BUYING A HOME / REAL ESTATE WITH SOUL
Buying a home is exciting. It can also involve a hundred questions and a few unexpected turns. I'll be there to explain the decisions, protect your interests, and help you see the whole picture, from the first showing to the day you get your keys.
First home or fifth, you deserve more than someone to unlock the door.
Chrissy Moe · Washington Managing Broker · Oregon Principal Broker · Licensed since 2005
PERSONAL GUIDANCE / YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS
Some clients need every step explained for the first time. Others know the basics but want an experienced advocate for the decisions that still matter. I adjust to you, not the other way around.
You don't need to already know what earnest money means, how contingencies work, or what happens after your offer is accepted. I'll explain the language, the costs, and the timeline in a way that actually makes sense.
Whether you're moving across town, relocating between states, downsizing, finding more room, or choosing a unique property, the right strategy changes with the situation. I'll help you evaluate what's different this time.
THE HOME BUYING EXPERIENCE / FROM START TO KEYS
You'll work directly with me. I'll explain what's coming, what deserves attention, and what your options are. You won't need to decode a contract or chase five people just to figure out what happens next.
We'll talk about the kind of home you want, your timing, the neighborhoods that fit, what feels comfortable financially, and what you absolutely don't want. You'll know what to expect before we jump into showings.
Personal consultation · Priorities · Buyer representation explainedI'll connect you with lending resources if needed and help you understand the offer price, estimated closing costs, earnest money, financing, and the decisions behind them. Your lender handles loan approval; I'll keep the real estate details clear.
Budget conversations · Costs · Financing coordinationI don't want you to fall in love with photos alone. We'll look at layout, condition, resale considerations, likely maintenance, surrounding properties, and the tradeoffs between homes, using relevant market information along the way.
Property tours · Market context · Thoughtful comparisonsWe'll discuss comparable sales, your priorities, offer strength, financing terms, contingencies, dates, and possible negotiation approaches. I'll explain the tradeoffs and advocate for the terms that serve you, without pushing you beyond your comfort level.
Offer terms · Strategy · NegotiationOnce you're under contract, I'll help coordinate the inspection period, review the findings with you, discuss your available options, negotiate requested repairs or credits when appropriate, and track the transaction milestones with your lender and closing team.
Inspections · Due diligence · Contingencies · DeadlinesWe'll prepare for the final walkthrough, confirm next steps with the closing team, and work through possession and key handoff. And when the papers are signed, I'm still someone you can call with questions or a future real estate decision.
Final walkthrough · Closing · Beyond the keysHOW I APPROACH EVERY OFFER
“The situation always creates the strategy.”
Chrissy Moe
There's no one-size-fits-all offer. The right approach depends on the home, the market around it, and what matters most to the seller.
There may be room to negotiate price, ask for repairs or credits, and keep standard inspection and financing protections in place.
Price is only part of it. Clean, well-prepared terms and a clear story can matter, and we decide together which tradeoffs, if any, you're comfortable with.
Sellers compare their net proceeds and their terms: closing timing, financing type, inspection approach, earnest money, and contingencies. Understanding what this seller needs helps us shape an offer that's competitive without giving up the protections that matter to you. Waiving protections is never automatically the smart move.
FOUND ONE YOU LOVE ONLINE?
Many of my buyers find homes on Zillow themselves and send them to me. Finding listings is the easy part. Where I add value is everything after that:
Connecting on Zillow keeps your search and my experience working together. Browse on your schedule, with a direct way to reach me when something catches your eye.
Connect with me on ZillowTour homes and ask questions. Request a showing or send a question directly through Zillow.
Explore recommendations. Get personalized home suggestions as your search takes shape.
Have an advocate when it counts. When you're interested in a home, I'll help evaluate it and develop your offer and negotiation strategy.
MORE THAN THE PAPERWORK
I don't measure a good transaction by how fast I can get you to sign. I want you to understand the home, the contract, the costs, and your choices. Sometimes that means negotiating hard. Sometimes it means raising a concern or telling you when a property deserves a closer look.
My job is to help you make a decision you can feel good about, not to make it for you.
CLIENT LOVE / REAL PEOPLE & REAL HOMES
These aren't stock photos. They're real moments with clients who invited me into one of life's bigger decisions.
Read more client experiences ↗
“Your promptness, communication style, and expertise is what stood out to me most.”
Julie appreciated clear, prompt communication and explanations she could follow through her first purchase.
Read Julie's experience on Client Love ↗
“She listed and sold our home and then helped us find our next forever home.”
After their sale, I also helped Sandy and Wayne purchase their next home.
Read their experience on Client Love ↗MORE MEMORIES / REAL CLIENTS, REAL CONNECTIONS
Every home and every person has a different story. Here are a few more moments from my client gallery.
QUESTIONS WELCOME
Buying a home comes with details, and the details matter. Here are a few of the things we can work through together.
Start with a conversation. You don't need to know every term or have your search perfected. I'll walk you through the overall process, help you connect with a lender if you need one, explain buyer representation and compensation before we begin, and work with you to create a realistic search plan.
Possibly. The market, financing standards, contract forms, and your own needs may have changed. We'll focus on what's different now, keep the details organized, and match the level of support to how you'd like to work.
Send it to me. Many buyers spot homes on Zillow or other sites first, and that's great. From there, I'll review the listing details, relevant sales, condition questions, and the likely competition, coordinate a tour when appropriate, and help you decide whether and how to pursue it.
We'll go through the report, distinguish routine maintenance from bigger concerns, and talk through the options available under your contract and deadlines. Depending on the situation, that might mean specialist follow-up, a repair or credit request, accepting the property as-is, or considering other contractual options.
We'll review a written buyer agreement before touring homes together. It explains my services, our representation relationship, and the compensation we negotiate; commissions are not set by law. Depending on the transaction, the seller or listing brokerage may contribute, or you may be responsible for some or all of the agreed fee. I'll walk you through the agreement and your options before you sign.
Not as a rule. In some situations, a shorter timeline or a pre-inspection may help an offer stand out. In others, it adds risk you don't need to take. We'll weigh what protections matter to you and what the property and seller situation call for before deciding together.
