Whatever the reason you find yourself in the market, you're here! We're just glad you've given us a chance to share some of our ideas with you.

     The first thing we want to tell you is that you have the right to be represented by your own real estate agent. Although it was a while ago it was by law that the only party represented in a real estate transaction was the seller. An agent had no choice ... the seller was always the one the agent worked for. Fortunately, the business has become much fairer to everyone because, now, the buyer can be equally represented with the seller.

     An agent has the responsibility to let you know your options early on in the buyer/agent relationship. A new law requires it be done at the earlier of your first scheduled appointment or the first showing of a property. That's when you'll be told about the different business relationships that can exist between you and the agent. The agent will explain the differences between Seller Agency, Buyer Agency, and Dual Agency.

     In a nutshell, Seller Agency is when the seller is exclusively represented by an agent. In Buyer Agency, the agent works solely for the buyer. Dual Agency is a hybrid wherein the agent is equally representing both sides (the buyer and the seller) of the transaction. Quite frankly, Dual Agency is the mode we operate in most of the time because we frequently are able to match the homes we have listed with buyers we're working with. If there's nothing in our inventory that will work for a buyer, we automatically put ourselves in the role of Buyer's Agent when we look at another agent's listings. Guess what? We've never charged a buyer a fee ... ever! We can represent you and get paid to do so by the seller.

     There are pros and cons to every form of agency and we'll be happy to discuss them all with you when it's appropriate. For now, just remember that you have the right to be represented and you should be informed of that right during the first meeting with your agent.

     Please understand...there are lots of good agents who will do a wonderful job for you. It's just that Carolyn and I work hard to give our clients and customers service beyond what they expect. We live the real estate business and are constantly looking for ways to be better at it. I think that's why we complete as many transactions in a year as some agents do in an entire career. We want our customers and clients to be confident that no one will do a better job for them than we will and that they have the benefit of our abundant, current experience.

     We're constantly viewing homes so we have a very good idea of what's available at any given moment. When we meet with you, we'll get as much information as practical and then we'll go shopping for your new home.

     One of the things we'll help you through is a completely painless event called prequalifying. It's probably the best thing you can do before you even look at a house. We'll refer you to a mortgage representative (or two, or three if you prefer), who will be able to tell you how much house you qualify for. Or how much house your target payment will allow you to buy when factored with, among other things, your down payment.

     Once you've met with a mortgage person, even if it's over the phone, you will be able to get a Good Faith Estimate, a document that will tell you what you qualify for and approximate your closing costs. It's easy but absolutely essential to do prior to beginning your new home shopping adventure.

     When you're represented by The Rash Team, you'll be given all the information necessary to put together a realistic offer on any house your want. Let's face it ... nobody wants to pay too much for anything and, on a house, that could be easy to do! With us, you'll be coached through the entire process and have peace of mind knowing that the offer you've made will have been informed and fair.

     We can help you with any home that has a For Sale sign in the yard. It doesn't matter which brokerage has it listed, we can help you buy that home. Even if the home you see is for sale by the owner (not being offered by a real estate company), we can represent you, protecting your interests, and we can probably get the seller to pay for our services.

     So there you have an overview of what you can expect from us. As I mentioned, there are a lot of good agents available to help you, but I believe that you will find no one who will take your best interest to heart like we will.

     One last thought ... I learned a long time ago that the most effective advertising is word-of-mouth and that we all get it; we just want to make sure ours is positive.