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Expert Real Estate Advice

Buying With Rachael

Buying a home is a huge decision, and Rachael prides herself in guiding you through the process each step of the way.
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Pre-Qualification:

First step Rachael recommends is meeting with a mortgage broker and find out how much you can afford to pay for a home. Quote from Rachael:

"While knowing how much you can afford is the first step, sellers will be much more receptive to potential buyers who have been pre-approved.  You'll also avoid being disappointed when going after homes that are out of your price range. With pre-approval, the buyer actually applies for a mortgage and receives a commitment transcribed in writing from a lender. A benefit, assuming the home you're interested in is at or under the amount you are pre-qualified for, shows the seller immediately that you are a serious buyer for that property. Negotiations can immediately begin taking place and fare well on the side of the buyer. Costs for pre-approval are generally nominal and lenders will usually permit you to pay them when you close your loan".

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Needs & Wants:

MAKE 2 LISTS

  1. List One: The first should include items you must have in the home (i.e., the number of bedrooms you need for the size of your family, a one-story house if accessibility is a factor, etc.).
  2. List Two: The second list is your wishes, things you would like to have (pool, den, etc.) but that are not absolutely necessary. Realistically for first-time buyers, you probably will not get everything on your wish list, but it will keep you on track for what you are looking for.
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Focused & Organized:

In a convenient location, keep handy the items that will assist you in maximizing your home search efforts. Such items may include:

  1. One or more detailed maps with your areas of interest highlighted.
  2. A file of the properties that your agent has shown to you, along with ads you have cut out from the newspaper.
  3. Paper and pen, for taking notes as you search.
  4. Instant or video camera to help refresh your memory on individual properties, especially if you are attending a series of showings.
  5. Location: Look at a potential property as if you are the seller. Would a prospective buyer find it attractive based on school district, crime rate, proximity to positive (shopping, parks, freeway access) and negative (abandoned properties, garbage dump, source of noise) features of the area?

Imagination:

The house that catches your eye might not be empty so now is the time to picture the home replaced with your decor. Are the rooms laid out to fit your needs? Is there enough light? Will the furniture fit? Is there room for Fido to fetch? All important questions we ask our buyers's to visualize.

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Be Objective:

Instead of thinking with your heart when you find a home, think with your head. Does this home really meet your needs? There are many houses on the market, so don’t make a hurried decision that you may regret later.

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Be Thorough:

A few extra dollars well spent now on inspections and mortgage contingencies may save you big expenses in the long run. Don’t forget such essentials as:

  1. Have the property inspected by a professional inspector.
  2. Request a second walk-through to take place within 24 hours of closing.
  3. You want to check to see that no changes have been made that were not agreed on (i.e., a nice chandelier that you assumed came with the sale having been replaced by a cheap ceiling light)
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Find Representation:

By a licensed real estate professional is the best way to help you keep organized with all the details of preparing for the purchase of your new home. Please email Rachael or call her directly to discuss any of these matters in further detail.

See Why My Clients Love Me

Testimonials

"Rachael is simply the best. We have worked with her multiple times over the years. Her professionalism, care, and skill far exceed any other realtor we have worked with. Highly recommended!"
"Rachael is simply the best. We have worked with her multiple times over the years. Her professionalism, care, and skill far exceed any other realtor we have worked with. Highly recommended!"
Nate N.
"We can't sing enough praise about Rachael. We have been working with her for over 12 years, and she has assisted us with selling, purchasing, and leasing multiple homes. Because of her attentiveness, full commitment, and warm spirit, you would think you’re her only client. She has proven to be one of the most professional and dedicated realtors one would hope to meet! In fact, the term realtor does not begin to describe the knowledge she has of real estate, as a whole. When Rachael says, “Going the extra mile one step at a time”, we say those are some big steps!"
"We can't sing enough praise about Rachael. We have been working with her for over 12 years, and she has assisted us with selling, purchasing, and leasing multiple homes. Because of her attentiveness, full commitment, and warm spirit, you would think you’re her only client. She has proven to be one of the most professional and dedicated realtors one would hope to meet! In fact, the term realtor does not begin to describe the knowledge she has of real estate, as a whole. When Rachael says, “Going the extra mile one step at a time”, we say those are some big steps!"
Tyshae J.
"Rachael is the best! She is very professional, very attentive, very knowledgeable, and very good at everything she does. She is quick at responding to texts and questions, she guides us in the best plan for us and our situation, and she is honest about everything. In addition, she is so sweet, and kind and becomes like a friend/family. I felt amazed by her professionalism and felt cared for by her kindness. You will feel confident with her as a buyer and seller (we bought a house with her, and sold a house with her). Any problems you have, any stress that might appear she makes sure is solved and she makes sure you are okay. She helped my sister buy a house, she helped my friend buy a house too. All of the people I recommended told me she is so good at what she does, and also they felt confident and felt well taken care of. She goes above and beyond. I am thankful that I met her and I highly recommend her."
"Rachael is the best! She is very professional, very attentive, very knowledgeable, and very good at everything she does. She is quick at responding to texts and questions, she guides us in the best plan for us and our situation, and she is honest about everything. In addition, she is so sweet, and kind and becomes like a friend/family. I felt amazed by her professionalism and felt cared for by her kindness. You will feel confident with her as a buyer and seller (we bought a house with her, and sold a house with her). Any problems you have, any stress that might appear she makes sure is solved and she makes sure you are okay. She helped my sister buy a house, she helped my friend buy a house too. All of the people I recommended told me she is so good at what she does, and also they felt confident and felt well taken care of. She goes above and beyond. I am thankful that I met her and I highly recommend her."
Elena G.
"There aren't enough positive adjectives to describe our experience working with Rachael. She constantly went above and beyond her job description to help us through the building of our home."
"There aren't enough positive adjectives to describe our experience working with Rachael. She constantly went above and beyond her job description to help us through the building of our home."
Lori S.
"Rachael is a force! She works until the job is successfully executed, and she has clear, concise, urgent communication throughout with her clients and other parties involved. Once you work with Rachael, you will never work with another agent ever again. She makes the home-buying process absolutely seamless!"
"Rachael is a force! She works until the job is successfully executed, and she has clear, concise, urgent communication throughout with her clients and other parties involved. Once you work with Rachael, you will never work with another agent ever again. She makes the home-buying process absolutely seamless!"
Francesca C.
"Rachael is a delight to work with. She’s very responsive and knows the market inside and out. She understood exactly what we were looking for and helped us find the perfect home in our dream neighborhood – all while we were still living and selling in another state. She went above and beyond even after the closing. I highly recommend Rachael to anyone looking for a real estate agent."
"Rachael is a delight to work with. She’s very responsive and knows the market inside and out. She understood exactly what we were looking for and helped us find the perfect home in our dream neighborhood – all while we were still living and selling in another state. She went above and beyond even after the closing. I highly recommend Rachael to anyone looking for a real estate agent."
David S.
"We have known and been raving fans of Rachael Hill for more than 10 years, and in that time she has helped our family (including our grown children) with 12 separate transactions. Rachael is an amazing strategic partner in the context of buying and selling real estate. Words that best describe Rachael include diligent, prepared, tenacious, knowledgeable, relentless, and service-oriented. You will not find a better representative than Rachael Hill."
"We have known and been raving fans of Rachael Hill for more than 10 years, and in that time she has helped our family (including our grown children) with 12 separate transactions. Rachael is an amazing strategic partner in the context of buying and selling real estate. Words that best describe Rachael include diligent, prepared, tenacious, knowledgeable, relentless, and service-oriented. You will not find a better representative than Rachael Hill."
‍Jim G.
"After our first meeting with Rachael, we knew she was the one. Smart, pleasant, professional, and knowledgeable. During the process of building our house, Rachael attended and actively participated in all meetings with the builder, Home inspector, and designer. It was very helpful. Rachael also sold our house. It was unbelievable! She helped to prepare the house for sale and after 28 appointments in 3 days and 8 offers, the house was sold. Rachael impressed us with her work ethic. And most importantly, she treated us as if we were her only clients. We recommend Rachael Hill - she is the best!"
"After our first meeting with Rachael, we knew she was the one. Smart, pleasant, professional, and knowledgeable. During the process of building our house, Rachael attended and actively participated in all meetings with the builder, Home inspector, and designer. It was very helpful. Rachael also sold our house. It was unbelievable! She helped to prepare the house for sale and after 28 appointments in 3 days and 8 offers, the house was sold. Rachael impressed us with her work ethic. And most importantly, she treated us as if we were her only clients. We recommend Rachael Hill - she is the best!"
Zina Z.
"Rachael is the best. I would not be able to buy a house if it was not for Rachael. She is beyond a person with her personality and her professionalism. I am a young person but that didn't matter for Rachael. She gave me the respect as a client and she made sure others also gave me the respect. I appreciate everything to her!"
"Rachael is the best. I would not be able to buy a house if it was not for Rachael. She is beyond a person with her personality and her professionalism. I am a young person but that didn't matter for Rachael. She gave me the respect as a client and she made sure others also gave me the respect. I appreciate everything to her!"
Joo Young H.
"Rachael is the best! She knows what she is doing. I have bought and sold a few houses. She walked through the house and gave us step by step on how to make it better. My wife and I just love her. She spent 2 hours with us when we met. She really wanted to get a feel for us. She is honest about what we can and cannot do. You would be crazy not to call her."
"Rachael is the best! She knows what she is doing. I have bought and sold a few houses. She walked through the house and gave us step by step on how to make it better. My wife and I just love her. She spent 2 hours with us when we met. She really wanted to get a feel for us. She is honest about what we can and cannot do. You would be crazy not to call her."
Jerry H.