Cynthia Szoradi

Push to Talk

Buyers Resources

Here is an outline of Cynthia’s proven 10 Point Process that ensures your success in finding a great new home at the right price.

1) Selecting the right realtor
In addition to having market-wide and transactional expertise, Cynthia and the Main Line Home Source are also committed to spending the time that it takes to focus on your interests. Cynthia can also refer you to one or more lending institutions to secure pre-approvals and get the best rates on your mortgage.

2) Securing your Financing
To help understand what you can afford, you should consider getting a pre-approval or commitment letter on your home loan. You will find that financial confidence also helps when it comes time to negotiate on your selected home(s).

3) Creating your ‘Wish List’
The Multiple Listing ‘Trend’ Service is a foundation resource, but Cynthia’s specific knowledge of Main Line homes and her relationships with local Architects and Builders gives her insight well beyond the available data base.

Sample Considerations:

• Target Price Range
• Target ‘Move-In’ Timing
• Number of Bed Rooms and Bath Rooms
• House Type (I.E. Colonial, Cape, Ranch)
• Favored Township(s) or Town(s)

Construction:
Move in ready Home, Renovation/Addition Opportunities, or New Construction

Neighborhood and Walking Distance:
Restaurants and Shops, Septa R5 Commuter Line, Public Schools or Private Schools

Specialty Features:
Chef Kitchen, Spa Style Master Bath, Turn Around Driveway, or Mud Room/Multi-Level Laundry

Landscaping:
Patio with built in BBQ, Level Play Yard for Kids, Bloom Sequenced Flower Gardens, or Pool and/or Water Features

Next Level Technology:
Surround Sound/Whole House System, Energy Star and Eco-Appliances and/or Materials, or Multi-Zone Heating Cooling and/or Radiant Floors

4) Researching and Cynthia’s Approach
Cynthia will work diligently to find a range of different homes that match your needs. She will personally preview the homes, if she has not already seen them, in advance of making recommendations. Cynthia then sends over internet ‘links’ or delivers print outs so that you can conveniently save time by ‘screening’ properties. Cynthia and the Main Line Home Source not only have access to current listings, but they also keep an eye on new listings so that you can ‘scoop’ other potential buyers. Most realtors start searching by Price Range, Number of Bed/Bath Rooms, House Type and Town. She carefully considers all of those factors, but she also looks carefully at key ‘lifestyle’ elements. For example, if you are committed to a Colonial or a Cape, other realtors might not show you a Ranch even though it could meet every other lifestyle need with a thoughtful second floor addition to the structure. As well, the Ranch may be priced under your target range and the realtor would not even see it. Cynthia sees so many properties every week, that she has also developed a keen ability to seek out homes that may ‘show poorly’ because the typical agents and buyers often oversee the inherent value. The Main Line Home Source takes a ‘wholistic’ approach that goes beyond the surface in working with each buyer. In a dynamically changing real estate market, sometimes the right match is a hidden asset.

5) Seeing the favored homes
As soon as you see one or more homes that you would like to visit in person, Cynthia will schedule showings, and personally pick-you up or meet you at the locations. Given the competitive nature of the Main Line home market, you may find that certain properties sell quickly. The flexibility of your wish-list relative to current availabilities may also dictate the depth and length of the search. Cynthia is tenacious as well as patient, and she will work with you as long as it takes to find the right match!

6) Making the offer(s)
You know the competitive nature of the Main Line home market, but you also know that there are national down trends, seasonal ‘soft-spots’, and buyers that are more eager to sell than others. Cynthia provides you with the research on the regional and national trends and property listing history, in addition to as much information as possible on the sellers. If you fall in love with one of the available homes, Cynthia is there to help you determine an offer price and draft the terms that will put you ‘In Play’ for negotiations. If you are warm, but not hot, on a property Cynthia is also there to help you make ‘low-ball’ offers that would give you extra resources to renovate. Many realtors shy away from this approach, because they do not want to spend all of their time preparing and submitting offers that may not ‘stick’. Cynthia has seen the benefits of flushing out the eager sellers, especially for properties that have been on the market for a long time. Regardless of the price, Cynthia encourages each of her clients to include a ‘buyers profile’ that describes the family along with the offer, as a way to put a face on the numbers and ‘warm’ the transaction.

7) Negotiating and inspecting
Cynthia is right there with you at this critical juncture in the transaction. The price, settlement timing, and contingencies are all key factors in securing the best price for you. Cynthia has also worked in highly competitive markets like Manhattan and Greenwich Connecticut, where she has honed her negotiating skills. Even after the Agreement of Sale is signed by both parties, the negotiations often continue through the inspection contingency. This is where Cynthia also excels by recommending the standard “Home Inspectors” as well as a network of specialist in ‘Chimneys’, ‘Insects’, ‘Tree Hazards’ , etc. Hidden damage to fireplace flues, structural members, or roofs in storm conditions can all potentially ad up to a negotiation lever that can provide additional resources for buyers.

8) Preparing to move
Cynthia encourages her clients to take the time between the completion of the inspection and the closing date to review the multi-point Moving Checklist. This way you ensure that you have a smooth transition into your new home.

9) Getting ready for settlement
To ensure that there are no surprises at closing, Cynthia will provide you with an estimate outlining of all the costs in advance. In addition to bringing your check and securing property insurance, Cynthia will also review with you a check list that includes elements such as setting up home utilities, telephone, cable, etc.

10) The Closing
On the day of closing, Cynthia will accompany you on a pre-settlement walk-through of the home to make sure that the owners or that ‘nature’ have not made any adverse changes and that the property is clean and clear for you to take ownership. If the home does not meet the client’s expectation, Cynthia calls in the right service provider to expedite a remediation estimate, and then she helps to negotiate any necessary offsets at the settlement table. Cynthia is there through the whole process to make sure that you can confidently celebrate the purchase of your new home.