First of all, I don't think I would have been able to get to the finish line with this, my first…read morehome purchase, if it weren't for Terinee. She was instrumental in helping me navigate what eventually turned out to be a volatile, yet delicate home buying process. As a result of a devastating personal tragedy experienced by the seller, the listing agent told her that the seller stopped all communication and it was unclear if the seller would sign the closing documents. Terinee didn't miss a beat. She extended compassion while also using a gentle amount of firmness to get the deal done. If I hadn't listened to her, I likely would've lost the deal. She stayed in close communication with the listing agent, providing frequent updates, while being somewhat of a mediator to help both sides understand how both parties were being impacted by the circumstances. Even after starting conversations with legal counsel about my options, we were able to get to settlement without me having to retain an attorney and I believe that was due largely in part to how Terinee handled everything.
From the beginning, it was clear that she was genuinely passionate about helping me become a homeowner. When I first started looking, I honestly didn't appreciate how competitive the DC market was. I did a strategy session and she made recommendations as to how to make my offer competitive even amongst all cash buyers (I was using financing) that turned out to be essential to making this deal work. As I started my search, I was having trouble finding everything that I wanted (I'm picky). Terinee searched relentlessly until she found a home with (almost) everything I was looking for (with the exception of a Jacuzzi tub), while staying within my budget. My commute, preferred neighborhood, home size, income generation potential, proximity to metro, trails and outdoor accessibility, etc., were all taken into account, and she delivered! When she found the home, it was just going under contract and she recommended we submit a backup offer. I was a bit skeptical going this route because initially I didn't see the benefit of it, but I decided to trust her and I'm glad I did. About a week after submitting the backup offer, it was accepted! On top of that, her advice early on to get approved by more than one local lender allowed me to negotiate my interest rate down and will save me thousands.
Even after my offer was accepted, Terinee and her team worked closely with me, providing guidance in navigating this intimidating and overwhelming process and provided me with tons of resources (inspectors, attorneys, home warranty companies) as-needed. She was there every step of the way providing data, offering insights and even being a (low-key) therapist when I "got into my feelings" when the deal stalled. She knows the DC area well, has a wealth of real estate knowledge, and was very savvy with dealing with various personalities. I cannot thank Terinee and her team enough for making my first home purchase a reality. It was a great experience and I'm absolutely LOVING my new home!