Six Steps to Represent Your Client with Precision and Efficiency!

Six Steps to Represent Your Client with Precision and Efficiency!

Hello it's Monica Diaz!  Welcome to my video blog!

In a recent video, I discussed why it's such an amazing time to be involved in the Real Estate market in So Cal. Today I wanted to try and help 'pay it forward' by offering some advice to new agents as they navigate this highly competitive marketplace.

For the purposes of this video, I offer 6 steps any new agent can utilize to represent their clients with precision and efficiency. (All of my network should view this so they too can be aware and informed regarding effective agent strategy)

First, make sure you send well written email and text messages to your professional peers.  I can't stress the importance of this enough especially when communicating with clients or other agents when submitting or responding to offers.  Well-constructed and articulately written communication will set you apart 100% of the time.

Second, be informed about the properties you are selling or offering on.  Don't be the agent who can't answer questions about unapproved additions to your listing. And if you are making an offer in an inventory crunched market, do your homework before you call the listing agent.  Ask intelligent and informed questions.

Third, submit offers that stand out.  You stand out by sending an authoritative email or letter with an offer above asking in a tactful and cooperative tone requesting you be given notice immediately if your offer isn't "acceptable" at current terms/offer price.  Let the listing agent know your clients want the property and that you are willing to do what it takes to get it.

Fourth, read the Agent Notes in the MLS clearly and carefully.  Whenever possible AVOID CALLING and communicate via text message/email acknowledging you understand the notes clearly but have a specific question or concern not covered or mentioned.  It is OK to call but make sure when you do you are direct in your communication.  Be respectful of other agent's time ALWAYS.

Fifth, make sure your client is airtight from every angle-whether Seller or Buyer.  Vet them for every possible scenario which could arise.  Be prepared and plan for contingencies based on those scenarios.  Be prepared to go above and beyond for your clients at every opportunity.

Finally, it is absolutely imperative to keep your clients informed and to be honest and transparent with them through every step of the transaction.  It is CRUCIAL to be unattached to the outcome while allowing your client to decide what is best for themselves.

As always, if you ever know of a friend, co-worker, relative or even a member of your social communities like Facebook, interested in buying or selling property, connect with me today!

AND REMEMBER-"MONICA MAKES IT HAPPEN"!!!'

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Viva Escrow Part 3

Hi everyone! Welcome to the third and final part of our interview with Juliana Tu from Viva Escrow and the author of “The Art of Escrow.”

We truly hope you found this informative and if you have any questions, please call me at 626.890.7187 or even Juliana; we’d love to help! Thanks for watching!

Juliana Tu

Like any other industry, we have a lot of competition. There are a lot of escrow companies out there. We like to differentiate ourselves from other companies in that we provide the great service.  We have staff members that speak a vast amount of different languages to help our different clientele. I have had over 37 years of experience and am a senior certified escrow officer; I feel experience is important when you are looking for a good escrow company.

Your transaction is important to you, so it becomes important to us. So all these years in the industry, I realized there wasn’t any type of book to explain the escrow process. When clients enter the escrow process, they find it’s like being dropped into a hole.

So, with all the information I had, I decided I was going to write a book. The book is call “The Art of Escrow” and it came out December 24^th, 2012. The book actually goes through what happens before, during and after the transaction. A good transaction starts with the buyer and seller both doing their homework before they initiate the process.  My book is written to educate and help my clients understand the process and what they can do to alleviate the stress that will come to them during the process.

The book is available on Amazon and I recommend buyers and sellers read it. It is not geared toward real estate agents; the real estate agents know the process. The book tells ‘war stories’, things that can happen during escrow.

If there is knowledge, there is less stress and everyone will be happier!

Viva Escrow Part 2

Hi, everyone! Welcome to my video blog!

Today, I have part two of our interview with the wonderful Juliana Tu from Viva Escrow!

Thank you for watching!

Is there going to be a new loan on the property?

If there is a new loan on the property, the escrow company will be in constant communication with the loan program. We need to make sure we have all the documents needed to approve the loan; they need to have the correct property address, the owner’s name, etc.  Once we have all the documents, we bring the buyer in to sign. We then send the signed information to the bank for funding.

As well as getting the loan documents, we also get all the paperwork necessary for the buyer and the seller to close the contract including an estimated closing statement. This statement is very important because it tells you what the buyer needs to bring in and tells the seller what net proceeds he will get.  The estimated closing statement is one of the most important functions we will perform.

When the seller is ready to sign the deed to transfer ownership, we are coming to the close of escrow.  Once the deed is signed, it gets recorded along with the buyer’s loan information at the county recorder’s office. When that takes place, then we know the file is ready to close and it is time to balance that file.

What does balancing the file mean? We pay off the loans that the seller has, make sure the taxes are paid and we make sure the buyer’s new loan goes on to secure the property. Once the file is balanced, the checks are sent out to all the parties and the transaction is considered close.

Throughout this process, a good escrow agent should follow the three ‘Cs’.

1. Communication: We need to make sure we keep in constant communication with everyone involved in the process: the buyer, seller, listing agent, selling agent, loan broker and even the termite company! 
2. Calendar: We need to know the timing of everything such as when a termite inspection should be done by, when is a physical inspection supposed to be done or when are we going to order the seller’s payoff.
3. Customer Service: It is to our benefit that we provide the best customer service. When our sellers and buyers are happy, we are happy too!

Viva Escrow Part 1

Today, we have an absolute treat for you! As you know we’ve been partnering up with many people in this whole real estate process and in doing so we’ve actually chosen an amazing escrow company to work with. We strongly recommend working with Juliana Tu.

She has years of experience. People on her team can speak many languages. Trust me, once you hear her speak, you’ll know why we’ve chosen her. We want only the best for our clients.

Juliana has so much knowledge to share that she actually wrote a book called ‘The Art of Escrow’ We hope you enjoy this informative interview!

Interview with Juliana Tu

So what is the purpose of having an escrow?

The escrow holder is an impartial third party who handles the transfers of the property and funds between a buyer and a seller. The reason for having this is because there’s usually a lack of trust between the buyer and seller. Because of this, there might be a necessity for having a binding contract, especially when there is a For Sale by Owner.

An escrow also handles the payoff; so we are a clearinghouse for all leans and debts against the seller before the property is transferred to the buyer.

What are the basic characteristics of having this third party?

1. Confidentiality: we need to be confidential with personal information from both parties.
2. Impartial: We do not take sides.
3. No legal or financial advice: When there is a question that concerns something that is of legal or financial nature, we ask the parties to contact their legal and financial advisors.
When the purchase contract is accepted by both parties, the contract is given to the escrow holder and that becomes the map for which the escrow holder is going to follow in order to complete the transaction.

There are a few things we look for in the purchase contract:
1. Is there a new loan?
2. Are there certain things that need to be confirmed before closing such as termite inspection or repair work?

One of the other things an escrow holder does is open up a preliminary title search. We need to make sure the seller is that actual owner of the property and we need to find out what kind of leans and debts are against him. All of these things need to be paid off before escrow is closed.