Buyers

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Finding Your Dream Home

Buyers

Pre-Qualification

Meet with a mortgage broker and find out how much you can afford to pay for a home.

Pre-Approval

While knowing how much you can afford is the first step, sellers will be much more receptive to potential buyers who have been pre-approved. You’ll also avoid being disappointed when going after homes that are out of your price range. With Pre-Approval, the buyer actually applies for a mortgage and receives a commitment in writing from a lender. This way, assuming the home you’re interested in is at or under the amount you are pre-qualified for, the seller knows immediately that you are a serious buyer for that property. Costs for pre-approval are generally nominal and lenders will usually permit you to pay them when you close your loan.

List of Needs & Wants

Make 2 lists. The first should include items you must have (i.e., the number of bedrooms you need for the size of your family, a one-story house if accessibility is a factor, etc.). The second list is your wishes, things you would like to have (pool, den, etc.) but that are not absolutely necessary. Realistically for first-time buyers, you probably will not get everything on your wish list, but it will keep you on track for what you are looking for.

Representation by a Professional

Consider hiring your own real estate agent, one who is working for you, the buyer, not the seller.

Our Scale Is Your Strength

With over $1.4 Billion in sales in 2021 alone, The Altman Brothers Team has exceeded $5 Billion in luxury residential real estate sales. Josh, Matthew and Heather Altman are the most connected, professional, and experienced agents in the industry. Their global network, market knowledge, and dogged drive put them in a league of their own. Backed by their international powerhouse brokerage, Douglas Elliman, their resources are unmatched allowing them to provide the best service possible to each and every one of their clients.

GLOBALLY
CONNECTED

Over 1
BILLION Every Year

$7.5
BILLION Sold

POWERFUL &
EFFECTIVE Custom Marketing

Buying Your Home Giving Your Dreams an Address

Step 1: Outlining Your Objective

Outlining Your Objectives

What is your motivation to buy?
What price range are you considering?
What is your timeline to move?
What are your ideal features and “non-negotiables”?
What are you looking for in a neighborhood?

Planning & Preparation

Discuss objectives and process with your Realtor®
Discuss objectives and process with your Realtor®
Obtain a loan approval letter
Sign exclusive buyer-broker agreement with your Realtor®
Research neighborhood of interest with your Realtor®

Understanding the Market

Analysis of active, pending, and sold transactions
Review contracts and timelines
Personal timing and seasonal considerations
Market forces: supply v. demand, macro v. micro
Create Profile-Based Buyer Attraction Strategy

Step 2: Finding Your Home

The Search

Browse and review online listings with your Realtor®
Browse and review online listings with your Realtor®
Notification of new and off-market properties
Virtually tour listings from the comfort of your home
Select your ideal location and home

Offers & Negotiation Strategies

Learn about the Purchase Contract from your Realtor®
Discuss multiple offer strategies (as needed)
Offer presentation and highlighting buyer strategies
Negotiate to optimize price and terms
Acceptance of offer or counter offers

Step 3: Going Into Escrow

The Escrow Process

Notify escrow of acceptance and send full executed contract
Wire initial deposit to escrow per terms of agreement
Notify lender to begin loan process and order appraisal
Sign and return opening package of escrow instructions
Contact insurance agent for homeowner coverage
Provide escrow with vesting (title) information

Inspections & Disclosures

Schedule all desired home inspections, (i.e. termite report)
Schedule all desired home inspections, (i.e. termite report)
Approve/negotiate repairs based on inspection reports
Review/approve all seller and state required disclosures
Review/approve preliminary title report
Meet deadlines and remove contractual contingencies
Schedule final walk-through prior to close of escrow

Step 4: Closing

Welcome Home

Review closing statement from escrow
Virtually meet with escrow to sign loan documents
Arrange to wire down payment and closing costs
Transfer utilities to new location
Closing, key delivery, and celebration
Move into the property
Move-in checklist

Working Together Again

Staying in touch and keeping you informed
Second homes and investment properties
Providing resources and introductions
Referrals, testimonials, and reviews

Focus & Organization

In a convenient location, keep handy the items that will assist you in maximizing your home search efforts. Such items may include:

A file of the properties that your agent has shown to you, along with ads you have cut out from the newspaper.

Instant or video camera to help refresh your memory on individual properties, especially if you are attending a series of showings.

Paper and pen, for taking notes as you search.

Location: Look at a potential property as if you are the seller. Would a prospective buyer find it attractive based on school district, crime rate, proximity to positive (shopping, parks, freeway access) and negative (abandoned properties, garbage dump, source of noise) features of the area?

Visualize the house empty & with your decor

Are the rooms laid out to fit your needs? Is there enough light?

Be Objective

While knowing how much you can afford is the first step, sellers will be much more Instead of thinking with your heart when you find a home, think with your head. Does this home really meet your needs? There are many houses on the market, so don’t make a hurried decision that you may regret later.

Be Thorough

A few extra dollars well spent now may save you big expenses in the long run. Don’t forget such essentials as:

Include inspection & mortgage contingencies in your written offer.
Have the property inspected by a professional inspector.
Request a second walk-through to take place within 24 hours of closing.
You want to check to see that no changes have been made that were not agreed on (i.e., a nice chandelier that you assumed came with the sale having been replaced by a cheap ceiling light).

All the above may seem rather overwhelming. That is why having a professional represent you and keep track of all the details for you is highly recommended. Please email me or call me directly to discuss any of these matters in further detail.

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