Step 1
Now is the time we get to know you by listening to your needs, hopes and dreams for homeownership. From spearheading your search to providing crucial feedback, I am your partner from start to finish (and then some).
Step 1
Consulting with your CPA if necessary
Getting Financing pre-approval
Engaging with your property insurance and/or your title insurance provider
Determining Your Search Criteria
Step 2
Preview homes on your behalf
Tour homes with you
Research and assess each opportunity through the lens of your preferences
Establish market values
Gather your feedback and refine your search as appropriate
Step 3
Drafting a compelling and competitive offer on terms that work for you and submit your offer
Negotiating terms and price on your behalf
Helping you review and understand disclosure documents and property reports
Introducing you, as appropriate, to my team of professional vendors
Working with you to meaningfully perform your due diligence, inspections and investigations
Coordinating the loan and appraisal
Coordinating the escrow payments and signing to ensure deadlines are met and delays avoided
Coordinating the title review (liens, easements, title insurance, etc.)
Renegotiating contract price and terms (as possible)
Step 4
Conducing a final walkthrough
Getting final approval from your lender
Signing closing documents
Depositing final funds to close
When it comes to real estate, money talks. Banks have different words for it, such as “pre-qualified,” “pre-approval” or “a fully underwritten pre-approval.” Unless you’re purchasing in cash, determining the loan amount you qualify for is important. We’ll connect you with a mortgage broker, who’ll determine how much a bank will lend you. This process will help you understand financing options, what your down payment and additional closing costs will be, and place you in a better negotiating position in the seller’s eyes.
A little bit more about that money. Once you have your price range, you need to take into account closing costs, moving costs, taxes, and possible HOA fees. We’ll walk you through it.
Establishing a good credit score will help you secure more favorable financing terms.
A consistent job history within the same company/industry is ideal, but career advancement may also be acceptable.
The ratio of debt you have compared to your income is a crucial factor the lender uses to determine how much you can afford to spend on housing. The lender looks at all aspects of your income and debt, as well as factors in your anticipated new principal and interest loan payments, your property taxes, your insurance costs, and any other relevant housing costs.
This is where the lender verifies your funds for your down payment, your closing costs and your cash reserves.
The lender will require an appraisal by a certified fee appraiser to verify the property’s marketability, condition, and value, ensuring sufficient collateral for the loan.
Establishing a good credit score will help you secure more favorable financing terms.
A consistent job history within the same company/industry is ideal, but career advancement may also be acceptable.
You don’t want to add new purchases to your debt or take from your available funds for closing costs. We repeat: put the credit card away.
This is where the lender verifies your funds for your down payment, your closing costs and your cash reserves.
It’s not the time to go rogue with your finances. Talk with the experts first.
Your lender will do one last verification of your employment just before funding and closing your loan—any undisclosed changes to your employment can jeopardize your loan, potentially your deposit and your ability to buy a home.
It will show up on your lender’s credit report and need to be explained in writing.
YOUR CREDIT
Establishing a good credit score will help you secure more favorable financing terms.
JOB HISTORY & STABILITY
A consistent job history within the same company/industry is ideal, but career advancement may also be acceptable.
DEBT-TO-INCOME RATIO
The ratio of debt you have compared to your income is a crucial factor the lender uses to determine how much you can afford to spend on housing. The lender looks at all aspects of your income and debt, as well as factors in your anticipated new principal and interest loan payments, your property taxes, your insurance costs, and any other relevant housing costs.
MONEY, MONEY, MONEY
This is where the lender verifies your funds for your down payment, your closing costs and your cash reserves.
PROPERTY SECURITY
The lender will require an appraisal by a certified fee appraiser to verify the property’s marketability, condition, and value, ensuring sufficient collateral for the loan.
DON’T BUY OR LEASE A CAR BEFORE YOU APPLY
Lenders look at your debt-to-income ratio. A large payment or other significant purchase can impact that ratio and prevent you from qualifying for a loan.
DON’T PAY OFF DEBT BEFORE CONSULTING
Talk to your loan officer about your best strategy. They may prefer you keep the debt and maintain higher cash reserves vs. deplete your cash reserves to pay down debt balances.
HOLD OFF ON BUYING FURNITURE AND APPLIANCES
You don’t want to add new purchases to your debt or take from your available funds for closing costs. We repeat: put the credit card away.
DON’T MOVE ASSETS FROM ONE BANK ACCOUNT TO ANOTHER
Transfers appear as new deposits, which can complicate the application process. You’d have to disclose the source of funds for each new account. If you do need to move money around, we advise you to speak to your lender first. So, just skip the headache.
DON’T ATTEMPT TO CONSOLIDATE BILLS BEFORE SPEAKING WITH YOUR LENDER
It’s not the time to go rogue with your finances. Talk with the experts first.
DON’T CHANGE JOBS
Your lender will do one last verification of your employment just before funding and closing your loan—any undisclosed changes to your employment can jeopardize your loan, potentially your deposit and your ability to buy a home.
DON’T RUN YOUR OWN CREDIT REPORT
It will show up on your lender’s credit report and need to be explained in writing.
We are always happy to preview properties so you don’t have to waste a Sunday afternoon at the wrong home. As we shop around, we’ll further refine the search.
If we still haven’t found what you’re looking for, I go to work creating the inventory that matches your criteria. I leverage my connections with fellow agents who may have a potential seller on the fence or preparing for market and actively identify potential sellers in your desired location. Alas, sometimes the best plan is the plan to adapt. We can always discuss if adjusting your search criteria is a necessary step to accomplish your larger goal of purchasing a home.
Once we’ve found the one for you, we prepare an offer.
When you submit an offer to a seller for consideration, they have three basic options available with regard to how they respond.
Congratulations! You are officially in contract to buy a home. There is still a lot to accomplish, but you are one very large step closer to achieving your goal.
Sellers may push back on price and/or other specific terms of your offer. The good news is: Should they issue you a counteroffer, you will now have the same options previously afforded them: accept, counter or reject. If you accept their counter, see #1. If you counter back, sit tight right here in #2, as there is some negotiating left to do. If you reject their counter and move on, skip to #3.
When an offer or counteroffer is rejected, they’re saying “thanks, but no thanks.” Of course, after an official “no” is given, there is always the possibility that the rejected party may try to reopen negotiations and reenter the conversation with more favorable terms.
As a respected professional with trusted realtor relationships, the rapport we build during early conversations will go a long way to tipping the scales in your favor. And when the time comes, we’ll represent you at the negotiating table to reach an agreement with the seller on the final price and contract terms. In multiple-offer situations, our experience, knowledge and strategic thinking are huge assets in understanding the current market, rate conditions and the potential of your buying power.
As you begin to review contracts and disclosures we're here to advise. We work with your entire team, from your attorney to your mortgage broker, to walk you through the contract, disclosures and other agreements to protect your interests.
And we have the final offer. Once the seller approves, you’re one step closer to being a homeowner. Here we go.
Step 1
You will be provided with pages of advisories, disclosures and reports covering the various aspects of the home and community that you should consider investigating. Kicking the tires and looking under the hood are among the most crucial responsibilities that a buyer has to bear. You are strongly encouraged to investigate all matters that are important to you.
This is when inspections typically take place—and when our home inspection partner, Pillar to Post, comes in handy.
Once you are satisfied with all aspects of the home, you will be asked to remove your contractual investigation contingency by the deadline outlined in your offer.
Step 2
Now that your offer is accepted, the lender underwriting phase begins. They may ask for more documents along the way. The lender also orders an appraisal of the property.
Step 3
Pardon the legal jargon, but escrow is the process whereby parties to the real estate transaction deposit documents, funds, or other items of value with a neutral, disinterested third party (the escrow agent). These are held in trust until a specific event or condition occurs according to specific, mutual written instructions from the parties. In other words, escrow is essentially a clearinghouse for the receipt, exchange and distribution of the items needed to transfer or finance real estate. When all conditions are met, a distribution or transfer takes place, the transaction occurs, and the escrow is “closed.” Don’t worry, we’ll walk you through it.
You will be provided with pages of advisories, disclosures and reports covering the various aspects of the home and community that you should consider investigating. Kicking the tires and looking under the hood are among the most crucial responsibilities that a buyer has to bear. You are strongly encouraged to investigate all matters that are important to you.
This is when inspections typically take place—and when our home inspection partner, Pillar to Post, comes in handy.
Once you are satisfied with all aspects of the home, you will be asked to remove your contractual investigation contingency by the deadline outlined in your offer.
Now that your offer is accepted, the lender underwriting phase begins. They may ask for more documents along the way. The lender also orders an appraisal of the property.
Pardon the legal jargon, but escrow is the process whereby parties to the real estate transaction deposit documents, funds, or other items of value with a neutral, disinterested third party (the escrow agent). These are held in trust until a specific event or condition occurs according to specific, mutual written instructions from the parties. In other words, escrow is essentially a clearinghouse for the receipt, exchange and distribution of the items needed to transfer or finance real estate. When all conditions are met, a distribution or transfer takes place, the transaction occurs, and the escrow is “closed.” Don’t worry, we’ll walk you through it.
If you didn’t negotiate for the seller to purchase you a home warranty as part of your offer, now is a great opportunity to buy one yourself. We recommend our partner, Choice Home Warranty.
The last documents are signed, final deposits made and escrow closes.
This is only the beginning. We’re here for anything you need. Contractors, designers, painters, plumbers, house-sitting. Maybe we’ll pass on babysitting.
Your peace of mind is invaluable. The Agency’s home warranty partners provide financial protection and comprehensive coverage for unexpected repairs and replacements.
Buying or selling a home can be nerve-racking, especially if a system or appliance breaks down unexpectedly. Home warranties help cover unexpected repairs due to normal wear and tear. Partnering with Choice Home Warranty, the nation’s leading home warranty provider, brings our customers value like never before by providing financial protection against expensive, unforeseen home repairs.
The Choice Home Protection Plan provides repair and replacement coverage for your home’s most important systems and appliances, and it comes with features such as the Homeowners’ Insurance Deductible Reimbursement. Homes are covered regardless of age or square footage. The plan is also backed by The Agency’s Service Commitment.
The Agency Utility Concierge will make all necessary arrangements on your behalf to contact the utility companies, create new accounts and arrange for timely service at your new home. They’ll also cancel and transfer your existing services as needed.
WE COLLABORATE
The way we see it is this: no agent is an island, and no one should go it alone. The Agency’s culture of collaboration means you benefit from our strength as a whole. You have an entire team of experts in everything from the legal process to negotiation at your disposal. And we share information like new listings before they hit the market, giving our clients a tangible edge in the marketplace.
WE DO THIS FULL-TIME
Weekend warriors need not apply. Unlike what you’ll find at traditional brokerages, at The Agency, it’s quality over quantity. We are a team of
full-time, committed real estate professionals. We are highly selective about who we bring to the team because every single person is a vital part of the overall vision.
WE DO IT ALL
It’s all in our wheelhouse. The Agency offers the engine in-house to cater to all of your real estate needs, whether searching for a home,
commercial space for your business, an investment property, a vacation home in Mexico, or a ski chalet for the holidays. Wherever you’re going, we can take you there.
WE KNOW OUR MARKETS INSIDE AND OUT
We don’t just enter a market. We conquer it. In each location, we seek out the very best real estate professionals—the agents who understand the nuances of each neighborhood. Then, we back them up with our vast global reach and resources.
No one looks forward to all the paperwork involved in buying a home, but it’s a necessary part of the process. Fortunately, everything will be arranged by your lender and title company and, when you’re finished, you’ll know you are the legal owner of your new home.
The way we see it is this: no agent is an island, and no one should go it alone. The Agency’s culture of collaboration means you benefit from our strength as a whole. You have an entire team of experts in everything from the legal process to negotiation at your disposal. And we share information like new listings before they hit the market, giving our clients a tangible edge in the marketplace.
Weekend warriors need not apply. Unlike what you’ll find at traditional brokerages, at The Agency, it’s quality over quantity. We are a team of
full-time, committed real estate professionals. We are highly selective about who we bring to the team because every single person is a vital part of the overall vision.
It’s all in our wheelhouse. The Agency offers the engine in-house to cater to all of your real estate needs, whether searching for a home,
commercial space for your business, an investment property, a vacation home in Mexico, or a ski chalet for the holidays. Wherever you’re going, we can take you there.
This is where the lender verifies your funds for your down payment, your closing costs and your cash reserves.
Among Realtrends Top 50 Firms In Average Sales Prices By Sides At $2.5M
In the List Of Top Residential Brokerages on Real Trends
Named By Inman Golden Club
One of The America's Fastest Growing Company
Our experience with Erin as our real estate agent was nothing short of outstanding. From the outset, she demonstrated an unparalleled level of professionalism and dedication that immediately put us at ease. Erin took the time ...
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Erin's exceptional skills as a real estate agent made our home search in Monte Sereno a remarkably positive experience. Her ability to balance professionalism with a personal touch was evident from our first interaction. One o...
Finding a home in Monte Sereno that could accommodate our large family and fit our budget seemed impossible. However, Erin, our incredible real estate agent, made this process smooth and successful. Erin's dedication was evide...
We are incredibly grateful to Erin for her exceptional service in helping our large family find the perfect home. Navigating the real estate market can be challenging, especially with our specific requirements, but Erin made th...
I want to thank Erin for her tremendous help in achieving an important goal for me and my family. She guided us from start to finish negotiation, setting clear goals and helping us achieve them with her effective strategies. We...
Working with Erin Delacroix who represented the seller for my home purchase, was an absolute pleasure. I had already sold my home and needed to move quickly. She is one who listens and understands the complexities of change. Sh...
We found our desert escape, thanks to Blake! It's everything and more than what we had hoped for. Blake handled the step-by-step process with ease, making our experience even more enjoyable and effortless! We’re looking into mo...
Erin is among the most creative and strategic designers I have ever had the pleasure to work with. At WGT (now Topgolf), she was instrumental in translating our product goals into visual and UI designs that to this day remain a...
I had the absolute pleasure of working with Erin. She is truly exceptional. Her design and creative skills are top notch but what really sets her apart is her obsession with excellence and focus on truly understanding the "clie...
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Erin has a great eye for design and a natural ability to foster those around her to be better. As my mentor and manager, Erin really helped me grow and develop my skills as a User Experience designer. With her proactive attitud...
Erin is the consummate professional and a joy to work with. She has a unique mix of a keen eye for creative design and a business mind to manage a team to deliver great results. I would work with Erin again in a heartbeat. If y...
As a Sr. Manager for UI, I've had the pleasure of collaborating with Erin on a number of efforts for LinkedIn's infrastructure tools. Erin is a design visionary. Her design thinking is far ahead of others. She does not hesitate...
Erin interviewed me for one of the core design teams she founded. She set the foundation for the Internal Apps Design team, which I lead today. The team has matured over time and finds its backbone in the definition as set toge...
I worked with Erin on the now popular Fashion iPhone App. Erin has this knack for coming up with innovative user interfaces to effectively present complex and often challenging data, within the smaller screen space, in visually...
I really enjoyed working with Erin. She is both a great strategic thinker and a visionary manager who provides clear and structured guidance on career development. Erin is never short of ideas that truly connects the creative o...
Erin is a very talented UI designer with vast experience in development of easy to navigate, clean interfaces that maximizes user experience. She's a pleasure to work with and is one of the most hard-working people I've met thu...
Get assistance in determining current property value, crafting a competitive offer, writing and negotiating a contract, and much more. Contact me today.
