Having seen thousands of San Francisco properties over the years, we know the market and will guide your search. We see new properties daily, both in person and digitally, and we collaborate with other real estate agents regarding all market conditions. Once we agree to work together, we will make a plan and have open dialog to discuss properties currently for sale and coming soon, relevant to properties that are in contract and have recently sold.

Key considerations for your search include:

• Price Range
• Location and Neighborhood as it relates to Lifestyle
• Space requirements and number of bedrooms
• Desired amenities such as views, parking, and outdoor space
• Proximity to parks, shopping, restaurants, schools, and commute
• Architectural style preferences

Prior to our showing properties, California rules require that potential buyers and their brokers sign a Buyer-Broker Agreement specifying compensation, services, and the timeframe.

Prior to this ruling, sellers signed an agreement with their listing broker that specified the commission they would pay for listing services, as well as the amount of commission that would be split and offered through the MLS to the selling office — the “Buyer's Broker.” After the ruling making the buyer responsible for paying their broker, it has become the custom that sellers sign a Listing Agreement to pay a specified commission for those services, with the anticipation that buyers and their brokers will write into the purchase agreement for a specific property that the responsibility for the Buyer Broker fee will be transferred to the seller, and they will pay that fee out of escrow.

Once we have determined value, we are ready to put together an offer. An offer has three primary components:

1. Price: The amount you're willing to pay
2. Terms: Contingencies including financing, appraisal, close of escrow date, property inspections, preliminary title report, natural hazards, environmental issues, and more
3. Buyer Credibility: Demonstrating your intent and capability to perform

Once submitted, offers can result in acceptance, rejection, counter offer, or multiple counter offer situations. You need real estate agents who are experienced, intelligent, respected, and trustworthy to navigate these negotiations.

The buyer and seller do not need to be physically present for “The Closing.”

Several days prior to the scheduled close of escrow, the escrow officer — who coordinates the legal and financial aspects of the transaction — will be guided by buyer and seller instructions and the Preliminary Title Report to prepare the estimated closing statement: accounting for both buyers and sellers that reflects credit for funds already in escrow, bills to be paid, liens to be cleared so that the buyer will have clear title, and disposition of disbursement of funds. We will review the buyer's estimated closing statement together and instruct the escrow officer to make necessary changes.

After furnishings have been removed from the property, we will do a “final walk through” with you to verify its condition. We will advise you on the transfer of utilities.

If there is financing, the escrow officer will interface with the lender: provide required title insurance, arrange for the buyer to sign loan papers with a notary, and coordinate documents and funding. Escrow will oversee signing of the buyer's other closing papers.

When the paperwork is in order, buyer and lender fund the escrow through secure wire transfers. When the documents are signed and good funds are in escrow, the escrow officer will “release the deed to record,” and a title company representative goes to city hall to record the deed. We are notified that we are “On Record.” Congratulations!