LET'S START HERE!To find the best buyer representation, start by gathering recommendationsfrom trusted sources, tuning in to social media that’s specific to the areayou’re looking in, and researching online reviews. Then, schedule interviewswith potential agents to discuss your goals, and get a feeling for theirexperience, market and transaction knowledge, and communication style.Choose an agent who aligns with your needs and preferences for a smoothhome buying experience.FIRST STEPSThis Buyer Representation Packet outlines essential ways I can assistyou in navigating the real estate market effectively. From expertnegotiation skills to our trusted vendor list and comprehensive marketinsights, I'm here to ensure your real estate transactions are seamlessand successful.STEPHANIE OLIVER | ANDERSON REAL ESTATE GROUP | EXP REALTY | STEPHANIE.O@ANDERSONREG.COM | (310) 773-1343
UNDERSTANDING REAL ESTATE COMMISSIONSWhen it comes to real estate commissions, it's important to understand howagents are compensated for their services. Agents typically earncommissions based on the sale price of a property. These commissionscover a wide range of services including market analysis, propertymarketing, negotiation, and transaction management. Recognizing the timeinvestment and value agents provide beyond their commission fees is key tounderstanding the compensation structure.I bet that you’ve heard by now that there was a settlement from a lawsuitwith the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), and it is an ongoing andfluid situation. Already established, though, is there are now new rulesaround how buyer’s agent compensation for services is to be paid. Instead ofthe listing agent negotiating upfront with the seller a unilateral offer ofcompensation, and splitting their commissions with the agent that brings abuyer, there will now not be an agreed-upon commission offered to thebuyer agent in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). This does not mean thatthe seller can not or will not agree to offer an incentive to pay theprofessional fee of the agent. However, it is now a point of negotiation,between buyer and seller in the purchase agreement, for more transparency. THE NEW WAY OF DOING BUSINESS0102STEPHANIE OLIVER | ANDERSON REAL ESTATE GROUP | EXP REALTY | STEPHANIE.O@ANDERSONREG.COM | (310) 773-1343
HOMEBUYERS: HERE'S WHAT THE NAR SETTLEMENTMEANS FOR YOUSTEPHANIE OLIVER | ANDERSON REAL ESTATE GROUP | EXP REALTY | STEPHANIE.O@ANDERSONREG.COM | (310) 773-1343 Per the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR):Buying a home is one of the largest financial transactions most people will ever undertake. Agentswho are REALTORS® are a trusted source of advice and stand ready to help you navigate yourhomebuying journey and make the choices that work best for you. NAR’s recent settlement has ledto several changes that benefit homebuyers, and we wanted to clearly lay them out for you.Here is what the settlement means for homebuyers:You will sign a written agreement with your agent before touring a home.Before signing this agreement, you should ensure it reflects the terms you have negotiated withyour agent and that you understand exactly what services and value will be provided, and forhow much.The buyer agreement must include four components concerning compensation: A specific and conspicuous disclosure of the amount or rate of compensation the real estateagent will receive or how this amount will be determined.1. Compensation that is objective (e.g., $0, X flat fee, X percent, X hourly rate)—and not open-ended (e.g., cannot be “buyer broker compensation shall be whatever the amount the seller isoffering to the buyer”).2. A term that prohibits the agent from receiving compensation for brokerage services from anysource that exceeds the amount or rate agreed to in the agreement with the buyer; and,3. A conspicuous statement that broker fees and commissions are fully negotiable and not set bylaw.4.Written agreements apply to both in-person and live virtual home tours.You do not need a written agreement if you are just speaking to an agent at an open house orasking them about their services.The seller may agree to offer compensation to your agent. This practice is permitted but theoffer cannot be shared on a Multiple Listing Service (MLS)— MLSs are local marketplaces used byboth buyer brokers and listing brokers to share information about properties for sale.You can still accept concessions from the seller, such as offers to pay your closing costs.These practice changes will go into effect August 17.Here is what the settlement doesn’t change:Agents who are REALTORS® are here to help you navigate the homebuying process and areethically obligated to work in your best interest.Compensation for your agent remains fully negotiable, and if your agent is a REALTOR®, theymust abide by the REALTOR® Code of Ethics and have clear and transparent discussions withyou about compensation. When finding an agent to work with, ask questions aboutcompensation and understand what services you are receiving.You have choices. Work with your agent to understand the full range of these choices whenbuying a home, which will help you make the best possible decision for your needs.
IMPORTANCE OF REAL ESTATE NEGOTIATION SKILLSNegotiation skills are crucial in real estate transactions, and having a skilledagent on your side can make a significant difference. They can help younavigate negotiations effectively by understanding market dynamics, having anarsenal of strategies to employ, identifying leverage points, and maintainingclear communication. Skilled negotiators maximize value, minimize risks, andfacilitate mutually beneficial agreements for both buyers and sellers. You shouldensure that the agent you choose has the RENE or CNE certification, provingadditional training, time, and focus investment in this most-important area. 04BUYERS HAVE SOME OPTIONS 03STEPHANIE OLIVER | ANDERSON REAL ESTATE GROUP | EXP REALTY | STEPHANIE.O@ANDERSONREG.COM | (310) 773-1343 Setting expectations with early conversations is the best approach, allowing us tocustomize our services to best meet your needs, and allowing you more controlover your buying process. There are a variety of options to you, yet some of themost common are:1.) Seller is asked for a credit for concessions at close of escrow, for buyer to thenpay their agent for professional services, or Seller asked to pay the buyer brokerfees directly. Some Sellers may agree to pay the amount agreed upon betweenbuyer and their agent, stated in their Buyer Broker Representation Agreement. Thebuyer’s Broker may not accept a fee that exceeds what is initially agreed tobetween buyer and Broker. 2.). Seller may be only willing to pay some amount towards requested concessions,and the Buyer must pay the difference.3.). Other Sellers may not be willing to contribute at all. The buyer would then beresponsible for their agent’s compensation if they move forward with the purchase. 4.). You can proceed as an unrepresented buyer, navigating the transaction without an agent in your corner to guide and fight for your interests. If you decide to gothis path, do know that the listing agent has a fiduciary duty to the seller, as per theircontract, and cannot get both you and them the best price and terms. They also cannotnegotiate on your behalf for repairs and credits. Keep in mind that in a competitive market, the seller’s “net proceeds” are mostimportant.
NAVIGATING THE ESCROW PROCESSReal estate contracts can be complex, but with an experienced agent byyour side, you'll find navigating them much easier. They'll help youunderstand contract terms such as contingencies, deadlines, disclosures,and legal obligations. This thorough understanding ensures your interestsare protected and contributes to the success of your transaction.After an offer has been accepted, buyer’s real estate agents continue toassist you by coordinating inspections, negotiating repairs or creditsbased on inspection findings, providing resources for information,guiding you through the mortgage process, preparing for closing,representing your interests during the closing process, conducting a finalwalk-through, and providing post-closing assistance such asrecommending service providers and offering ongoing support for anyreal estate needs. Their role is to ensure a smooth and successful homebuying experience, offering expertise and support from negotiation topost-closing. Please see my Home Buyer Guide for details on the processand how to be successful with your home purchase.It’s not just about finding the right house. When selecting a real estateagent, it's essential to find someone who is competent and trustworthyand can effectively represent your interests. Consider factors such astheir experience, local market knowledge, communication style, trackrecord, and professional credentials. Finding the right fit is crucial, so doyour research, and conduct interviews to ensure you choose the bestagent for your needs.04NAVIGATING REAL ESTATE CONTRACTS03CHOOSING THE RIGHT REAL ESTATE AGENT05STEPHANIE OLIVER | ANDERSON REAL ESTATE GROUP | EXP REALTY | STEPHANIE.O@ANDERSONREG.COM | (310) 773-1343
W H Y M E ?Enjoy a tailored approach thatprioritizes your individual needs andgoals, ensuring a seamless andcustomized experience from initialsearch to closing.Leveraging years of experience and anunderstanding of the national and localreal estate landscape, you’ll obtainadvantages from my learnings while onseveral top, award-winning teams overthe years. I provide expertise to guideyou through every step of the buyingprocess.With a proven track record ofsuccessful negotiations, and RENE +CNE certifications, rest assured that Iwill tirelessly advocate for your bestinterests, securing the most favorableterms for your purchase.Count on a proactive approach withextensive support, to minimize hurdles, plusthe communication that you deserve andexpert guidance at every turn, empoweringyou to make confident decisions and getinto your dream home with ease.THE BENEFITS OFCHOOSING ME AS YOURREPRESENTATIVEPhone: 310.773.1343 Email: Stephanie.O@AndersonREG.com Website: StephanieOliver.exprealty.com Office: [Office Address]Instagram: @connectwithSMOFacebook: Stephanie Oliver Real Estate ServicesREALTOR® | ABR® | RENE | SRES® | PSA | CNAStephanieOliver01020304
what othersARE SAYINGNicole & GarrettKimmy & SeanWe would 100% recommend Stephanie to anyone looking to buyor sell! My fiancée and I used Stephanie recently to purchase ourfirst home. The experience was nothing short of fantastic. Beingnew to the home buying process, we had no idea what to expectthroughout process. Stephanie was incredible. She laid outeverything in an organized and detailed manor. She communicatedeverything to us thoroughly and consistently every step of theway. Once she found us the perfect home, which didn’t take long,she guided us through putting in an offer. Not only was she quickand incredibly knowledgeable, but she helped us to negotiate anincredible offer with fantastic terms. We would 100% recommendStephanie to anyone looking to buy or sell! Thanks Stephanie!!! We were very impressed with Stephanie's knowledge of the homebuying process. She is sharp and on the ball. She is personable andwe had ease in communicating with her. She really listens andoffered us valuable information so that when we needed to, wecould make an informed decision. Stephanie goes to work for you!She is a gem and I would recommend you have her on your team.TESTIMONIALS
what othersARE SAYINGAmanda & BrianCameron J.She has an amazing ability to understand the needs of her clients. Herprofessional contacts and insight into the Los Angeles market wereinstrumental in helping us submit a strong offer, navigate the counter bidprocess and purchase our dream home. Stephanie has an optimisticapproach to searching for the perfect home for her clients. She took thetime to listen to what we really wanted, helped me comb through all thelistings and got answers to all our questions. When we changed ourwish-list to include a completely new neighborhood & type of home sheseamlessly pivoted with us and got right to collecting all the informationwe would need to evaluate our options in the area. I truly appreciatehow generous Stephanie is with her time and how patient she washelping us navigate the search and purchase of our home. I don’t saythat lightly, Stephanie worked with us intermittently for over 5 years!She stuck with us, steadily checking in, but not overwhelming us withcommunication. She has an amazing ability to understand the needs ofher clients. In the end, Stephanie’s strong relationships in the business,and many useful tips & tricks that have been collected over the years,helped us position our offer and gave it that small edge over thecompetition. Those small but powerful insights helped us get the houseof our dreams! TESTIMONIALSStephanie worked hard (I would underline if I could) for us. Shewas super knowledgeable, responsive, and dedicated. She's one ofthe best.
what othersARE SAYINGErika & MattOlive & Bibo Stephanie is a wonderful realtor who was there every step of theway with us. She represented us when we were buying our condo,as well as when we decided to sell it. She was available wheneverwe had questions and was great at communicating everything thatwas happening. These things can get complicated especially withbalancing the rest of your life that is going on while trying to buyor sell your home so it was great to know she always had ourback. The cherry on top is that she was also able to get us wellover our listing price!TESTIMONIALSStephanie provided us a full-service, from contracts to the close ofescrow! As a first time home buyer, we had tons of questions andStephanie always patiently and promptly responded to our emailsand phone calls. Working in the area for so long, she has a goodknowledge of the neighborhoods. She was very responsive whenthere were questions or problems. We encountered some loanissues during the process and we found that Stephanie was alwaysthere for us and we together went through it in the end.
what othersARE SAYINGDaniel R.Eric W.Been working with Stephanie on and off for years and despitetaking SO much of her time while making so few offers, she'snever treated me with anything other than respect and dedicationto helping me find the perfect home. My most recent attempt at ahome purchase was insane, unique, and at a low purchase price soshe didn't even stand much to gain from it other than helpingmake my dream come true finally, and she dug in like an equalpartner in my efforts and went above and beyond at every singleopportunity. I don't know how she does it, but I'm so glad shedoes it for me. Give her the chance and she will fight to make yourdreams come true, too.Outstanding service, more than pleased with Stephanie. She has avery unique style that puts her above the competition. Give her acall and you will be saying the words SOLD SOLD SOLD. ThanksStephanie!TESTIMONIALS