2. Welcome You are about to start on the exciting journey of finding your ideal home. Whether you are a first time home buyer, this is your 5th house, retirement home, or investment property, my job is to make this experience as smooth and fun as possible! My objective is to help you find your ideal home with little hassle and stress. I am devoted to using my expertise and experience along with advanced technical resources to help achieve your goal. Buying a home is a very important step in life. I will make sure that you are knowledgeable enough for this major decision and stay up-to-date during the entire process. I am prepared to lead you through every phase of this home buying process from beginning to the day you receive the keys. The information included in the Success Plan recap the process to give you a good idea of what to expect along with frequently asked questions. It also contains important dates and phone numbers to help you stay organized. Please keep this information handy and contact me with any questions. Dona James | 972-800-8860 donajames4@gmail.com www.donajames.com

3. The Home- Buying Process 1.Select a Real Estate agent (Dona James) 2.Obtain financial pre-qualification 3.Analyze your needs in a one-on-one buyer consultation 4.Select properties 5.View properties 6.Write an offer to purchase 7.Negotiate terms 8.Accept the contract 9.Conduct inspection within permitted time (Option Period) | Resolve any issues via negotiations | Obtain mortgage financing (your lender will explain more) | Title company will conduct a title search and obtain title insurance 10. Title company will obtain funds for closing 11. Close on the property 12. Take possession of the home and move in 13. Throw a party and invite your favorite Realtor – Dona James! Dona James | 972-800-8860 donajames4@gmail.com www.donajames.com

4. The General Mortgage and Loan Process (Contact your Lender for more specific details) Pre-Qualify: We recommend our Buyers to get pre-qualified before beginning their home search to clarify the price range of the property. 1.Contact Your Choice of Lender to get pre-qualified for your home loan so that we may begin your House Hunt with confidence. Once we find the home I will send executed contract to your Lender. 2.Your Lender will verify your loan application; send you a good faith estimate, and all relevant disclosures. Once you send them the requested documents, they will begin to process of your file. 3.The underwriting department of your lender will start to review your file. If all documents they requested are in order, then final documents are ordered and sent to the Title Company per executed contract. If underwriting requests additional documents the representative of your lender will contact you. 4.Lender's closing department will work with the Title Company to get HUD approval. The HUD statement will include all the details about your home loan, including the final cash amount needed to close. 5.I will communicate with Lender and Title Co. to schedule exact day and time to close at Title Company. The Buying Ten Commandments When in the process of buying your home you should follow these Ten Commandments (tips): 1.Thou shall not change jobs, become self-employed, or quit your job. 2.Thou shall not buy a car, truck or van (or you may be living in it)! 3.Thou shall not use charge cards excessively or let accounts fall behind. 4.Thou shall not spend money you have set aside for closing. 5.Thou shall not omit debts or liabilities from your loan application. 6.Thou shall not buy furniture. 7.Thou shall not originate any inquiries to your credit. 8.Thou shall not make large deposits without first checking with your loan officer/lender. 9.Thou shall not change bank accounts. 10.Thou shall not co-sign for a loan for anyone. Dona James | 972-800-8860 donajames4@gmail.com www.donajames.com

5. Making an Offer Once you have found the home you want, we will write an offer on it using the standard contract. While much of the contract is standard, there are a few areas that we can negotiate: The Price What you offer on a property depends on a number of factors, including its condition, length of time on the market, buyer activity, and the urgency of the seller. In today’s market low ball offers are a waste of time. But, rest assure, before we write any offers I will prepare you with a CMA. This will analyze and provide you with a fair market comparison. The Move-in Date If you are flexible on the possession date, the seller will be more apt to choose your offer over others. Additional Information Often, the seller plans on leaving major appliance in the home; however which items stay or go is often a matter of negotiation. Typically, you will not be present at the offer presentation; we will provide it to the listing agent and/or seller. The seller with then do one of the following: Accept the offer Reject the offer Counter the offer with changes The most common response is a counteroffer. When a counteroffer is presented, you and I will work together to review each specific area of it, making sure that we move forward with your goals in mind and ensuring that we negotiate the best possible price and terms on your behalf. Dona James | 972-800-8860 donajames4@gmail.com donajames4@gmail.com www.donajames.com

6. What Happens Next- Behind the Scenes? Now that we have a executed contract between both parties, what happens between now and the time you legally own the home? A Title Company usually handles the following items. Earnest money- The earnest money deposit is an important part of the home buying process. It tells the seller you're a committed buyer, and it helps fund your down payment. On average you can expect to hand over 1- 2% of the total purchase price. This must be turned in to the Title Company within 2 business days. Tax Check- What taxes are owed on this property? The Title Company contacts various assessor/collectors. Title Search- Copies of documents are gathered from various public records: deeds, deeds of trust, various assessments and matters of probate, divorce, and bankruptcy are addressed, etc. Examination- Verification of the legal owner and debts owed. Document Preparation- Appropriate forms are prepared for conveyance and settlement. Settlement- A Escrow Officer oversees the closing of the transaction: seller signs the deed, you sign a new mortgage, the old loan is paid off and the new loan is established. Seller, Realtors, attorneys, surveyors, Title Company, and other service providers for the parties are paid. Title insurance policies will then be issued to you and your lender. Title Insurance- There is two types of title insurance: Coverage that protects the lender for the amount of the mortgage Coverage that protects your equity in the property Both you and your lender will want the security offered by title insurance. Why? Title agents search public records to determine who has owned any piece of property, but these records may not reflect irregularities that are almost impossible to find. Here are some examples: an unauthorized seller forges the deed to the property; an unknown, but rightful heir to the property shows up after the sale to claim ownership; conflicts arise over a will from a deceased owner; or a land survey showing the boundaries of your property is incorrect. For a one-time charge at closing, title insurance will safeguard you against problems including those events an exhaustive search will not reveal. Dona James | 972-800-8860 donajames4@gmail.com www.donajames.com

7. Here is Closing 101 Prepare for It Closing day marks the end of your home-buying process and the beginning of your new life! To make sure your closing goes smoothly, you should bring and prepare the following: Make sure to have available funds in your bank account to cover for the closing cost and down payment A homeowner's insurance binder and paid receipt Photo IDs Social security numbers Addresses for the past 10 years Own It Transfer of title moves ownership of the property from the seller to you. The two events that make this happen are: Delivery of the buyers funds-The check or wire funds provided by your lender in the amount of the loan. Delivery of the deed- A deed is the document that transfers ownership of real estate. The deed names the seller and buyer, gives a legal description of the property, and contains the notarized signatures of the seller and witnesses. After closing, the deed will be recorded at the county clerk’s office. It will be sent to you after processing. Frequently Asked Questions How will you tell me about the newest homes available? My Multiple Listing Service Website (MLS) provides up-to-date information for every home on the market. I constantly check the homes that are New on the Market, Price Changes, Back on the Market, and more, so I can be on the lookout for my clients. I will get you this information right away in the form of email. Will you inform me of homes from all real estate companies? I will keep you informed of all homes. I want to help you find your dream home, which means I need to stay on top of every home that's available on the market. Can you help me find new construction homes? Yes, I can work with most builders and get you the information you need to make a decision. On your first visit with the builder, I will accompany you. My several years experience working directly with builders provides an advantage to you. By using my services with a new construction home purchase, you will receive the services I offer, as well as those provided by the builder, at no additional cost. Dona James | 972-800-8860 donajames4@gmail.com www.donajames.com

8. Frequently Asked Questions How does for sale by owner (FSBO) work? Homeowners trying to sell their home without agent representation are usually doing so in the hopes of saving the commission. If you see a FSBO and want the advantages of my services, let me contact the owner for you and make an appointment. Most times the homeowner will work with an agent, even though their home is not listed, since the agent is introducing a potential buyer to their property. Can we go back through our property again once an offer is made, but before possession? Usually, we can notify the seller and schedule a convenient time to visit the property again. You will also have time at your scheduled home inspection. Before the closing, we will schedule a final walk-through. Once my offer is accepted, what should I do? Hire a House Inspector to make sure that there are no major issues concerning the home. Then focus on moving into your new home! You will want to schedule your move, pack items and notify businesses of your address change (more towards the actual closing date). I will provide you with a moving checklist to help you remember all the details. Its all about YOU! My real estate business has been and continues to be built around one standared: YOU! It's your needs It's your dreams It's your concerns It's your questions It's your finances It's your time It's your life My focus is on your complete satisfaction. I work to get the job done so well, you'll want to tell your family, friends and co-workers about it. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to earn your referrals too! Dona James | 972-800-8860 donajames4@gmail.com www.donajames.com

9. During Your Home Search: What to expect I love helping buyers find their dream home. That's why I work with each client individually, taking the time to understand their unique lifestyles, needs and wishes. This is about more than a certain number of bedrooms or a particular zip code. This is about your life. And it's important to me. When you work with me, you get: A one-on-one Free Buyers Consultation. This will allow us to get more comfortable with each other when looking at homes together and throughout the whole buying process. A knowledgeable, educated, and professional REALTOR® A committed ally to negotiate on your behalf. The backing of a trusted company-Fathom Realty, LLC. I have the systems in place to streamline the home-buying process for you. As part of my service, I will commit to helping you with your home search by: Previewing homes in advance on your behalf Personally touring homes and neighborhoods with you Keeping you informed of new homes on the market Helping you preview homes on the web Advising you of other homes that have sold and for how much Working with you until we find the home of your dreams Dona James| 972-800-8860 donajames4@gmail.com www.donajames.com

10. Let Me Be Your Guide As your educated Realtor® I can save you endless amounts of time, money, and frustration. As your educated Realtor® I know the housing market inside and out and can help you avoid all the running around. As your educated Realtor® I can help you with any home, even if it is listed elsewhere or if it is being sold directly by the owner. As your educated Realtor® I know the best lenders in the area and can help you understand the importance of being pre-qualified for a mortgage. I can also discuss down payments, closing costs, and monthly payment options that suit you. As your educated Realtor®, I am an excellent source for both general and specific information about the community such as schools, churches, shopping, and transportation - - plus tips on home inspections and pricing. As your educated Realtor® I am experienced at presenting your offer to the homeowner and can help you through the process of negotiating the best price. We bring objectivity to the buying transaction, and we can point out the advantages and the disadvantages of a particular property. And the best thing about me as your Realtor® is that all this help normally won’t cost you a cent. The seller pays the commission to the Realtor®. Dona James | 972-800-8860 donajames4@gmail.com www.donajames.com

11. Important Dates To Remember Contract Executed Date: ________________ Earnest Money Due Date: _______________ Loan Application Deadline: ______________ Inspection Date: ___________ Option Period Deadline: ___________ Closing Date: _____________ Move In Date: _____________ House Warming Party: _____________________ (don’t forget to invite your wonderful Realtor) Dona James | 972-800-8860 donajames4@gmail.com www.donajames.com

12. Congratulations You own a new home! So why are you feeling anxious? It’s Called Buyer’s Remorse… and it is a completely natural feeling that every buyer experiences after purchasing a new home. It Will Pass... as you begin to plan the move to your new home I can provide you with a moving checklist o help guide you through the process. But For Now… there’s still plenty of work to be done. Let’s get your paperwork to your closing attorney and lender! Dona James | 972-800-8860 donajames4@gmail.com www.donajames.com