home buying guide

Your Guide to Buying a Home

Dear Prospective Buyer,In my experience, a home isn't a dream home because of its room dimensions. It's about how you feel when you walk through the front door. And the way you can instantly envision your life unfolding there.

This is about more than real estate. It's about your life and your dreams.

I understand you are looking for a new home. And I want to be the real estate professional to help you. I work with each of my clients individually, taking the time to understand their unique needs and lifestyle, and I want to do the same for you.

I love matching my clients with the home they have always imagined. It's incredibly fulfilling to know I am helping them open a new chapter of their lives. That's why I work so hard to not only find that perfect home, but also to handle every last detail of the purchase process, from negotiating the terms of sale to recommending moving companies.

This package contains helpful information for home buyers, including an overview of the entire purchase process, answers to frequently asked questions, and fact sheets to help us discover the home and neighborhood characteristics most important to you.

After you've had the chance to review this information, contact me. I'd like to prepare an in-depth, customized package of homes for you to review, highlighting properties that meet your criteria in neighborhoods that suit your lifestyle.

I appreciate the opportunity to earn your business. For more information visit me at

Scottsdale-Arizona-Real-Estate.com

Add your name here

Add your phone number here

Jim Bolger | Realty ONE Group

7975 N. Hayden Road, Suite A-101, Scottsdale, AZ 85258

P 480.266.8866 F 480.718.7975 E [email protected]

Sincerely,

Jim Bolger GRI CDPEREALTOR®

http://scottsdale-arizona-real-estate.com/


Jim Bolger | 480.266.8866

[email protected]

Prepared for:

Compliments of:

Prospective Client

Jim Bolger GRI CDPEREALTOR®

Realty ONE Group

7975 N. Hayden Road, Suite A-101

Scottsdale, AZ 85258

Helping you find the perfect home for you.

Scottsdale-Arizona-Real-Estate.com




table of contentsIt’s all about you

The home buying process

The mortgage and loan process

Your home search

Making an offer

Closing 101

Why Realty ONE Group

About me

What my clients say

Frequently asked questions

Jim Bolger • 480.266.8866

[email protected] • jimbolger.com


it’s all about you

My real estate business has been built around one guiding principle: It's all about you.

Your needs

Your dreams

Your concerns

Your questions

Your finances

Your time

Your life

My focus is on your complete satisfaction. In fact, I work to get the job done so well, you will want to tell your friends and associates about it. Maybe that's why over 50% of my business comes from repeat customers and referrals.

Good service speaks for itself.

I look forward to the opportunity to earn your business too.

Jim Bolger • 480.266.8866



the home buying process

There are a lot of details to be handled when purchasing a home.

This overview is designed to summarize the various steps along the path of qualifying, finding and buying a home. It is my job to streamline the steps for you, ensuring everything is completed according to plan.

In addition to this summary, I have included additional information and worksheets to make sure we find the right home, negotiate the best price and terms, and take care of all the details:

1. Consultation to analyze your specific needs and wishes your lifestyle interview, your home wish list, the neighborhood of your dreams

2. Financial pre-qualification or pre-approval the mortgage and loan process

3. Select and view properties the home tour, frequently asked questions

4. Write an offer to purchase making an offer

5. Negotiate the purchase offer making an offer

6. Final mortgage application the mortgage and loan process

7. Underwriting the mortgage and loan process

8. Loan approval the mortgage and loan process

Jim Bolger • 480.266.8866



the home buying process

9. Title company the mortgage and loan process, closing 101

10. Closing closing 101

11. Moving moving checklist, above and beyond

continued…

Jim Bolger • 480.266.8866



your lifestyle interview

A home is about more than the number of bedrooms or bathrooms. It's about how you feel when you're in it. To really pinpoint the type of home you're looking for, consider the following questions:

1. What makes you comfortable in your current home? Is there anything in particularyou'd like to duplicate?______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

2. What is your primary reason for searching for a new home?______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

3. Do you have children? What are their ages, interests and activities?______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

4. Do you entertain a lot? What areas of your home will you primarily use to entertain?______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

5. How long do you expect to live in the home?______________________________________________________________________________

6. Do you have any pets that stay in the house or outside?______________________________________________________________________________

7. Would you consider yourself to be more casual or formal?______________________________________________________________________________

8. When you imagine your dream home, what do you see? What images come to mind?______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Jim Bolger • 480.266.8866



your home wish list

Creating a list of the desired features and amenities for your new home will help me target theproperties that meet your criteria.

Please consider the following and record any notes or preferences:

1. House style________________________________

2. Number of bedrooms________________________

3. Number of bathrooms________________________

4. Living room________________________________

5. Dining room________________________________

6. Family room________________________________

7. Fireplace___________________________________

8. Home office_________________________________

9. Kitchen__________________________________

10. Basement_______________________________

11. Garage stalls____________________________

12. Lot size_________________________________

13. Pool____________________________________

14. Age of property__________________________

15. View____________________________________

16. Fencing_________________________________

Other requirements or comments:_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Jim Bolger • 480.266.8866



the neighborhood of your dreams

More than just the home, it’s important to think about the type of neighborhood that is right for you.

Please consider the following and record any notes or preferences:

1. Areas you would enjoy___________________________________________________________

2. Specific streets you like__________________________________________________________

3. School district(s) you prefer_______________________________________________________

4. Your work location(s)____________________________________________________________

5. Your favorite shops/conveniences_________________________________________________

6. Recreational facilities you enjoy___________________________________________________

Any additional items to consider when selecting our target neighborhoods:_____________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

Jim Bolger • 480.266.8866



the mortgage and loan process

Funding your home purchase

1. Financial pre-qualification or pre-approvalApplication & interviewBuyer provides pertinent documentation, including verification of employmentCredit report is requestedAppraisal scheduled for current home owned, if any

2. UnderwritingLoan package is submitted to underwriter for approval

3. Loan ApprovalParties are notified of approvalLoan documents are completed and sent to title

4. Title CompanyTitle exam, insurance and title survey conductedBorrowers come in for final signatures

5. FundingLender reviews the loan packageFunds are transferred by wire

Why pre-qualify?We recommend our buyers get pre-qualified before beginning their home search. Knowing exactly how much you can comfortably spend on a home reduces the potential frustration of looking at homesbeyond your means.

Jim Bolger • 480.266.8866



the mortgage and loan process

It's all hereRealty ONE Group strives to offer the CORE services that will meet your needs throughout the home buying process. Enjoy the convenience of one-stop shopping through our preferred partners, which meet our rigorous standards in the following areas:

IntegrityExperienceOperationsCustomer serviceCommunication

If you are looking for a lender please consider one from the following list. Of course you can use any lender of your choice, but I find that the transaction goes far more smoothly when we work with someone whom I have worked with before. All three of the lenders listed below possess the knowledge, experience and attention to detail to bring your home purchase to a successful close.

Mark WhiteHomeowners Financial [email protected](480) 305-8500 office(480) 363-0239 cell16427 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 280Scottsdale, AZ 85254

R. Todd SchwartzCNN Mortgage, [email protected] direct602.799.8633 cell7025 E. Greenway Parkway, Suite 100Scottsdale, AZ 85254

continued…

Jim Bolger • 480.266.8866



your home search

I love helping buyers find their dream home. That's why I work with each client individually, taking the time to understand their unique lifestyles, needs and wishes. This is about more than a certain number of bedrooms or a particular zip code. This is about your life. And it's important to me.

When you work with me, you get:

A knowledgeable and professional REALTOR® A committed ally to negotiate on your behalf The backing of a trusted company, Realty ONE Group

I have the systems in place to streamline the home buying process for you. As part of my service, I will commit to helping you with your home search by:

Previewing homes in advance on your behalf Personally touring homes and neighborhoods with you Keeping you informed of new homes on the market Helping you preview homes on the Internet Advising you of other homes that have sold and for how much Working with you until we find the home of your dreams

Jim Bolger • 480.266.8866



making an offer

Once you have found the property you want, we will write a purchase agreement. While much of theagreement is standard, there are a few areas that we can negotiate:

The PriceWhat you offer on a property depends on a number of factors, including its condition, length oftime on the market, buyer activity, and the urgency of the seller. While some buyers want to make avery low offer, just to see if the seller will accept, this often isn't a smart choice, because the sellermay be insulted and decide not to negotiate at all.

The Move-in DateIf you can be flexible on the possession date, the seller will be more apt to choose your offers over others.

Additional PropertyOften the seller plans on leaving major appliances in the home, however, which items stay or go isoften a matter of negotiation.

Typically you will not be present at the offer presentation; we will present it to the listing agent and/or seller. The seller will then do one of the following:

• Accept the offer• Reject the offer• Counter the offer with changes

By far the most common is the counter offer. In these cases, my experience and negotiating skills become powerful in representing your best interests.

When a counter offer is presented, you and I will work together to review each specific area of the counter offer, making sure that we move forward with your goals in mind and ensuring that we negotiate the best possible price and terms on your behalf.

Jim Bolger • 480.266.8866



closing 101

Prepare for itClosing day marks the end of your home buying process and the beginning of your new life! To make sure your closing goes smoothly, you should bring the following:

• A certified check for closing costs and down payment. Make the check payable to yourself; youwill then endorse it to the title company at closing• An insurance binder and paid receipt• Photo IDs• Social security numbers• Addresses for the past 10 years

Own itTransfer of title moves ownership of the property from the seller to you. The two events that make this happen are:

Delivery of the buyers fundsThis is the check or wire funds provided by your lender in the amount of the loan

Delivery of the deedA deed is the document that transfers ownership of real estate. The deed names the seller and buyer, gives a legal description of the property, and contains the notarized signatures of the seller and witnesses.

At the end of closing, the deed will be taken and recorded at the county clerk’s office. It will besent to you after processing.

Jim Bolger • 480.266.8866



moving checklist

New Telephone Number: ____________________________________________

New Address: _____________________________________________________

Before you move, you should contact the following companies and service providers:

Insurance Companies:______Accidental______Auto______Health______Home______Life______Renters

Business Accounts:______Banks______Cellular Phone______Department Stores______Finance Companies/Credit Cards

Subscriptions:______Magazines______Newspapers

Miscellaneous:______Business Associates______House of Worship______Drug Store______Dry Cleaner______Hair Stylist

Utilities:______Electric______Telephone______Water______Cable______Gas

Professional Services:______Broker______Accountant______Doctor______Dentist______Lawyer

Government:______Internal Revenue Service______Post Office______Schools______State Licensing______Library______Veterans Administration

Clubs:______Health & Fitness______Country Club

Jim Bolger • 480.266.8866



why Realty ONE Group?

There is a reason more and more agents are making the change to Realty ONE Group. Here's why it matters to you:

KnowledgePowerful curriculum keeps us ahead of trends, tools and advancements in the real estate industry.

SpeedLeading-edge technology solutions accelerate our efficiency and productivity.

TeamworkUnlike other real estate companies, Realty ONE Group was designed to reward agents forworking together, to serve clients better.

ReliabilityRealty ONE Group was founded on the principles of trust and honesty, emphasizing theimportance of having the integrity to do the right thing and always putting the customer’s needs first.

SuccessRealty ONE Group is the fastest growing real estate company in North America.

When you offer a superior level of service, the word spreads fast.

As part of the Realty ONE Group team, I look forward to providing you with a phenomenalreal estate experience!

Jim Bolger • 480.266.8866



about me

How am I different from other real estate agents?I too have been a “consumer” in the real estate market, and I have experienced all levels of service from the agents I employed. This experience has been invaluable in helping me develop the high level of service that my clients have come to expect from me.

TechnologyUsing the latest technology, I am easily accessible to my clients, other agents, lenders, escrow agents and industry news wherever I am. I can send and receive important information via phone, fax, email and text messages, and I can react quickly to that information as it comes.

ExpertiseIt is a normal business practice for me to preview the homes which come on the market. So chances are I have seen the house you are looking for.

CommunicationWhen asked, most people consider communication with their agent to be at or near the top of the list of what they consider to be good service. Clients want to know what’s going on throughout the various stages of the transaction.

As mentioned above, I use the latest technology to stay informed and to communicate with my clients. Through my mobile phone I can send and receive calls, text messages and emails and can respond immediately to clients, other agents, lenders and escrow officers—whoever is part of the transaction.

Additionally, I am proactive. I don’t wait for a call from a lender or escrow agent to tell me there’s a problem. I am in frequent contact with everyone involved in the transaction to stay informed on the progress and to head off any problems before they arise. No surprises is my motto.

Clients for LifeIt is my sincere objective to serve my clients so well that they will feel compelled to do two things after the completion of the transaction: first to be so completely satisfied that they will write a glowing testimonial; and second, to refer people they know to me so that I may serve them as well.

My Commitment to YouMy commitment to you begins with my commitment to continuing education, area knowledge and knowledge of my trade. Secondly, I communicate proactively so that my clients will not only know what’s happening, but know what’s going to happen in advance so there are no surprises.

Jim Bolger • 480.266.8866



what my clients say

Thank You Jim Bolger!From the very beginning it was clear that Jim had our best interests in mind. He asked a lot of questions about our wants and needs and listened attentively to what we had to say. He almost always answered the phone, and always responded quickly to our messages and emails. The transaction went smoothly and with no surprises. We highly recommend Jim and we will be referring him to anyone we know!

Thanks again Jim!

The SieversScottsdale, Arizona

Jim,I have never written a letter like this before, but I just have to say thank you for all of your hard work on my behalf. Being a business owner myself I know the value of great service. The fact that you still keep in touch with me to see how things are going even after the sale says volumes about the level of service you provide.

Thanks for everything Jim,

W. E. GreenFountain Hills, AZ

Jim Bolger • 480.266.8866


Dear Jim,Thank you so much for being the true professional you are and delivering on all of your promises. We found just what I was looking for in less time than I expected. You sure know the area! And as a first time buyer I was a little nervous about the loan process, but to my delight everything went wonderfully. I am your client for life!

Jackie CaplerScottsdale, AZ


what my clients say

Dear Jim,Since our very first meeting it was plain to see that you are a man of integrity. All along the way it was truly “All About Us.” Your professionalism, knowledge of the area and attention to detail throughout the transaction from start to finish is to be commended. We will recommend you to everyone we know!

Thanks Jim!

Ken & Donna JanuszScottsdale, Arizona

Dear Prospective Buyer,I am thankful for kind words from my past (and current) clients and for the opportunity to have served them. I pride myself on my knowledge and skills, and I am committed to staying informed on current market conditions, technology and the latest lending practices to serve my current and future clients in the best way possible.

As my client, if you should choose to hire me, you can expect the same high level of service that I provide to every one of my clients each and every day..

Sincerely,

Jim

Jim Bolger,Thanks for a great job Jim, keep up the good work!

Dave FoleyPhoenix, AZ

Jim Bolger • 480.266.8866


Jim,Carol and I would like to thank you for all your hard work. As you know I was considering trying to handle the transaction myself, but after seeing how much goes into it I’m glad we worked with you.

Bill and Carol PakMt. Caramel, TN


frequently asked questions

How will you tell me about the newest homes available?The Multiple Listing Service website provides up-to-date information for every home on the market. Iconstantly check the New on Market list so I can be on the lookout for my clients. I will get you thisinformation right away the way that is most convenient for you, by phone and/or e-mail.

Will you inform me of homes from all real estate companies or only Realty ONE Group?I will keep you informed of all homes. I want to help you find your dream home, which means I need to stay on top of every home that's available in the market.

Can you help me find new construction homes?Yes, I can work with most builders and get you the information you need to make a decision. On your first visit with the builder, I will accompany you. By using my services with a new construction home purchase, you will receive the services I offer, as well as those provided by the builder, at no additional cost.

How does for sale by owner (FSBO) work?Homeowners trying to sell their home without agent representation are usually doing so in the hopes of saving the commission. If you see a FSBO and want the advantages of my services, let me contact the owner for you and make an appointment. Most times the homeowner will work with an agent, even though their home is not listed, since the agent is introducing a potential buyer to their property.

Can we go back through our property again once an offer is made, but before possession?Usually we can notify the seller and schedule a convenient time to visit the property again. Immediately before the closing, we will schedule a final walk-through and inspection of your new home.

Once my offer is accepted, what should I do?Celebrate and focus on moving into your new home! You will want to schedule your move, pack items, and notify businesses of your address change. I will provide you with a moving checklist to help you remember all the details. I will also make sure you receive a good faith estimate and HUD statement, which will indicate the amount you will need to bring to closing.

Jim Bolger • 480.266.8866


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