Proper pricing results in:

* Higher net proceeds
* Sale in shorter period of time with a minimum amount of inconvenience
* Increase exposure to more prospects
* Generates interest from buyer’s agents
* Maximizes marketing results
* Encourages multiple offers

Samer Kuraishi says, your A-K Real Estate Agent is your Partner in Pricing:

* A-K Real Estate Agents brings the market…the market brings the sales price.
* The agent will show you the range of prices homes are selling for in your area.
* The market determines value…you and the agent will determine the listing price.

Samer Kuraishi at A-K Real Estate helps you in Negotiating the Purchase

When you have selected the house you want to buy, your next step is to submit a signed purchase agreement or offer. Samer Kuraishi as your A-K Real Estate sales associate will take you through a step-by-step process in order to prepare your real estate offer:

You know the seller’s asking price, but you need to decide how much you will offer.
Decide how much earnest money to offer. The listing company usually holds your earnest money until the sale is closed or the contract is broker. When the sale is closed, it is applied to the down payment or closing costs. But, if you fail to buy the house after the seller has accepted your offer, the seller has the right to keep this earnest money.
Specify your desired closing date and possession date. Allow yourself enough time to obtain financing.
Determine which items you may want to negotiate in the price you are offering. Items the seller may not necessarily be leaving behind may include any of the following: appliances, light fixtures, chandeliers, gas logs, fireplace tools, window coverings and swing sets.

Samer Kuraishi or any of your A-K Real Estate sales associate will present the offer to the seller’s agent. The seller will accept, reject, or counter your offer with changes in the terms. If the seller submits a counteroffer, you may sign it as acceptance of the agreement, make another counteroffer, or withdraw your offer.
When both the seller and buyer agree to the terms and sign the document, it becomes a valid contract.

In the Negotiation Process, A-K Real Estate Is Your Advocate

Our advanced negotiating skills will help you obtain the best possible price and terms!
* Samer Kuraishi will help you negotiate every contract detail
* Samer Kuraishi will help you negotiate all of the pre-settlement details such as home inspection, mortgage, title, and hazard insurance
* Samer Kuraishi will protect your interests with a comprehensive purchase contract and the appropriate addenda

Our ultimate goal is to provide a stress-free, world-class home purchase experience!

At A-K Real Estate, Samer Kuraishi will assist you with offers, contracts and will follow through with by your side throughout the closing process. The buyer makes an offer by submitting a written and signed offer to purchase. This document becomes the sales contract when signed by all parties involved. The selling agent customarily notifies the listing associate of the offer, and the listing associate will then arrange an appointment with the seller to present the offer.
According to Samer Kuraishi, at this point, the seller has three options:

1. Accept the offer as written.
2. Reject the offer if it is totally unacceptable.
3. Counteroffer, changing any unacceptable conditions. (When the counteroffer goes back to the buyer, the buyer has the option of withdrawing, accepting, or countering the counteroffer.)

When both buyer and seller agree to all terms (including changes made in any counteroffer), and indicate agreement by their signatures, the contract becomes “firm.” With signatures and notification to all parties, a sales contract now exists.

Closing Details
Several professionals may come into the home-selling process after the offer is accepted, including a housing inspector (if hired by the buyer), a termite inspector, and an appraiser.

If the buyer is financing the purchase of your home, the process will typically take 30 to 60 days. On the chance that a buyer’s financing will not be given final approval, you should keep the house in good “showing” condition.

As part of the contract process, you must prove to the buyer that you have a clear title on the house –– that you own the property, and that there are no legal claims against it. The attorney representing the buyer and/or financial institution will do a title search and issue an opinion that the title is clear.

Samer Kuraishi, your A-K Real Estate sales associate or attorney can help you gather the paperwork that the contract requires.

Some of the details you will need to handle include:

Notifying your lender that you will be paying off the mortgage and asking for a statement of what you owe. Your outstanding balance will be subtracted from the amount you receive from the seller.
Having any fix-up work completed according to the contract, so that final inspections may take place.
Gathering all warranties and instruction books for your home’s appliances or major systems to give to the buyer.
Once you have a closing date established, notifying the utility, telephone, water and other services to advise them on your final billing date.

A walk-through inspection prior to the closing allows the buyer to determine if conditions of the contract are satisfied. It is up to the buyer to perform the inspection, and if they should be accompanied by the selling and/or listing agent. The seller may or may not be present, but should make sure that utilities are on so that equipment can be operated.
At the settlement (closing), the home seller should bring all warranties on equipment (or leave them in an obvious place in the house) and instructions on equipment maintenance or operation. Be sure to bring all keys and electric door openers.
The closing attorney will explain the settlement sheets to you. These outline the closing costs to you.
Typical costs for the seller include:

State deed transfer tax
Mortgage balance pay-off
Interest on the mortgage up to the date the mortgage is paid off
The real estate commission
Pro-rated taxes and homeowner’s association dues, if applicable
Homeowner’s warranty

If property or homeowner’s insurance has been in escrow with your lender, you will receive any money that is accumulated in that escrow account for bills not yet due. Funds will be disbursed at or after settlement.
The seller, the buyer, and the agents receive a copy of the settlement sheets.
Congratulations! Sold and settled!

The search for your dream home begins in your present home. Samer Kuraishi says by asking yourself key questions about what you like, you’ll save time in the house-hunting process.
What styles of home do you like –– two story, ranch, split-level, something else?
What size of home do you need –– number of bedrooms, baths?
What are your priorities in home features –– garage, gourmet kitchen, fireplace, first-floor family room, formal dining room or other features?
What natural features outside the home are most significant to you –– woods, hills, streams, lakes, others

Samer Kuraishi at A-K Real Estate has designed a variety of marketing programs that assist you in finding your dream home. Coupled with the tremendous amount of knowledge about the home-buying process, A-K Real Estate and its associates will save you valuable time, thereby making the home-buying experience as pleasant and hassle-free as possible.

Home Selection
At A-K Real Estate, Samer Kuraishi, will provide you with a complete Property and Pricing Analysis, which will include sold, expired and active listings; tax records; and seller equity, if available.
We will disclose to you any known seller urgency.
We will provide you with community information.
We will help identify possible property pitfalls, which may require additional evaluation, such as lead-based paint, underground storage tanks, asbestos, contaminated well, radon, and septic problems, etc.
We will help you sort through the pros and cons of every property until you have selected your new home!

Communication Plan
Together Samer Kuraishi will determine the frequency and best methods of communicating with you –– by telephone, fax, and e-mail or in person.

We are linked to the entire market, including the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and the Internet, and will provide you with up-to-date information on every available property.

As a professional, Samer Kuraishi or your A-K Real Estate sales associate knows all of the right questions to ask and, as your advocate, will pass that beneficial information along to you.

Samer Kuraishi at A-K real Estate, will respond to all of your inquiries in a timely manner and listen to your comments.

Current Market Conditions Analysis
We will analyze inventory supply, whether it is a buyer’s or seller’s market and how many days the inventory has been on the market.

We will analyze the current market as it relates to contract negotiation: Have there been multiple contracts on recent sales; what percent of recent contracts are full price; will a pre-approval help our negotiating position, and how can we get our contract accepted.

A good Real Estate Agent can show you more suitable properties, offer valuable advice, and coach you through the entire home buying process.

Do I Really Need To Use A Real Estate Agent?

You can do your home search by yourself, but why should you? With an experienced A-K  Real Estate sales associate like Samer Kuraishi, at your side, finding the perfect home is easier, faster and a lot more fun and you’ll save time.

Yet many buyers still spend endless hours pouring through classified ads, driving all over town, and viewing dozens of unsuitable properties –– simply because they haven’t connected with a Realtor.

Some people think that if they have several agents looking for homes on their behalf, they’ll find a house more quickly. Like most relationships, the buyer-agent relationship thrives on communication, loyalty and trust. By working exclusively with one agent, you’ll improve both the process and the results.

How Samer Kuraishi, an A-K Right Real Estate Agent is right for you?

Chemistry is important. So are credentials. Above all, you’ll want an real estate agent who has the resources of a leading real estate firm behind them, a firm such as A-K Real Estate.

Some helpful hints on finding and working with a right real estate agent

Trust your intuition.
Share with your sales associate as much as possible about your lifestyle, tastes, needs and dreams for your home.
Focus your search on a few geographic areas.

Plus ask them some of the following questions:

How well do you know the area(s) that interest me?
An agent who knows the area or neighborhood you are interested in is extremely beneficial to you.

How many other buyers and sellers do you currently represent?
You want an agent who will give you personalized attention, answer your calls quickly and communicate with you often. Keep in mind, though, many busy, experienced agents are the most efficient.

Will you handle all aspects of my transaction or will you delegate some tasks to a sales associate or administrative assistant?
If you choose to work with a busy agent, a knowledgeable assistant can be very helpful when you have questions or need immediate attention.

After many deals, there is much I have learned but still many tips I wish I was given before investing.  In reality, I likely did come across these tips but they are often only internalized after experiencing the ramifications of them hands on.  Here are 6 tips beginner real estate investors should know about; make sure these stick!

1.Have a plan – Most beginners get so excited over the possibilities of real estate that they jump into any deal no matter what the numbers, risk, and exit strategies are, and do whatever they can to make it work.  This can result in disaster! Not having a plan is planning to fail.  A-K Real Estate will help you come up with a strategy and business plan for a smooth route to a successful purchase.

2.Don’t close on your first deal until you have 5 deals to pick from – Your first deal is the most important, doing this will help in countless ways.  Finding deals where the numbers make sense is one of the most important processes in real estate investing.  Do not fall in love with your first deal, become a master at finding deals where the numbers make sense and pick from the best ones.  You will avoid the excitement and mistake of doing too many deals too fast especially too many bad deals.  If you master finding deals, you will have tons of worthy prospects to pick from and profit from in different ways.

3.Always have multiple exits – Make sure you are at a max of 70% LTV and your property cash flows.  Do not get stuck with one exit strategy that could fail due to things beyond your control.  Be prepared for the worst case scenarios and you will mitigate a lot of risk.

4.Don’t be a follower and do what everyone else is doing – At A-K Real Estate, we provide thorough due diligence so you are making an informed business decision instead of making a decision because everyone else is doing something.  If everyone is doing it, it is probably too late, too saturated and too risky.  The best deals have no competition.

5.Stay away from hot, over hyped, over competitive markets – Have you ever heard of buy low sell high?  In hot markets you often times missed the boat and are buying high.  A-K Real Estate will find you target markets and deals where you can buy low and add value.  Get great LTVs and extremely high rent to purchase ratios. .

6.Generate private money and reserves – Banks are not the only way to finance deals.  A-K Financial provides alternative options which opens up tons of opportunities and is the best way to fund deals in today’s market.  Cash is King!  Having reserves is also mandatory as there are always surprises

There are a lot of mistakes that can be made in Real Estate. In fact, many savvy investors still make mistakes or have overcome huge mistakes in their investing careers. According to Samer Kuraishi, the keys are to recognize, avoid, learn and move forward from these potential pitfalls.

Here Samer kuraishi provides 7 Key Mistakes Beginner Real Estate Investors Make.

1.Speculate – Most new investors follow the herd, listen to the media and buy with the hope the property will appreciate. This is as much of a gamble as hand picking stocks or going to the Casino. Come to a trusted real estate agent like Samer Kuraishi or to company like A-K Real Estate to assist you in your investment.

2.Buy at Market Value – Beginners almost always buy property straight off the MLS for market value. You can find deals in any market and there are always distressed properties. At A-K Real Estate, Samer Kuraishi,  will help you hand pick from distressed properties at 70% or less of market value.

3.Fall in love with a deal and get your emotions involved – Many beginners are guilty of this one. Their first few deals they spend minimal time finding a deal. As soon as a prospect is located, they fall in love and do anything to get that property. Emotions drive the decision, instead of making an informed business decision. According to Samer Kuraishi, the key is to get as many prospects that fit the criteria into the pipeline, and get advice from our seasoned agents on the best properties that fit your needs.

4.Put too much down or too much of your own money – Samer Kuraishi believes that, real estate is an OPM or Other People’s Money industry. You should minimize how much of your own money is in a deal. And always make sure you have plenty of reserves to handle any not so pleasant surprises.

5.Only have one exit strategy – To minimize risk, it is imperative to have multiple exit strategies. If you cannot flip a property you can quickly end up upside down, behind in payments and lose the property and your credit. Instead Samer Kuraishi suggests to buy below market properties that cash flow. That way you can use A-K Financial to assist you.  Our Richard Balles is the expert financial services and will help you in selling retail, wholesale, lease options, seller finance, refinance, even rent and hold.

6.Buy in Warzones – It is wish to buy property at a deep discount. In today’s market you can find huge discounts in many areas with the glut of foreclosures. We will do the thorough due diligence. Buying a property for 20K worth 80K sounds like a slam dunk, but not if the property is vandalized multiple times during repairs, surrounded by 20 other foreclosed properties and there is next to zero interest from renters or buyers due to the location in or near a warzone. Make sure there is strong demand from renters and/or ownership in the area.

7.Do not consult an expert or build a team – Many people are do-it-yourselfers and cannot fathom the idea of another person giving them advice or handling tasks. At A-K Real estate, Samer Kuraishi has a team of specialists and expert professionals willing to give you advice that could significantly impact your success and experience as a beginner.

At A-K Real Estate, Samer Kuraishi along with Richard Balles,  will help you find great deals; not good deals, but great deals with plenty of equity, cash flow and multiple exit strategies. These types of deals can withstand mistakes, surprises and worst case scenarios such as the recent bust, where home values dropped approximately 40% in some areas and financing became extremely tight.

Here are 5 things as suggested by Samer Kuraishi,  to make sure of before purchasing investment real estate.

1.Purchase at Max 70% LTV – According to Samer Kuraishi, total cost of purchase, fees and any repairs must be a maximum of 70% of the current market value of the property. To do this you must get a lot of deals in your pipeline and cherry pick only the best ones. It is a numbers game. In some areas you can find deals at 50-60% LTV.

2.Rents are 1% of purchase – Samer Kuraishi also suggests that, a property that rents for $1000/mth should be purchased for no more than $100,000, or rents are 1% of purchase. In some areas you can find great cash flow by purchasing where rents are 1.5-3% . If you are interested in purchasing a property to rent,Samer Kuraishi at A-K Real Estate has hundreds of listings that are at your disposal.

3.Have multiple exit strategies – Our Mr. Richard Balles at A-K Financial, our partner company, provides many different options that you can view with a specialist.  With equity, cash flow and flexible financing you can sell at retail, sell to an investor, wholesale, seller finance a sale, lease option, rent and hold, refinance, possibly sell the note, sell the entity holding title to the property, quick claim deed the property to transfer title, etc, etc. Our Mr. Richard Balles will provide you many options to make our deals successful and can withstand worst case scenarios.

4.Do thorough due diligence – Our company lives up to its reputation.  We are known for our extremely thorough due diligence. Inspections, CMAs, multiple rehab bids, etc. No if ands or buts;  due diligence will confirm that you have a great deal.

5.Consult experts – At A-K Real Estate, Samer Kuraishi has mentors, associates, agents, contractors, local experts, all at your convenience.  Feel free to contact us by phone, stop by the office, check out our websites, or send us an email.

Buying or selling your home isn’t always easy. But it’s most definitely rewarding! And there’s no need to go it alone when an experienced A-K Realtor can easily become your home buying or selling partner. Samer Kuraishi at A-K Real Estate, believe that both the buyer and the seller should have professional representation.

Criteria

According to Samer Kuraishi There are a lot of things to look for in a seller’s agent or a buyer’s agent but also consider your special needs:

* Want a tech-savvy agent? We can provide you with an agent who uses a sophisticated set of Web-based tools that make communication fast and easy. For home sellers, tech-savvy agents will make sure to market their homes online – where the most buyers are. Tech-savvy agents can also help buyers expedite the search process by sharing property photos, details and information, all online. (Tip: Almost 80 percent of potential buyers turn to the Internet for the home buying experience. Having a technology-focused agent can be a real plus in the marketplace.)
* Moving to a new city? Work with an agent who’s a Certified Relocation Specialist (CRS), trained to meet your unique needs. Or, contact A-K Real Estate to assist you in doing so.
* ¿Hable español? If English isn’t your primary language, find an agent fluent in your primary language. A-K Real Estate offers translation assistance in many languages for non-English-speaking clients. Learn about our multicultural resources.
* Looking at building a brand-new house or renovating? Work with an agent who specializes in new builds and understands the ins and outs of the process.
* Want a higher price, fast closing and time to enjoy your life? Ask an A-K Real Estate sales associate about our Auction Services.

Credentials

A-K Real Estate Agents are licensed professionals who adhere to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Code of Ethics. Those belonging to the NAR receive continuing education and are up on the latest trends, making them well-prepared to offer you the most advanced real estate advice. Your agent will provide you a variety of tools and assistance to streamline your selling experience.

Pay attention to details and look first for an agent that belongs to the NAR. In addition, take a look at the abbreviations following an agent’s name. They’re important because they refer to various accredited designations that have been earned through a lot of hard work.

For example, the designation CRS (certified residential specialist) is the highest designation available to sales associates in the residential real estate industry. In fact, only four percent of all agents in the country can claim this designation. The award recognizes accomplishments in terms of education, experience and volume of transactions throughout a career.

Other designations include:

* ABR: Accredited Buyer Representative
* ALC: Accredited Land Consultant
* CCIM: Certified Commercial Investment Member
* CIPS: Certified International Property Specialist
* CRB: Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager

In order to find the right apartment, townhouse, or house to rent, you must be prepared for what to do before you set out to look at homes, what to do during the search, and what to do once you’ve find the right place.

Samer Kuraishi suggest few points before you start the search

1. Create a list of everything and anything you’d like your new home to have. Would you like a dishwasher, hardwood floors, washer and dryer, or pool? Would you prefer an apartment, townhouse, multifamily home, or single family home? It’s a great idea to set priorities on your preferences. Remember to make a distinction between what you want and what you need!

2. Always be prepared! Have on hand some important information that your Realtor will need. This includes: Credit check,
Resume/Letter of Recommendation,Pay stubs/tax returns.

3. Keep in mind that many landlords will want to verify your work references. Contact your references (including your former landlord) ahead of time so that they know they may receive a call. A great tip to getting a great reference is to ask the person ahead of time, “I’m going to be looking at places to rent and I’m going to need references. If I were to put you as a reference, would you be willing to give me a glowing recommendation?” Remember, if you don’t ask for it, you may not get it!

During the search

4. It’s best to look at the potential units during the daytime. It’s important to know how much natural light enters a home. It’s also easier to see in what condition the unit is in and whether more work is needed on the unit to make it more habitable.

5. Always do a walk-though of any unit you’re seriously interested in. You’re also going to want to ask about any damage you may see (always do this before you sign the lease!) Make a list of any damage you see and give this to your Realtor. Your Realtor will get the landlord’s intials on the list and will attach this to your lease in order to absolve you of responsibility later. This prevents many headaches down the road!

6. Ask questions! The time to ask is before the lease is signed. Some great questions to ask are:

How large is the water heater?

What’s the water pressure like?

How are the neighbors like?

Are there shopping malls/supermarkets nearby?

What is the pet policy?

What are the utilities that you will be responsible for?

7. Introduce yourself to your potential neighbors! The most important neighbors to meet are the ones that you will share walls with, which are the ones on the same floor and those above and below you. Find out their thoughts on noise, what they like about the area, and most importantly, find out if they’re friendly!

8. Bring a tape measure and a list of your larger furniture’s measurements so you can see how things will fit and what you might need to buy.

9. See a few places that fit your characteristics of a potential place to live so you can have an idea of what your budget generally gets you as a home.

Once you’ve found the right place

10. Be prepared to ACT QUICKLY when you find something you like and make sure your Realtor knows how much you like the home! A rental that might be on the market one day can be gone the next day! That’s why it is so imperative to act quickly and give your Realtor the initial deposit so that your Realtor can fill out and give the landlord the Memorandum to Lease! The Memorandum to Lease demonstrates your serious intent to rent the property and this generally means the property is held for you until negotiations are over between both Realtors.

11. Take a look at your lease and be sure you understand it. If you have any questions, make sure to ask your Realtor!

Samer Kuraishi recommend to hire a Realtor! A-K Real Estate, Inc. will work on your behalf at no cost to you. A-K’s commission is paid for by the Seller. In other words, you have someone to walk you through the whole process for no additional fees. Samer Kuraishi at A-K real estate, is dedicated for you.

Second, speak to a lender. Find out what price house you can actually qualify for. There is no sense in looking at homes before you know what you can be approved for, it may lead to a lot of disappointment. It is best to be realistic. After finding out what you qualify for,decide if you feel comfortable with your highest possible mortgage payment. Just because the lender says you are approved to buy a three hundred thousand dollar home, doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to. You know your expenses and situation. Use sound judgment.

Third, decide on a general location. According to Samer Kuraishi, in real estate it’s all about location, location, location! I think we’ve all heard that before, right? Basically, if you have an okay house in a great area, it’s gonna sell for a great price. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves though. Unless you are just buying this house to turn around and sell it, let’s think of the location that’s right for YOU. You may not want to live in the city or a specific neighborhood. Do not buy a particular house just because of the potential resale value. Pick a location that suits you. Take into consideration your work commute, distance to friends and family, and whatever else that may affect your desired lifestyle. At A-K Real Estate you will get a expert advise by Samer Kuraishi

Fourth, get a home inspection! A house is a substantial investment; no matter what the actual cost. Why take a chance on what is soon to be a major centerpiece in your life? There is no excuse to leave this to chance. Your dream home may appear perfect to the untrained eye, but could possibly fail inspection. Pay a few hundred dollars to have a professional tell you it’s safe and ready to move in!

The fifth thing you need to know, don’t look back. After your decision is made, you may have a case of what-ifs, a little buyer’s remorse, or just some good ole second guessing yourself. Buying a home can be very stressful with all the decision making and changes involved. at A-K Real Estate Samer Kuraishi, will delight to help you out thoroughout the process. It’s okay to freak out a little bit, but have faith you made the right decision. It will all come together once you get in and get settled.