Whether you are a first-time home buyer, or ready to step up to a larger house or condo, it is crucial to team up with top-notch real estate professionals. Well, you’ve come to the right place. With your initial contact, the Home Team will swing into action. We listen to your needs, wants and desires; explain the home-buying process to you; conduct a focused home search; and, then, help you close on the right home for you. Our agents are knowledgeable, energetic and results-driven. We are committed to the utmost in customer service.


Finding a new home can be an exciting experience. However, it can also be confusing or even intimidating. Let HomeTeamDC take the guesswork out of home buying. Below are a few questions frequently asked by our first-time and repeat home buyers:

Why should I work with a buyer agent?
Not everyone is an expert in buying real estate. By partnering with HomeTeamDC, you’ll have the experts in your corner. We listen to your needs to find you the home that fits your wants and desires. We explain the home buying process to you. We focus your home search to explore all options, while saving you time. Working with real estate professionals, you gain exclusive access to a host of services and benefits:

• The Jason Corporation and HomeTeamDC are members of the Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors, as well as the National Association of Realtors
• Our agents subscribe to the Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc., the multiple listing service.
• We e-mail up-to-the-minute real estate market information to our buyer clients daily.
• New offerings that appear on the MLS will be e-mailed to you daily.

In addition, we’ll help you expand “the team” to include other experts such as lending, appraisal, legal and settlement professionals.

Where do I start?
Before we start serious house-hunting, we ask you to take time to prepare for the home buying process. Think about your home financing needs, your current household budget and your ability to take on new housing responsibilities. At HomeTeamDC, we are prepared to help you consider these facts, as well as explore the options available to you.

What are the benefits of buying a home?
Buying a home is a big step. When deciding whether or not to buy, it is good to remember the benefits of home investment. If you're currently renting, buying a home may be an added tax benefit. Because your home builds equity every month, you will save when you buy it, while you live in it, and possibly make money when you sell it.

What are some of the costs of owning a new home?
Think about your current and future budget. There are costs of owning a home that you should keep in mind. Are you able to maintain a home and make the needed repairs? If you’re thinking of a bigger home, are you factoring in bigger utility payments? Will your new home require remodeling to better suit your tastes? Don’t forget condo fees, down payment and closing costs. Do you require parking or storage space? How will your current monthly housing payment (rent or mortgage) change after you make this investment?

Should I get a credit check?
Before you seek a loan for your new home, you will want to assess your credit. It might be a good idea to run a credit report and do some credit clean up before you speak with a lender. Cancel any credit cards that you don’t need or haven’t been using, check to make sure that your payments are current, and correct any misinformation. Consider exercising alternative credit options such as debt consolidation and/or early pay-offs which may streamline the lender approval process.

Why get pre-approved by a lender?
Getting pre-approved will let you know how much home you can afford, and it will let sellers know that your offers are serious. If you do not already have a pre-approval letter, now is the best time. HomeTeamDC can recommend a lender early in the home buying process, so you won’t be scrambling once you find the home you want.

HomeTeamDC agents can assist you in finding a lender who is sensitive to your needs. Or, if you have already begun the mortgage financing process, we’ll be happy to partner with your lender to achieve the perfect financing solution for you.

What information should I provide to obtain a loan?
To secure the necessary financing for the home, a lender will typically ask to see the following documentation:

• Current pay stubs, including year-to-date income
• Current W-2 or tax returns, if self employed
• Bank account statements for three months
• Credit card information—lenders are looking to see if your accounts are current along with the number of open accounts, outstanding balances and monthly minimum payments due
• Other loan information—car, existing mortgage, student loans, home equity lines
• Investment Information—include account numbers, current values, and account statements for three months

Most lenders will also require that the home you want to purchase passes an inspection and appraises near the value of the sales price.

You are ready to make an offer, now what?
All your searching has paid off and together we’ve found the home you want. Before you start mentally arranging the furniture, we need to get your offer accepted. Knowing how much to offer may take some thought—after all, current market conditions really affect sale prices. Your HomeTeamDC agent will prepare a comparison market analysis on recent home sales. We will study the property disclosure documents provided by the sellers. Together we can determine:

• What is the difference in the asking price versus selling prices in recent sales?
• How quickly are houses in the neighborhood selling?
• How long has the house you are considering been on the market?
• Has the price been reduced and by how much?
• What repairs or upgrades have been done to the property?
• What improvements, if any, are the sellers willing to make before settlement?
• What are the distinctive features of this property versus others you have seen?

You will need this information to help you make a reasonable offer. Everybody wants to feel like they got a deal, but a seller may not take a low offer seriously enough to counter. It is not uncommon for homes to sell well above the asking price. Be prepared to negotiate. Sounds tough? Relax. Your HomeTeamDC agent will be there every step of the way.

What is the purpose of the earnest money deposit?
With your offer, you must include an earnest money deposit to show “good faith” that you intend to buy the home. The exact amount is up to you and the seller. Usually, buyers will commit 2%-5% of the offer price as earnest money. Don’t be afraid to ask the seller what amount is appropriate. At closing, your money is applied toward the purchase price or closing costs of the home.

What should I expect at Closing?
The seller may decide to choose a particular agency to handle the settlement or close of sale. If not, the choice is up to you. Your HomeTeamDC agent can recommend a settlement company to join the team we have formed.

A settlement agent will ensure that the title to your home is being transferred clear of any disputes, blemishes, or liens. We will ask for receipts in case you should need to contact the title provider in the future. The settlement agent will prepare a closing statement detailing all of the expenses for the day of closing. We will make sure that you know ahead of time how much money you need for closing costs. Additionally, you’ll need to provide a copy of your homeowners insurance policy and evidence showing you’ve paid one year’s worth of homeowner’s insurance.

Now all that is left is the exchange of keys and you are ready to move in.