130$&44 505)&)0. :/( $0.1-&5&(6%& · when you are ready to find your dream...

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE HOME BUYING

PROCESS

STIVER FIRTH INTERNATIONAL TEAM

in TOTAL Sales & Listings SOLD in Englewood & Rotonda West

#1

941.548.4434STIVERFIRTH.COM

Our VisionWe are a team of passionate professionals, growing and innovating our Real Estate business,

built on long term relationships and grounded in compassion and trust. Our goal is to redefineand simplify the processes of a complicated industry for our customers, and use the same

principles to embrace and improve our community and the world.

Our MissionWe are creating the ultimate Real Estate experience by using our knowledge, expertise, and

technology to make a difference by helping our Buyers and Sellers make well-informeddecisions, enabling them to live their best lives.


VISION, MISSIONO U R C O MMI T ME N T T O Y O U

WE ARE DELIBERATE Everything we do is intentionally designed tocreate a WOW experience for our customers!

CELEBRATE SUCCESSES We work hard to succeed and earn our happydances when we’ve helped yet anothercustomer live their dream!

SUPPORT EACH OTHERWe respect each other and do what it takes tohelp our team members succeed in creatingan unparalleled experience for our customers.We are also committed to supporting ourcommunity, our country, and our world.

ASSUME POSITIVE INTENT We know that each of our team members isalways working toward our unwavering sharedgoal – to create the best possible experience forour customers.

ACCOUNTABILITYWe know what we need to do, and we own it,creating infinite successes for our customers andour team members!

MEET CHALLENGES WITH ENTHUSIASMEvery challenge creates an opportunity to help acustomer in the moment, learn how to betterserve our customers in the future, and createlifelong relationships as a result. That is exciting!

GRATITUDEWe are humbled by the trust our customersplace in us, grateful for our abilities to helpthem with their life changes, and so thankfulfor our amazing team and community.

HONEST AND OPEN COMMUNICATIONOur transparency ensures that our customersand team members always know we areworking hard with them and for them.

ALWAYS LEARNINGWe are committed to staying on top of industrybreakthroughs so we can provide the cutting-edge technology, processes, and productsthat will combine to create an exceptionalexperience for our customers.

Our Core Values

You deserve the very best!

Our Sales Record and

5 Star Customer Reviews

are just the beginning.


Stiver Firth International Team remains #1 in both Englewood and Rotonda West for total sales and our own listings sold!

WE ARE #1T H E S T I V E R F I R T H I N T E R N A T I O N A L T E A M R E MA I N S # 1

In today’s market a team always outperforms an individual. Transactions are more complicated, andsellers have unique needs. Our experienced team members are positioned to focus on the specific

requirements of each of our customers, while consistently delivering world class service.

Why choose 2nd best? Our Streamlined Processes, Customer Service Best Practices, and Latest

Technology combine with our Highly Qualified Buyer's Specialists to create a proven system that

helps you when purchasing real estate!

We take care of the detai ls every

step of the way, saving you t ime and

creating a seamless transaction.

2. TIME


Each qualif ied team member has a

unique ski l l set, providing our

Customers exactly what they need,

when they need it .

SPECIALIZATION1 .

O F WO R K I N G WI T H T H E S T I V E R F I R T H I N T E R N A T I O N A L T E A M

With our extensive network we can

help you: f ind a lender, get

pre-approved, hire an inspector,

and choose your closing agent.

We help you every step of the way!

3. RESOURCES

BENEFITS

Oskar has an Engineering Degree from the Salford College of Technology in the UK. He and his

wife, Sue, moved to the US in 1986 and have lived in 6 states and 18 homes. They moved to

Rotonda twelve years ago, and Oskar earned his Real Estate license after a successful career in

Sales. His numerous relocations and personal real estate transactions give him a unique

perspective with Buyers and Sellers, and he understands the many challenges a Real Estate

transaction can present.

Furthermore, Oskar has had 3 homes built over the years. He leverages this experience with his

Engineering background and New Home Specialist designation to help customers find that

perfect lot and match it with the right Builder to deliver a packaged solution if their existing

dream home just cannot be found. Oskar specializes in helping Buyers find the perfect property

and guides them through to closing and beyond. He is committed to making the process as

positive, efficient and FUN as possible.

With his knowledge of the UK and countries across Europe and Scandinavia, he also understands

the concerns and complexities of home buying for foreign buyers, and is well equipped to walk

them through it. Oskar gives Sue all the credit for his many successes. They love the nature,

theaters, weather, and unique restaurants the area has to offer, and spending time with their two

children and adorable grandsons. Oskar is proud to be part of the Stiver Firth Team and is

excited about the prospect of taking customers to an even higher level of service and results!


I AM HERE FOR YOUWH E N Y O U A R E R E A D Y T O F I N D Y O U R D R E A M H O ME

941.830.5258 [email protected]

Oskar NuutREALTOR® | BUYER 'S SPECIAL ISTCNHS

8+ YEARS REAL ESTATE EXPER IENCE

Oskar was impressive from the start. I was moving

from out of state and was coming in town for a

couple weeks. We met at his off ice, he showed us

maps of the area to get us more famil iar. We talked

about different houses and areas to look at and he

was able to schedule several showings everyday.

Oskar treats you as if there were no other cl ients.

When we returned home, we found a house of interest

and Oskar actual ly went to the house and FaceTimed

so we could see it! I t was a long road for me to f ind

what I l iked and Oskar was patient and courteous

through the whole thing! He even found another

house he thought I might l ike better and wanted me to

look at it prior to committ ing on the house we bought.

Never in a hurry to just close a sale Oskar makes sure

you are happy with the house you choose! Highly

recommend. If I could give him a 10, I would!

Zillow User 1483862

We visited with several other realtors and decided on

Oskar Nutt with Stiver Firth RE/MAX. We felt very

comfortable with Oskar and what a great decision we

made! Everything from house showings, information and

closing were a breeze. I would highly recommend.

Thanks for f inding us our Florida home!

We worked with Oskar Nuut and the entire process was

terr if ic. He's extremely responsive with great knowledge

of the local area. We were looking for places in the

Englewood/Rotonda West areas and Oskar was able to

help us narrow down not just the general area but the

exact streets we'd most l ikely f ind a great house to suit

our needs. This saved us a lot of t ime in skipping over

houses that just wouldn't have been a great f it even if

they t icked a lot of boxes.What does that mean? Oskar

is the kind of guy who actual ly l istens to what you're

looking for and helps you f ind it . We've worked with

plenty of realtors in the past that just shovel l ist ings at

us based on them having so many bedrooms and in the

right zip code- that 's something that ZI l low can do

automatical ly. Oskar brought the personal touch and

knowledge to make the whole process much easier.

Oskar is very personable and has for sure no 9 to 5

mental ity. Always avai lable and very responsive. The

negotiation process basical ly went over one weekend.

Also, very good local know-how which was very helpful.


TESTIMONIALSD O N ' T J U S T T A K E MY WO R D F O R I T

Sheila H.

We absolutely Love Oskar. Extremely hard working

and such a joy to be with. He went way above and

beyond and made us feel l ike we were his only cl ient,

even though we knew otherwise! We couldn’t have

had a better realtor; he checked al l the boxes. We

highly recommend him and enjoyed the experience.

Jeff & Lynn B

Lori K.Oskar did everything I needed when he was my Buyer 's

Agent. He is a very congenial person to work with. He

was always avai lable for questions and was very t imely

with his repl ies.

Vicky L.

Timothy D.

Firbrd53

Oskar Nutt is most knowledgeable in ALL the facets of

buying a home. He took us to view homes that were a

match for our cr iteria. We hadn't bought a new home

for 30 yrs and he thoroughly guided us through the

process. We HIGHLY recommend Oskar and thank him.


The reason for our success is simple; over 300 REALTORS® reside in 1 1 conveniently located real estate offices in North Tampa, South

Tampa, Sarasota, Siesta Key, Bradenton, Anna Maria Is land, University Park, Tarpon Springs, Riverview,

Venice and Englewood to provide exemplary real estate marketing service

to our customers buying and sel l ing residential and commercial properties.

Reputations are earned and at RE/MAX Al l iance Group, we are proud of our wel l establ ished reputation

for exceptional customer service. For 30+ years we have adapted to ever changing real estate market

condit ions and provided the most professional and comprehensive real estate services to our cl ients.

RE/MAX ALLIANCE GROUPT H E # 1 R E / MA X O F F I C E I N F L O R I D A F O R 2 0 1 9

Largest RE/MAX in Florida

#1 RE/MAX in Florida for Both Sales Transactions & Sales Dol lar Volume

#15 RE/MAX in the Country for Transactions

Placed in the REAL Trends Top 500 l ist of the largest residential brokers, representing

Listed among the nation’s top 500 brokerage firms in RISMedia’s 2019 Power Broker Report

Recent Awards in 2019:

less than one-half of 1% of al l brokerages in the United States

MEET WITH OUR BUYER SPECIALIST

Discuss the type of propertyyou are looking for.

START YOUR HOME SEARCHThe fun begins here.

Virtual options are available.

MAKE AN OFFERyour agent will prepare the

offer based on the price andterms you choose.

NEGOTIATIONAND CONTRACTS

IN ESCROW. The price and terms are agreed upon.

The home is effectively held for you until closing.

FINAL DETAILSPerform due diligence,

order the appraisal, conduct an inspection

and review terms with the lender.

CLOSINGThis is the transfer of funds and

ownership for your home.Congratulations!

It may take a few tries, but hang in there.

You're on your way!

THE HOME BUYING PROCESS


WE MA K E I T E A S Y F O R Y O U

CongratulationsYOU ' RE A NEW

HOMEOWNER

STEP #1An initial virtual

home buyers consultation

VIRTUAL BUYING


I N 8 E A S Y S T E P S ( L I V E H O M E T O U R S A R E A L S O S T I L L A V A I L A B L E )

STEP #2I will email you properties that

meet your criteria.

STEP #3We will tour your favorite

homes via video conferencing.

STEP #4Once you're ready, we submit

an electronic offer

STEP #5Our team secures an electronic

earnest money transfer

STEP #6I will help you order a

professional home inspection.

STEP #7I help coordinate your signingand notary with a Title Agent.

STEP #8CONGRATULATIONS

You are now a homeowner

FINANCING FIASCOS


T H I N G S T O R E ME MB E R B E F O R E Y O U R H O ME P U R C H A S E

DO NOTBUY A NEW CAR OR

APPLY FOR A NEW CREDIT CARD

REFRAINFROM MOVING

OR TRANSFERRINGASSETS ELSEWHERE

DOUSE EARNEST

MONEY FROM ADISCLOSED SOURCE

Lenders look closely at an applicant’sdebt-to-income ratio. A large purchase,or obtaining new credit cards or credit

increases can greatly affect thoseratios and thwart a borrower from

qualifying for a mortgage loan.

These transfers show up as newdeposits and complicate the applicationprocess. Typically, lenders want to seethat funds have been in an account for60 days (which is why lenders ask for

two months’ bank statements).

Writing a deposit check (or wire) froman account that you did not disclose toyour lender is a sure fire way to cause a

delay, if not an outright denial, of theloan application. Always disclose allfinancial information to your lender.

RESISTTHE TEMPTATION

TO BUY FURNITUREOR APPLIANCES

BE CERTAINNOT TO PACK OR

SHIP DOCUMENTSFOR THE LOAN

ARE YOUPLANNING ON A

REMOTE CLOSINGOF THE PROPERTY

Any new purchase may increase theborrowers debt or appear as a largedebit on bank statements. New or

additional debt increases the risk ofdisqualifying a borrower from loan

approval, or available funds for closing.

Important papers such as tax returns,divorce papers, bank statements andmore should not be boxed up and puton the moving truck. Duplicate copies

can take weeks to obtain & could delaythe Loan Approval and stall the closing.

Many lenders require documents to besigned the day of closing. You cannot

take possession until the Closing Agentreceives the documents the next day &pays the Seller. Inform everyone of aremote closing as soon as possible.

KEEPYOUR CURRENT

JOB IF POSSIBLE TOAVOID PROBLEMS

DO NOTDEPOSIT CASH THAT CAN NOT BE "SOURCED"

DO NOTPAY OFF

ANY MAJOR DEBTS

Since the onset of COVID-19, there havebeen several new prerequisites for

lending, including last minuteemployment verifications to ensure you

are still employeed and your incomelevels have not changed.

If you think you can just deposit yourmattress money into your bank account

to help you pay that down payment,think again. Cash deposits can actuallyruin your chances of being approved

for a mortgage.

This can negatively affect your creditscore for many reasons. If you have

loans that need to be paid off, allow thelender to pay them off at closing andthey will be listed on your settlement

statement.

REAL ESTATE TERMINOLOGY


H E L P I N G Y O U U N D E R S T A N D MO R E

A d j u s t a b l e R a t e M o r t g a g e ( A R M ) The i n te re s t r a te i s t i ed to a f i nanc ia l i ndexmak i ng t he mon th l y mo r tgage paymen t go up o r down ove r t ime .

A n n u a l P e r c e n t a g e R a t e ( A P R ) The pe rcen t o f i n te re s t cha rged on a home l oan .

A p p r a i s a l A r epo r t h i gh l i gh t i ng t he e s t ima ted va l ue o f t he p rope r t y comp le ted by aqua l i f i ed 3 rd pa r t y .

A s s o c i a t i o n F e e / H O A F e e Cer ta i n hous i ng commun i t i e s have a mon th l y f eeas soc ia ted w i t h ma in ta i n i ng t he common a reas and amen i t i e s .

B a l l o o n M o r t g a g e A l ong- te rm mo r tgage l oan t ha t s ta r t s sma l l bu t ha s a l a rgepaymen t due a t ma tu r i t y .

C l o s i n g T h i s i s t he f i na l mee t i ng whe re t he Buye r and Se l l e r s i gn t he neces sa r ypape r -wo r k , comp le te t he t ran sac t i on , and r e l ease/ take pos se s s i on o f t he p rope r t y .

C l o s i n g C o s t s T he Buye r and Se l l e r have expenses a s soc ia ted w i t h t he t ran sac t i ono the r t han t ha t o f t he ac tua l co s t o f t he home .

C l o s i n g D i s c l o s u r e A f o rm t ha t p ro v ides t he f i na l de ta i l s abou t t he mo r tgage l oan .I t i nc l udes l oan te rms , p ro j ec ted paymen t s , and how much t he ex t ra f ees w i l l be .

C o m m i s s i o n A pe rcen t o f t he sa l e p r i ce o f t he home t ha t i s pa id to agen t s . T heSe l l e r pay s commi s s i on to bo th t he Buye r and l i s t i ng agen t i n mos t cases .

C o m p a r a b l e s Homes i n t he a rea o f i n te re s t , r ecen t l y so ld w i t h s im i l a r f ea tu re s .

C o n t i n g e n c i e s Cond i t i on s wh i ch mus t be me t i n o rde r t o c l o se . I f t he con t i ngency i sno t sa t i s f i ed t he con t rac t may be cance led .

C o u n t e r o f f e r T he r e sponse f r om t he Se l l e r i n r ega rd to an o f fe r .

D e b t t o I n c o m e R a t i o Bo r rowe r s ’ deb t ve r su s i ncome ca l cu la t i on t ha t a l ende r u se sto de te rm ine t he amoun t o f l oan you a re e l i g i b l e f o r based on you r ab i l i t y t o r epayex i s t i ng deb t p l u s t he home l oan .

D o w n P a y m e n t T he pa r t o f a home ’ s pu rchase p r i ce t ha t you pay up f r on t and doesno t come f r om a mo r tgage l ende r v i a a l oan .

E a r n e s t M o n e y T he depos i t made f r om t he Buye r t o t he Se l l e r when subm i t t i ng ano f fe r . T h i s depos i t i s t yp i ca l l y he ld i n t r u s t b y a t h i r d pa r t y . Upon c l o s i ng t he moneyw i l l gene ra l l y be app l i ed to t he down paymen t o r c l o s i ng cos t s .

E q u i t y T he d i f f e rence i n t he ma r ke t va l ue ve r su s wha t i s owed on t he home .

REAL ESTATE TERMINOLOGY


H E L P I N G Y O U U N D E R S T A N D MO R E

E s c r o w T h i s t e rm has mu l t i p l e mean i ngs ; ea rnes t money i s t yp i ca l he ld b y a t h i r dpa r t y un t i l c l o s i ng i n “ e sc row” . I t can a l so be r e fe r r ed to a s t he t ime pe r i od f r omwhen t he con t rac t i s w r i t t en and accep ted to when t he home sa le ac tua l l y c l o se s .

F H A A mo r tgage i s s ued by an FHA-app roved l ende r and i n su red by t he Fede ra lHous i ng Adm in i s t ra t i on ( FHA ) .

F i x e d R a t e T he i n te re s t r a te r ema in s t he same fo r t he en t i r e l i f e o f t he mo r tgage .

H o m e E q u i t y L i n e o f C r e d i t A l oan o r l i ne o f c red i t t ha t i s de te rm ined based on t heequ i t y o r home ' s va l ue a f te r s ub t rac t i ng t he l oans owed .

H o m e I n s p e c t i o n T he p roces s i n wh i ch a p ro fe s s i ona l i n spec t s t he Se l l e r ’ s home fo ri s s ue s t ha t a re no t open l y appa ren t , t hen c rea te s a r epo r t f o r t he Buye r t o r e v i ew .

H o m e W a r r a n t y —An annua l se r v i ce t ha t cove r s t he cos t o f r epa i r s o r r ep lacemen t sto i t ems cove red i n t he p lan .

M o r t g a g e I n s u r a n c e I n s u rance w r i t t en i n connec t i on w i t h a mo r tgage l oan t ha tp ro tec t s t he l ende r i n t he e ven t t he bo r rowe r canno t r epay t he i r l oan .

P r e - A p p r o v a l T he p roces s i n wh i ch a Buye r mus t p ro v ide a mo r tgage p ro fe s s i ona lt he app rop r i a te i n fo rmat i on on i ncome , deb t s , and a s se t s t ha t w i l l be u sed to makethe i n i t i a l c red i t on l y l oan dec i s i on .

P r e - Q u a l i f i c a t i o n Once app roved fo r a l oan , t h i s i s t he p roces s i n wh i ch t hemax imum sa le p r i ce , l oan amoun t , and mon th l y paymen t s a re ca l cu la ted fo r t hebo r rowe r . T h i s i s no t a l oan app rova l howeve r , i t i s u se fu l t o k now p r i o r t o sea rch i ngfo r a home .

R E O T he te rm fo r a p rope r t y owned by a l ende r because i t f a i l ed to se l l i n afo rec lo su re auc t i on a f te r t he bo r rowe r de fau l t ed on h i s o r he r mo r tgage .

S h o r t S a l e A s i t ua t i on when t he Se l l e r ’ s l ende r i s w i l l i ng to accep t an o f fe r anda l l ows t he sa l e t o be comp le ted fo r an amoun t l e s s t han t he mo r tgage amoun t owed .

T i t l e A l ega l documen t p ro v i ng cu r r en t and p rope r owne r sh ip o f t he p rope r t y . T h i sdocumen t h igh l i gh t s t he h i s t o r y o f p rope r t y owne r sh ip and t ran s fe r s .

U n d e r w r i t i n g —The p roces s i n wh i ch t he po ten t i a l home Buye r i s e va l ua ted fo r t he i rf i nanc ia l ab i l i t y t o ob ta i n and repay a l oan .

V A L o a n L oans fo r Ame r i cans who have se r ved i n t he a rmed fo rces . T hey a readm in i s t e red by t he Depa r tmen t o f Ve te ran A f fa i r s .

Thank you for choosing the

Stiver Firth Real Estate team

to assist you with your home

buying needs. We look

forward to working with you

either virtually or in person to

determine what your real

estate goals are!

2230 South McCall Rd

Englewood, FL 34224

941.830.5258

[email protected]

StiverFirth.com

130$&44 505)&)0. :*/( $0.1-&5&(6*%& · when you are ready to find your dream...

Documents

130$&44 505)&)0. :/( $0.1-&5&(6%& · when you are ready to find your dream...