Click on the following topics to learn how I can help you understand everything you need to know about a real estate transaction. Can I help You? The Buying Process Finding Selecting Negotiating The Purchase Due Diligence Financing Closing Selling Real Estate Marketing Negotiating The Sale Monitoring, Renegotiating and Closing How Do I Get Paid? Can I help You? (up) The answer is YES! When you're ready to think about buying or selling real estate, you need to ask yourself the following questions: Do you have the time, energy, sources of information, and contacts to do the job yourself? (Get a copy of my FREE REPORT: How To Sell Your Home In Today's Market.) If you are one of the 'do-it-your-self' people, would the results be as good or better than they would be if you had professional assistance? Would it have gone smoother? Would it have given you more personal time? Would you have purchased for less, or sold for more, if I had represented you? (For a real eye opening FREE REPORT, let me send you a copy of Straight Answers About An Agent's Role.) My Associates and I are committed to providing you with an uncompromising level of personalized service. My affiliation with RE/MAX affords me the "clout" and resources most real estate agents simply can't offer. We offer: A National Reputation Maximum Advertising Exposure A specific marketing plan for properties Worldwide Referral Network Mortgage Loans Escrow Services Title Insurance All real estate licensees are not the same. I am not just a typical "sales agent", I am a real estate BROKER. I have earned the coveted CRB, CRS, GRI and ABR professional designations. (The difference could be described as that between a High School Diploma and a Ph.D.) I am also a member of the prestigious National Association of REALTORS®. I am committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. I subscribe to a strict code of ethics and am expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. Since 1976, my clients have repeatedly recommended me to their families and friends because they know that I will passionately fight for them. Buying and selling real estate is typically the single most important decision most people will make in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? At the risk of sounding arrogant or self serving, don't you think it would be foolish to consider buying or selling a home without my assistance considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk? The Buying Process (up) The process of buying a home or investment generally starts with determining your buying power; that is, your financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity. After you give me some basic information about your available savings, income and current debt, I can refer you to those lenders who are best qualified to help you. (Most lenders - banks and mortgage companies - offer limited choices.) I recommend that you get a copy these FREE REPORTS: How Much Home Can You Afford? 17 Ways To Maximize Your Buying Power! Finding (up) Once you know how much you can and want to invest, the next step is to find the properties that most nearly fit your needs. This is the time to choose me, Stephen O'Hara, as your personal REALTOR®. As a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, a real estate trade association, I have agreed to abide by the REALTOR'S Code of Ethics. I have many resources to assist you in your search for a new home. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market. It will usually take a thorough investigation to find all available properties. Selecting (up) Your job is to make the final selection of the right property for you. This is when excitement and emotions run high. I will assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property. I have access to a variety of informational resources. I can provide local community information on utilities, zoning, schools, etc. There are two things you'll want to know. First, will the property provide the environment you want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when you are ready to sell? Negotiating The Purchase (up) There is a myriad of negotiating factors, including, but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession, and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment. Negotiating is my specialty. The purchase agreement should also provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. I will advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required. Due Diligence (up) With a negotiated agreement in hand, it is time to complete the evaluation of the property. Depending on the area and property, this could include inspections for termites, dry rot, asbestos, faulty structure, roof condition, septic tank and swimming pool tests, just to name a few. My E-team and I will assist you in finding qualified, responsible professionals to do most of these investigations and provide you with written reports. You will also want to see a preliminary report on the title of the property. Title validates ownership of property. The title to most properties will have some limitations; for example, easements (access rights) for utilities. However, sometimes, a title can be mired with liens, judgments and other "clouds" which could limit your right to enjoyment, use and access to the property. My E-team and I, the title company or an attorney can help you resolve issues that might cause problems at a later date. Financing (up) As soon as you are reasonably sure the property you have chosen is right for you, the process of obtaining financing begins. I will help you understand different financing options and in identifying qualified lenders. I have some great information available to you in my FREE REPORT entitled How To Shop For A Lender. Closing (up) Finally, there is the closing. (You may refer to this part of the process as the "settlement".) In Southern California, the escrow company will handle this process. Again, my E-team and I will guide you through this process and make sure everything flows together smoothly. Selling Real Estate (up) Interested in selling your home? You might want to investigate my special Alternative Commission Plans. Simply stated, my Seller's make more money...ASK ME HOW!! When I help you market your property, my Seller's Pledge is your assurance that you will receive service that will exceed your expectations. You won't have to allow strangers into your home. My E-team and I will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property. Properly Priced Homes will help you get More Showings and help your home sell faster and for more money during the first weeks of the listing. Do You Know How To Avoid The 10 Biggest Selling Mistakes? If you don't, request a FREE COPY of this popular report TODAY! ATTENTION SENIORS! Have you asked yourself the seven question ALL seniors should ask before they decide to sell? You need to carefully read my FREE REPORT entitled: How To Decide When To Sell. Marketing (up) The next step is a marketing plan. Often, I will recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of the property. Marketing includes the exposure of your property to other real estate agents and the public. Over 50% of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than myself will bring us the buyer. I will act as your marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR¨ Code of Ethics requires me to utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit my clients. Advertising is an important part of my marketing "mix." The choice of media and frequency of advertising depends a lot on the property and specific market. For example, in some areas, newspaper advertising may generate phone calls to me but, statistically, they have a minimum effect on selling a specific property. Overexposure of a property in any media may give a buyer the impression the property is distressed or the seller is desperate. My experience gives me the ability to know when, where and how to advertise your property. Where do Buyers come from? There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. The National Association of REALTORS¨ studies show that up to 72% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends and family, and personal contacts. I advertise in many places. My ads appear in real estate magazines, various newspapers like the LA TIMES and, many of my listings appear in the big 4-page RE/MAX display advertisement which appears each Saturday in the Homefinder Section of The Orange County Register. Do you know the 20 Amazing Secrets which give your old house "new Home" sales appeal? Let me send you a copy of my FREE REPORT entitled Market-Smart Improvements Every Seller Should Know. Negotiating the Sale (up) The negotiation process deals with much the same issues for both buyers and sellers, as noted above under the buying process. I will help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections, and financing - a lot of possible pitfalls. I can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process. Do you know the NINE SECRETS to sell your home in the shortest time and still get top dollar? Supplies are limited on this particular FREE REPORT entitled Negotiating The Best Offer For Your Home, so, request your FREE COPY now! Monitoring, Renegotiating and Closing (up) Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud on the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. I believe that I am the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement). How Do I Get Paid?(up) Like most real estate professionals, I am generally paid through the sales commission paid by the seller when a transaction closes. (Don't forget to ask me about my popular ALTERNATIVE COMMISSION programs which net my clients more.) Like you, I have expenses and financial obligations. Real Estate is "what I do" for a living. I promise to respect your loyalty and respond by working hard for you and with a sincere commitment to you. In this way, you will receive maximum value for the fees you pay for my services.