Home Buying Tips

The prospect of buying a home can be both exhilarating and scary at the same time. It’s likely the largest purchase you’ve made in your lifetime – and also one of the best long-term investments. But buying a home is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Finding the right place, in the perfect neighborhood and at a cost that’s within your budget, is no small task. That’s where I come in. My job is to help you navigate the twists and turns of the buying process, so that you end up with a house you’re proud to call home.

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STEP 1: TALK TO ME

The first step, before you start going to open houses, is to consult with your real estate agent. I can give you an up-to-the-minute summary of the current real estate market, as well as mortgage industry trends. I can also put you in touch with all the best resources and educate you about next steps.

STEP 2: DECIDE HOW MUCH HOME YOU CAN AFFORD

I know it's not exciting or sexy to start your home search with a financial review, but when all is said and done, you'll be glad you did. It's far more efficient to focus your search on the properties you can afford. How do you know what you can afford? I'll provide you with the names and contact info for a few reputable mortgage agents who, based on your financial situation, can tell you everything you need to know.

STEP 3: IMAGINE YOUR FUTURE

Think about it...do you plan on having children in the next five or six years? Where do you see your career heading? Do you work at home? Will you have guests visit regularly? Are you interested in renting a portion of your home? After we've discussed these details, we'll evaluate school districts, work commutes, rental opportunities and more as we search for homes together. Taking the time to figure out these basic steps will help you find and buy the perfect home for you. Remember, it takes for a home purchase to start paying off financially, which means, the better your new home suits you, the happier you'll be and the longer you'll stay.

STEP 4: TELL ME ABOUT YOUR IDEAL HOME

Start this step by writing down everything you'd like, from style, size and location to features and amenities, on a piece of paper. Once you're done, go back through the list and highlight your five "must-have" and your five "reallywants." We'll use this info as we search for your new home.

Quick Bits

Meet with me to discuss your home goals, desires and dreams, a buying timeline and work towards your goals
Check your credit scores and work to improve your rating
Start or increase your savings for a down payment
Start the loan pre-approval process
Start looking for homes

My Goals

Communicate clearly and consistently so you can make informed decisions throughout the entire buying process
Help you find the home that best meets your criteria in the most efficient timeframe
Provide current market data to assist you in making informed decisionst
Help you understand all the terms, processes, and documents involved in a real estate transaction
Represent your needs through skilled negotiations and effective communication
Provide you with a peace-of-mind that all details are being handled in a professional and efficient manner

Buy With Confidence

You need a partner who knows the neighborhoods, the market and the process. But more importantly, you need a homeownership advocate who will get to know you and your needs and desires. This isn't about a house, it's about your future home. You don't want to live with it. You want to love it.

Whether you’re a first-time home buyer, upsizing, downsizing or considering a relocation, I'll guide you through every step of your real estate journey with professionalism, creativity, a sense of humor and a genuine desire to help you achieve your goals.

I know how challenging it can be to move into a new home. I have the resources you need to help you with the
process, from my complimentary color and space planning consultations, to my resources (and prices) for everything from carpet and flooring to tiles and appliances. I can help make your move-in as smooth as possible.

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

Laurie works hard. She never stops until the sale is final! She knows what she is doing, and she always puts her clients and their wishes first. I was impressed by her follow up and her attention to details during our sale. She went above and beyond to get our sale. She is also extremely knowledgeable about buying and selling. She has impeccable character. Laurie simply takes charge and guides you throug...

— Carolyn C.

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

Laurie was a fantastic wealth of confidence and information. This was my first home, and what a time to choose to search. With a competitive market, a lower budget, and a strikingly lower home inventory, I was confident my search was an exercise in futility. Through it all, Laurie was constantly a wealth of optimism and market insights. I felt confident that even if we couldn't find a home immediately, s...

— Lauchlan R.

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

Laurie is a fantastic realtor! It took 1.5 years to move my mom into assisted living and sell her home of over 40 years - which had fallen into disrepair. Laurie came on board and stayed with me every step of the way. She was sensitive to complex and emotional family issues as we made decisions by committee. She connected me with reliable subcontractors ready and willing to do the various pieces of the p...

— Kate G.

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

I've bought and sold many properties over the years in many different states. As such, I've worked with many different real estate agents. Laurie has by far and away been the best agent! Have worked with, period! She was a pleasure to work with when I purchased the home for my daughter and handled every aspect of the transaction with proactive competency and a personal touch that made us feel like family...

— Robert D.

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

Any fears that we had going into this process were quickly zapped away by Laurie's personal approach to the process. That's what happens when you have someone that cares about you and not just a paycheck. I would consider Laurie a friend, we have the utmost respect for her, and she's just a really cool person. She's a true professional through and through, and she's never wavering. I will recommend her t...

— Joel C.

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

My family and I are so grateful for Laurie and her vast real estate knowledge. Her kindness and compassion helped the entire family choose the right buyer for our dads home. Her reports were detailed and easy to understand. She was very responsive and connected us with her great network of professionals who help throughout the moving process. Laurie was a dream to work with. Our family gives Laurie 5 stars.

— Megan W.

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

Laurie is the very best realtor we have ever worked with. She helped us define what we were looking for price-wise and what neighborhood would be the best fit for us. Then, she worked relentlessly to get us what we wanted in a very tight market. She was on top of every detail from our financing, the offer process, our inspections, and closing. In a process that is often fraught with emotions, Laurie was ...

— Ann G.

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

We feel very fortunate to have had Laurie represent us in the sale of our town home. She was a fountain of ideas for an effective sales strategy that we needed. She understood our particular requirements for the sale of our home. She provided lots of positive energy to guide us through our moments of doubt during the quiet Christmas holidays when no one was looking for a new home. Laurie's interior desig...

— Scott & Carol B.

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

Under very difficult conditions, during Covid-19, Lori helped us find and buy a 1031 tax exchange property in Portland, OR. Due to the situation, and under time constraints, we had to purchase the property site unseen. To say that Laurie did a terrific job on this project is an understatement. She took us through the house virtually (more than once), lined up all the people needed to do the inspections, ...

— Neil R.

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

I've worked with a handful of different Realtors, and I can honestly say that Laurie is the only one that I will go back to! It didn't matter what off the wall idea I had, she was always right there with me. Not only that, but she kept a smile on her face, and made our days driving around feel fun and exciting. From fixers, to land, to tiny houses, to condos. Laurie was always supportive, and kept my wan...

— Sam A.

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