A GUIDE TO BUYING YOUR HOME
Helping You Navigate the Home Buying Process
meticulous. transparent. proven.
Deborah Elowson Realtor I 650.867.2217 debbie.elowson@compass.com www.DeborahElowson.com DRE # 01757074
Presented To: Faranak, Farnaz and Hadi Presented On: August 9, 2024
Our Mission is to Help Everyone Find Their Place in the World
This guide is designed to give you an overview of the entire Buyer’s process. All photos are of homes Debbie's clients have purchased and/or sold.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGES 1 - 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ABOUT DEBBIE
PAGES 4 - 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TESTIMONIALS
PAGE 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MY SERVICE TO YOU
PAGE 7 - 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HOW TO BUY A HOME
PAGE 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BUYER REPRESENTATION AGREEMENT
PAGE 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HOME LOAN PROCESS
PAGE 1 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ESCROW PROCESS
PAGE 1 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLOSING COST OVERVIEW PAGE 1 3 - 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . THE COMPASS ADVANTAGE
PAGE 1 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BUYER'S QUESTIONNAIRE
About Debbie
Debbie Elowson is more than just a real estate agent - she's a trusted guide, a neighborhood expert, and a passionate advocate for her clients. After a successful career in corporate marketing and account management, she began her real estate career in 2004. Since becoming a Realtor, she has immersed herself in the vibrant tapestry of communities that make the San Francisco Peninsula so special. Debbie’s love for real estate stems from the joy of helping both sellers and buyers achieve their real estate goals. Her dedication to her craft over the past two decades has earned her a well-deserved spot among the top-producing real estate agents in the area. Among her achievements is being honored as one of the top 1.5% of more than 1.6 million licensed Realtors® nationwide (Real Trends Verified 2021 & 2022). Beyond her professional endeavors, Debbie is actively involved in SolMateo, a local community organization devoted to mental health and suicide prevention. And when she's not busy making real estate dreams come true, Debbie can be found indulging in her hobbies, which include cooking, reading, and clocking miles on her stationary bike. Above all, she cherishes spending time with her family and friends. Whether you're embarking on a journey to find your dream home or hoping to maximize the sale price of your property, Debbie and her team stand ready to serve you with expertise, commitment and a smile. At COMPASS, w e’re proud to connect you to an unmatched referral network of 29,000+ of the nation’s top agents. No matter where you are, we can guide you home.
Debbie Elowson debbie.elowson@compass.com
650.867.2217 DRE 01757074
About Debbie
Page 1
Debbie's 2021 - 202 3 Closed Sales
2021 -202 3 Buyer Represented Sales
2 7 TOTAL # OF TRANSACTIONS
$ 4 7 , 492 ,000 TOTAL SALES VOLUME
2021 -202 3 Seller Represented Sales
1 2 TOTAL # OF TRANSACTIONS
$2 3 , 778 ,000 TOTAL SALES VOLUME
12 AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET (DOM)
+8% % SALE TO LIST PRICE
11 AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET (DOM)
+9% % SALE TO LIST PRICE
Total Volume: $ 71 , 270, 000
NOTE: APPROXIMATELY 78% OF ALL DEBBIE'S TRANSACTIONS HAVE BEEN IN MID-PENINSULA CITIES BURLINGAME, MILLBRAE, HILLSBOROUGH, SAN MATEO, SAN CARLOS AND REDWOOD CITY/REDWOOD SHORES.
About Debbie
Page 2
MEET OUR TEAM
Joanne Wondowlowski Sales Manager
Kathy Mehringer Broker of Record
Debra Rose Agent Experience Manager
Vanessa Navarro Remote Assistant
Kateryna Adamkovych Marketing Manager
Carlota Villatoro Senior Escrow Officer
About Debbie
Page 3
What My Clients Are Saying
“Debbie very patiently helped us with our house hunt for almost 18 months. She was always organized and prompt and did her research really well on pricing and comps. She had deep insights on the various neighborhoods in the Peninsula and housing purchase criteria which helped us make more informed choices. She would preview houses for us in advance which really helped us save time as we are both working and could only see so many houses on the weekends. As our house hunt prolonged, we modified our criteria. But Debbie was always understanding of that. We are really glad to have partnered with Debbie on our house hunt and glad to have finally found a house we truly love.”
— Kirti & Manish C.
“In this competitive Bay Area market, timing and understand- ing of the neighborhood and comps are everything. You need a real estate agent who is extremely detailed-oriented and has a well coordinated team of people to help execute on the sale. Debbie is THAT real estate agent. She is dedicated and knows how to make a competitive offer. Throughout the home-buying process, she provided us with straightforward advice and took the time to thoroughly answer our questions. While we knew Debbie has multiple clients, we always felt like we were her only clients. That's the type of attention Debbie provides, no matter the buyer's budget.”
— Meghana R. & Josh A.
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Testimonials
What My Clients Are Saying "I listed my home of 15 years with Debbie Elowson and it sold $100k over asking in 11 days. She listened to all my needs and concerns. Debbie went above and beyond her normal line of service as a realtor. She even shopped for lighting for me! Debbie has an amazing attention to detail. She has integri- ty, is highly respected among her peers and is very professional. You can trust and depend on Debbie. I would recommend Debbie to anyone to sell or find the home of their dreams."
- Jeannette H.
"There are realtors, and then there are realtors... Debbie Elowson was, from the moment we connected, amazing. She is thorough, available, and under- stands the market. She has a team of people that will get your house ready, on the market and sold in record time! I recommend Debbie to all my clients who are thinking of buying or selling a house. I wouldn't trust anyone else."
- Trish N.
"Debbie collaboratively discussed with us what fixes would be beneficial to the sale price for our home, and what fixes were not beneficial. When Debbie was unsure, she would reach out to her network of experts — such as asking a landscaper to come and assess if working on our backyard was a wise way to spend our money — in this case, the answer was a very valuable no. Debbie also persuades with facts — such as the value of staging the home, statistics to determine a listing price and the timing of the sale. Because of Debbie's expertise, we sold our home for considerably more than we had expected."
For additional client testimonials , please v isit : Debbie's C ompass .com website, www. DeborahElowson.com, Yelp Reviews, and/or Zillow Reviews
- Shirin F. and Steven G.
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Testimonials
My Service to You I will respond to your phone calls, emails or texts as quickly as possible. I will always respect your time and keep your information confidential. I will always uphold my fiduciary duty of utmost care, integrity, honesty and loyalty.
I will discuss the benefits & drawbacks of each home in relation to your specific wants and needs. I will send you a curated collection of relevant listings in real time, including "Off Market" properties. I will keep you updated on market conditions, pricing trends and comparative sales data. I will help you compare homes and guide you throughout the decision-making process. I will always research Seller's intention to offer Buyer Broker commission prior to viewing homes. I will guide you in understanding Seller Disclosures so you are fully informed prior to making an offer. I will educate you on the Purchase Contract and all its terms and nuances. I will advise on pricing and offer strategy throughout the process to facilitate success. I will present a complete offer package and negotiate vigorously on your behalf. My team and I will steward the escrow through closing to ensure all milestones are met on schedule. My team and I will manage all transaction documents required by the Title Co. and the Lender. I will ensure you receive the best service throughout our relationship, including after Close of Escrow. I will earn your respect to become your Realtor of choice.
My Service To You
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How To Buy A Home
Steps in the Process 1 Initial Consultation The purpose of this me eting is to help you understand what to expect from the process while working with me, and to provide you an opportunity to discuss your priorities and questions. I will also explain the Buyer Agency Agreement.
4 Identify Property & Review Disclosures Once you have identified a property that you are ready to make an offer on, I will guide you throughout the process. As a local specialist, I am well versed on all aspects of the purchase contract as well as disclosure obligations.
6 Due Diligence After your offer is accepted, you will have the opportunity to visit the property and conduct consultations with service providers. Additionally, if your offer has contingencies, there will be a time frame to perform the necessary due diligence to remove contingencies. 7 Final Walk- Through A final walk-through ensures that the property's condition hasn't changed since offer acceptance date and the terms of the purchase contract have been met. 8 Closing of Escrow Congratulations! You are now a home owner!
2 Get Pre-Approved Consult with lender(s) to get pre-ap- proved for a mortgage loan. Your mortgage advisor will determine the maximum loan amount you qualify for, which will help determine price range.
5 Submit Formal Offer
Your offer is a non-binding agreement to pay a certain price for the home. Depending on the offer price and terms, the seller may respond with a “counter offer," which you can choose to accept, reject, or counter. As your agent, I will advise on pricing and strategy throughout the process.
3 Visit Properties
Attend showings/open houses span- ning a range of areas and property types. This is the time to consider your ideal location and amenities based on your budget and needs.
How To Buy A Home
Page 7
How To Buy A Home
At Compass, we strive to help everyone find their place in the world. From providing a sophisticated search experience to offering you a sneak peek at homes not yet on the market, every one of our tools is designed to help us deliver your dream home.
Compass Tools to Help You Find Your Next Home
1. Collections Collections lets you compare multiple properties—their size, neighborhood, amenities—within a visual workspace. Monitor market activity in real time, stay in constant contact with your agent, and invite collaborators to join in on the discussion. 2. Search Compass Search lets your agent filter and sort by a wide range of features and amenities. Plus, discover exclusive Compass listings you won’t find anywhere else and receive real-time notifications of new homes with customized Saved Searches! 3. Coming Soon What buyer isn't looking for an edge over the competition? Browse unique properties that are only viewable on Compass.com with your agent and discover your future home before it hits the market.
How to Buy a Home
Page 8
BUYER REPRESENTATION AGREEMENT
Due to the recent NAR ruling and resulting new standards of practice, before we start seeing properties, I ask clients to sign an agreement that allows Compass and me (as your agent) to legally and exclusively represent you and your interests. It establishes a formal relationship between us and outlines the terms and conditions under which I will represent you with your property search and purchase . Essential Components of the Buyer Representation Agreement: 1. Scope of Services: Defines the services I will provide you including property search, property showings, negotiation, and assistance with the purchase process. 2. Property Type and Location: The agreement may include details about the type of property you are interested in (e.g. single family, condo, commercial property, etc.) and the geographic area where you are looking to purchase. 3. Duration: The agreement specifies the period during which you are committed to working exclusively with me (maximum 3 months with flexibility to extend). 4. Compensation: The agreement specifies how Compass will be compensated as it relates to your representation. We will have a conversation at the start of our working relationship to discuss payment scenarios so we can memorialize it in writing in this agreement. Commissions are negotiable.
Importantly, w e will review the agreement together before I ask you to sign anything.
Buyer Representation Ag re e ment
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Home Loan Process
2. File Reviewed by Loan Officer & Submitted to Under writing
1. Loan Application with Supporting Documentation
Preparation
3. Pre-Approval Issued
4. Loan Options Finalized
5. Property Identified & Offer Presented w/Pre-Approval Letter
6. Offer Accepted & Purchase Contract Submitted to Lender
Offer
8. Buyer's Loan File Processed Through Underwriting to Remove Conditions
7. Lender's Appraisal Ordered & Additional Buyer Documen t- ation Sent to Loan Officer
9. Conditional Approval Given by Lender
10. Final Approval Given by Lender
Escrow Period
11. Loan Docs Sent from Lender to Title Co.
12. Loan Funds, Purchase Closes
Home Loan Process
Page 10
What Happens During Escrow?
The escrow period gives all parties involved the time needed to comply with the terms of the P urchase C ontract , and to prepare t he transfer ence of Ti tle from the S eller to the B uyer. During this period you will do several things, all of which your agent will help you with:
6 You remove any contingencies by the deadlines committed to in the contract. any Buyer inspections written into the P urchase C ontract. 4 The Lender orders and conducts an Appraisal on the property. 5 You conduct due diligence on the property, and conduct
7 You sign all loan and title documents when they are ready , and send your closing funds to the Title Company. 8 Clos e of Escrow occurs several days after you sign documents.
1 You put down a deposit of 3% of the Purchase Price which is held in Escrow by the Title Company. 2 Your Lender processes your loan and will ask you for vari- ous information needed to fully approve you. 3 You review and sign supplemental Buyer and Seller Disclosures.
Page 11
Escrow Process
Closing Costs Based on County
San Mateo County
Santa Clara County
Escrow Charges
Escrow Charges
Buyer
Seller
Title Fees (Owner's Policy) Buyer
Title Fees (Owner's Policy) Seller
County Transfer Tax Seller
County Transfer Tax Seller
Note: As an additional closing cost, i f the home is purchased with a l oan, the Lender requires the Buyer to pay for a Lender's Policy. This applies to all counties.
Closing Costs Overview
Page 1 2
RANKED #1 RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE IN THE U.S.
Global exposure and recognition. Our rapid growth has made Compass, “a household brand name for both home buyers and sellers.” This recognition translates directly to your home. Global reach and network . Our unparalleled network of the nation’s top agents gives you the most valuable referral network in the industry. Strength and stability . You can be confident that you are supported by a brokerage with the collective insight of 2 9 K agents and the scale of the #1 brokerage by sales volume.
“What is stunning about this is that...Compass wasn’t even in business a decade ago.” —REALTRENDS
The Compass Advantage
Page 1 3
Who is Compass? The story behind the tech-centric real estate brokerage that’s sweeping the nation.
Robert Reffkin grew up the child of a hardworking single mother. A tireless entrepreneur, she spent most of her career as a real estate agent. She tried to instill an entrepreneurial spirit in Reffkin, too. “When she would put me to bed at night she would rub my head and say, ‘Robert know that you can be any-thing you want in this world. So go to bed and have big dreams.’” Reffkin told Compass employees during a speech. In 2012, Reffkin founded Compass with tech mogul Ori Allon, who had previously sold two companies to Google and Twitter respectively. The idea for the com-pany was deceptively simple: create better technologi-cal tools for real estate agents so that they can spend less time pouring over market reports and more time with their clients. It was an idea based on the tribula-tions that Reffkin had seen his mother undergo as a real estate agent. “We’re building the operating system for real estate,” Reffkin said. “We’re working across every part of the Compass team to elevate the most personal parts of the real estate process and build technology to stream-line everything else.” A decade later, Compass is now the largest indepen-dent real estate brokerage in the country. Its innovative blend of proprietary technologies has
"Our Mission is to help everyone find their place in the world and we would be honored to help you embark on your next chapter."
attracted the best real estate agents from Manhattan to Denver to San Francisco. Sincerely,
Robert Reffkin, Founder & CEO
The Compass Advantage
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Buyers Questionnaire
Scan Me
Buyers Questionaire
Page 1 5
READY TO START THE HOMEBUYING PROCESS? Let me help you achieve your goals this year !
Debbie Elowson DRE #01757074 (650) 867-2217 debbie.elowson@compass.com
1440 Chapin Avenue, Suite 200 Burlingame, CA 94010
Thank YOU
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