BUY VALUE

  • Research and Validate Above-Grade and Finished Square Footage
    ENSURING ACCURACY: Listing agents sometimes misrepresent or manipulate square footage figures to enhance a property's appeal. I thoroughly cross-check the above-grade and finished square footage listed on public portals against tax records to ensure that the information is accurate and reliable. This diligence helps protect my buyer clients from overpaying for misrepresented properties.

    Research Off-Market and Withdrawn Sales Data
    PROMOTING ACCURATE PRICING: I offer a higher level of service when looking at comps in your ideal neighborhood. By analyzing previous MLS listings, as well as comparable properties that listed and did not sell, I’m able to generate a more accurate valuation, which improves your offer and negotiating position.

    Run the subject property through a minimum of five AVMs
    LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY:
    Automated Valuation Models (like Zillow's Zestimate) can show widely divergent property values, but can be used successfully in tandem with more traditional valuation methods. By using at least five different AVMs, we can develop a range of property values to consider along with market conditions and competition.

  • Research MLS Data to Identify Listing Agent Patterns
    PREPARING EFFECTIVELY: Looking at the MLS data of a listing agent offers valuable insight into their negotiating and pricing tactics and tendencies. Are most of their listings settling above or below the initial asking price? Do they manipulate their statistics (like Days on Market or List-to-Sell ratio) by withdrawing and relisting right before ratification?

    Anticipate and evaluate seller and listing agent negotiating tactics
    THINKING AHEAD: When a listing agent tells you that someone has requested property disclosures (in order to write an offer), this can be true, but most of the time it does not result in an offer. By understanding how listing agents can manipulate the facts, we can see through sales tactics designed to create a false sense of urgency.

    Know how to negotiate with all parties to the transaction
    These include sellers, listing agents, title attornies, inspectors, appraisers, assessors, walkthrough agents, warranty companies, contractors, lenders, insurance agents, and associations.

    NEGOTIATING SMARTER: All parties are open to negotiation. From obtaining the title policy from a current homeowner in order to save on title insurance to negotiating items identified during the home inspection, looking at every aspect of the transaction from a negotiated perspective saves you time, trouble and money and adds up to peace of mind in your new home.

  • Search non-public databases for expired properties and contact the owner with an offer
    CREATING OPPORTUNITIES: Properties that are for sale by owner, overpriced, or poorly prepared for showings may sit on the market without an offer and, eventually, be withdrawn. However, the seller probably still wants to sell. Providing them with an actual offer in writing can sometimes get them to consider selling again.

    Search the MLS for “TEMPOFF” properties or pending sales with kick out clauses
    SEARCHING FOR OPTIONS: Properties that are listed as TEMPOFF status will likely return to the market at some point in the future. By presenting favorable terms to the seller, there may be an opportunity to capture their attention while the home is off the radar of other buyers.

    Search rental listing portals and make an unsolicited offer to buy the property
    FINDING POTENTIAL: The key with this strategy is to make an offer, not just call and ask. The more real the opportunity for the seller, the more seriously they will consider it. Evaluating the current rental potential and the area’s comparable properties allows you to make an offer that resonates with the property owner.

  • Send signals to the listing agent with pre-offer action and the offer itself
    SETTING THE STAGE: For experienced listing agents, working with a competent and prepared buyer’s agent is an important part of ensuring a smooth and successful transaction. Timely and appropriate action, communication, and offer-writing provide opportunities to inform the seller side of your competency, or lack thereof.

    Use all the terms, not just price, to get a seller to accept your offer
    FINDING WAYS IN: The moving process is complicated, so most sellers place a premium on flexibility when it comes to timing and logistics. If the seller needs their money from the settlement before moving out, give them a rentback. If there are multiple offers, include that rentback for free. In some cases, flexibility is more important than dollars and cents.

    Review MLS showing data continuously to gauge market interest
    LEARNING WHAT BUYERS WANT: Knowing how many scheduled showings there are will help in evaluating how to structure offer terms.

  • Know the ins and outs of jurisdictional and associational contracts
    UNDERSTANDING YOUR CONTRACT: Virginia has a contract, DC and Maryland have another contract, and Maryland has its own optional contract. They all have important differences. You need a real estate professional with a thorough understanding of the various contracts and their impact on your transaction and finances.

    Ensure that you receive all necessary disclosure forms
    MINIMIZING POST-SETTLEMENT PROBLEMS: Maryland and DC have more detailed disclosure forms. Virginia sellers typically make a general statement without property details, although they are required to disclose certain issues (and they often don't). You need to know everything there is to know about the home you’re buying, which starts with a thorough disclosure process.

    Use the current version of all required forms
    KEEPING UP WITH DOCUMENT REVISIONS: Many (many!) ratified contracts become voidable by either the buyer or seller due to incompetence or form errors. This does not matter if both parties continue to share the goal of a successful settlement. However, should things go sideways prior to settlement, you will want a tight contractual instrument in place, along with financial penalties for failure to perform.

  • Leverage relationships with reputable service providers
    During my 23 years selling real estate, I have developed valuable relationships with many different types of industry service providers. My clients rely on these relationships long after any transaction has closed.

    A few examples (but not all!) are: Appliance Repair, Appraiser, Architect, Attorney (Estate), Attorney (Real Estate), Attorney (Title), Builder, Carpet Cleaner, Carpet Installer, Chimney Contractor, Cleaner, Concrete Installer, Concrete Coatings, Contractor (Carpenter), Contractor (General), Contractor (Outdoor Living), Counter Installer, Electrician, Elevator Installer/Service, Estate Sales, Fence Installer, Financial Planner, Fireplace Servicer, Flooring Installer, Handyman, Hardware/Fixture Vendor, Home Network/Automation/Electronics, Home Warranty, HVAC, Inspector (Chimney), Inspector (General), Inspector (Lead Paint), Inspector (Mold), Inspector (Radon), Inspector (Stucco), Insurance Agent, Interior Designer, Ironworks, Junk Removal, Landscaper, Lender, Locksmith, Mason, Mover (General), Mover (Pool Table), Organizer, Painter, Paving, Photographer, Plumber, Pool (Installer), Pool (Service), Power Washing, Property Manager, Roofer, Sewer Repair, Staging, Structural Engineer, Tree Service, Waterproofing, Window Installer, Window Repair.

  • Provide fiduciary-level representation
    TAKING CARE OF YOU: The listing agent can only perform ministerial acts on the other side of the transaction. Their allegiance is with their client, the seller, and the advice they give is in the seller’s best interest. As your trusted fiduciary, I offer duties of obedience, loyalty, disclosure, confidentiality, accounting, and reasonable care to ensure that your interests are front and center.

    Represent the interest of my buyer client
    PRIORITIZING YOUR NEEDS: An excellent buyer's agent will advocate for you in all discussions and negotiations, ensuring that what’s best for you is at the center of the transaction. They will look at the transaction from your perspective and ensure that their advice and actions are always in alignment with what’s best for you legally, financially, and personally.

    Avoid dual representation
    STEERING CLEAR OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST: There is no way to objectively represent two opposing parties when it comes to negotiating price and repairs. This type of dual agency — where the same agent represents both the buyer and the seller on the same transaction — is not allowed in Maryland and requires specific disclosure when used in Virginia and DC. That’s because it’s a bad idea, and that’s why I don’t do it.

  • Work with ill-prepared sellers and listing agents
    GETTING YOUR TRANSACTION ACROSS THE FINISH LINE: It takes soft skills to navigate a working relationship with listing agents or sellers who do not understand how the contract works or who are unprepared for the sale process. Once you decide you still want to move the process forward, I’ll take care of facilitating even the most challenging transactions.

    Manage title clouds and undisclosed seller issues
    WORKING WITH CHALLENGES: There’s a lot that can go wrong during the contract period, and I provide experience in dealing with problems as they arise. Sometimes a seller needs a retroactive permit for an already-completed repair or addition. Maybe there’s a need for a blanket mortgage collateral release. These are just two examples of potential deal-killers, but I offer the expertise and experience to get them handled and keep your purchase on track.

    Deal with contract violations prior to closing
    HANDLING LAST-MINUTE HICCUPS: A lot can happen at the walkthrough. Perhaps repairs haven’t been made, or the property has not been delivered in the condition agreed-upon. You’ve got movers and settlement scheduled, so you don’t have time to stop everything and renegotiate. I’m experienced in providing time-sensitive interventions to keep your deal on track.

  • Assist through my long-term relationship with a top area title attorney for post-settlement needs
    OPTIMIZING THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME: For example, you may want to move a property into a trust for financial planning purposes. Maybe you need someone to review documents related to your property or purchase. Whatever your legal or advisory need, I can provide a trustworthy professional resource.

    Recommend service providers and tradespeople post-settlement
    CONNECTING YOU WITH THE HELP YOU NEED: Benefit from my extensive list of local tradespeople and industry experts, who will provide value and top-notch expertise in their fields. From legal and financial service providers to vendors and contractors, I always know just who to call to help you thrive in your new home.

    Offer real estate advice and information post-settlement
    PROVIDING SERVICE AFTER THE SALE: My clients lean on me for all aspects of home ownership and market analysis during their entire term of ownership. From tax and insurance reminders to value-added home improvement strategies, consider me your Realtor for life.

  • 7 years in mortgage financing, including loan production, wholesale and correspondent lending, debt consolidation and loan brokerage
    FINANCING EXPERTISE: Along with the real estate services I provide, my experience in the mortgage industry allows me to assist in evaluating multiple financing options, referring you to seasoned financing experts, and guiding you through the ins and outs of the overall loan process.

    • 2022 #1 individual agent RE/MAX Allegiance

    • Over 350 million in lifetime real estate transactions

    • Over 450 million in lifetime industry transactions

    • Chairman's club (2022)

    • Thirteen-time Platinum Club

    • Six-time 100% Club

    • RE/MAX Hall of Fame Award

    • RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement Award