Sandra's Home Buying Guide
From dreaming to owning.
Buying a home is one of life’s most exciting journeys, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way. Whether you’re envisioning a sprawling estate, a charming suburban retreat, or a modern luxury property in the heart of Northern Virginia, my goal is to make your experience as seamless and rewarding as possible.
My Home Buyer’s Guide is designed to give you all the tools, insights, and support you need to navigate the process with confidence. From understanding the current market to finding the home that perfectly matches your lifestyle, you’ll find valuable information to help you make informed decisions.
With years of experience in Northern Virginia’s luxury real estate market, I’m proud to offer expertise, personalized service, and a deep knowledge of the region’s most sought-after communities. I’ll work closely with you to identify your priorities, answer your questions, and handle the details so you can focus on the excitement of finding your dream home.
Let’s make your vision a reality. Dive into the guide and reach out anytime — I’m here to help!
Preparation is Key
One of my favorite quotes comes from the great Roman philosopher Seneca the Younger who said that "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." Here are a few things you can do to make sure you are well prepared to begin your home search.
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Review your finances. Make certain you have a complete, up-to-date picture of your assets, liabilities, income and cashflow.
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Set a Budget. Make a rationale decision about how much home you can afford and stick to it.
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Talk to a Lender. If you intend to finance your home purchase, consult with a mortgage broker and get pre-approved for a home loan.
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List Your Needs & Wants. Collaborate with your partner on your priorities -- everything from how far you are willing to commute, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you require, a fenced yard for Fido, a swimming pool, etc. Rank your priorities in order.​
Interview Realtors
Working with an experienced, savvy Realtor is your best defense against everything that could potentially go wrong. Your Realtor is your advocate, your champion and the expert you rely on to guide you through a successful purchase. I urge you to make a good choice and to take your time doing it.
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A recent study by the National Association of Realtors showed that 63% of home buyers went with the first Realtor they contacted. I personally recommend interviewing at least 3.
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Here are some good questions to pose to your prospective Realtor:
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How long have you been licensed?
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How many buyers did you work with last year?
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How will you be compensated for your time?
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What is the market like right now? Is it a buyer's market or a seller's market?
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Tell me about your negotiation skills?
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What price range do you typically work in?
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Can you provide references?
House Hunting
Actually visiting and touring homes is definitely the most fun part of the process, both for you and me. I love the thrill of the hunt and the opportunity to see beautiful homes. Here are a few thoughts to make your hunt more enjoyable and productive:
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Preview the home online before visiting in person. Most homes now offer virtual tours which will make your in-person visit more valuable.
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Plan to take notes and LOTS of pictures. After a full day of driving around it can be difficult to remember details.
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Make a lunch plan and bring snacks and water. You don't want to rush a tour because you're experiencing low blood sugar or dehydration.
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Take your time. It's easy to feel rushed or in a hurry to beat out the competition. Slow your roll, but be ready to act decisively when the moment is right.
Making an Offer
Over the past several years, a housing shortage has made the home buying process much more competitive. If you really want your home of choice, it is critically important to write a compelling offer. Here are some tips:
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Make your best offer first. This doesn't mean you should automatically overpay. But I do highly recommend that you do not make low-ball offers to test the waters.
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Consider contingencies. Your offer may include contingent clauses that allow you to get out of the deal based on the results of a home inspection, your loan approval or other factors. Keep in mind that your contingent offer could be "kicked out", even after acceptance by an offer with fewer contingencies.
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Accommodate the seller. Offering a rent-back or showing flexibility on the closing date can make a huge difference in whether or not your offer is accepted.
The Home Inspection
If you have included a home inspection as part of your offer, this is your opportunity to have a professional evaluate the property for potential problems. Here are some thoughts on how to make the inspection go smoothly.
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Choose a reputable professional. Ask me for a recommendation. If you have specific concerns about the house, ask in advance if the home inspector is qualified to evaluate that particular issue.
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Your father-in-law probably isn't a professional home inspector. Leave him home. If possible, make arrangements to leave the kids and your dog home as well. You don't want any distractions.
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This is NOT an opportunity to renegotiate the contract. You can make a list of issues and ask the seller to address them before closing. It is not realistic to expect a price reduction based on your findings.
Closing the Deal
If your Realtor and your lender have done their jobs, the closing process should be smooth and stress-free. The worst thing that is likely to happen at closing is that you'll get writer's cramps from signing so many forms. Here are a few pro-tips to get you through:
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Review a "net sheet" with your Realtor prior to closing. Compare your expected bottom-line with the documents presented at closing. There usually are minor differences but the final numbers should be close.
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You will be presented with more contracts, forms and disclosures than you could possibly read in a single sitting. Rely on your Realtor to discuss or review the most important documents before signing.
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Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you genuinely don't understand something that you're being asked to sign -- wait until it has been explained to your complete satisfaction.
Live Happily Ever After!
Congratulations! You did it. Whether this was your first home purchase or your fifth, you have completed one of the most important financial transactions of your life. Now you get to enjoy all of the benefits of home ownership.
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I truly hope that this overview of the process is helpful to you and will make your home buying experience less stressful and more rewarding.
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One of the key themes that I hope you will take away is that your choice of a Realtor is one of the most important decisions you will make along the way.
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Choose me and I promise to leverage all of my experience to your advantage. I will work hard and communicate with you constantly. No one cares more or fights harder. Thank you for your consideration.