Buyer Services | Maggie-Ding

Experience the Difference:

Why the Maggie Ding Team

YOUR ADVOCATE AT EVERY STAGE OF THE HOME-BUYING JOURNEY

In 2015 my business had reached a tipping point: To continue to take uniquely great care of our clients, the business needed to grow. In asking, “What would be best for our clients? There was one clear answer. “A great team.”

Being that real estate is a seven-day-a-week business, I felt combining forces and finding partners I trust would allow our resources to be ever-available and tend to every possible need for our clients. The partnerships allow us to provide each client with two full-time professionals, sometimes with different skills or connections, to represent you as well as possible. Plus, it is fun for us to work together!

Just like us, it is important that you find the right partner(s)--and we would love to get to know you and welcome you as another trusted member of the team!

While a buyer may only purchase a few homes in a lifetime, I really do navigate these transactions on a daily basis to help our clients find their places in the world. Here’s more on how our talented team and I will advocate for you throughout the home-buying process.

IDENTIFY YOUR WANTS & NEEDS

Have an introductory consult in person or via Zoom to confirm we are a good fit.
Create a strategy, gameplan and timeline for accomplishing your goals.
Introduce you to preferred lenders and vendors, as necessary.
Coordinate communication with lenders to set you up for success relating to your terms, timeframes and how to structure your loan.
Review the Buyer Representation Agreement that outlines our contractual responsibilities to you—foremost being reasonable care, steadfast loyalty and confidentiality. This is required prior to our first house showing.
Provide an overview of current market conditions and how they impact the purchase process.
Tailor a customized search strategy based on your timeline, market conditions and available inventory.
Utilize our special Compass Collections technique to curate listings based on preferences you can save, comment on in real-time and easily request home tours directly with us through the platform.
Provide you with access to off-market Compass Private Exclusive listings.
Take advantage of our vast agent connections to share info about other off-market properties that might work for you before the general public knows about them.
Provide preliminary feedback on homes that interest you, specifically evaluating how those available within your budget meet your needs.
Provide additional ideas and options on your needs and wants to add value to the property and in your decision making.

PROVIDE ACCESS TO HOMES THAT MEET YOUR CRITERIA

Coordinate and schedule showings directly with the Listing Agent and Seller.
Deliver a customized House-Hunting Essential Kit at our first in-person meeting, along with our comprehensive Buyer’s Guide Booklet.
Notify agents prior to your arrival if you are attending an open house.

EVALUATE THE PROPERTIES

Assess the condition, location and concerns about the properties.
Collect and present all property-condition information and any reports or disclosures that the Seller is required to provide.
Identify if the properties have homeowner’s associations and to what level.
Provide outside-the-box ideas on how you can add value to the properties long term but also how to make them ideally suited for your living.
When you are fully interested in a specific property, we will provide detailed information on the property, which includes comparable properties for valuation, red flags, seller motivation, permits and insights about the Listing Agent and the Seller’s motivation.

CRAFT YOUR OFFER & LEAD NEGOTIATIONS

Prepare a competitive offer that aligns with your budget based on a Comparative Market Analysis and contingencies.
Share info and educate you about key terms such as contingencies, as-is clauses, auctions, probates, trusts, short sales, back-up offer addendums, 1031 exchanges, disclosures, leasebacks and escalation clauses.
Write the offer in a meticulously professional, creative manner that causes it to stand out amongst the rest.
Submit your offer along with personal verbal connection with the Listing Agent, as needed--plus manage any counter-offer scenarios.
Coordinate with your Lender to contact the Listing Agent and highlight your strong financial qualifications.
Consistently follow up with the Listing Agent during the negotiation process.
Successfully communicate and negotiate with the Listing Agent to reach mutually acceptable final terms.
Proactively plan for contingencies such as investigation, appraisals and financing.

CONGRATULATIONS ON GETTING YOUR OFFER ACCEPTED

Calculate timelines for investigation, appraisal, loan and any lease-back.
Send a detailed email immediately with your escrow information, escrow process and timelines.
Check the legitimacy of the escrow company that will be holding your deposit, ensuring the company is licensed and viable through the Department of Corporations.
Email the escrow company all the necessary information so all parties can quickly and efficiently work together.
Request an estimated closing cost statement from the escrow company.
Coordinate with your Lender to make sure they have everything they need to be efficient in assisting you.
After all opening escrow emails are out, schedule a call with you within 24 hours to clarify the entire process, answer any questions and set a designated weekly time for calls during the escrow process.

FACILITATE HOME INSPECTION, DISCLOSURES, REPORTS & REPAIRS

Schedule inspections (including but not limited to general, sewer, termite, chimney, mold, pool, septic, foundation) and provide you with a detailed email on recommended inspections and costs.
Assist with inspection findings, due diligence and follow-up; provide recommendations for professional vendors.
Ensure we have received all the disclosure paperwork the Seller is required to provide.
Set up access to all disclosures/reports in an easily accessible Google Drive.
Survey the disclosures in detail and prepare questions relating to disclosures for Buyer review.
If escrow was canceled prior to our offer finalization, request detailed information on the reason for cancellation and inspection reports generated during that escrow.
Review the preliminary title report with the title company.
Provide you with insurance contact information to facilitate obtaining coverage.
Provide city information to review permits.
If property is in a high fire zone, ensure we get the Fire Hazard Defensible Space inspection and disclosures completed.
Prior to the inspection, deliver a detailed email on what to expect after the inspection.
Provide snacks and water at inspection, along with a comprehensive inspection booklet to walk you through all the different inspector terms.
Create a floorplan of the property at inspection.
If property is new construction, we will bring blue tape to mark areas for the builder’s pick-up to-do list.
After inspection: Upload all reports, pictures of the property and shut-off locations--along with videos--in an easily accessible Google Drive.
Schedule any additional inspections after that initial inspection, including but not limited to roofer, electrician, plumber and foundation.
Confirm we have all required city reports.
Follow up with the Lender that appraisal has been ordered, an appointment has been scheduled and confirm when the appraisal is in.
Coordinate questions and answers between parties.
Create a Request for Repair proposal for Buyer to review, revise and approve.
Submit Request for Repair to negotiate repairs, credit and/or price reduction.
If property is in a trust, confirm what kind of mortgage is on the house, as it could take longer for Seller payoff and could delay close.
Coordinate and confirm all retrofitting to the property is being handled and completed prior to close of escrow.
If the property does not appraise, negotiate appraisal for a price reduction.
Continue to coordinate with the Lender for final approval.
Once all contingencies have been lifted, provide a timeline to close and expectations on the next steps.

CLOSE ON YOUR NEW HOME

Lead final walk-throughs, confirm the property condition is as agreed upon, communicate with the
Listing Agent regarding the need for completion of any post-inspection repairs.
Coordinate closing by liaising with the Title company, Lender and Listing Agent.
Inform you of precise timing so you have utilities and other services set to transfer to you upon closing.
Provide vendor referrals to the Buyer for the move and personalization of your new property.
Congratulations! Ensure access is made available for you to move into your home.
Provide an easily accessible Google Drive of all the documents signed, reports, pictures of the property and closing documents.
If there is a leaseback, continue to monitor the Seller’s move-out date and coordinate possession.

STAY IN TOUCH BEYOND THE TRANSACTION

Add you to our Client Appreciation Program.
Check in on how you’re enjoying your new home and meet any new needs.
Provide local recommendations and update you on businesses, exclusive local events or housing developments in the community.
Share relevant market updates and trends.