Texas law requires all real estate licensees to give the following information about brokerage services (IABS) to prospective buyers, tenants, sellers and landlords.

From the Attorney General of Texas:

HOME BUYING: AVOIDING PITFALLS AND SCAMS

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Your Information

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Search & Notifications About Your Dream Home

Homes seek you. Very fast.

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Browse

Easy for Browsing On Your Own

Realtor.com

Three Lincoln Centre

5430 LBJ Freeway, Ste 280

Dallas, TX 75240

Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

If this is your first time to our office, let us know.  We can meet at the Hilton's lobby.

What To Bring

1

A valid State issued ID

Drivers License, Passport and Matricula Consular are acceptable.

2

Proof of funds

For example: bank statements with your name - account numbers blocked.

3

Lender pre-approval letter

If you don't have this letter yet, we can connect you to reputable lenders.

What We'll Do At The Office

1

Browse the real MLS system.

2

Set up, make adjustments and improve your home alerts. 

3

Understand how your search criteria interacts with available inventories.

4

Decide if we are a good fit, formalize representation agreement.

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Set up appointments to view the homes

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Visit homes

 3

Visual assessment of each property

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Select properties. Research further

5

Research surroundings

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Research and establish the ideal price. Enjoy our Quick CMA

1

Design and write offers

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Get the signatures in the right places

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Submit the offers with proof of funds / lender's pre-approval letter

4

Follow up with the listing agent.

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Considering a backup offer?

We teach how and when to use them

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The offer becomes a contract once all parties in the transaction have signed.

It's time all parties begin to perform on their promises outlined in the contract. 

At this point, numerous tasks and deadlines become crucial. 

"Time Is Of The Essence"

Miss a deadline or forget an important task and you lose certain rights, money or both.

We'll discuss these more in depth as we go.

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Option Period: Deliver Option Money

"Option To Walk Away For Any Reason"

When you pay for the option period, you are purchasing a right.  Your offer asks the seller to take their property of the market and give you priority to purchase their home (that's right, they can't sell it to someone else once you are under contract).  You are asking the seller to give you access to their home, time to visit and inspect their home while keeping the right to walk away for any reason during this "option to walk away for any reason period."

Amount: Usually $100 to $200. More for luxury properties. Much more in some cases.

Who Pays: The Buyer (You) 

Payment Made Payable to: The Seller.

Delivered To: Directly to the Seller or Seller's Agent / Broker

Get a Receipt: Page 10 of your One To Four Family Contract (take extra copies of the page)

Acceptable Forms of Payment: Personal Check, Certified Check or Money Order

Due: on the 3rd day after the contract is accepted.

ATTENTION: We ask our clients to deliver this payment on the first day after the offer is accepted.

Failure to deliver this payment by its due date: Results in the loss of the option to walk away for any reason.

In the contract, we will ask this money to be credited toward your purchase if you buy the home.  If you exercise the right to walk away from this purchase during the "option period", you will be using the money to exercise your right to walk away and you will not receive a refund for the option fee.

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Deliver Earnest Money

Deliver to: Title Company

Due: on the 3rd day after the contract is accepted.

Get a Receipt: Page 10 of your One To Four Family Contract (take extra copies of the page)

Amount: Negotiable. Usually 1% of the Purchase Price of the Home

Credit Toward the Purchase: Yes, if the home is purchased.

You May Lose Your Earnest Money: If you fail to perform according to the contract.

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Schedule General Inspection

Usual Cost: $400+ (Varies with size of the home and types of inspections)

Paid by: The Buyer (You)

Payable to: The Inspector or The Inspection Company

Form of Payment: Varies. Credit Card is Usually OK.

How To Pay: Over The Phone or Directly To The Inspector When You Meet

Note: Inspectors Will Not Release Inspection Report Until Payment is Made

How To Select An Inspector: We will give you some choices and be glad to schedule this for you.

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If Possible, Client Should Meet With The Inspector.

The Inspector Works for You: Should Not Release Information To The Seller

General Courtesy (not mandatory): Seller Should Not Be Present At Inspection

Client to Review and Discuss Inspection Results with Agent (us)

Exit or Move Forward With A Negotiation Plan.

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Schedule Additional Special Inspections if Necessary

Foundation / HVAC / Termite / Electric / Plumbing / Roofing / Etc.

Following General Inspector's Recommendations

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Review and Discuss Special Inspections Results

Agent and Client to Create a Negotiation Plan

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Negotiate Repairs, Price and/or Other Creative Solutions

ATTENTION: If you paid for the option to exit the contract, this is a good time to EXIT - while inside the option period.

Once your option period expires, your earnest money may be at risk, should you not follow through with your purchase.

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Decision to Move Forward With The Purchase:

Amendments to The Contract Should State Negotiation Agreements Clearly in Writing.

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Notify Title Co. and Lender of Outcome of Negotiations

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Review Repairs / File Adequate Documents

2

Get Homeowner's Insurance Quotes

You will be required to purchase homeowner's insurance if you are getting a mortgage.

This may be a good time to review your insurance rates.

3

View and Select a Home Warranty

This is not required but strongly recommended.

These are some of the top rated Home Warranty Companies:

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Stay in Touch With The Lender and Title Co for last minute document needs

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Concierge

Start Planning for:

Plan for Address Change with Banks, Subscriptions, Insurance, Friends and Family, etc.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Keep in Mind The Home Isn't Yours Until Closing and Funding Has Taken Place.

You may need to be flexible during this transition.

YOU MAY ALSO USE OUR CONCIERGE SERVICEY

6

Final Walk Through

1 to 3 days prior to closing, ensure all is still in order with the home.

1

Prepare State Issued ID and Funds

Valid State issued ID

Bank certified check or wire transfer to be delivered to title company on the closing day.

Take all precautions to avoid fraud at this time.

Speak to your Title Company and follow their instructions.

Make sure to speak to your point of contact, a person you recognize, on the phone or in person.

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Keys are usually delivered when the Title Company can confirm funds have transferred successfully.

You may experience mixed emotions such as relief mixed with exhilaration.  Don't forget to make sure all utilities are turned on and that the movers are taken care of.  We may also need to arm you with some pizza delivery phone numbers since you may still be quite busy with the move.

This is the part we tell you our relationship doesn't end here. 

You should call us with any questions you may have about real estate, or anything else.

Most of our clients become our personal friends.