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The SMART Guide

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IT'S 7AM SATURDAY MORNING

You were looking forward to sleeping in after a long week of commuting. You’ve been killing it at work lately, and might have even gotten a promotion. But once again, the upstairs neighbor is wearing those darn clanky shoes. It’s like they’re stomping on your hopes and dreams. You try to fall back asleep, but the neighbor’s dog has decided to start barking again. So you grab your phone and start scrolling through Facebook and Instagram.

YOU'VE GRADUATED COLLEGE

landed a great paying job with benefits, but you still don’t feel like an adult. It would feel so good to have your family over and show them how far you’ve come. But when you look around, the decor is lacking. The furniture is all hand-me-downs, IKEA, or stuff off the street or garage sales. You’ve worked hard to make it this far, but your place hasn’t kept up with it.

Even still, you’re hosting a brunch this weekend with some of your friends and family. You’re nervous because your housemate dirtied the kitchen last night. It’s been harder and harder to communicate with them about keeping the place tidy.

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
YOU GOT THE GOOD NEWS THAT THE LANDLORD IS
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ONLY INCREASING RENT BY $100 DOLLARS THIS YEAR

It came in an envelope with the landlord’s property management company’s logo on it. You thought at first it was a notice that the property was being sold and that you’d have to vacate.

What should be good news makes you nervous. You know that the place you’re renting could have a huge rent increase, or the landlord may want to sell it.

You have some savings that you’ve worked hard to set aside, you wanted to go on vacation but thought better of it.

You’ve also been sitting on some inheritance money, but that money is for your financial freedom. But who can you trust with so much of your well being at stake?

So you punched some values into an online mortgage calculator and got a bit of an idea of what you can afford.

You’ve looked online at homes that you think would be a good fit.

You even talked to friends and family about their experiences with homeownership. You asked them what they thought of the housing market.

You tried talking with your housemate about going in on place together. Only if they could keep their stuff off the floors and dishes out of the sink.

YOU'VE TALKED
TO YOUR PARTNER, BUT IT FEELS LIKE A BIG STEP.
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YOU FOUND THAT SOME OF THE HOUSES YOU LIKE GO WAY OVER THE LIST PRICE. YOU ALSO FOUND THAT SOME SELL FOR CLOSER TO THE ASKING PRICE, YOU CAN'T

MAKE HEADS OR TAILS OF IT

Everyone you talked to has a different opinion and the whole idea has gotten more and more confusing.

You even got to the point where you were going to let that online lender pull your credit score. But you chickened out. You don’t want a negative mark on your credit score! The honest truth is you don’t know who to trust, and this thing is way too big.

And now you’re going to be hosting yet another get together. And you are going to have to clean up the mess your housemate left. And throw together the place to make it look halfway decent. You’ll survive the party, let’s be real. But if you don’t make some serious moves things are going to get worse.

You could get stuck. Home prices are going up, if you don’t start working towards a goal you are going to end up left in the dust.

The data shows that, property values double in the bay area every 7 years.

EXTRAPOLATE
YOU CAN’T AFFORD NOT TO START PLANNING.
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YOU COULD

CONTINUE TO

throw money away. I’m sure you’ve thought about what it costs to rent vs. buy. The average rent in Oakland is $2,854 a month, and in Berkeley it’s $3,240 dollars.

THAT’S $34,248 - $38,880 OF YOUR MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN EVERY YEAR.

Sure, you aren’t responsible for the upkeep of the rental, but that money could be going towards your future. You could go on that vacation, but what’s the point of vacationing when there is no set future. It would feel empty, wouldn’t it?

I 'VE SEEN IT MANY TIMES.
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I TOTALLY GET WHERE YOU ARE COMING FROM

You could get stuck in a cycle. You know that if you don’t buy a place you are going to have to rent. This exposes you to having to move again, and the next time you won’t be able to afford the neighborhood you want to be in. Some people have the luxury of being able to work remote, or they don’t have kids or plan on having them. They can live wherever their hearts content. I know you have bigger plans than that.

You could even see all three happen at the same time. You get a notice that your lease is terminating. Rent has gone up across the board and you can’t afford a place in the area you want to rent in. You aren’t ready to buy a home of your own because you didn’t take the time to set yourself up. Imagine not being able to afford a place in the area you have to live. Would you move back in with your parents? Would you rent a room in a crowded party house? Those would be major steps backwards.

I ’M ELI FLETCHER, AND I BECAME A REALTOR TO HELP MY DAD. HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASE IN 2009.

He told me that he was nervous about maintaining the amount of business he was doing. He expected the progression of the disease to slow him down. He would need someone to support him and to later pass the business on to.

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I WAS MORE INTERESTED IN HELPING MY DAD THAN BEING SOME SORT OF LEGACY AGENT.

I’m the 6th of 7 kids, and I jokingly asked him how many of my siblings said no to him before he got around to asking me. He smiled wisely and looked me straight in the eye and said he asked me first and didn’t have a plan B. I was speechless.

I was baffled by the request. How my dad, a Philosophy major with a Masters in Education, could ever think I was his first pick as heir apparent didn’t add up.

AT THE TIME, I PERFORMED IN A LOCAL ROCK GROUP.

I worked at a brewery to earn enough money so I could pursue my aspirations to be heard by thousands of people. It was never about the money. I knew the possibility was there to get rich doing what I loved, but the odds were very small. Kind of like making a million dollars at the two dollar black jack table.

IT’S A FUN GAME TO PLAY, BUT NOT THE BEST WAY TO MAKE A LIVING.

I was always more interested in having a positive impact and I thought a great way to do that was to create music. It’s timeless. It doesn’t matter where or why the music is being listened to. It’s an opportunity to make a positive difference in someone’s day.

As I learned more about what the job entailed, it started to make more and more sense to me.

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I learned that each transaction wasn’t just a list price or sale price THERE WAS A HUMAN ELEMENT, BE IT A PERSON, A COUPLE, OR A FAMILY THEIR NEEDS SURPASSED THE TRANSACTION.

Soon, I realized that we helped people turn thoughts or a feeling into a physical object that could be lived in. A safe place for memories to be made. An investment in the people and their lives as they imagined. I loved it!

IN THOSE FIRST YEARS, I MET SOMEONE AND WITHIN A FEW MONTHS, SHE WAS PREGNANT.

Looking back, I wish I’d made a plan, but love bombing had me in a daze. We must be in love, right? I put playing music on hold and focused on the business and raising a family.

At work, I was thriving. Naturally upbeat, my positive thinking helped me get investors into contract, or keep first time buyers invigorated in their search. I have a client who regularly tells me how I changed her life. She’d lost hope and my positivity kept her going. Real estate is hard sometimes, and my personality is so disarming that even someone in the dumps can’t help but smile.

AT HOME, THOUGH, THINGS WEREN’T GOING SO WELL

My wife had gotten sick while pregnant with our second child. In the course of a year, she had 3 heavy duty surgeries. She wasn’t happy in the Bay Area and wanted to move closer to her family in LA .If I didn’t behave exactly as she wanted she would threaten to leave with the kids.

“ONE DAY, YOU’LL COME HOME AND WE’LL BE GONE” SHE WOULD SAY.
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A HUGE PRO TIP: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, DON’T BE TOO CASUAL WITH YOUR LIFE.

Ignorance is not bliss. It’s suffering, poverty, and divorce. The last thing I ever wanted was to raise kids in a broken family, and I operated out of that fear for a few more years as the cycle of abuse worsened. Being the sole provider, I was told that I was worthless and was kept from my family and loved ones and so were my kids.

All because I was afraid that she would move them away. Well guess what? One day, she did, and all that hard work was for nothing. Or so I thought.

It started with a request for divorce because she couldn’t get health insurance because of my income. Only for that reason. She asked me to move out, so her sister could help her recover from her surgery. We had an informal agreement that I could see the kids when I wanted for as long as I wanted. None of it felt right, but I went ahead.

We weren’t getting along, and she was stressed about her health and wanted to move back to LA. I asked for defined kid time, but she said no. Because I thought the divorce was purely logistical, I’d defaulted on the proceedings.

THAT MEANT I ’D GIVEN HER SOLE LEGAL AND PHYSICAL CUSTODY OF THE KIDS.

I HAD CUT MYSELF OUT OF MY KIDS LIVES BECAUSE I CARED TOO MUCH FOR THIS PERSON’S NEEDS AND I WAS MAKING DECISIONS OUT OF FEAR. THAT FEAR HAD TAKEN ME TO THE BRINK.

It took me over a year to recover. There were lawyers and courtrooms and it sucked. I’m happy to inform you that I have 50/50 legal and physical custody and I get to see my kids frequently and for long periods in the summer. They’re thriving, beautiful and well adjusted.

Incredibly, I met a gal that has two kids of her own, similar in age, and she loves me for who I am. We’re getting married and she isn’t even pregnant! Miraculously, my family has doubled in size and the love in my heart has quadrupled.

All this happened to me for a reason. It made me the person I am today, and I’m so grateful for it. I was afraid to commit to working in this area for the rest of my life. I’m now able to wholeheartedly invest my time in the community I was raised in and love.

HAVING FOUGHT

FOR MY FAMILY, FOR MY KIDS, I KNOW EXACTLY HOW IMPORTANT IT IS.
THAT’S WHY I ’M SO PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING COUPLES START THEIR FAMILY.

The foundations you set for the life you want to build are essential. Getting to help you with a pretty big part of setting down roots - getting your first house, is a joy and an honor.

I FALL ASLEEP AT NIGHT WITH A SMILE KNOWING I HELPED HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE, NOT JUST YOUR DAY.
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FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATE THE EAST BAY HOUSING MARKET USING MY SMART BUYING GUIDE

Remember the six P’s - Proper Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.
THIS GUIDE IS FOR YOU IF:
  • You want more for yourself and your future
  • You want to know exactly what to offer
  • You want to get ahead of the competition
  • You want to save time and money
  • You want home buying and home ownership to be a positive experience

I created the SMART Buyer Guide to help cure symptoms of misinformed buyers and to put them firmly in control of their destiny. So let's get SMART about the process.

STEP ONE: START

We need to start by taking an inventory of where you are and your short and your long term goals. This works best when we sit down either at our office or at a property you are interested in. If you’re reading this, one of your goals is homeownership - but what else? In order to find a house match, we need to be clear on where you are and where you want to be.

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STEP TWO: MAKE YOURSELF THE BEST

We will take all of this into consideration while we tailor a specific strategy for you. Do you want one house? Most people start with the house they live in for a number of reasons. Perhaps down the line you will want to have a home for your kids or a vacation house or rental properties. Let’s talk about all of that. I want to help you put together real estate plans that meet the goals you have for your life, not just the number of bedrooms you want right here and now.

It’s important to know where you are in life, if you don’t have a plan you are exactly where you should be. By taking the time to hear the things that are important to you we will be able to better assist you. It’s like walking around in a room with the lights off- it will take us a lot longer to find the door. So let’s turn the light on!

I bet you've entered some financial information into a mortgage calculator. You’ve talked to some family members about helping you with a down payment.

I KNOW THAT FINANCIAL BACKGROUNDS ARE AS DIVERSE AS PEOPLE, NO TWO ARE THE SAME.

If you need a mortgage, talking with a lender will allow you to understand exactly what’s needed to be completely pre-approved. They will tell you how to begin the process of collecting your information to submit to them.

"... BE THE BEST"

GETTING PREAPPROVED IS VITAL. WE NEED IT FOR SELLER'S TO TAKE US SERIOUSLY AND IT ISN’T SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT TO RUSH THROUGH.

I have resources I share with you to get the ball rolling on this. The lender you decide to work with has control over some very important negotiating points so take good care with this step. The strength of your offer will depend in many ways on the strength of the lender you choose to work with. Talking with a lender allows you to get sound financial information for your situation. There’s a lot of paperwork needed, and it’s good to speak to at least a few different people your first time out. Don’t worry, I’ll provide you with questions to ask each lender. I'll also give you a list of trusted partners to contact, so you can make a confident decision.

WITHOUT THE PREAPPROVAL WE DON’T KNOW WHAT WE ARE WORKING WITH.
YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO BUY A HOME BUT YOU DON’T KNOW HOW MUCH HOUSE YOU CAN AFFORD.

Being the best buyer you can be may take a few days, a few weeks, a few months, and in some cases a few years. That’s fine, we are here for you as your strength grows.

"... BE THE BEST"
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STEP THREE: ARRIVE AT YOUR IDEAL PROPERTY

NOW THAT YOU’RE PREAPPROVED, ALL THOSE LATE NIGHT ZILLOW SEARCHES TAKE ON NEW MEANING.

Before you were just window shopping. Now you actually have purchasing power. How will you know it’s the right house?

There's three main things to know and you can count on me to help you learn. Understanding the properties condition and location and supporting documentation or disclosures. You'll want a good idea of the seller’s expectations. And we'll need to have a clear sense of how the listing agent likes to do business.

EACH ONE OF THESE IS GOING TO HAVE AN EFFECT ON HOW WE PROCEED.
YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT IT IS YOU ARE LOOKING FOR,

you need to be specific. Being specific clarifies your wants and needs. With this kind of focus you aren’t going to be wasting time in the wrong neighborhood or the wrong house. You won't be spinning your wheels on a property that is going to go out of your target price. Or wasting time on a home that requires too much in the way of maintenance or repairs.

"... ARRIVE"
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YOU HAVE TO GET OUT AND SEE WHAT IS AVAILABLE

but looking at a bunch of homes can be overwhelming. At a certain point, they all start to blend together. That’s why I have a special tool to help sort the inventory before we ever go house hunting. It’ll help you see what you like or dislike in different homes. You can give the home a star rating, a heart, or send it to the trash.

I THEN TAKE THE FEEDBACK AND
NARROW THE SEARCH DOWN EVEN MORE TO A FEW TARGETED NEIGHBORHOODS
DURING THIS PHASE I WILL HELP YOU GATHER INTEL ON NEIGHBORHOODS OF INTEREST AS WE CONTINUE TO NARROW DOWN THE SEARCH.
"... ARRIVE"
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STEP FOUR: REVIEW AND READ DISCLOSURES

With a clear sense of what you like and a list of properties in hand, we’ll start visiting homes. Once we’ve found a home that you love, we’ll look at the background information or disclosures provided. That will help us plan your offer. Often times, a letter to the seller can set you apart.

I’LL HELP YOU WRITE THIS AND GO OVER THE OFFER SPECIFICS BEFORE SUBMITTING TO THE SELLER TO REVIEW.

You have to start reading through disclosures and imagine owning these homes. You are putting all the hard work you’ve done to use now. Keep in mind what may work at one property may not work at another. The only way to learn detailed information about the properties you like is to see them in person. Then take it a step further and review the disclosure information.

Understanding the paperwork involved is a critical part of the process. I’ll provide you with sample documents and walk you through what putting in an offer will be like.

Based on what we have we can start to determine the best way to get the property into contract. Often times a personal letter can differentiate you from other offers. To write an authentic letter you need to have an attachment to the property. At this point we will help you write the property specific letter and review the offer paperwork.

"... REVIEW"
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STEP FIVE: TIME MANAGEMENT

ONCE THE OFFER IS ACCEPTED, WE’LL NEED TO SET UP INSPECTIONS AND BIDS.

This helps you be sure that the home you’ve put an offer on is a sound investment. There may be an opportunity to renegotiate the final price in this stage. Repairs or inspection issues are factored in to negotiate a better price.

I’LL ALSO PROVIDE YOU WITH A CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND DUE DATES.

We want to move through escrow without delays. At the end of this stage, we’ll do a walkthrough together to make sure the home is in the same condition you bought it in.

THEN, FINALLY, YOU’LL GET THE KEYS- WHICH IS YOUR FIRST MAJOR REAL ESTATE MILESTONE!

Real estate is relationship driven. You need to trust your agent. You should know that no matter what you have someone that can help you with anything real estate related.

"... TIME"
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WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER USING MY SMART BUYER GUIDE:

  • YOU WILL BECOME THE EXPERT IN YOUR MARKET
  • YOU WILL KNOW EXACTLY WHAT TO OFFER
  • YOU WILL HAVE A PLAN AND KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT
IMAGINE,

you are finally in a place that is your own. You are a property owner that can count on each mortgage payment going towards your future.

You aren’t throwing your money away. You will have a home that you are proud of.

You have a home to pass on to your family and loved ones. You finally belong, and can invest your time in the community where you live.

YOU HAVE PRIVACY, YOU HAVE STABILITY, AND YOU ARE FINALLY ROOTED.
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HERE IS A GLIMPSE OF WHAT WORKING WITH ME IS LIKE USING MY SMART BUYER GUIDE:

DANA ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Eli helped me to purchase my third home. He is without question the nicest, most reliable, and honest realtor I've ever worked with. He brought a level of personal caring to my experience that goes far beyond what's to be expected. He was patient, a great negotiator, and helped me to secure a home far beyond what I had hoped for in a tough market. I cannot recommend him highly enough.

CHARLIE ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Elijah Fletcher is an amazing agent. My wife and I were first time home buyers and Elijah was so thorough and intuitive with us. He always kept us informed and involved with up to date information. I don't think we would be in our home if it wasn't for Elijah and all his assistance. Not only is he a wealth of knowledge, Elijah is a great and funny individual. If you are first time buyer or just looking to move to the Bay Area I highly recommend him.

DAVID S. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

In our months long search for our new home, Eli provided consistent support, neighborhood education and a clear read on the quickly changing market to help us finally win a beautiful home in the Dimond/Laurel District of Oakland. We had come in at second or third place on multiple other bids, and even when we were devastated by those losses, Eli was there to champion us on and show us there were many more beautiful homes out there. He took pains to work within our budget and quickly came to understand what our aesthetic was. Best of all, he's a really nice guy, and we were so glad for his support during this process. His reputation and good standing within the realty community really helped us finally win a bid. We highly recommend that you also go with Eli, and we definitely plan to connect with him in the future if we ever have real estate needs again. TWO THUMBS UP!

CHAD ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

My situation was rather unusual in that I live and work about three counties away from where I hoped to relocate. I appreciate how Eli worked out ways for the purchase to happen without me having to make multiple 4-hour round trip drives. I AM ESPECIALLY GRATEFUL FOR how Eli took it upon himself to meet with the appraiser contracted by my mortgage company. He believed it important that he give the appraiser, who was coming from out of the area, a comprehensive overview of the current, unique, and outrageous market in Alameda County. I believe Eli’s efforts helped achieve the appraisal that qualified for the mortgage.

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IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP, BOOK A STRATEGY CALL WITH ME TO SEE IF I CAN HELP YOU GET INTO YOUR FIRST HOME.

IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP, BOOK A STRATEGY CALL WITH ME TO SEE IF I CAN HELP YOU GET INTO YOUR FIRST HOME.

During the call we will talk about your specific needs. We will go over any questions you may have about the SMART Guide. Then we will come up with a timeline if it seems like we are a good fit to work with each other.

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