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LET’SFINDHOMED:610-212-0848 O:610-792-5900teresekw@gmail.com mccouch7@gmail.com400 Arcola Rd Suite A5 Collegeville 19426D:610-212-0848 O:609-318-66363101 Boardwalk Atlantic City, NJ 08401The Brittingham McCouch Sales TeamKeller Williams Realty Group
Table ofContentsO N EChoosing Your AgentT W OThe HomeBuying ProcessT H R E EThe MortgageProcessF O U RDetermineWants vs. NeedsF I V EThe HomeSearch &ShowingsS I XS E V E NWriting Your OfferE I G H TYou’re UnderContractN I N EInspections &InsuranceT E NIt’s ClosingTime!Buying Power
01Choosing the real estate agent that you’llwork alongside to buy your home is not adecision to take lightly.Your agent should have a deepunderstanding of your goals, your market,and a track record for working diligently onbehalf of you, their client. Credentials, of course, are a plus- but whatyou can’t see behind the numbers are theintangibles of always going the extra mileand genuinely caring deeply for clients. I look forward to the opportunity ofrepresenting you and sharing this lifemilestone with you and your family.ChooseYourAgent-Terese
Terese Brittingham and Tom McCouch have beenbusiness partners since 1997. In 2002, aftersuccessfully managing their award winning RealEstate Team for several years, they foundedKeller Williams Realty Group. Today theirCompany has grown to be the #1 Real EstateCompany in Western Montgomery County. Thishas created a perfect situation for them tofollow their dual passion: Help agents buildcareers worth having, businesses worth owning,lives worth living, experiences worth giving, andlegacies worth leaving. Growing talent just fillstheir souls.Serving the real estate consumer is what Tereseand Tom know best - their years of experienceand aggressive marketing plan place themamong the best of the best. Together, Terese andTom, along with their team of superb agents andsupport staff, are the go to group to helpmanage your most precious asset!What you can expect working with usWe always one stepahead, anticipatingpotential roadblocks andfinding creative solutionsto overcome them.We Are Curious We Are Committed We Are Proactive We ArePersonalWe believe in buildingrelationships with our clientsand treating them likefamily, because in the end,that's what leads to the bestpossible results.We want to have a clearunderstanding of yourgoals, who you are, andwhat your home meansto you.We bring our A-game toevery transaction, andwe are committed toachieving the bestpossible outcome for ourclients.Terese BrittinghamTom McCouchA B O U T U SKeller Williams Realty Group610.792.5900Keller Williams Jersey Shore609.318.6636
Helping First-Time Buyers in aCompetitive MarketCASE STUDYSarah and Tom, a young couple eager to purchase their first home, faced the common hurdlesof a competitive market in Phoenixville: a detailed wish list and a tight budget.BA C KG R OU N DTH E S T RA T EG YTH E R E SU L TSAccessed unique off-market listings through mynetwork, giving them first dibs on perfect homes.Posted their home wishlist on social media,attracting an off-market seller directly to us.Designed offers that were both appealing andbudget-friendly, ensuring a win withoutoverspending.Our social media outreach directly led to securing a viewing and, eventually, making an offerthat was accepted, thanks to its personalized and well-considered nature.Not only did Sarah and Tom purchase their ideal home, but they also did so with favorableterms that offered them peace of mind and financial security."Working with our buyer's agenttransformed our home buying journey fromdaunting to delightful. Their innovativestrategy, including leveraging socialmedia, not only found us our dream homeoff-market but made us feel trulysupported every step of the way."TOM & SA R AHI have a BuyerREELSThinking about selling your home?
02The HomeBuyingProcessFrom pre-approvalsto the closing table!Welcome to the exciting journey of finding yourdream home! As your dedicated real estate team,We am thrilled to guide you through every step ofthe home buying process. This comprehensive guide was meticulouslycrafted to provide you with a detailed overview ofwhat to expect on this adventure. From demystifying the mortgage process toassisting you with a lender questionnaire, offeringa handy showing checklist, explaining theintricacies of going under contract, navigating theinspection period, and finally, preparing you forthe closing process – We’ve got you covered. We am committed to ensuring that each step inthis process is smooth, transparent, and tailored toyour unique needs.
The Home BuyingProcess at a Glance01Preparation PhaseStart by assessing your financesand getting pre-approved for amortgage to understand yourbudget.02Search & OfferExplore homes within your budget,select your ideal property, andmake a competitive offer.03Under ContractConduct a home inspection,negotiate any necessary repairs,and finalize your mortgage details.04Closing PreparationReview your closing disclosure,confirm your moving plans, andprepare any required documentsor payments.05Closing DaySign all necessary paperwork toofficially transfer ownership,receiving the keys to your newhome.06Post ClosingUpdate your address, set uputilities, and consider a homewarranty for peace of mind in yournew residence.3-6 MONTHS OUT25-40 DAYS OUT 3-5 DAYS OUT1-7 DAYS AFTER0 DAYS OUT21-30 DAYS OUT
03ConsiderWants &NeedsGet clear on non-negotiablesBefore we hop into the home search, we like toadvise our clients to create a "Needs" list and a"Wants" list. This will help us to really focus on thethings that are most important in your future home.Needs are the non-negotiable. Wants are the onesyou’d like to have, but you can add or change downthe road. Remember you can’t change the lot, thelocation, or the price you paid.N E E D S M I G H T L O O K L I K E✓ Enough bedrooms for your family✓ First floor master bedroom✓ Close proximity to work or school✓ Yard for children or pets✓ Specific paint or exterior color✓ Fenced-in backyard✓ Specific flooring✓ Walk-in shower or double vanityW A N T S M I G H T L O O K L I K E
Buyer Power Checklist04How To Make Your Offer StandOut In A Crowded MarketWhen reviewing our buying power checklist,ask yourself if you’d be considered a “strong”buyer in the eyes of a seller. When inventorylevels are low, buyers will sometimes go toextreme measures to make sure their offergets accepted and we wouldn’t be doing ourjob if we didn’t give you the same strategies!Most seller are not solely interested in price,they are interested in who will their “terms”and who is most likely to make it to theclosing table. The more checklist items youcan check off, the greater the buying poweryou have. This will increase your chances thata seller will accept your offer!
FINANCIAL CHECKLISTOFFER OVER ASKING PRICE (5-15%DEPENDING ON MARKETPAY CASHPURCHASE VIA CONVENTIONALFINANCINGPAY SELLER’S TRANSFER TAXESPAY SELLER’S CLOSING COSTPAY SELLER’S MOVING COSTSGUARANTEE THT YOU’LL PAYAMOUNT/PERCENTAGE OVERAPPRAISED VALUEPROVIDE A LARGER EMD (3-5%)PROVIDE MORE MONEY DOWN ONLOANESCALATION CLAUSE (TRY TO BE AT A$2K MINIMUMPAY SELLER’S TITLE INSURANCEBUYING POWER CHECKLISTCLOSING TABLE CHECKLISTFHA ADDENDUM- ZERO COSTWAIVE THE APPRAISALASSUME THE U&OWAIVE THE HOME INSPECTION (NOTRECOMMENDED)INSPECTIONS FOR YOUR KNOWLEDGEONLYCONDUCT A PRE-OFFER MINIINSPECTIONDO NOT ASK FOR UNLISTEDAPPLIANCES OR REPAIRSNO CONTINGENCIES ON SALE OR CLOSEPROVIDE A FULL LENDER APPROVALPROVIDE PROOF OF FUNDS FORDOWN PAYMENT OR APPRAISAL GAPWAIVE HOME WARRANTYHAVE LENDER REACH OUT TO LISTINGAGENTSHORTEN TIMELINESWHAT CAN YOU DO TO GUARANTEE THE SELLER THAT YOUROFFER WILL MAKE IT TO THE CLOSING TABLE QUICKLY ANDWITHOUT ISSUE? CHECK OFF 2-3 ITEMS FROM THIS LISTCONSIDER MARKET CONDITIONS AND YOUR FINANCIALPOSITION AND TRY TO CHECK OFF 2-3 ITEMS FROM THS LIST
05TheMortgageProcessLet’t talk financesThe NEXT step of the home buying process is tounderstand how much you qualify for by meetingwith a local lender and getting a pre-approvalletter. A pre-approval is only valid for 30-90 days, sowhile you can start talking to lenders, you’ll want towait on getting that pre-approval letter until youknow you’re ready to buy.Understanding the ins-and-outs of the loan theyoffer is critical to ensuring long-term success inyour new home!
06The Home Search& ShowingProcessNow that you’ve got your wants vs. needs list inhand, the fun really begins! It’s time to startlooking at listings online and choosing whichhouses to see in person. Keep this in mind:Use the search filters,but don’t go crazy. You don’t want to restrictyour search so tightly thatyou only have a handfulof homes to view. Add $25k-$50k to yourmax price. There issometimes wiggle roomwith negotiations.Check out the Googlestreet view. Onlinepictures can be deceivingso a virtual ‘walk downthe street’ will give you asense of the house andsurrounding area.MLS Search Set Up. Based off our discussions ofyour criteria for a home, I willset up a search that will beemailed to you every day. Ifthere is a property you areinterested in let me know! Wewill set up a showing andspeak with the listing agentfor more details!The house is “pending”...now what? Don’t panic!Pending contracts do fallthrough occasionally, so keepit on your list.Look for some time in yourcalendar to tour the homeson your shortlist. Hold moretime than you think you’llneed.Finding “the one”
It’s Time forShowings! You’re SO READY to get inside thosehomes on your shortlist and see for yourselfif one of them is soon-to-be your newaddress. Below are a few things to keep inmind.Read over your wants vs.needs list and revisit yourbudget. Having this freshon your mind will help youstay objective and focused. Take pictures and videosto jog your memory later.Consider the lot, lot size,and location, all of thesethings cannot be changed.Look for signs ofstructural integrity. Waterdamage, cracks in walls orceilings, sloping floors, andother potential issues.Pay attention to noiselevels from nearby roads,airports and railways.Examine the roof forleaks, missing shingles,or other damage. Inspectsiding, windows, doors,and the overall exteriorcondition. Consider layout & space.Does the property's layoutsuit your lifestyle? Checkroom sizes, storage space,and the flow betweenrooms.Look past decor &staging. These things willsoon be gone!Consider the potentialresale value by checkingthe historical appreciationrates.Get ready for the fun part
07WritingYour OfferSo you think you’ve found “the one” and you’reready to put in an offer—one that will besimply irresistible to sellers. Let's talk aboutmaking an offer that truly stands out. Beloware my tried and tested recommendations.Let’s make it stand outInclude a pre-approvalletter and your BFI thatshows that you’re serious,qualified, and ready topurchase.Lean on a trusted agentwho can help youcompose an offer thatgives you everyadvantage in landing thehome!Put your best foot—andprice—forward. You mayonly get one shot, somake it count. Lean onyour agent and usecomps as a guide.Use your buying power. Let the sellers know youwant their home—and thatyou’ll be easy to work withall the way to closing.Propose to closequickly. Includecontingencies only if youmust. If you need to sellyour current home beforepurchasing, disclose ithere.
08You’re UnderContractYou’re well on your way to your new homesweet home. Here's a quick rundown on whathappens after you make an offer and your newhome is “under contract.” Cue the confetti!Provide an EarnestMoney Deposit – This is agood faith deposit toshow your commitment tobuying the property. Thisdeposit is typically held inan escrow account untilthe closing and is due 5days after the contract isexecuted.Schedule HomeInspection – Dependingon the results, you maynegotiate with the sellerfor repairs or credits.Schedule this ASAP! Order Appraisal – Yourlender will initiate this. Ifthe appraisal is lowerthan the agreed-uponprice, negotiations oradditional funds may berequired. Finalize the Loan – You'llprovide documents andgo through underwritingwith your lender.Title Search – A titlecompany will conduct atitle search to ensurethere are no liens or legalissues with the property’sownership.Final walk-through –Shortly before the closingdate, you'll have theopportunity to do a finalwalk-through of theproperty to ensure it's inthe agreed-uponcondition.
09Inspections& InsuranceThe inspection will uncover any issues in the homethat would have otherwise been unknown. Youwill receive a written report of the inspection. Make sure you’re coveredWhat is the "inspectionperiod"? Inspectionperiods typically last 10 to15days. If the results ofthe report reveal anyissues, you may ask theseller to cover the costsor reduce the sale price.The home seems fine,do I really need a homeinspection? The homemay appear to be inperfect shape, but someof the costliest problemsare difficult to spot: leaks,termite damage,foundation issues, poorventilation, faulty wiring,and drippy appliances. When should I schedulethe inspection? Scheduleyour inspectionsimmediately after yourinitial offer is accepted. Ifwe need to negotiate anyrepairs we can before theinspection period ends. What about homeinsurance? Once youhave a signed contract,start looking for insuranceproviders. Your lender willtypically require evidenceof insurance coveragebefore they approve yourmortgage.
10It’s ClosingTime!You've received the magic phrase "clear-to-close" and we've scheduled our closing day.Here's what to expect from the closing process:Alexa: play ‘My House’ by Flo RidaFirst, schedule the final walk-through toconfirm the seller made the repairs that wereagreed upon. The walk through also ensures nonew problems have occurred while undercontract. We will typically schedule the walkthrough right before closing.What happens at closing day? Sign allnecessary documents, pay remaining closingcosts and the down payment. The title isofficially transferred to you, and keys areexchanged.What should I bring? A photo ID and a cashier’scheck to pay any closing costs. Your agent willshare any other documents specific to yoursituation. Be prepared for A LOT of paperwork. Funding and Recording – Once all documentsare signed and funds are transferred, thetransaction is recorded with the county or localmunicipality. This officially transfers ownershipfrom the seller to you.Get a hold of those keys and celebrate! We made it to the finish line!
The Value of aBuyer’s AgentExclusive Representation for Your InterestsUnlike going through a listing agent who serves the seller's interests, a buyer's agent iscommitted solely to you. They ensure your needs and preferences are top priority,offering unbiased advice and support throughout the buying process.Access to Off-Market ListingsYour buyer's agent can tap into a network that goes beyond the usual listings,including off-market or "pocket" listings. This access can be crucial in finding yourdream home in competitive markets.In-Depth Market InsightBuyer's agents offer specialized knowledge of the local real estate market, frompricing trends to neighborhood dynamics. This insight is invaluable for makingeducated decisions and spotting hidden gems.Skilled Negotiation on Your BehalfHaving a seasoned negotiator on your side can save you thousands. Buyer's agentsnegotiate not just on price, but on terms and conditions that best serve your interests.Coordination of the Buying ProcessFrom arranging viewings to coordinating inspections and navigating closingprocedures, your agent handles the logistics. This coordination is essential for asmooth journey from house hunting to homeownership.Insider Advice on Property Potential and PitfallsA buyer's agent looks beyond the surface, advising you on the potential or pitfalls ofproperties. They help you see the full picture, including aspects like future resale valueand necessary repairs
The Brittingham McCouch Team was amazing from start tofinish. They took care of things we didn’t even know about.The entire process was made to feel easy because they tookcare of every detail. I highly recommend them! far surpasses all of them .... combined !Working with The Brittingham McCouch Team asour buyer's agent transformed our home buyingjourney from daunting to delightful. The team’sinnovative strategy, including leveraging socialmedia, not only found us our dream home off-market but made us feel truly supported everystep of the way.TOM & S A R A HWhat Clients Are SayingThe Brittingham McCouch Team was veryknowledgeable and patient, as we had manyobstacles to overcome during the transaction. Ihighly recommend them in buying or selling yourhome. Always available to answer any question’swe had!KAT H Y & R O NMI C HE L E
Thank you for trustingus with your homesearch. We are here forany questions orconcerns you haveabout your new home.If you're satisfied withour service, reviewsand referrals aregreatly appreciated. -Terese & Tom610.792.5900 | https://www.kwseven.com | teresekw@gmail.comTHANKYOUPlease help our business grow!WRITE A REVIEW FOLLOW ALONG