Professional Services to Buyers of Residential Real Estate

Purchasing a home is a major life decision. Your choice of real estate professional is
critical in achieving your goals later on down the line. Our approach to working with you will be one of education to the market and to the process of purchasing real estate in the Stateline area. We feel this approach is critical in your process of making financially and emotionally intelligent decisions in one of the biggest events of your life.

To get started, our first step in the process is for us to meet to discuss the criteria that is
important in your purchase. This meeting will ultimately help you to focus on the
important criteria in the purchase and also helps us know what to keep our eyes open for
when homes matching your criteria come onto the market.

At our initial meeting, we will discuss your financing needs. We will provide you with a
few names of mortgage brokers to begin the ‘pre-approval’ process. Pre-approval means
that a lender has looked at your financial ability to carry a mortgage and will give you a
price range from which to work from in determining the amount of money you can spend
on your new home. Having a lender giving you a lending commitment early on will
benefit you during the offer and negotiation stage of your purchase.

Once we have your financing pulled together,we will provide you with a list of
properties in your range and neighborhood preference so that you can do ‘drive-bys’.

This will help both you and us hone in on what properties interest you most so that we can better identify properties to set appointments for us to view. We will also keep our eyes open for new properties coming onto the market fitting your criteria so that we can move quickly should it match your goals.

Please note the web site and email address below; feel free to communicate with us
in this way: c21powerteam@c21affiliated.com

Thank you for your interest in our services to represent you as your buyer’s agent. Our
goal is to be the last real estate professional you will ever need to call. Should you have
any questions, please do not hesitate to call. We look forward to our working together.

WHAT IS BUYER AGENCY?

Buyer agency is a form of representation. It has been around for quite some time but the industry has been reluctant to accept it. This is because many feel that “if it’s not broken, why fix it?”

Unfortunately without it, buyers don’t get the counseling and necessary representation that they should get in an ideal, fair situation.

When a seller hires a real estate agent to market their home, the seller signs a listing agreement. From then on that agent will do whatever is required to procure a buyer (you) for that property.

When you call in on an ad for a property, you understand the real estate agent is working for the seller. But what many people don’t know is if they go and see other properties with that same agent, the agent is working for the seller of each one of the other properties even if they don‘t have a listing agreement signed with each owner!!! This is called sub-agency. This is the system as it has always been.

Sound absurd? The agent is really working for the seller, even though we are friends? The agent is really working for the seller even though they don’t have a listing agreement signed???? ABSOLUTELY!!! This is why Buyer Agency was created. So that Buyers could have the same representation that the sellers have.

If you aren’t working contractually with a Buyers Agent, no matter how close you and your agent have become, they aren’t working for you!

COSTS & COMMISSIONS:

In 99% of transactions, USING A BUYER'S AGENT WILL NOT COST YOU ANY MORE THAN A TRADITIONAL SELLER'S AGENT! Yes, you can have an agent representing you and looking out for your best interestss and not have to pay any extra! How is this possible? It's very simple...

The closing attorney almost always pays both the seller's and the buyer's agents commissions from the proceeds of the sale. The commissions are still paid the same way, so the fee is a part of the purchase price and therefore factored into your loan.

Traditionally, real estate commissions have been included in the sale price of the property. This practice has been justified on the basis that the real estate agents provide a valuable service, which is a normal cost of the transaction. The seller brings equity to the table and the buyer brings money. Thus both contribute to the payment of the real estate commissions. Lending institutions include these commissions in the maximum limit of the loan.

By hiring a buyer's agent, you will most likely SAVE money, because we will be fighting to get the home you want at the lowest possible price!

You're probably wondering, "If you're getting paid a percentage of the sale price, then would you really be fighting to get a lower price for me? Wouldn't it be better for you to sell me on a higher price?"

The answer is quite simple. In most buyer agency contracts, the commission is described as a flat fee (based upon your general price range) OR a percentage of the sale price, whichever is higher. This way, we can still feed our families and you can be assured that we will in fact be trying to get the lowest price for you. By doing this - you will still be paying less. Here's an example:

If you're looking for a home in the range of $300,000, your buyer agency contract might have the fee written like this: "a flat fee of $9,000. or 3% of the purchase price". If we find a home that the seller wants $300,000 for, and we can get the price down to say $285,000, then you've just saved $15,000! Now - don't forget that in almost all cases, the commission is paid directly from the sale, so you don't need to pay a fee from that - you've really saved a full $15,000! Even in an extremely rare situation, if you needed to pay a portion of the fee at the closing, you still would be saving thousands of dollars.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A BUYER AGENT?

There are many benefits to having a Buyer's Agent represent you. These include:

Confidentiality - Any personal information, details about your financial position, or anything else you tell us that can affect your bargaining position is kept confidential and not disclosed to the seller or seller's agent.

Full Disclosure - We will find out as much information as possible about the property and the seller's situation in order to help you make informed decisions about your purchase.

Loyalty - Our job is to find the property that is right for you, not to try to get you buy something that doesn't fit your needs.

Negotiating - We will give you advice and suggestions based upon my experience and will fight to get the best price and terms for you.

Reasonable Care - We will protect you from any foreseeable risks of harm; ensure the transaction of business to your best advantage and recommend expert advice or assistance when your needs are outside the scope of my expertise.

As your Buyer's Agent, We may also provide any of the following services which a Seller's Agent can not in most cases:

• Provide you with the largest choice of appropriate properties. This includes other companies' listings and For Sale By Owners.
• Search for confidential information to reveal weakness in seller's position.
• Determine and inform the buyer of any of the following:
  1. The dimensions of the lot and current zoning uses.
  2. Neighborhood trends and appreciation rates of properties in the area.
  3. Statistical data on the schools, such as S.A.T. scores and graduation rates.
  4. Any future development or construction that has been approved or is being discussed in the area of the property.
  5. Property taxes, assessments, utility charges, etc.
  6. Information on special needs that the buyer-client is concerned about, such as medical or recreational facilities, shopping, public transportation, higher education and cultural activities. Traffic patterns.
  7. Outside positive and negative influences on subject property.
• Prepare a Market Analysis for the buyer before an offer is made.
• Recommend a seller's property condition disclosure in the purchase agreement.
• Recommend a professional home inspection.
• Provide a strong buyer's negotiating position.
• Discuss protective contingencies for the buyer that may be included in the contract
• Recommend buyer's use of an attorney at contract stage.
• Assist buyer in obtaining financing.

MYTHS ABOUT BUYER AGENCY:

MYTH: The salesperson that shows you property is your agent.
FACT: Real estate agents or sub-agents are legally bound to protect the interests of the seller, unless otherwise specified in a written agency agreement between the buyer and the agent.

MYTH: A traditional agent will keep your financial information confidential
FACT: Real estate agents are required by law to reveal to the seller any personal or financial information that they may know about the buyer, unless the buyer has hired buyer agent to represent them exclusively!

MYTH: A traditional agent will negotiate the LOWEST price for you
FACT: While the real estate agent may indeed be motivated to make a sale, under agency law, the Agent is still required to negotiate the highest possible price for the seller. You might get the property, but probably not at the lowest possible price, nor the best terms.

MYTH: Traditional agents do the same thing as Buyer Agents
FACT: A traditional agent can’t tell you the home is worth less than asking price. Remember, they are working for the seller and must do everything in their ability to get the highest price for the seller.

MYTH: A Buyer’s Agent costs more than a traditional agent
FACT: Almost always the commission is taken directly from the transaction, unless you choose otherwise. In fact, a good Buyers Agent will probably save you thousands of dollars by negotiating the best price and terms possible.

GETTING STARTED

The first thing we will do when you are preparing to purchase a home is meet for a consultation. Ideally, this should be done face-to-face, but it can be handled by e-mail and phone if necessary (especially beneficial if you are relocating from another area). It is best if you are pre-approved with a lender before we sit down so that we can realistically discuss your needs and desires. If you don't have a lender, let us know and I will gladly refer you to one.

There are several things we will talk about when we meet for a consultation. They are:

1. Seriousness
   Before we start looking at properties, we need to be sure you are serious about wanting to buy a home. If you aren't sure or have questions you need answered first, this is the perfect time to bring those up.
2. Time Frame
   It is important for us to know how quickly you need or want to move. If you want to find a home immediately, we will begin looking right away. If you prefer to wait a little while before actually buying, we will want to wait on actively looking at homes, but still have the freedom to catch a property should the perfect one happen to come along.
3. Desires/Needs
   Once we know exactly what you want in a home, in full detail, we can sift through the available properties and set up times for you to see the properties that meet your needs. By screening these homes before setting appointments to view them, we save valuable time by making sure they fit your criteria.
4. Price Range
   We will review your mortgage pre-approval and plan out our best strategy for finding a home that fits your budget as well as your lifestyle.
5. My Responsibilities as your Buyer Agent
   When you hire us as your buyer's agent, we will provide certain fiduciary services. These include:
   • Confidentiality - Any personal information, details about your financial position, or anything else you tell me that can affect your bargaining position is kept confidential and not disclosed to the seller or seller's agent.
   • Full Disclosure - I will find out as much information as possible about the property and the seller's situation in order to help you make informed decisions about your purchase.
   • Loyalty - My job is to find the property that is right for you, not to try to get you buy something that doesn't fit your needs.
   • Negotiating - I will give you advice and suggestions based upon my experience and will fight to get the best price and terms for you.
   • Reasonable Care - I will protect you from any foreseeable risks of harm; ensure the transaction of business to your best advantage and recommend expert advice or assistance when your needs are outside the scope of my expertise.
6. Your Responsibilities as my buyer client
   • You are encouraged to be candid and confide in us as your agent. I can't give you the best representation if you don't tell us what you're thinking.
   • You should contact us immediately about properties found through drive-bys or marketing sources such as newspapers, real estate publications, or Internet.
   • Open Houses: Let us know if you see an open house you are interested in viewing. If you should happen to randomly stop by an open house when I am not present, be sure to register yourself as having retained a buyer broker. You should leave my business card with the agent or owner holding the open house.
   • Be careful what you say to sellers and seller's agents, as any information they have about you can be used to increase their bargaining position in an offer. This includes openly expressing how much you like a property while you are there (ie: "Oh, wouldn't our dining set look perfect in this room!", etc.)

 
Questions to Ask a Buyer’s Agent

Are you a full-time real estate professional?
To be knowledgeable, and experienced in the marketplace, an agent needs to be fully
devoted to the real estate profession.

How will you communicate with me during the house-finding process?
When new listings come on the market, or a home becomes available that may work for
you, how will the agent notify you so that you have the opportunity to purchase the home?

Who have you represented over the last year?
Check agent references!

What is the most recent problem that arose in a transaction representing a buyer, and
how did you handle it?
No real estate transaction is without problems; the most important trait of a good agent is
how he/she successfully handles the inevitable problems when they occur.

If you met the agent at an open house at a property you really like, whom are they
really representing?
The issue here is being fully represented by your agent. If the agent on the home you
want to purchase is the listing agent, their responsibility is to the seller, not you, even if
they write the purchase agreement for you. This means that your interests may not be
fully represented.

Our Commitment to You

Our experience, training, and expertise can save time and money. Furthermore, we are
dedicated to providing you with the very best in personal service and attention. Toward
that end, here is what you can expect from us:

• Work closely with you to find the right home We are a full time professional Realtors

   with extensive market knowledge and educational background.

• Meet with you to discuss your needs and analyze your financial resources.

• Recommend several financial institutions or mortgage brokers where you can shop

   for the best possible financing.

• Show you homes based on the criteria we establish. The more precise and direct you

   are with us, the more successful our search.

• Draft the purchase agreement for you, explaining protective contingencies, customary

   practices, local laws and regulations, and agency relationships.

• Present your offer to the Seller and the Seller’s agent. During the presentation, we will

   highlight your strengths as a Buyer.

• Review the Seller’s response with you. The Seller has three options: accept your

  offer, counter your offer, or reject your offer. Our negotiating experience will benefit
  you in reaching a fair agreement.

• Open escrow for you. The title company will receive, hold and disburse all funds

   associated with your purchase.

• Manage the escrow period for you, ensuring that all conditions and contingencies are

   fulfilled in a timely manner and in accordance to the contract.

• Be present for all physical inspections of the property and review the reports with

   you.

• Review the Seller’s Transfer Disclosure Statement, the title report and all other

  necessary documents with you.

• Coordinate between your insurance agent and the title company to make sure your

   policy is in effect at the close of escrow.

• Accompany you to the title office when it is time to sign the final closing papers.

  Together, we will review the papers to make sure they are accurate.

• Be the first to congratulate you on your new home and follow-up with you to make

  sure you have settled comfortably into your new home.

Your Commitment to Us

Your primary commitments to us are open and frank communication and loyalty. In
order for us to be successful in this joint endeavor, we need to have a clear and precise
understanding of your housing needs and finances. Therefore, it is important you inform
us of any changes in your circumstances or requirements, and that you be candid in your
reaction to the properties we see.

By committing to work with us, you are not narrowing your choice of properties.
Almost all properties for sale in the Stateline area are entered into a Multiple Listing Service. As members of various Association of Realtors, we have access to the listings of all other agents and companies. Also, if we find a property for sale by its owner or not on the market at the time, you can be assured we can best represent your interests in its purchase. As a buyer, you do not pay any fees for my services; commissions paid out of seller proceeds. Because we will be investing many hours of my time and making available to you all of my experience and expertise, your loyalty is of the utmost importance to us.

Financing

There are many types of financing to choose from when purchasing real estate. To
determine the type of financing that will best suit your situation, consult a lender to pre-qualify you. Many people are using on-line mortgage brokers; beware. Use this route for information only and use a local mortgage broker who understand local customs, appraisals and will be your advocate.

Brokers / Lenders will look at your income, debt, late payments, bankruptcies or
foreclosures if any, and your work situation. If you are self-employed, you may need to
provide two years tax returns showing your qualifying income, or supply a larger down
payment usually 20-25 percent. By supplying the larger down payment, you will most
likely be getting what is called a quick qualifier. This means that the lender will consider
other factors in approving your loan such as a sterling credit report, larger down payment,
or previous mortgage history, instead of income to make a decision to loan you money.

Types of Financing

 Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)-has a mortgage interest rate that changes over the life of the loan, usually tied to an index and can adjust as often as once a month or as little as once a year. The type of loan carries more risk to the borrower, as the interest can go up over the life of the loan. Depending on the market, the borrower can usually get a lower introductory rate and can therefore qualify for a larger mortgage. 3/1 ;5/1 ;7/1 ; 10/1-has a fixed rate mortgage for a period of time usually three, five, seven or ten years, then turns into an ARM which adjusts once a year. Once the mortgage changes to an ARM the payments fluctuate. This type of mortgage gives borrowers a steady payment for a period of time with an interest rate lower than a 30 year fixed rate mortgage. This is a middle of the road loan between the ARM and the 30 year fixed rate mortgage. This is a good option for people who plan to move within 5-8 years, or who may refinance their loan at some point in the not to distant future and who want some stability in their payments. 

30 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage - has a mortgage payment and interest rate which remains
the same over the life of the loan. This type of loan is a higher interest rate because the
lender has no possibility of raising the interest rate with fluctuations in the economy.
This is a good loan for a very conservative purchaser who does not plan to sell the real
estate or refinance loan sooner than five to eight years. Because the interest rate is
higher, a borrower qualifies for a smaller loan than they would with either an ARM or a
3/1; 5/1; 7/1 or 10/1.

In order for you to select the financing best for you consider: your current employment situation-is it steady or do you have enough reserves if your job
situation changes? The home you have found-if you have found your dream home and it is more than you originally planned to spend, the increased mortgage amount may change the type of financing you can afford; i.e. instead of a 30 year fixed rate mortgage you may only qualify for a 5/1 mortgage. The financing available for the property you are buying-if you are buying a condominium with five percent down, an ARM may be your only financing choice. Seller financing-the seller may offer to ‘carry paper’ meaning that they may loan you the money to purchase the house; either the entire first mortgage or a smaller second mortgage. The motivation of the seller to do this may be a function of the real estate market you are in (a buyer’s market versus a seller’s market) or whether the seller is doing an installment sale to defer the potential tax consequence the seller may realize from the sale. The type of financing offered by the seller could be an ARM or a fixed rate loan as outlined above.

Financing a new home can be complicated and have many different routes to get where
you need to go. The above is very broad in scope, and may not cover the information you
need. Please consult a lender or accountant to help you make decisions
corresponding to your needs.

Viewing Properties

Once we have established your wants, needs, and financial qualifications, we will begin
to look at properties for sale. Most likely we will start by viewing several properties that
are currently on the market. While you may wish to purchase one of these properties, it is
more likely that this first showing will be informational for us. Please tell us how
you feel about each property: what you like and dislike. This well help us select the most
appropriate properties to show you in the future. Whenever possible, we will preview
properties to make sure they meet your needs before showing them to you.

You may wish to go to Sunday open houses on your own. Please tell the agent holding
the open house that you are working with us. Feel free to provide our names and
telephone number if the agent requests it.

Often a property's first exposure to the market is on Tuesday Brokers’ Tours. If you are
available on Tuesdays, we will provide you with the addresses and showing times of
appropriate properties.

As we see properties which fit your needs, we will be arranging for you to view them.
Sometimes you will need to make yourself available on short notice in order to secure
desirable or well priced properties.

How to Look at a House

Each time you look at a property, compare that property against your search parameters.
If a specific home falls short of your desires, consider if you can alter the home to make it
acceptable to you. Certain features of a home are virtually impossible to change (e.g.
location, ceiling height, or lack of nearby transportation). But, many features of a
building which may be perceived as a drawback to you may be easily remedied. If the
street noise bothers you, consider installing double pane windows. If the heating system
is inadequate, you may be able to install additional heaters or central heating. Building
closets may solve inadequate storage issues. Or adding crown moldings and new
baseboard trim may address a lack of architectural detail.

When you see a house that meets most of your criteria and that house appears to be a
likely prospect for further consideration, you will want to ask certain vital questions or
inspect certain aspects of the home more thoroughly. Some frequently asked questions
are:

Are there any recent inspection reports?
In some situations, a Seller may have obtained a recent pest control or general contractor
inspection. This information should be reviewed before submitting an offer.

In what condition are the systems (heating, plumbing, electrical, and roof)?
For example, if a roof is very old, it may need to be replaced soon. The cost of this type
of work should be considered in the terms and conditions of your offer.

What items of personal property are included in the sale?
Appliances which are not built-in, such as stoves, refrigerators, and washers/dryers, may
not be part of the sale. Get that information before writing an offer.

When were improvements made and were they done with permits?
If the Seller provides evidence that building permits were issued for additions or other
major improvements, chances increase that these improvements comply with local
building and zoning codes. Many properties have improvements completed without the benefit of permits. What does this mean to you? I can help to answer this question.

Are there any signs of dampness or poor drainage?
These conditions are often difficult and expensive to correct.

Making an Offer

The real estate purchase agreement most often used in Stateline Area is either the five page Wisconsin WB-11 "Residential Offer to Purchase” or the four page Winnebago/Boone County “Contract for Purchase and Sale “.  Either contract is meant to be binding and spells out in detail your obligations and responsibilities. We will guide you through the contract and explain each section to you until you feel comfortable with its contents. In the meantime, the following are some of the key elements of your offer and of the contract:

Purchase Price
You will have a good idea of value from the other properties we have seen together.
Also, we will provide to you a recent comparative market analysis, using similar properties in the neighborhood that have sold recently. Together, we will plan a strategy for the initial offer price and subsequent negotiations.

Earnest Money Deposit
A good faith deposit may accompany your offer or be submitted within a few days of receiving an accepted offer. This usually is a personal check made payable to the listing Broker’s company. This check will be deposited in a trust fund and taken to closing by the listing Realtor. It will be credited to you on your final settlement statement (HUD 1).

Loan Contingency
If you are obtaining a loan to finance the purchase of your home, we will structure the
purchase contract to allow a reasonable amount of time to obtain a loan from a lender of
your choice and at terms which are acceptable to you. Ordinarily, buyer requests three to
four weeks to obtain a loan commitment.

Inspections
We will recommend that your offer be made contingent upon your obtaining and approving thorough and professional inspection reports on your new home. If needed, we will need to obtain additional inspections by specialists such as structural engineers, roofers, and chimney sweeps. The costs of inspections are normally paid by the Buyer.

Home Warranties
Either a buyer or a seller may buy a home warranty. Such plans are designed to protect
you against unknown defects and/or failures in certain systems and appliances in your
new home. We will provide you with brochures from different companies outlining how
they work, the cost, and what items are covered.

Disclosures
Sellers of residential properties and involved agents are required by law to disclose to you
any information which may materially affect the value of your home. There are some
exceptions to disclosure requirements, such as probate and foreclosure sales. You will
have sufficient time to review and approve these disclosures prior to proceeding with the
transaction.

Close of Escrow and Physical Possession
Closing and physical possession of the property are negotiable and may occur on the same day. Normal closings are scheduled for thirty to sixty days after your offer has been accepted. Occasionally, sellers may request the right to rent back the property after the close of escrow, delaying your possession of the property. This happens when the sellers’ next home is not ready for them by the closing date. If you agree to a seller-rent back, the custom is for the seller to pay you rent to equal your mortgage payments plus property taxes and hazard insurance (PITI) on a per diem basis.

A Word About Inspections
Most of the homes for sale in Stateline area are not new. Those of us who are not
contractors often have difficulty assessing the condition of a property. We always
recommend you obtain at least an inspection by a licensed home inspector. Please plan to attend these inspections so that you can see for yourself any problems that might surface.

General Inspection
Among other things, this inspection covers major systems, structural elements, safety
features, and code compliance. Good inspectors also will take the time to give you an
orientation to a building, including how to operate and care for the furnace, where you
will find the shut-off valves for the gas and water lines, and where to go if you blow a
fuse or trip a circuit breaker. Accompanying the inspector during the inspection gives
you the opportunity to ask questions and to get many valuable maintenance tips, too. The
inspector’s report will alert you to possible problems.

Other inspections may be warranted based on the findings and on the disclosures provided to us by the Seller. These may include inspections by roofers, chimney maintenance professionals, hazardous substance experts and structural or soils engineers.

The costs of inspections are normally paid by the Buyer. Inspections usually are
conducted in the first ten days of the escrow period. We can provide you with a list of
average inspections costs.

What is Escrow?

Once you have successfully negotiated a purchase contract, we enter into an escrow
period. You will be very busy during this time, particularly in the first two weeks. We
recommend that you plan to ease your normal routine to make time for meeting your
contractual responsibilities.

The sale of real property involves transferring large sums of money and signing very
important documents between you, the seller, and, if applicable, the lender. To protect all
the parties involved in the purchase of your home, the escrow process was developed.
Through this process, someone, usually your title company, will act as a third party
intermediary and will create a neutral, secure environment in which to collect and
disburse all the funds and documents related to the purchase of your home.

Both the Buyer’s real estate agent and the seller’s real estate agent will provide to the
escrow holder written instructions that reflect the terms and conditions of the purchase
contract. The escrow holder will then compare the two sets of instructions and, if they
match, the escrow holder will execute these instructions. The primary responsibilities of
the escrow holder, of course, are the disbursement of funds and the recording of your
deed, which marks the transfer of title to you.

Escrow is normally opened within one business day after ratification of the purchase
agreement. Usually, about one day prior to the scheduled closing, your escrow officer will provide to you an accurate estimate of all the closing costs, including prorations of property taxes, water and sewer bills.

What You Should Do During Escrow

During the escrow period, you must comply with all the terms of the contract and remove
all the contingencies which you requested. As previously outlined, the major
contingencies in most purchase agreements include: obtaining a loan, inspecting the
property, and reviewing the disclosure statements. 

The following is a check list of things you will need to address during your escrow period:

• Schedule and attend physical inspections.
• Select lender or mortgage broker and submit loan application. You may need to supply old tax returns and other documentation.
• Review all disclosure materials.
• Meet with real estate agent to remove contingencies.
• Increase your deposit to three percent of purchase price.
• Choose how you want to hold title if more than one person is buying the property.
• Arrange homeowner's insurance. We can refer you to several insurance agents.
• Give 30-day notice to your landlord if you are renting. We recommend waiting until your loan has been approved or giving a provisional notice.
• Select a moving company. We can refer you to several local and national movers.
• Arrange for all utilities to start when you close escrow.
• Notify the post office, doctors, banks, and others of your new address.
• Attend the closing at the title company or bank to sign loan documents, closing papers and pick-up the keys to your new property. We will go with you.

Methods Of Holding Title

This is a very important decision for two or more individuals who are buying a property
together. The form of ownership chosen, known as the vesting of title, will determine
who may sign various documents and future rights of the individuals in the transaction.
These rights involve such matters as: real property taxes, income taxes, inheritance and
gift taxes, transferability of title, and exposure to creditor’s claims. Also, the vesting of
title may have significant probate implications in the event of death. We urge you,
therefore, to consider carefully which method of vesting title is right for you prior to the
close of escrow.

Buyers often ask their real estate agents and escrow officers which method best suits the
buyer. Although we may identify the many methods of owning property, we may not
recommend a specific form of ownership to you, as doing so would constitute practicing
law. Therefore, if you have any questions concerning the vesting of title, we urge you to speak with your attorney and/or tax advisor.

Moving

The prospect of moving to a new city can be overwhelming. The best advice is to be prepared and to stay organized. Use the following checklist to help you prepare for your move.

Recommendation:
Start preparing for your move just as soon as you can. Collecting records, arranging your
finances, and notifying your loved ones takes time. Also, changing your address on your
subscriptions often takes several weeks.

Before You Leave Your Current Address:

Address Change

• Give Post Office forwarding address.

• Charge Accounts.

• Subscriptions (notice requires several weeks).

• Friends and relatives.

Bank

• Transfer funds, arrange check-cashing in new city.

• Arrange credit references.

Insurance

• Notify company of new location for coverage: Life, Health, Fire & Auto.

Utility Companies

• Gas, electric, water, telephone, cable TV, garbage.

• Get refunds on any deposits made.

Medical, Dental, Prescription Histories

• Ask doctor and dentist for referrals; transfer needed prescriptions, eyeglasses, x-rays.

• Obtain birth records, medical records, etc.

Pets

• Ask about regulations for licenses, vaccinations, tags, etc.

And Don't Forget To:

• Empty freezer; plan use of foods.

• Defrost freezer and clean refrigerator. Place charcoal inside to dispel odors.

• Have appliances serviced for moving.

• Remember arrangements for TV and antenna.

• Clean rugs or clothing before moving; have them moving-wrapped.

• Check with your Moving Counselor; insurance coverage, packing and unpacking labor,
   arrival day, various shipping papers, method and time of expected payment.

• Plan for special care needs of infants and/or pets.

• Carry enough cash or traveler's checks to cover cost of moving services and expenses
   until you make banking connections in your new city.

• Carry jewelry and documents yourself—or use registered mail.

• Plan for transporting pets: they are poor traveling companions, if unhappy.

• Carry traveler's checks for quick, available funds.

• Let a close friend or relative know the route and schedule you will travel, including
  overnight stops; use him/her as message headquarters.

• Double check closets, drawers, shelves, etc. to be sure they are empty.

And At Your New Address:

• Obtain certified check or cashier's check necessary for closing real estate transaction.

• Check on service of telephone, gas, electricity, water and garbage.

• Check pilot light on stove, hot water heater and furnace.

• Have appliances checked.

• Ask mail carrier for mail he/she may be holding for your arrival.

• Have new address recorded on driver's license.

• Visit city offices and register for voting.

• Register car within five days after arrival in state or a penalty may have to be paid when
  getting new license plates.

• Obtain inspection sticker and transfer motor club membership.

• Apply for state driver's license.

• Register your family in your new place of worship.

• Register children in school.

• Arrange for medical services: doctor, dentist, veterinarian, etc.

• Relax for a moment, you deserve it!

Please Remember

Think of us as a resource for real estate advice and referrals to contractors and other
professionals. We will gladly share or expertise and experience with you. Remember that
you have joined our family of clients and you have access to my resources and those of
all of Century 21 Real Estate.

Call us when you are ready to sell and/or purchase again, even if that decision occurs
many years from now. Our goal is to do such a good job for you that you will seek the
same level of service from us when you next enter the real estate market.

Finally, no advertising is as effective as word of mouth. If you hear of anyone who is
thinking about buying or selling real estate, please refer him/her to us. We would
appreciate your support.