So you are thinking about buying your first home. Congratulations, No more paying someone else’s mortgage. Other than finding your first dream home, your primary goal should be making certain that all your questions are answered and that you are protected by proper representation throughout the process.

The Atlanta Real Estate market is in a constant state of change. The Georgia Association of REALTORS purchase and sale agreement (the contract) has again undergone major revisions, making it even more important for home buyers to obtain the most updated information available prior to entering into an agreement.  After all, Knowledge Is Power.

Some topics that we will cover in the webinar are:

•    Preapproval vs. Prequalification
•    Setting Your Budget
•    Initial Fees and Costs
•    Resources

If your goal is to enter into this process with as much information as possible and having all your questions answered you will want to start your journey with the Atlanta First Time Buyer Webinar. Coupling today’s busy schedules with the flexibility of webinar technology the times for the webinars are totally customizable to fit your time frame. Our goal is to accommodate your schedule. All you need do is send a quick email to atlantabuyersagent@gmail.com and let us know when would be a convenient time for you.

We look forward to hearing from you and assisting you with your first home.

As a REALTOR community we have been taught for years that it is of utmost importance for us to have a Marketing Plan for Home Sellers. This plan details the services that we offer in the marketing of a home. As I see it this addresses exactly 50% of the market. It only addresses the sellers and in each transaction there is also a buyer. For that reason I have elected to publish my Atlanta Home Buyer Services Plan.

Atlanta Home Buyer Services Plan

•    Initial Counseling Session – In a personal meeting at my office we will discuss your needs, wants and desires and develop a strategy personalized for you.
•    Buyer Agency – We will discuss the Exclusive Buyer Brokerage Agreement along with its benefits and what Georgia Law requires.
•    Technology – We will review the various technologies and media that we will use to identify properties that meet your criteria
•    Mortgage Prequalification – We will meet with a loan officer to obtain a prequalification for you. This may be accomplished either in person or by phone. We will add the information from the loan officer to your criteria based on the prequalification.
•    Showing Procedure – With the vast amount of information that we will be reviewing, I want you to be knowledgeable during the property preview process.
•    Full Time REALTOR – As a full time REALTOR it will be easy for me to schedule time for you and coordinate around your schedule.
•    Property Showings – You will want to personally view the properties that meet the criteria that we established. Scheduling these showings so that we make the best use of our time benefits all parties concerned.
•    Property Evaluation – We will take an in depth look at a Market Analysis for the property that you select. We will discuss the positive and negative features of the property and how they may affect the future value of the home.
•    Property Disclosure – Together we will review the Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement. This document is prepared by the sellers and is their way of providing you with a written summary of the condition of the home along with their commitment of the various fixtures that will remain with the home.
•    Prepare Your Offer – We will discuss and identify the terms and conditions in the offer that represent your needs and desires. I will protect you in the contract via contingencies that are designed to protect you.
•    Negotiation – This is the fun part for me. I get to assist you with obtaining your goals while doing what I really enjoy…negotiating.
•    Keep You Informed – From the time we have a binding agreement and until the closing there are a multitude of details that are getting done. You will be kept totally informed as to how things are progressing. We will err on the side of over communication.
•    Inspection – Together we will review the home inspectors report. Since there has never been a perfect home built, we will decide which items you would like for the seller to repair prior to you closing on the home. I will prepare an amendment to the contract that will address these issues.
•    Walk Through – Prior to closing, together we will visit the home again and walk through it, making certain that any requested repairs have been performed while examining the property one last time.
•    Closing – I will attend your closing and handle the coordination of all the little details that are needed in order to insure a smooth closing.
•    Service After The Closing – Keeping you informed of various real estate related topics along with market conditions and trends will be my pleasure. You will receive a monthly newsletter that will help keep you up to date, and who knows there may even be a home maintenance tip or 2 included.

This is my commitment to you as a buyer in the Greater Atlanta Real Estate Market. It would be my pleasure to schedule your initial counseling session. Feel free to contact me by phone or email. I am here to assist you.

It’s official, the next date for the First Time Buyer Seminar has been scheduled for Saturday February 23, 2008 at 10:00AM. The class will be held at RE/MAX Around Atlanta, 2280 Satellite Blvd. in Duluth.  

Some of the topics we will be covering include:

    * What Are Your Rights As A Home Buyer-Brokerage Relationships
    * Mortgage Prequalification-How much home can you afford
    * Loan Programs-Which of the various loan programs best suits your needs
    * Home Inspections-Why you need to have this done
    * Home Warranties-What are they and what do they protect
    * Termite Issues-What you need to know about termites in Georgia
    * Lead Based Paint Concerns-How does it effect me
    * What is Title Insurance and Do I Need It
    * What are Closing Costs and Who Pays Them
    * What is the Sellers Property Disclosure
    * How do schools figure into the equation
    * What does a Home Owners Association Do
    * Home Buying Tips
    * The Contract and Important Timeframes

Please confirm how many people will be attending with you so that I can make certain that there are ample class materials available. Also please advise if you need directions.

I look forward to seeing you on the 23rd,