Welcome and thank you for the opportunity to assist you in buying a home.
PierceSmith.com Real Estate is dedicated to a rewarding experience for all clients.
We are experienced individuals who love what we do for you in real estate, and it shows. PierceSmith.com Real Estate continues to be on the cutting-edge of what it takes in today's Real Estate Market to "Research your dream "lifestyle" home for the least price in the best neighborhood in the least amount of time".
Pierce Smith has 28 years experience in Marketing and Sales, Real Estate Agency, Investing, Contracting, Selling, and Property Management- First Licensed in 1980.
PierceSmith.com Real Estate handles all aspects of the buying-side of your real estate transaction; through exclusive, seasoned approaches such as "Tech-Alyticcr" methodology for locating the perfect home, presenting offers and acting as your agent. We work diligently to promote you so you get what you want in the time that you want, and bottom-line... we get your offers accepted.
You may be wondering if 2009 will be a good year to buy a home. Please read: Why 2009 will be the last year for the best home purchase.
Other agents and firms work with us because they know we will work hard to complete the transaction and see it to fruition, while maintaining professionalism. Simply stated...we play nice and work well with others! We turn your dream of homeownership into a reality.
PierceSmith.com Real Estate provides the visual tools to educate buyers while being pragmatic and highly-communicative. How do we prove your offer is an excellent offer?
One example:
. This link is always up-to-date. The chart shows the median pricing and days until sold for "Pacific Heights(black/orange) vs Sea Cliff/Lake(green/blue)".
We build "real time" data into your negotiating strategy. Timing is everything when buying! The PierceSmith.com exclusive "Tech-Alytic" research and analysis methodology supports your winning decision.
Get your "FREE" customized "real time" chart for your zip code. Know "What's New?": Price, Trends, Days until Sold, much more!
Why use PierceSmith.com Real Estate? The advantage of using a Personal Brokerage Firm such as PierceSmith.com Real Estate ensures that whatever you need as a client, through our quick response, personal concern and dedication, we will deliver! Simply stated...our word is our bond and your win is our win!
PS: Never a worry about us representing the Seller in your transaction. You are our company policy which means your trust is taken seriously.
Let's get started today!
D: 415-302-2138 E: Buying@PierceSmith.com
FAQs
Please phone or text message 415-302-2138 for instant answers your questions:
What is least monthly cost? to OWN or BUY?
Why use a Realtor?
I'm moving to San Francisco, what's happening? Where are the most walkable neighborhoods? Where is the best buy for gasoline?
FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER 2008 HOUSING STIMULUS LEGISLATION?
- Not owned a home for past 3 years makes you a 1st time buyer
- $7500 tax credit
- Home must be principal residence
- Any home qualifies
- Your income is less than $75,000 or $150,000 for married couples
- Partial tax credit for you if you make $75,000 to $95,000
- Married couples making $150,000 to $170,000 receive partial tax credit.
- You have until July 1, 2009 to close your home to qualify
How do I receive a lower price than listed price?
Get a "metric" comparative market analysis of the area/neighborhood from us. Click for neighborhood schools, crime, homes sold, history,etc., thoroughly inspect the home for any suspicious defects, ask how many days on the market (DOM), when and what price was the property purchased by the existing owner, check the building department for permits, ask us to negotiate a lower price.
How do I get access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)?
We offer a search engine on this site. Enter your specific criteria and submit and print for a list of open houses for sale.
How do I know if the price is right before I make an offer?
We will prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) showing the sold properites that fit your target home criteria in your selected neighborhood. The CMA is a starting point only. Many other factors will be researched and reported to you prior to you making an offer vis our exclusive "Tech-Alyticcm" method .
We offer a free "OFFER STRATEGY" matrix with suggestions. You will complete a series of mock offers based upon the listing price and alternative conditions. The matrix will give you "quiet time" to practice thinking through an offer and meet your own expectations.
What does it mean if a sale is "as is"?
My opinion? Only a "short sale", "foreclosure", or some "probates" should be sold "as is". Every other home is known by the owner. That is, the owner must complete a disclosure contract stating all known material defects. However, in the case of short sales and foreclosures, the lender has NO knowledge of the home. Furthermore, each agent (seller's and buyer's) must complete a disclosure contract based upon each agent's inspection. My recommendation, never buy a home without a professional contractor's inspection. A list of recommended certified inspectors is provided.
How do I find a great Real Estate agent?
Most buyers see a home on an "open house", in a newspaper, or on the internet and call the agent who listed the home. About 18% of buyers purchase through the same agent that represents the Seller (i.e. listing agent). Remember the Seller's agent (listing agent) has a fiduciary (legal contract of trust) responsibility to their Seller to get the highest price possible. How can that agent represent you too? Are you going to get the best price? Is there a biased relationship between the Seller and the listing agent? Is redress from the listing agent easy? Who presents your offer to the Seller?
Since your best interests are served by educating yourself, interview 2-3 agents who show ability to teach and have knowledge of real estate. Brokers are usually more committed to real estate "know how" and have more real estate education. Reject the braggards, dominate, or pushy types; accept the interested, inquisitive agents who show a sincere interest in YOU. If you are doing most of the talking and they are listening, asking questions, writing what you say, put that agent on your list.
How much do I pay in closing costs?
Your agent can estimate the closing for you. The escrow officer will give you an official amount later in escrow.
Why do I need a letter of prequalification?
Yes, most owners will not want to withhold marketing their home while you apply for a loan. Short sale may be an exception. Multiple prequalification applications are not recommended because each application lowers your FICO score by about 2-5 points. So, ask the lender for the longest "lock in" interest period they can give you.
What procedure do you recomend to buy a home?
Become prequalified with a lender. Search the MLS internet homes within your target neighborhood using your criteria: price, beds/baths, neighborhood, style (Edwardian, modern, etc.), etc. Visit homes on Open houses. Interview and hire a buyers agent. I recommend an exclusive agreement if you like the agent. The agent will work harder because they know you are trusting and can be trusted.
How do I develop a plan-of-action for buying?
A plan-of-action is built upon the data/information you have gathered and goal setting. Think about when you want to own your home (select an exact date); the neighborhood you selected; the price you want to pay. Share your information with your agent so the agent can focus on your goal.
What is the best way to work with a Real Estate agent?
With your plan-of-action in hand, sign a "Buyer's Agreement*" with your agent, you are ready to take charge. Your agent will work while you are on your job. The agent will preview at 8-10 homes, select the best 3-4, then make arrangements with owners and their listing agents to show you the homes. Pay close attention to your reaction to whatever you see in homes. Here's where your intuition speaks. Share your likes, dislikes, and ambiguities with your agent openly and frankly.
When you visit "YOUR NEW HOME", your intuition is screaming. You know this is the home you have always wanted. Make your best offer confidently, decisively and lovingly.
*"Buyers Agreement" is in your best interests because the Agent is secured and motivated to work hard for you. Can you fire the agent? Yes! You will sign a release from the agreement. However, most buyers love the "Buyers Agreement". Why? You will meet lots of agents and have friends who will offer you their "best friend" agent to call. It's a little bit like being married. You can always thwart a suitor politely when you have an agreement. My buyers carry my business card to give to overly agressive agents.
Does the Seller pay my agent's commission costs?.
Since the Seller sets the commission, one could consider the Seller pays the commission for the Buyer's agent. This fact is offset by the Buyer agent's fiduciary responsibility to get you the lowest price possible. Caution: Never let the Sellers agent be your agent too. Do you see why? The Seller's agent has a fiduciary responsibility to obtain the highest possible price for their Seller client. We focus on lowest possible offer strategy as our fiduciary responsibility. We think our philosophy perpetuates referrals from satisfied buyers like you.
All the paperwork wastes my time, is there a paperless technology?
Yes, we offer completely paperless transactions with 3-5 year permanent backup. We brand this as "Tech-Alyticscr" which includes all tipping point technology used in our real estate practice. Here's how we handle paperwork. At the time of any signing, in advance, you receive a study binder containing exactly what you will be signing. Prior to signing we schedule a Q&A meeting and the actual signing which will take 5-12 minutes of signing on a computer screen, you instantly receive an email or fax of what you signed. The buyer/seller/brokers/escrow instantly receive an email or fax (whatever preferred or both). Your advantage is timing by having your offer submitted faster than other offers. This time-stamps "Your Offers" in case of "offer" competition. Also, I personally present your offer to the Seller. You may choose to "opt-out" of a paperless transaction if you wish.
What are the major pitfalls for a buyer and how do I avoid them?
Not following your intuition, inadequate education about the market, not sure of what you want or need, making decisions without facts. Avoid the pitfalls by educating yourself while surrounding yourself with a helpful real estate professional like PierceSmith.com.
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