The SR Group Buyer Experience

We'll sit down with you to learn more about your "why." We'll discuss your search criteria in detail, review available inventory, and answer any questions about the home buying process. This will maximize efficiency of your time looking at properties that meet your criteria, and we can all be on the same page with your timeframe and home ownership goals. We'll also prepare and execute the required representation paperwork.

Unless you're paying cash for your home, you'll need to talk to a good local lender about obtaining a pre-approval letter for financing. The lender can provide answers to questions about interest rates, closing costs, loan products, down payment requirements, and monthly payment expectations. We can provide referrals for mortgage lenders if needed.

After the available properties (MLS and off-market) are narrowed down to your list of favorites, we will schedule private tours to see homes that not only fit your criteria but also have great resale potential. Navigating the search process to help you make a smart investment is our priority.

Once you have found your dream home, we will review the recent, relevant sales data to analyze the list price and come up with an offer strategy. We will review the sales contract and offer terms and present the offer in writing to the listing agent. You will be guided through the negotiation process, and once terms are mutually agreed by buyer and seller, the offer will be revised for the seller to sign. Once the contract is signed by both parties, you will be officially under contract (in escrow). At this time, the option fee (typically $300 to $700) and earnest money (typically 1% of the sales price) must be delivered to the title company.

If an option period was negotiated (typically 5 to 7 days), this is when your due diligence takes place. Many buyers choose to have a general home inspection performed. We can provide referrals for professional home inspectors if needed. If any serious issues are uncovered, you can negotiate seller repairs or credits at closing to have the repairs done yourself. You will pay the inspector upon having the inspection (typically $500 to $700).

If you are obtaining financing, your lender will let you know the list of financial documents necessary to provide, including bank statements, tax records, and pay stubs. Your lender will also have an appraisal done on the property.

If you are obtaining financing, you will have a buyer approval contingency (typically 15 days) to obtain a mortgage commitment. Once your lender has all of your documents, they will send it to underwriting to review. Once underwriting has issued a clear-to-close, your loan is complete and the file will be sent to the title company for closing.

Before we head to the closing table, we'll have a final walk-through of your future home. This is our chance to make sure the sellers made any repairs agreed to, all appliances and fixtures negotiated were left behind, and that the sellers didn't accidentally damage the home when moving out.

We will attend your closing together at the office of the title company. The escrow officer will explain each form you need to sign and will review the numbers on the settlement statement. Closings typically take about an hour and a half on average. When closing is complete and funding has taken place, you'll receive the keys to your new home. We'll be your city concierge during this transition, providing referrals to trusted third parties including movers, handymen, home design consultants, housekeeping, lawn care, painters, and more.