Buying a home; please read this.
If you’re thinking about buying a home, then this post is for you, and not just for first-time homebuyers. Listen up, friends: you need a Realtor that you can trust. This isn’t to say that most Realtors aren’t trustworthy; quite the opposite. However, I am continually surprised at how passive buyers are about choosing a Realtor when making one of the biggest purchases of their lives.
Don’t wait until you find a home you want to write an offer on. Don’t randomly choose someone online. Don’t call the “Listing Agent” selling the home that is working with the sellers. Don’t be afraid to interview a handful of agents today. Today!
Throw out your preconceived notions, past experiences, and assumptions. Make a conscious effort to get to know a couple of Realtors, even if that just means snooping at online profiles. Ask questions, be curious, and also direct about what you know and don’t know.
A good agent will answer all your questions. A great agent will not only answer your questions but also provide valuable insights and answers to questions you may not have even considered asking. They won’t pressure you into signing a Buyer’s Agency Agreement immediately, but here’s one quick takeaway about that subject: Signing a Buyer’s Agency Agreement is not scary; it’s not a trap; it’s a smart decision for yourself. Just be intentional about who you decide to sign one with. Signing anything in a rush, because you suddenly found a home you like and need to act fast, is not ideal.
So, remember this — you get to pick the Realtor you want to partner with, and the sooner the better. This person should not just be licensed, educated, and experienced, but also have referrals (or client reviews) easily accessible online or able to provide them. This person will act as a *fiduciary* for you, as you move through the entire process from pre-search, pre-approval, private showings, writing smart offers, negotiating contract contingencies, inspections, all the way to the closing table. They will become a trusted advisor and likely a friend. You will communicate a lot with this person; you should enjoy their company and most definitely trust them.
I wish I understood why so many people avoid this part of the process. It’s one of the reasons that I occasionally like to host an Open House. I am intrigued by most people’s attempts to avoid eye contact, rushing through the home avoiding the Realtor, and trying to sneak out the front door without any questions. I love being able to provide valuable advice to anyone who comes through the door and with no expectations — otherwise, why else would I be there?
What's important for you to know about me: I am not an obnoxious salesperson who will hound you. I can answer all of your real estate questions today and still respect your timeline, communication style, or decision to work with someone else. In fact, I always suggest that you interview a handful of Realtors to find the best fit.
Why work with me?
I am an experienced Realtor, skilled negotiator, and creative marketing expert.
I am tech-savvy, text-friendly, and always available and responsive.
I practice inclusivity, respect for all, and kindness first.
I want you to feel educated, confident, comfortable, and excited about the process.
I am a pro at minimizing stress; that’s my superpower.
I am a good listener, proficient communicator, and invested in your happiness.
I am always happy to provide client referrals or references.
What I commit to you: My intention is to elevate the entire real estate experience. Whether buying or selling, an organized approach is the framework for success and minimizing stress. With only 5-star reviews, I have a wealth of expertise and knowledge to share. My business thrives on the connections I make with my clients and the referrals I receive from them. My goal is 5-star service every time, for everyone.
Where to go from here: I would love to meet with you, learn more about you, and be an advocate for you throughout the entire process. I don’t mind the effort it takes to change people’s opinions about Realtors, one meeting at a time. I love to help make sense of what has the potential to be an overwhelming process, answer all your questions, and talk strategy. In the spirit of that, here’s a high-level overview of the early process and home-buying terms, in case it is helpful to you or someone you know;
PRE-APPROVAL | If you’re not buying with cash, you should have a pre-approval, ideally before you start looking at homes. You can get one right now, but better yet, consider getting a few referrals from your trusted Realtor. You want the right lender. It’s a crucial piece of the puzzle; having the right connections, crafting the right offers, and doing it all with impeccable timing. My first piece of advice is to consider using a local lender. Someone that you can trust, and text when time is of the essence; this market often requires just that. Ask me what lenders to consider interviewing. There are also additional strategies to the pre-approval process that can really help get you an edge over other buyers out there.
BUYER’S EXCLUSIVE AGENCY AGREEMENT | Every Buyer deserves exclusive representation. What is this document? A “Buyer’s Exclusive Agency Contract” will be signed before we start looking at homes. This will clearly define the terms and conditions of our working agreement and my fiduciary responsibility to you as my client. I love to meet with new clients and review this in person.
As a real estate agent, the income I earn comes from commissions, often based on the final sales price of the property I assist you in purchasing. There are no set or standard fees for the services that I provide. As an independent contractor with my firm, I am obligated to share a portion of the commission with my brokerage in return for the support they give me, as well as my own business expenses, taxes, and other fees. In return for that service, we will establish a minimum compensation up front that I will receive when we reach your goal — closing on a property. That minimum commission fee is outlined in our Buyer’s Exclusive Agency Contract. You will always know what compensation I am receiving prior to entering into a contract to purchase.
BUYER PROFILE | Fill out my “Buyer Profile” if you haven’t done so already and then we can schedule a time to meet up at my office or your favorite coffee shop! The home buying process can be full of thrilling highs, discouraging lows, and a whole lot of confusing middle ground. Let’s talk about it all! Taking an organized approach is the framework for success and minimizing stress.
AREAS OF INTEREST | AREAS OF INTEREST | Between St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, and beyond, we have an abundance of different architectural styles, price points, and neighborhoods. If you know exactly where you want to land, that’s great. If you are open or unsure…this can be fun!! Let’s get you educated, comfortable, and then start exploring!
*A fiduciary is a person or organization legally and ethically obligated to act in the best interests of another party, putting that party’s interests ahead of their own. Common examples include trustees, financial advisors, board members, and attorneys — anyone entrusted with responsibility over another’s assets, decisions, or well-being. In practice, this means a fiduciary must:
Act with loyalty and good faith
Avoid conflicts of interest
Handle decisions and information with care, honesty, and integrity
Disclose anything that could influence their judgment
