Until recently, all real estate agents represented the selling party. This system worked to the seller's advantage -- a seller's agent must treat the potential buyer fairly and can't misrepresent any aspects of a property, but they must try to get the most money and best terms for the seller. Homebuyers had no agent to promote their interests and work for their benefit.

Kevin Love is a member of a new breed of agents called "buyer brokers" who work, not for the seller, but for the buyer. This provides huge advantages to the buyer, including unbiased showing of all available homes, advice on the condition of the property, and tough negotiating to get you the best price and terms.

Since a the commission paid to a buyer broker is paid at closing from the fee the listing broker receives from the seller, it does not cost more to be represented by a buyer broker. As a buyer agent, Kevin pledges to:

Show you the entire inventory of available homes on an equal basis.

Discover and disclose to you all reasonably available information to ensure you have every advantage in making the right decision.

Be your advocate and advisor through all negotiations to help you buy the best home at the best price and terms consistent with your needs.

Kevin will prepare a Home Purchase Plan to help you successfully find a fabulous new home. This Plan includes understanding what you want in a new home, channeling all available resources to help you find your new home, and guiding you through the offer and purchase processes. Kevin's Home Purchase Plan includes:

Understand The Customers Buying Criteria.

Review All New Listings Posted On The MRIS.

Network With Other Realtors, Home Owners, And Professionals To Learn About New Listings Before They Are Posted On The MRIS.

Prepare A List Of Potential Homes Matching The Buyers Criteria For Review By The Buyers.

Pre-Screen Properties based on location, condition, etc.

Prepare A Home Tour Based On Buyer's Feedback.

Repeat New Home Candidate Process Until Buyer's Select A Home To Purchase.

Determine Fair Market Value Of Home And Offer Price.

Prepare Offer Documentation.

Present Offer To Owners And Owner's Realtor.

Negotiate Price, When Applicable.

Coordinate All Home Purchase Paperwork (Inspections, Financing, Etc.)

Accompany Buyers To Settlement.

When buying a new home, it is important to understand your what you are looking for in a new home, what you can afford in a new home, what to expect in your new home, and how to prepare for the settlement process.

Make a list of desired features for the new home. Consider, house style, house size, number of bathrooms, number of bedrooms, neighborhood, and proximity to schools, parks, retail services, and public transportation.

Prioritize your list and determine which features are essential needs and which are extra needs (such as a master bathroom with Jacuzzi, three-season porch, etc.)

Know what you can afford. This depends on how much income and how much debt you have. In general, lenders don't want borrowers to spend more than 28 percent of their gross income per month on a mortgage payment or more than 36 percent on debts.

Work with your realtor to include contingencies with your offer. Most offers include two standard contingencies: a financing contingency, which makes the sale dependent on the buyers' ability to obtain a loan commitment from a lender, and an inspection contingency, which allows buyers to have professionals inspect the property to their satisfaction.

Understand the home you are about to buy. Home inspections, seller disclosure requirements and the agent's experience will help. Sellers are required to indicate any significant defects or malfunctions existing in the home's major systems. A checklist specifies interior and exterior walls, ceilings, roof, insulation, windows, fences, driveway, sidewalks, floors, doors, foundation, as well as the electrical and plumbing systems.