Buying With Alex

Welcome to my Video Series in which I walk you through the key steps to Buying a home in the Minnesota Real Estate Market. My goal is an exceptional and enjoyable Real Estate experience for you that truly goes unmatched. I have a sincere passion for taking the time to educate you on the process of Buying a home in Minnesota. My constant and clear communication helps your Real Estate journey be memorable and fun while my abundant knowledge and creative strategies make you stand out in our competitive Twin Cities market. With 375+ homes Sold, I have the experience necessary to make a difference for you.


Buying #1: Choosing The Right Loan Officer

Find the best fit for you when choosing a mortgage loan officer. Jenny Hanna of Edina Realty Mortgage joins me to help identify a few key steps: 1) Education and learning about the mortgage process is key to successfully navigating on options and choices. 2) Communication and availability are important to keep everyone on the same page. We have won offers because of the strength of our communication and being available when you need us. 3) Choose a mortgage loan officer and company that makes the pre-approval process as quick and easy as possible. We remove the daunting nature of this process so you are ready to look at houses and make offers as soon as you are ready.


Buying #2: Customized Home Search

This is one of the most exciting parts of your search -- setting up automatic updates on current homes that fit your criteria. I use MLS directly instead of 3rd party sites like Zillow, which do not have the latest information and listings. Edina Realty also has an exclusive pre-list search opportunity that I can use for you in your search in this tight inventory market.

Sample Custom Search (North & Northeast Metro)

Buying #3: Home Showings

In this tight inventory market, urgency is key. If you find a house that interests you, I'll immediately set up a showing for you. I'll schedule showings in the order that makes our time and travel most efficient. We will walk through together, being as efficient as possible, so I continue to learn what matters most to you in your next home. Your feedback and impressions on the houses helps me to hone your preferences and also to strategize with you which home that you would like to place an offer on.


Buying #4: Strategizing Offers That Win

Let's talk about making an offer and negotiating. A huge key to my clients' success is my initial call to the listing agent. I want to know the current status of offers and if so, what would help strengthen your offer. I also use this call to build communication and rapport, which can make a difference for you when there is competition. The other thing that is important is a strategic and educated offer covering all the important considerations to help you win the house. In multiple offers, which happen frequently at present, I'll give you all the information to make your best buying decision.


Buying #5: Inspections, Appraisals And Insurance

Getting a home inspection is in your best interest as a buyer. I can recommend an inspector to you if you wish. Home inspection is about $300 to $500 and should be scheduled right away at a time when you can be present. When the inspection report arrives, we will discuss big items that need to be addressed so we can negotiate how to get issues resolved. This is another step in the process to make sure you are prepared to move forward with a purchase. Jenny Hanna of Edina Realty Mortgage joins me today to talk about a few things that happen after your offer is accepted. An appraisal is something that the lender orders to evaluate the price of the home to make sure you are not over-paying for the home. The process takes about two weeks to come back and then we validate the value of the home. During this two weeks, we work on underwriting homeowner's insurance which is required to secure financing.


Buying #6: Getting Ready For Closing

Just know that preparing for closing can be overwhelming, but I am here to help and guide you through the process. You may have some additional documents for financing or get your utilities set up. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please just call me at any time so I can help you with the next steps. I am joined by Eric Fisk of Edina Realty Title to talk about the most exciting day of the process: Closing Day! Before meeting with Eric, we do a final walkthrough to make sure the home is in perfect condition. We have fun, such as getting a photo of you with the sold sign. Eric will send you an email shortly after your offer is accepted and he will guide you through gathering all the documents and schedule your closing. On closing day, Eric will walk you through all the documents to sign, file the papers with the county, and make it official that you own your new home!

Status Definitions

For sale: Properties which are available for showings and purchase

Active contingent: Properties which are available for showing but are under contract with another buyer

Pending: Properties which are under contract with a buyer and are no longer available for showings

Sold: Properties on which the sale has closed.

Coming soon: Properties which will be on the market soon and are not available for showings.

Contingent and Pending statuses may not be available for all listings