it. Contact us!

Time to buy a home?

My Philosophy

After years of experience, and years of training, I have developed a unique business "System". My system enables me to provide a complete customized service to each of my clients. It forces me to always be on time for appointments, never make promise that I cannot keep, and it enables me to be easily reachable. What is the magic of my system? My entire business system is based on organization and structure.

My system has enabled me to stay one step ahead of my buyers, sellers, title companies, lenders, and home inspectors. It is amazing how much time being truly organized can save. My system enables me to perform a higher number of transactions, in less time, with perfect accuracy.

A Realtor must be educated, experienced to properly advise their clients. Once an agent is seasoned and truly in the position to represent a client in good faith, they must have the additional skills of organization, communication, and negotiation. They must also be professional, honest, ethical, personable, friendly, and outgoing. If an Realtor (R) does not have all or some of the before mentioned, the result can be devastating. Real Estate is the single largest transaction most people make in there lifetime. The client must have exceptional representation. I take the job of a Realtor seriously, and I am very proud that I have continued to exceed my clients expectations through a flawless business system, attention to detail, continuing education, and building a business on he foundation of ethical practice.

Most buyers begin looking for a home several months before they are ready to buy. Most Agents's business systems are built for the immediate buyers or sellers. Seasoned Realtors understand the importance of proper preparation and planning. I provide a free buyer orientation for each of my new clients. This meeting lasts about forty five minutes where a representation agreement needs to be signed, and a Crystallization Interview needs to be performed This initial interview helps me understand exactly the vision the client holds in their head about they home they are looking for. Part of the Crystallization process is also to button down the target-date. This interview can either take place in person or via phone.I prefer in person, so I am happy to meet my buyers at their home, their office, my office, or at a coffee shop.

My system is based on a proprietary and innovate technology called target-date technology. Most clients have a target date in mind, a date when they would like to buy. For some clients it is right now, some a few months, and some a few years. Most agents business system satisfy the "right now" clients, and miss the other 99% of their business, the future buyers. In fact, it is the future buyers that tend to have better credit, higher dollar sales, and a more detailed focused idea of what area and type of home they are looking for.

One of my assistants creates a file for each client, not by first name, not by last name, but by target-date. A file numbers look much like; 2008-JAN-15 and is sorted exactly this way. The files are then grouped by A, B, and C. An "A" clients simply means they are within 30 days of buying. "B" clients are within 60 days of buying and "C" clients are over 90 days. I have a unique system for each client at each level. It is important to point out that each client get the same level of service and same response time regardless which group they are in. This system just enables me to provide the right services at the right time and to stay organized and ahead of the curve.

C Clients The orientation has been completed. The buyer is either waiting for a current lease to expire, or perhaps have not moved to the area yet. I have a basic criteria, price range, and home style from the client. I have an idea what kind of subdivision they are looking for, and have put their criteria into the MLS. The MLS emails one email daily of all the of price reductions and new listings in the area. The client then opens the MLS, and researches the schools and subdivisions from the link on the property profile. The client is looking at school information, trying to button down areas, prices, and getting a feel for what they are looking for.

B Clients At this point we have narrowed down the city and area of interest. The client is still getting daily emails of listings that come on the market. I begin sending a weekly Friday Report of which homes have sold, total seller concessions, and any price changes. In some cases, the client asks to see the home, and I meet them at the property to preview it for them. At this point, I do not preview homes for the client, and we are not looking for "the home", just getting a really good idea of area, streets, prices, and home styles. This also helps me button down the clients style.

A Clients I change the MLS from sending out emails each day, to sending out emails immediately. This means the client will get multiple emails per day instead of one per day. Many of the great deals are snatched by Realtors or Investors within the first few hours of being on market. This practice has had several of my clients buy homes with days on market still at Zero (The first day the Realtor puts a new home in the MLS is reported as day Zero). I compile a list of foreclosures, short sales, resale, and new homes that match their criteria. I then go and preview each of the homes prior to the clients seeing the home. MANY MLS and Real Estate website have very misleading pictures. This practice saves me and the clients considerable time because it takes me just a few minutes to zip around the area and preview the homes on my own. If the home is as advertised and matches the clients needs, I add it to the list. I then create a showing report, and make appointments with the homes that are occupied, the night before we go and see the properties. This showing report groups the homes together in the most logical showing order based on the geographical location of the home, not price or size. I make a packet for each person that is going on the tour of homes. The showing packet contains a full MLS print out of the homes, and a master showing report that is a list of the homes in order, and a rating system. We rate each home A, B, or C. In my experience, people usually have a hard time telling me how much they like the home, but they can usually very quickly assign the home an A, B, or C grade. After the preview is done, we then go back and compare the As against each other. For whatever reason, at the end, my clients tend to have three As. We then rate the homes A Plus, A, and A Minus. The client has successful narrowed down the home on their own, and without any pressure. Because this system takes the pressure off, the process becomes fun, and has made me a successful buyers agent.

All of my communication with my clients is focused, brief, and to the point. The clients gets the information they need, they are never pressured to buy before they are ready, and they never feel neglected as a future buyer. I work hard to find the perfect tailored home for each of my clients. Once I do, it is then time to write the offer. I personally hand deliver the typed contract directly to the seller and call the listing agent and ask that they be present. I bring any backup documentation that I may have and I pitch my offer to the sellers hard. I am the only Realtor that I know that hand delivers the contract to the actual seller. This practice is somewhat confrontational, but it helps in getting my offers accepted. I am an extremely successful negotiator. The average savings to my clients have been substantial. We are in a buyers market, by leveraging the condition of the market, I have been able to get between a 3% to 7% reduction from the list price, and full closing costs covered by the seller.

As you can see, my system is very detailed, very organized, and works. One of the key elements in my system is my unique ability to save my clients tens of thousands of dollars on each transaction. My "A" clients are alerted immediately of any new listing that hits the market. Most good deals are bought by Agents long before most buyers even have a chance to see them. My system enables my buyers to receive the listings within hours of becoming active. This gives my clients access to the best deals on the market in real time.

If you give me the opportunity to be your agent, I will find you the home that best matches your needs and desires. I will handle every last detail of the purchase process, from negotiating the terms of the sale, recommending moving companies, and keeping in contact with all 3rd parties to insure a successful close. Sit back, relax, feel confident because Jack Stapleton is handling your transaction. The Seven Most Common Mistakes Buyers Make How You Can Avoid Them!

For most people purchasing a home is a very exciting experience. Unfortunately, for many it also ends up being frustrating and unnecessarily expensive. I have heard too many stories from people who had a bad experience buying their first home, something they could have easily avoided by being better prepared for their first real estate transaction. I do not want anyone to make these mistakes, so as a Realtor I work hard for my clients to ensure that their real estate transactions go smoothly. For those who are not my clients yet, I prepared this special report that outlines the seven most common and most expensive mistakes buyers make. I hope you will enjoy it and find it useful.

1. Not Getting PreApproved First

The very first step towards buying a home should be getting pre-approved for the loan. This is an absolute must if you want to avoid major disappointments later. Getting pre approved is often easier than people think. First you shop around and find a lender that you feel comfortable working with. Your Realtor should be able to recommend a few. Once you decide on one, you should meet with your lender and discuss your purchase needs. You will fill out a loan application, and your lender will check your credit, verify your income and employment, and determine what kind of loan you can qualify for. You will then know (1.) how much you will be able to borrow, (2.) how much you will need for the down payment, and (3.) how much your monthly payments are likely to be. Looking for your next home then becomes easier since you will know that (a.) you can get financing, and (b.) what price range to consider. The lender will also give you an important negotiating tool; a pre approval letter. This document will confirm to sellers that you can obtain financing, and will give you a negotiating advantage over buyers who do not have it.

2. Rushing To Buy Without Doing The Research First

Many buyers are so excited and anxious to get started with their home search that they forget to do some planning first. Which area do you want to live in? Are the homes in that area in your price range? How long of a commute can you tolerate? How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? It is a good idea to make two lists; one of the must have amenities and one of the would like to have but not that necessary. For example, three bedrooms may be on the first list, but that hot tub may better be suited for the second list. Also, do not forget to check on the neighborhoods crime statistics, schools, and any other information that may be important to you. A trusted Realtor can be a great resource, and should be able to get you the information you need quickly.

3.The Analysis Paralysis

Once they start looking at homes some buyers get overwhelmed and start analyzing and over analyzing even the most mundane aspects of every home. The over analysis soon leads to paralysis they cannot decide which one to buy. As a result, they miss out on many nice homes that someone else grabs in the mean time. Remember, there is no such thing as a perfect home. Even brand new homes have imperfections. Look at the overall picture. Does the home fit your needs? Do you feel comfortable in it? Do you like the neighborhood? Can you see yourself living there for a long time? Your must have list comes in handy now; does the home have everything on that list? If not, move on. But if the home suits your needs and you feel comfortable in it, do not be afraid to make an offer. If you hesitate too much, someone else might snag the home that should have been yours.

4. Making Lowball Offers

Everyone loves a great deal, including yours truly. But for getting a good deal on a home, there are good strategies and there are bad ones. One of the bad ones is making very low offers. Some buyers even go as far as making derogatory comments about the home in front of the seller thinking that this will somehow cause the seller to accept the low offer. The truth is, this only annoys the sellers, and an annoyed seller is less likely to work with you. It is OK to offer less than the asking price, and in fact many sellers leave some negotiating room in their price. If you are working with a Realtor, your Realtor can help you determine how much to offer, and even negotiate with the seller on your behalf. Be realistic and avoid antagonizing the seller. The seller that likes you will be far more open to working with you than the one who dislikes you.

5. Not Getting a Professional Inspection

This should go without saying, a home is the most valuable thing most of us will ever buy in our lives, so inspecting it for possible problems should be a top priority. Yet time and again I have witnessed buyers who are content to have a relative, who knows all about that home stuff, take a quick look before giving it his seal of approval. There is no substitute for a thorough, professional inspection. It is not that expensive, and will reveal any defects that may not be apparent, such as gas leaks, foundation problems, etc. Spending a little bit of money on the inspection is well worth it in order to have the peace of mind that your new home is in good and safe condition.

6. Not Paying Attention To Contingencies

Real estate transactions are complex matters and there are many things that can go wrong. The purchase contract is your main tool for protecting yourself, and should at the very least contain two important contingencies (conditions), the inspection contingency and the mortgage contingency. The inspection contingency allows you to have the property professionally inspected (as discussed above), and request that the seller make any necessary repairs. If the seller is unwilling to make the repairs, or if the problems discovered are serious, you should have the right to pull out of the contract with no penalty. The mortgage contingency is there to protect you in case something goes wrong with your loan approval process. If you have gotten the pre approval, the risk of something going wrong with the loan should be minimal. But there is still the appraisal that your lender will require, and the appraiser will have to determine if the home is worth the price you are paying for it. If the appraisal comes in lower than the purchase price, you should have the right to re negotiate the contract. If the seller is unwilling to lower the price, you should have the right to cancel the contract and incur no penalty.

7. Doing It Alone

When buying a home many pieces need to fall into place in order to have a smooth transaction. Wouldnt it be nice to have someone at your side to help you along the way? Someone to help you with the loan process, help you find the right house, negotiate on your behalf, and assist with all the paperwork? Well, such person does exist, a Buyers Agent. The job of a Buyers agent is to work for you in the real estate transaction, not the seller. Your agent can not only help find you a home, but prepare your offer, negotiate with the seller on your behalf, and insure that you are protected along the way from any pitfalls of the complex process. And the best part is that the Buyers Agent is free for the buyer! Thats right, you do not pay a penny to have a professional help on your side. The Buyers Agent typically gets a portion of the Sellers Agents commission, so you do not incur any additional expense. How do you select a good Buyers agent? There are a few conditions he or she must fulfill. It must be someone who knows the area where you want to live. Someone who knows how to negotiate to get you the best price. Someone knowledgeable who can guide you through the complexities of contracts and paperwork. Someone who will care about your transaction as his or her own. To find such an agent you may decide to interview several Realtors and quiz them a little bit. Is the agent a part timer or committed to the real estate profession full time? What kind of a track record does he or she have? Can the agent provide you with references from happy past clients? And there are a couple of questions you have to answer yourself: Do I feel comfortable working with this agent? Is this someone that will care about my transaction as if it were his or her own? Take the time to learn more about the agent you are considering. Buying a home is a big step, so make sure that the Realtor you choose is the right one for you.

To get in touch with me today, please contact me whenever you'd like.