Buyers

Thinking of Buying?

The Radcliffe Group makes the process both simple and exciting. We preview every home in the neighborhood, saving our clients valuable time and energy. We study recent home sales, to ensure our clients' purchase is at the absolute best price. We have a database of over 10,000 people to contact with our client's home-buying needs in mind. We network with all the top real estate brokerages to be aware of any upcoming off-market "pocket" listings to introduce to our clients.

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Brentwood, Malibu, Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica

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EXPERT TIPS TO BUYING YOUR DREAM HOME

Work exclusively with your Realtor

Some buyers erroneously believe it is better to work with a conglomeration of agents, when in fact, an exclusive relationship yields better results. If a Realtor is confident in your loyalty, and vice versa, you are assured to be at the top of an agent's call list as their top-priority. Furthermore, when having a priority relationship with your Realtor, you gain the confidence of knowing your representative is negotiating as strongly as possible for you, with your agent recognizing that their job is to achieve the best possible results. This is not necessarily the same when an agent is concerned that they run the risk of quickly losing you to another agent. One of your largest financial transactions deserves personalized service that can only be accomplished by having an exclusive and trusting relationship with an agent.

Discuss your needs and expectations with your Realtor

Desired home location, size, style, features, etc. vary between clients; no two are the same. When hiring a Realtor, have a detailed conversation about all aspects of the process and transaction. This can include price point to preferred contact method to favored days/times for showings. During this interview, your agent will also explain whatever you need to know and expect when buying a home.

Pre-qualify for a loan to determine your price range

Having clear financial backing is crucial for a Realtor to negotiate on your behalf. The main reason is because a home seller needs to be sure you are financially qualified before they accept your offer, so proper preparation can make all the difference. You and your Realtor may know you are financially qualified, however the seller may question it.

Target locations within your price range

After pre-qualifying for a loan, your Realtor can introduce neighborhoods and homes that meet your price range and desired characteristics. A highly qualified Realtor will be able to narrow down this search quickly, inevitably saving you a huge amount of valuable time and energy. Whether it be introducing you to neighborhoods that you initially did not consider, or fast tracking the learning curve with understanding home values in specific neighborhoods, having a Realtor that specializes in the neighborhoods that you are considering is critical.

Attending open houses

If you attend an Open House, be sure to inform the listing agent if you are working with a Realtor. The agent holding the Open House will request you to sign the register. Do so, but it is only necessary to list your full name, Realtor's name, and Realtor's contact information. This will prevent representation confusion on behalf of the listing agent.

Contact your Realtor if an advertised home Interests you

It is always best not to call the ad's listing agent for four reasons: Directly contacting the listing agent will cause confusion with representation. Your Realtor should be entirely aware of homes that interest you. Your Realtor is probably (or should be) familiar with the home and can discuss the features, etc. and can arrange a private showing for you, quickly and easily. Finally, the listing agent's primary goal is to sell you the house you inquired about and may not necessarily have your best interest at mind.

Success! You have found a worthy new home

Before submitting an offer, you and your Realtor will determine the home's value based on the area's recent sales comparable to the home. Your Realtor's responsibility is to keep abreast of market trends, including recent home sales in and around the area you are looking. Determining and clearly communicating the home's value is critical. Your Realtor must structure your offer with terms and protection. This is a critical role of a good agent. Having a highly skilled and experienced agent representing you and guiding you to understand a home's value before making an offer, will save you thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Make your offer

Once reviewing and completing the purchase agreement, your offer is submitted to the seller's agent. Negotiations follow, which often include several counteroffers between you and the seller. It is important to negotiate within a timely manner to avoid another buyer's influence. A skilled and experienced Realtor can and will make all the difference in either securing the home for you or potentially losing a home to another buyer. This role of your agent is also critical and perhaps the most important. Anyone can show a home, most agents can write offers correctly, but only the highly skilled and experienced Realtors can negotiate at a higher level than most. This is when the choice of agent will make all the difference with your home purchase.

Open escrow

After an agreement has been reached between you and the seller, escrow opens and the escrow process is explained in detail by your Realtor and the escrow officer. Once again, an important role of your agent.

Inspections

Your new home will be inspected by outside professionals to determine its' condition. Your Realtor will introduce you to the inspectors, wherein you will choose which inspectors you approve or select the inspectors of your choice. If you are uncomfortable with any of the inspectors' reports, you are able to cancel escrow and your deposit will be returned after both parties have signed cancellation instructions.

Paperwork and financing

After all inspections are completed and the closing date approaches, the escrow company and your Realtor will guide you through the final instructions regarding your financing, or if no financing, all else that is needed to close.

Final walk through

Just before closing, you and your Realtor will perform a final walk-through to insure the home is in the same condition as when you submitted your initial offer.

Congratulations! You've closed escrow and you're ready to move into your new home

Buying (or selling) a home is one of life's most stressful activities, although it does not have to be. It can be an exciting time in your life. Having an experienced agent by your side will make all the difference in the world.