“Brian is knowledgeable, dedicated, kind, and communicative. He's also not pushy and he doesn't sugar-coat anything, which won over my total respect. He makes sure that you have all the information you need and consistently goes the extra mile -- his attitude is absolute gold! When he's with you, you won't feel rushed, and if he can't answer a question (which is rare) he will find out and get back to you. Brian is definitely the person you want by your side through this process, as he has your best interest at heart and it shows. As soon as you meet him you will get the sense of his depth of expertise, patience, and caring. 110% recommend.” -Tiffany
In my industry, 90% of our job as realtors are to look for new clients. I disagree. I focus only on serving our active clients who are referrals from past clients and any buyer or seller on their own accord. I spend 0% of my time on “lead generation” and 100% of it on serving our clients through direct client-specific work or maintaining our above-average competency.
Spending no time lead generating means I work with fewer clients at a time. Our average buyer wins after only 1-2 offers and only needs to search for 1-8 weeks. I don't rush my clients - I just provide my buyers with more home options and more research much sooner giving our clients more time to consider homes even in the Pacific Northwest’s faster pace market.
My personalized approach allows us to learn what you truly want in a home. I educate new and seasoned homebuyers about the ever-changing policies, strategies, and technology. I never spam, I never send automated emails, and I’ll never send you listings unless they’ve been handpicked and most likely already previewed for you.
I research homes, sellers, sellers’ motivation, buyer competition, and current market trends to better understand the home and our chances of winning the home. I also locate additional documents and information to help in creating a strong yet safe offer by safely adding or removing contingencies to better our chances of winning - While keeping you safe.
I provide education, research, assistance, guidance, strategies, and negotiations from the beginning to end of the transaction - Actually, I hope to remain a resource forever after.
Distinctively BH
In-App Chat + Video Tours
The sooner you see a home the larger of an advantage you have! After gaining an understanding of what an active, pre-approved buyer is looking for, I preview homes to see if they may be a match. If I think it’s a match, I may try to get you to visit the home as soon as possible or I may even send you a virtual tour as if you’re there with me via the COMPASS App. I can also FaceTime or video stream video to you live as if you are there with me! Many of my clients are out of state and our techniques, commentaries, and technology allow for many happy buyers to be able to buy from afar safely and comfortably. I do this for all of our local clients so that you can be the first to see the home, even if it’s just on a phone or computer screen!
Discounts on Inspections
Even in red-hot markets, I always recommend an inspection. I’ll help strategize when and how to conduct your inspection. I have a Rolodex of inspectors that I’ve vetted and use on my own yearly purchases. Licensed and bonded home inspectors protect your purchase and educate you on how to maintain a home. Inspections typically cost 300-800 per home. I work with several inspectors who are not only some of the most certified experts but also offer heavy discounts for our buyers. If need be, I’ll ensure last-minute requests are met as I would never ask for you to waive an inspection contingency without being protected. I'll also advise you if I think you can include a post-offer inspection too to save time, money, and stress.
Always Accessible
I work around the clock for mission readiness. The sooner we see a home, the less competition we may have - The less competition the less likelihood of a bidding war - No one likes bidding wars. Call/text/email/dm anytime. I don’t use a 24hr hotline to connect you to some random newer agent or call center - my military and emergency responder backgrounds have me available 24/7 to answer questions and chat - I always pick up for my active clients.
CLICK HERE to check out the COMPASS App where we search, communicate, and request a showing, all in one app!
My Expertise Is Your Expertise
I don't just excel in training, certifications, seminars, and courses so that I may show off letters behind my name - I do it to better serve you. With my high production in successful buyer and listing transactions, I have experience. If I can't answer your questions, I won't waste your time by pretending to. Instead, I will research the answer for you or refer you to the proper resources. Additionally, I pride myself in being full-service agents who know both the listing and buyer side - This means I keep up-to-date with trends in the marketplace and understand what the 'other side’ of the transaction wants or is nervous about. I also don't hand you off to a “specialist” who only handles one portion of the transaction before handing it off to the next agent. Use of “specialists” is very efficient for discount brokerages and teams utilizing new or less-producing agents. Why should you, the buyer have to explain to a new agent every time you are handed off; Why should you feel comfortable about the 'next agent' working off of the previous agent's notes or summary? The typical buyer's perspective, knowledge, and search criteria oftentimes evolve - I will be there to evolve with you every step and from beginning to end!
Beyond Negotiations
Any agent can search, place an offer, and hand you keys a month later. How I differ is how I keep you safe before, during, and after the transaction. I prepare, strategize, and negotiate throughout the entire transaction to keep you safe. With a background in emergency work and in compliance, my mind lives in future possibilities. Like a grandmaster in chess, I keep an eye on several moves ahead to both reduce risks and to keep you in the most advantageous position.
Client Events and Resources
I’ll start off with catering your housewarming, then at least once a year you and your guests will be invited to my annual private client music/food/wine events. I also will remain your 24/7 and forever advisor to all things home-contractor recommendations and expert general contractor advice.
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Yes, there will be a hard inquiry on your credit. However, it will only drop your credit a few points and only once, no matter how many applications you make in a 2-week period (i.e., applying to 1 lender = 1 hard hit; shopping 2+ lenders = still only 1 hard hit). Ask about our lender shopping worksheet and process!
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2-3 months but are extended with “soft pulls”. The typical Seattle home buyer takes many months or even years to find and win a home. So when your preapproval expires, your lender will only have to conduct a "soft pull" on your credit to see if there are any changes before you write an offer - This will not decrease your credit score.
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In our area, there is no chance you'll have an offer accepted without a preapproval. Even prequalifications make a weak offer. The source of that information you found is probably not from someone in our market and also anyone can write a blog, news article, or some other form of "advice", even ghostwriters from other countries and an increasing number of articles written with AI. In other areas of the country, the time to close can be as long as 60 days and it's common to have longer contingencies. In our area, the average time to close is 25-28 days and we have a lot of strong offers that can close in 10-20 days, even with jumbo or portfolio loans. These offers can more easily beat other offers even if "lowballing" but would require that you have already not only been preapproved, but already working with a lender in obtaining "preapproval through underwriting" and only if that particular lender provides such a preapproval.
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No. An automated home evaluation tool like Zestimate, Redfin estimate, or the hundreds of others out there is rarely accurate in our Seattle or PNW market. Our market is too diverse and our communities are too mixed in zoning, styles, sizes, and price points. For our buyers, we will run a comp report as part of the research we do when considering a home or when preparing an offer.
Common Q&A’s
Buyer Timeline
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Discovery Meeting via Google Meet or in person - Click to schedule
Sign WA-required docs
Set up the Compass App and shared “Collection”
Set up a search and share favorite past and favorite current listings into the shared collection. Share any listings you have visited and add remarks in the comments section of each listing of what you liked and didn’t like about the home.
Evidence of funds or get preapproved. Click for lender info
Discovery Tour
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Agent launches search and Previews homes so we can collaborate in Compass Collections
Underwrite Pre-Approval once <1 month from making an offer
Weekly Tours or One-Off showings 8am-8pm any day
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Draft and sign the offer a day before the offer presentation
Agent presents offer. Potential initial negotiations.
Continue to the transaction phase OR return to the search phase
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Clear contingencies such as inspection, HOA review, and financing contingencies
Secondary negotiations due to appraisal/title/inspection/contingency findings
Prepare for closing: pay all costs to close, Escrow Signing, Final Walkthrough
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Possession of property Typically on the same day of closing
First mortgage payment after a full month (i.e. closing on January 2nd = first payment in March)
Condos typically send the welcome package and register new owners in the call box within 1-2 weeks of the closing
Reach out weeks, months, or years after closing, as you’ll probably discover things or questions about your new home. We are still available 24/7 to be your resource
Look out for invitations to our private BH Circle events in your email or social media
