Why you should choose me to be your buyer’s agent
In today’s real estate market, choosing the right agent is more important than ever. With the rapid changes in available mortgage programs, the large influx of foreclosed homes, short sales, houses assessed for more than they’re selling for and a plethora of other factors, make choosing an experienced, knowledgeable, full time agent even more important than in the past.
Once you’ve made the decision to purchase a home (or investment property) the first two things you need to do is contact a loan officer (I have the contact information for a couple of great Lenders if you don't have one already) and contact a full time, experienced Real Estate agent. People that are working exclusively for you, the Buyer.
When you work with multiple agents, none of them will work as hard for you as they would if they know they have your loyalty. Multiple agents will send you the same listings (or they should if they’re using the same search criteria) so there’s really no advantage to working with more than one agent. How much work (and time) can you expect a person to invest in your search when there’s a good chance another agent will show the property to you?
There’s more to finding a house for a client than plugging the search criteria in the MLS and emailing it to the buyer/client. The first time I show you houses I get a good idea of what you really like and dislike. If you want automatic MLS updates, I will be happy to do that for you, but I will also go through the updates myself and cull out unsuitable listings and only send you houses that suit your needs. After I get a good idea of what you do and don’t like in a house I use my knowledge of the area and my experience to help you find the home that best suites your needs as well as considering the investment aspect of the purchase.
I look out for your best interest, educate you about the process, and will work harder for you than any other agent.
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Upon our first conversation I will question you thoroughly so I can start your first search. There’s a good chance that search will change after I’ve shown you a few houses, but I need to get as much information from you as possible to make that search a thorough one.
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I will discuss agency with you which has been required in this area since 1994
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The first time I show you houses I will show you a variety of homes in a variety of areas (such as different subdivisions or different lakes if you’re a lakefront buyer) but that still meet your basic criteria
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After the first trip out to look at houses I will go back to the computer and alter your search criteria. I then look at EVERY listing that comes up, the additional photos the listing agent supplies, if the house is in Oakland County I look at aerial views, then pick out the houses I feel will best fit your needs
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Once you’ve found the house you want I will pull comps (comparable sales) and together we will put together an offer. Then the negotiations start.
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Once we’ve come to terms with the seller we schedule the home inspection (I can recommend a very good home inspector if you don’t already have one).
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After the home inspection I will order the title work and get the pertinent information to your loan officer who will order an appraisal and convert your “pre-approval” into a mortgage commitment, then we proceed to closing (this typically takes approximately a month from the time our offer is accepted to close).
Below are just a few things that set Kari Tail Butz apart from other agents as well as some myths or common misconceptions about purchasing real estate, and the facts. Please don’t hesitate to call or email if you have any questions. My direct cell number is 248-459-9789 and my email address is Kari@BuyMiHomes.com
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Kari is an experienced, full time Realtor who is knowledgeable about the market area, experienced in negotiation and very committed to providing you the best service possible.
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With out of the area buyers or transferees I will preview houses for you and take photos and/or video to send to you before you make that trip to Michigan. This will help you weed out some of the homes you wouldn’t be interested in
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I advise you on the investment portion of your purchase. I point out potential repairs. I'm not a Builder or Home Inspector, but I've seen literally thousands of homes and will probably see problems that many home buyers may overlook. We discuss re-saleability, I WILL GIVE YOU MY OPINION – it’s not the goal to just hustle you into the first house you express interest in.
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When we look at houses, I give you the full listing of each house along with the listing history, the public records sheet (which may show what the seller paid and how much the mortgage is)....information is power.
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Most importantly I listen to your wants and needs and look out for YOUR interests 100%
Myth: The new taxes will be based on half the new sales price.
Fact: There are 2 assessments on your tax bill: your taxable value and the state equalized value (SEV). Upon transfer of ownership the SEV becomes the new taxable. That may be higher than half the sales price.
Myth: Sellers are coming down 20%, 30%, 40% and more.
Fact: In most areas, sellers are coming down about 2-5% on average. It’s your agent’s job to help you determine what is a fair price to pay. Some sellers are coming down more than the average stated above, but some houses are selling for more than asking price.
Myth: Short sale means it will close fast.
Fact: Short sale is when the seller owes more on the house than he will be able to sell it for so he is asking the bank to take a reduction on the payoff requiring a 3rd party approval of the purchase agreement. Sometimes this can be accomplished in a matter of a couple of weeks, but often times it can take anywhere from 60-180 days to hear an answer on your offer.
Myth: Foreclosures are the best deals.
Fact: Sometimes they are a decent deal. Some are beat up and some are pristine. But the foreclosures have had a big influence on setting prices that have forced regular home sellers to lower their prices in order to compete with the foreclosures.
Direct Mobile........248-459-9789
Understanding Agency and Agency Relationships
By Jackie Hawley
When I form an agency relationship with a client I owe certain fiduciary duties to that client: Loyalty, Obedience, Disclosure, Confidentiality, Reasonable care and diligence, and Accounting. And since 1994 we owe these duties to our buyer clients as well as our seller clients. In MI we now have Seller’s agents (aka the listing agent), Buyer’s agents, Disclosed dual agents, Designated agents, and Non-agents (transaction broker or facilitator).
The first two are pretty self explanatory. Buyer’s agents have a fiduciary duty to their buyers; seller’s agents have that same duty to their sellers. Designated agency is a little newer. When I first started practicing Buyer Representation, the problem of dual agency reared its ugly head. Clients belong to the broker (company), not the individual agents. So if I had a listing and someone in the office had a buyer client for that listing, we were both forced into dual agency – even though I probably never met his buyer and he probably never met my seller. Because the broker represented both clients. Then along came designated agency. Now if another agent in my office has a listing, I still represent my Buyer and he still represents his Seller. With ReMax Encore offering "Designated Agency" the broker becomes a dual agent while the actual agents involved in the nuts and bolts of the transaction can still fully represent their respective clients. Dual Agency is exactly what it sounds like......one agent representing both Buyer and Seller (not recommended).
You will find a high level of skill, experience and ethics with myself and the agents at Re/Max Encore. So please consider me for all your real estate needs. When you have the time, please check out the rest of my web site.......It's packed full of local and area information. I am constantly adding and tweaking (any suggestions would be greatly appreciated).
Lets find You a New Home!!!!
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