guide to buying your home · it’s good to know berkshire hathaway most admired companies, 2017 #4...

Guide to Buying Your Home

Verani and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Digital Home Search Tools

Making the Most of Your Home Search

Our Partners

Ready to Start a New Chapter?

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty is committed to finding the right home at the right price for our buyers, whether it’s their first time or they’re experienced with the real estate

market. This guide will highlight just some of the support and services you’ll receive from a Verani agent during your home search and purchase.

We’re here to help you find the best home for your needs.

©2018 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity.

Our VisionTo be the best in the industry.

Our MissionTo deliver a quality and professional real estate experience, and provide the very best and most timely information and resources available, enabling our clients to make great real estate decisions.

Our Values

• Trust• Respect• Tenacity • Innovation• Fun

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty has been serving the real estate needs in the communities of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont since 1967, when our father, Osvaldo “Ozzie” Verani, founded the company. In the last few years, we have grown to multiple locations across southern and central New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts, with over 500 licensed real estate agents.

Our emphasis on customer service, commitment to training and coaching, affiliation with the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices real estate network, and utilization of the latest technological resources allow us to provide support for our agents and a memorable experience for both sellers and buyers.

Ozzie framed his philosophy on the principles of mutual respect, trust, customer service, and quality. Though our business has greatly broadened from when our father was running the business, we have never lost sight of the core values in which he operated. We pride ourselves as being a family-owned business, with a dedicated and professional team that works hard to earn trust from our clients.

The Verani Story

www.verani.com

Awards & Recognition

Celebrating over 50 years in business!

Top 7% Top 4%

Top 2% Top 1% Top Half of 1%


About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

• Longevity: 100+ years in business

• Part of the Berkshire Hathaway family of businesses, which is made up of over 60+ well known companies

• Offices nationwide, with over 40,000 sales professionals in the nation’s leading markets Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty is a

brokerage member of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, a network brand of HSF Affiliates LLC, of which HomeServices of America, Inc.TM is a majority owner.

Our affiliation with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices means we have a national and international network to tap into when buying a home. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices selects their brokers from the best of the best in each market, so you know that you’re working with a knowledgeable agent who is up to date on homes available in the current market.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brings to the real estate market a definitive mark of stability, strength, and above all, quality. It reflects Berkshire Hathaway’s strong reputation through core values of trust, integrity, stability and longevity.

“A home is one of the most important assets that most people will ever buy. Homes are also where memories are made and you want to work with someone you can trust.”

Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Chairman and CEO

We Know How to Find Great Homes

It’s Good to Know Berkshire Hathaway

Most Admired Companies,

2017

#4

Biggest Public Companies,

2017

#3

Most Respected Companies,

2015

#3

www.verani.com

We’re Here for Every Step of the Process


www.verani.com


“My experience with Verani Realty and Amy was exceptional. My home was sold in just 3 days! The events

from that point forward were a little nerve racking but Amy kept me calm. I would recommend Amy highly - very

professional and always very helpful.”

What People are Saying About Us

“[We] are settled into the new house and loving it! We would like to thank you for the professionalism and exceptional service you provided us with the purchase of our home.”

“Bob helped me weed through the listings to find the right home at the right time. He is knowledgeable about buildings and construction, which helped with bouncing ideas back and forth to know if a place was a diamond in the rough...or just rough!”

Making it Smooth for Sellers

Guidance for First-time Buyers“As first time home buyers, my wife and I struggled to navigate through different real estate agents who failed to meet our needs. When we started working with Jeanne, it was a breath of fresh air, giving us all of her time and actually listening to our needs. Jeanne was a proactive professional, with excellent communication skills, and a real passion for the industry. She made buying our first home as stress free as possible, and spent the time finding us our perfect house.”

Helping You Find the Right Home

With over 500 agents, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty has real estate experts to cover every type of real estate need. As a family-owned business that’s connected to a glob-al brand, you know you’ll be in good hands with us. Hear what our clients and customers have to say:

www.verani.com


“Kelly did a wonderful job acting as our buyer’s agent as we looked for a vacation home in the NH lakes region. She helped identify properties that would be a good fit and spent countless hours setting up visits and taking us around to see them. After seeing 27 properties, we finally found the perfect fit. Kelly got our offer accepted and set up the inspection and closing very quickly so we would not miss the 2017 summer season.”

A Trusted Source When Searching from Afar

“I spent 3 separate weekends traveling from FL to NH and Kathy helped us with every home until we found the one!

She even looked at some homes prior to our arrival and gave us information to help us save time. If I were to buy again I would certainly use Kathy as she knows the area and is a

pleasure to work with!”

More Time Relaxing, Less Time Searching

Get started with a Verani agent today!

www.verani.com

Find Your New Home with a Few Clicks


According to the National Association of REALTORs 2017

Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 88% of recent buyers

see websites as the most useful source of information. Verani.com

is built to be the best resource possible for finding the right property. Find all the listings

you would find on the MLS, but with features to make it easy to

manage your real estate journey.

• Search using map view, MLS number, price range, and other detailed criteria• Lists of open houses and properties that are coming soon• Save favorites and create trip maps for visiting multiple properties• Search for agents by location, language and specialty• Set up email updates, saved searches and instant notifications about new listings• Data on recent sales and market trends• Blogs, articles and guides about how to navigate the home buying process• Detailed information about NH & MA communities, including local amenities,

community reviews, commute times, school system information, and demographics

• Find land opportunities and new construction communities, including single-family homes, detached condos, or townhomes

Visit Verani.com, sign up for an account, and discover an easier way to manage your real estate search!

www.verani.com


• Read the latest Verani blogs about home care, home buying, and home selling tips

• Latest in agent and Verani news• Industry updates and stats• Connect with individual agents on their

social channels (ask your agent for their handle)

• Watch listing videos, video tours, and vlogs that explore the latest homes on the market

• Read expert advice from our agents on their individual websites and blogs

• Find local homebuyer fairs, community festivals, and other events where you can meet our agents out in their communities

Connect with us for the latest home buyer resources, market

news, and other content!

Stay Connected to Your Search with Social

Stay connected with us on the go! Our social platforms offer you the latest real estate tips

and market news from our agents.

www.verani.com

The first step to searching for a home is getting pre-approved for a mortgage. When you are pre-approved, sellers know you are serious. Mortgage pre-approval can be done in as little as a day, and it requires completing an application to the lender and submission of all necessary financial and employment documentation. During this time, please take note to:

• Avoid making any large purchases (e.g. cars, furniture, appliances). The extra payment could affect your pre-approval for a home loan.

• Maintain your credit score by keeping your bill payments on schedule

How to Find the Right Mortgage Provider for You• Choose a loan originator that is a good listener. You want an originator who is interested in your

individual situation. It is important they listen to you and are there every step of the way.

• Investigate the rate the loan originator is offering. Every provider will do their best to offer competitive rates and closing costs. If the rate sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Ask about additional fees or closing costs and what happens if your rate “lock-in” expires.

• Look for a provider who will fund the loan from their office. There is a difference between a mortgage broker and a direct lender. Both offer choices in programs, but it is important to understand if an outside party has the ultimate control over scheduling and financing terms.

• Make sure the provider is familiar with the closing and settlement practices in the state you are purchasing in. Delays can frequently be traced back to a lender’s unfamiliarity with local requirements. Improperly scheduled and funded loans can prevent you from getting the keys on moving day.

• Ask who the provider uses for closing and outside services. Equally important is knowing if the closing attorney or title company can accommodate the dates, location, funding and recording schedule you need.

Choosing the Right Mortgage Provider


www.verani.com

Finding the right home can be a complicated but exciting process. Your Verani agent is committed to making your home search as efficient as possible by listening to your needs and what is important to you, selecting properties that meet your needs, scheduling time to look at homes and asking for your feedback.

To make your home search as effective as possible, it’s important to work together with your agent. Here are some expectations you can have of your agent, and that your agent will have of you:

Verani Agent’s Role: To provide customer service excellence and real estate guidance built on trust, knowledge and expertise from the beginning of your home search to the closing transaction:

• Provide current real estate trending information.

• Schedule property showings that match your criteria.

• Streamline the process with strong communication, social media & negotiating skills.

• Deliver professional direction and assistance so you can make the best decisions on your purchase – buying a property is one of the biggest investments anyone can make!

Your Role As A Buyer: To help ensure a successful transaction, please:

• Be flexible in your availability to schedule home showings.

• Provide contact information if you are leaving town for delivery of important forms.

• Be careful not to say anything to a seller or their sales professional that could divulge your situation, motivation or weaken your negotiating position, especially regarding price or your urgency to buy.

Working with Your Agent


www.verani.com

Your real estate professional will offer knowledge and expertise throughout the many complexities of the home buying process. Clear communication between you and your agent is critical to making sure you spend your house hunt looking at the right properties. When you first select your agent, take a moment to discuss the following questions so you can work together to have a clear plan of action:

• What is your preferred method of communication?

• Who should be the main point of contact?

• Is there a certain date you need to be in your new home? Is it flexible?

• Is the purchase of your new home contingent on the sale of another home?

• Have you determined a price range for your property search?

• Are there any other people who will be involved in the decision making process?

• Have you ever purchased a home before? How did you find the experience?

Understanding Your Wants & Needs


www.verani.com


www.verani.com

Deciding on Your Must-Have FeaturesFinding and buying the right home is a highly personalized process, and it begins by identifying your needs. Prior to looking for your new home, take a moment to think about these questions and which property features are most important to you:

• What would you consider a comfortable work commute?

• What are the most important activities for the members of your household?

• What are the features you liked most about the homes you have lived in previously?

Use this chart to help you determine what you need in a home versus what would be nice but negotiable.

Once you have found the right property, the next step is to make an offer. A written property disclosure statement from the seller will give you a clear understanding of their knowledge of the property and the surrounding area. Be sure to also review estimated costs in order to get a full understanding of everything necessary to complete the purchase - this includes inspections, repairs, lender fees, prepaids, taxes, moving expenses, and agency fees.

Steps to Preparing and Submitting an Offer:

• Decide on financing: Review the status of your loan pre-approval, and work with your loan officer on financing options so you can finalize your mortgage plan.

• Consider what is important to you: Investigate concerns you may have about the neighborhood. Environmental issues, crime statistics, school districts, tax rates, and other factors could influence your decision. Visit the town hall to learn about property owner requirements, and check public records for additional information.

• Present your written offer to the seller: The seller will have three options: accept your offer, reject it, or adjust it (counteroffer). With a counteroffer, you can choose to accept it, reject it or make a counteroffer.

• Know there may be competing offers: Your offer may be one of multiple offers or the only offer the seller is considering. There is no requirement that the buyer be informed of the existence of other offers.

• Receive final Purchase Agreements: A finalized copy of the agreement, with all of the changes in writing, will be signed and promptly distributed to all parties.

Preparing & Submitting an Offer


www.verani.com

The key to an easy move is careful planning. There are steps you can take, from two months before the move until moving day, to make sure you have all your bases covered and eliminate potential stress. Use this checklist so you won’t overload your schedule or mind, and even save some money.

Two Months Prior• Get estimates from at least three professional movers. If you are going to do it yourself, get prices

on rental trucks.

• After you receive estimates and make your decision, coordinate and book services early, especially if you’re planning your move around a holiday week/weekend.

• Decide which furniture and household goods you’ll be taking and which needs to be disposed of or sold. Be sure to note what needs to be replaced if you get rid of something.

• If you’re moving to a new city, contact the Chamber of Commerce for a new residence packet. Your real estate agent may also have information.

Six Weeks Prior• Make an inventory of your possessions besides furniture, such as kitchenware, decorative items,

electronics, apparel, etc.

• Complete a change of address form with the post office (this can easily be done online).

• Notify organizations, credit card companies, and any magazines or subscriptions of your new address.

Making a Smooth Transition to Your New Home


www.verani.com


www.verani.com

• Obtain copies of all medical, dental, legal, accounting, and veterinarian records.

• If children are changing schools, arrange for transfer of educational records.

• Itemize moving-related costs with the mover including packing, loading, special charges, and insurance.

One Month Prior• Make arrangements for packing your belongings. If you’re using professional movers, schedule

for packing to take place a day or two before the move. If you’re handling packing on your own, purchase adequate boxes, packing materials and tape.

• Arrange for short-term or long-term storage if needed.

• Make travel arrangements for pets, including getting necessary medical records, immunizations, and medications.

Three Weeks Prior• Begin packing items you won’t need immediately or that will go into storage.

• Contact utilities on both ends of the move to order termination or turn-on for occupancy date.

• Confirm travel arrangements for family and pets.

Two Weeks Prior• Terminate newspaper and other delivery services.

• If necessary, arrange and confirm new bank accounts and local services in your new neighborhood.

One Week Prior• Gather important papers, records, and valuables for protected shipment to new home or safe

deposit box.

• Obtain any prescription medications needed for the next few weeks.

Day Before Moving Day• Defrost refrigerator/freezer and give away all perishable food.

• Keep a box marked “Last Box Packed/First Box Unpacked” for tools, flashlights, first aid kit, etc. On moving day, this should be the last box placed on the truck.

• Pack items to carry with you such as valuables, financial records, personal papers, etc.

• Give the movers a telephone number and address to reach you.

Services for a Smooth Transaction


A real estate agent is only one aspect of the range of services you'll need when buying a home. Choosing a mortgage company, getting the necessary insurances, and finding

reliable title and closing services are just as important to a smooth transaction. At Verani Realty, we have experience working with local companies that we know

provide quality services and great customer service.

• Comprehensive title and closing services throughout New Hampshire

• Comprehensive title searches to ensure no defects in chain of ownership

• Prepare and review loan documents• Verify real estate taxes• Conduct quick and efficient closings• Title insurance policies• Competitive fee schedules

One Verani WayLondonderry, NH 03053

866-305-1414brokerstitlenh.com

[email protected]

Title and Closing Services

www.verani.com

guide to buying your home · it’s good to know berkshire hathaway most admired companies, 2017 #4...

Documents