1. Initial meeting with a Carolina Realty Solutions Realtor. This first meeting is specifically designed as an informal get acquainted session between you and your prospective agent. Once you decide that you and your CRS agent are a good match, the exciting process of house hunting can begin!! Your agent will go over all the basic information with you about the home buying process, and will answer any questions or concerns you may have. Keep in mind, the seller pays the commission to both the listing agent and your buyer's agent. The entire process for you, the buyer, FREE!!! During this first meeting, you and your agent will discuss all the initial details of the kind and location of the home you are looking for, as well as any special or unique features you are looking for. Your agent will also prequalify you to give you an idea of the price range that you will be able to afford. Remember also, once you decide that the CRS agent is right for you, we are legally bound to represent YOU. We're here t protect you the buyer, not the seller.

2. Meeting with a lender. Although some real estate firms don't put as much emphasis on an early meeting with a lender, we here at CRS feel that it is very important. If you're not familiar with a lender yourself, we have many that we deal with, and can find the best program to fit your needs. The lender can review all of your information and can "preapprove" you for a certain amount. When it comes time to make an offer, being preapproved makes your offer stronger, as it shows you have already acquired the necessary financing. A very important point to some sellers who perhaps have had their last contract fall apart when the buyer couldn't get loan approval.

3. The Search. Based on all the information you have shared with your agent, they will search the Multiple Listing Service, or MLS for all the properties that might fit your needs. Then it's off to see them for yourself. Your agent will set up appointments to see the properties, and accompany you on each showing. We recommend you look at several homes before making a decision as you can get a much better feel for the neighborhood, and how one house might measure up against another. We also recommend that once you decide on a home that's right for you, you visit it at least twice. During the second visit you'll have a much better chance to notice many details you may have missed the first time through.

4. The Offer. Once you have decided on a home that is right for you, your CRS agent will do a "competitive market analysis," or CMA. This will determine the fair market value of the property and will help you in deciding what to initially offer. Your CRS agent will go over all the details of the purchase offer, as well as suggesting any terms or conditions that you might want to add, to get you the best possible deal. Once the offer is written and signed, your CRS agent will deliver it to the listing agent.

5. The Negotiations. The seller may accept your offer as written. Oftentimes though the seller will present a counteroffer to your CRS agent, who will review all the points, both good and bad, and will give you a professional opinion as to the quality of the offer. You may then either accept or reject the counteroffer, or make another counteroffer. During the negotiations phase, you will only deal with your CRS agent, who will then in turn, negotiate on your behalf to secure for you the best possible price and terms.

6. The Road to Closing. After the purchase contract has been accepted by all parties, your CRS agent will advise you of any and all responsibilities you have before the closing occurs, as well as scheduling and attending any inspections that are to be performed. We strongly encourage all of our buyer clients to have a mechanical and structural inspection of the property. This will ensure that the property you are buying has no underlying, expensive problems that might not be evident. Your CRS agent will then negotiate on your behalf to have any and all repairs taken care of by the seller before the closing. Your CRS agent will also be in touch with your lender, as well as your closing attorney to make sure they have all the information and documentation they need as the closing date approaches.

7. The Closing. Finally, the big day arrives. Your CRS agent will schedule one last inspection of the property. This will ensure that the sellers have left the property in the condition you expect. You then proceed to the location of the closing, usually your closing attorney's office. Your CRS agent will accompany you and review all the paperwork and settlement statements to make sure all aspects of the contract are accurately complied with, again protecting your interests as the buyer. After the papers are all signed, you receive the keys and are the proud owners of your new home.

8. A Client For Life. We here at CRS value your business and want to maintain a long-term relationship with all of our clients. We are committed to providing the highest level of service to not only meet, but to exceed your needs. At Carolina Realty Solutions, you, our clients, are not just a part of our business, you are our entire business. We are here for you from start to finish, long after you've left the settlement table. To help us maintain this high level of service, we ask that you refer your family and friends to us so that they, too, can enjoy this same value-added benefit. Referrals from existing clients let us devote more time to serving you, and others like you. That's very important to us. At Carolina Realty Solutions, we want to be your Realtor For Life.