Good To KnowTM

The Plan To Buy Your Home.

2 | Good To KnowTM

Modern Brand.Timeless Values.

A Clear Choice

The plan to BUY your home | 3

“When people are making the decision of the magnitude

of buying a house, it’s the biggest decision a great many

families will ever make. They want to know who they’re

working with and we think that the Berkshire Hathaway

name will be reassuring to many of those people.”

– Warren Buffett, Chairman and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

4 | Good To KnowTM

A Strong Heritage.

The Power To Move You

The plan to BUY your home | 5

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is a real estate brokerage network built for anew era in residential real estate. The network, among the few organizations entrustedto use the world-renowned Berkshire Hathaway name, brings to the real estate mar-ket a definitive mark of trust, integrity, stability and longevity.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group – establishedas Tropical Realty in 1959 – has an admired reputation and a successful history in TampaBay real estate, made even more powerful by its local ownership and management.

When a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group SalesExecutive works with you, he or she is representing an organization that consistentlystrives to provide the most effective homeownership experience possible, through inno-vative uses of technology, marketing and key business initiatives.

Take a good look at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida PropertiesGroup and you’ll see there IS a difference in real estate companies. We have a rich her-itage, a strong local presence, and a connection to the community. We have the powerto move Tampa Bay real estate.

6 | Good To KnowTM

My Pledge To You.

Home Buyer Service Guarantee

The plan to BUY your home | 7

As your Real Estate Professional, I will manage all the details in order to effect a worry-

free transaction. My Service Guarantee is as follows:

� Register you as a member of our CITY 24/7 property hotline service for use in your

home search

� Conduct a counseling and information session to identify your needs and goals to

plan a property search

� Offer to arrange pre-qualifying or pre-approval meeting with a lender to determine

purchasing power and improve negotiating position at the point of offer

� Offer and explain the benefits of utilizing a Home Warranty

� Introduce you to our umbrella of services provided by Capstone Title, Capstone

Insurance, and our in-house Mortgage Partner

� Commit to mutually agreeable timetable for property research and showings in

order to meet your relocation needs

� Offer VIP client services through Van Line Express

� Complete a thorough market search to identify properties consistent with your

needs and price range

� Prepare a Competitive Market Analysis for you prior to making an offer

� Prepare a written offer to purchase the property of your choice reflecting your price

and terms encompassing all required disclosures

� Provide advice and negotiating assistance on all offers to purchase

� Obtain and review with you the seller’s written property history and disclosure

statement

� Recommend professional inspections and review findings and remedies with you

� Monitor and communicate the status and satisfaction of contract contingencies

� Accompany you on a walk through property inspection before closing, if provided

for in the contract

� Review the HUD statement with you prior to closing and attend the closing

� Contact you and follow up after closing to assure the satisfactory completion of all

service details

8 | Good To KnowTM

In Step With You.

Finding And Buying A Home

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The home finding process typically includes many of the following elements. YourBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group Sales Executivewill be your resource and guide every step of the way.

Initial Consultation• Determine your priorities and needs

• Discuss financing options

• Register for CITY 24/7

Finding the Right Home• Agent to show you properties based on your criteria

• Evaluate each property with agent to determine best home to purchase

Preparing an Offer• Review comparable sales to determine offer price

• Review progress of loan pre-approval; decide on financing

• Decide on other terms (inspections, possession date, personal property, etc.)

• Prepare earnest money deposit

Reaching an Agreement with a Seller• Your agent will present your offer

• Negotiation of terms and possible counteroffers

• Agreed-upon sales contract with seller

Completing the Settlement Process• Deposit of earnest money

• Review seller’s property disclosures

• Review preliminary title report

• Roof, termite and other inspections

• Remove any remaining contingencies

• Arrange for homeowners insurance with Capstone Insurance

• Arrange for home warranty

• Arrange for movers

• Final walk-through of property with agent

• Provide balance of down payment and closing costs

• Sign documents

• Loan funding

• Recording of title

• Receive keys from agent

• MOVE IN!

Obtaining Financing

• Consult with our in-house

mortgage professional

• Complete loan application

• Obtain loan pre-approval

• Provide requested

documentation

• Property appraisal

• Loan processing

• Final loan approval

10 | Good To KnowTM

Good To Know.TM

Home Buying Tips

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Although the market has changed in recent years, there are still many multiple offersituations in which buyers have to compete with each other when purchasing a home.Avoiding these “seller turnoffs” can empower you to obtain a better price and allowsome flexibility when negotiating additional items and move-in timelines.

Here are some tips on how to effect a more positive and successful buying experience.

• Negative Talk. Speaking badly about a seller’s property in hopes of negotiatingthe list price down can in fact have the opposite effect—and cost you the home youwant. Keep your conversation respectful when you encounter the seller and avoidcritiquing the house or the price.

• Being unqualified for mortgage financing. When a seller signs a buyer’soffer, most often the seller agrees to take the home off the market, forgoing otherbuyers who might be interested. This can be detrimental to the seller when thecontract falls apart because the buyer’s loan falls through. Be sure to talk to ourin-house mortgage professional about getting pre-approved BEFORE startingyour home search.

• Making unjustified lowball offers. No one wants to feel like they are beingtaken advantage of so making ridiculously low offers is not a successful strategy. ifyou really want the house, do your homework before making an offer. Review com-parables – similar, nearby homes that have recently sold – which will enable youto factor the home’s fair market value into your offer price and also factor in howmuch you want the house, too.

• Renegotiating after making offer. If—after getting into a contract—you findout during inspections that costly repairs need to be made, and then propose alower sale price or credit for repairs to the seller, that’s sensible. Avoid renegotiat-ing the entire contract or inflating small repairs to try to justify a major price cutunless of course something significant appears during inspections. This does notapply to an ‘as is’ contract.

• Misleading the seller. Offering well above asking price in hopes of pressuringthe seller for a reduction when the house doesn’t appraise at the purchase price ormaking an ‘as-is’ offer when your plan is to ask for every little repair noted by theinspectors is NOT going to foster the spirit of cooperation you need to get yourtransaction to close. While it is not necessary to divulge to the seller what yourtop dollar is, making offers with terms designed to intentionally mislead can leadthe seller to call your bluff.

12 | Good To KnowTM

Local Expertise.Global Strength.

Technology Resources

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As a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group Sales Ex-ecutive, my commitment is to make your home search as stress-free and efficient foryou as possible. I am your single source for property information with access to virtu-ally every property for sale in this market. I will show you the homes that best matchyour requirements:

• All properties listed by other brokers through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)• Many properties offered “For Sale By Owner”• New construction properties• Homes advertised in newspapers, real estate magazines and on the Internet

Studies show that 94 percent of today’s consumers use the Internet as part of theirhome-buying experience. Properties listed with Berkshire Hathaway HomeSer-vices Florida Properties Group are therefore promoted on bhhsfloridaproper-ties.com as well as hundreds of web sites including: berkshirehathawayhs.com,Realtor.com Company Showcase, Zillow, Yahoo! Real Estate, Google, and Trulia.

When conducting your home search on the Internet—whether on bhhs-floridaproperties.com or another real estate web site—please rememberthe importance of signing in with the name of your real estate profes-sional so that he or she can better assist you. Be sure to also ask aboutour Buyer Advantage that assists you and your agent in finding the per-fect home and provides you with update notifications.

14 | Good To KnowTM

Focused On Your Goals.

Home Finding Worksheet

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Exterior ____________________________________ Below Average AboveOverall Condition 1 2 3 4 5

Paint & Trim 1 2 3 4 5

Roof 1 2 3 4 5

Deck/Patio/Pool 1 2 3 4 5

Landscaping/Fencing 1 2 3 4 5

Garage 1 2 3 4 5

Other features ________________________________________________________

Interior ____________________________________ Below Average AboveOverall Condition 1 2 3 4 5

Floorplan 1 2 3 4 5

Living Room 1 2 3 4 5

Family/Dining Rooms 1 2 3 4 5

Kitchen 1 2 3 4 5

Location __________________________________ Below Average AboveAppearance of neighborhood 1 2 3 4 5

House value relative to area 1 2 3 4 5

Distance to work, schools, 1 2 3 4 5

shopping, etc.

Summary __________________________________Favorite features________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Least desirable features __________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Copy as needed for notes on other properties previewed.

Evaluation of (property address) _____________________________

Bedrooms/Baths ____Square Footage _____H/O assoc. dues $ ______

Asking price $ ______Date Visited: _______

16 | Good To KnowTM

All You Need Under One Roof.

Financing Your Home Purchase

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Unless you have the full purchase amount incash, you’ll need a home loan (mortgage) to buyyour property. Getting pre-approved for a loanbefore submitting your offer will put you in astronger negotiating position and can save youtime in the approval process.

I would be happy to put you in touch withan experienced mortgage professional inmy office to be your guide through thehome loan process.

Working with the array of resources available through our in-house mortgage partnerallows us to keep your transaction moving smoothly ahead while delivering otheradvantages:

• Quick pre-approvals & financing approval• A full suite of loan options: Conventional, JUMBO, Investment, FHA/VA, 1st TimeBuyer, Home Equity, Bridge, New Construction & specialty loans• Competitive rates & terms• One-stop convenience with local, in-house mortgage professionals & personalassistance if any issues arise

18 | Good To KnowTM

Representing YourBest Interests.

Submitting An Offer

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Once you have the right property and financing in place, the next step is to make apurchase offer to the seller.

Determine the price you want to offer.• The best way to determine market value is with a Comparative Market Analysis(CMA) showing similar properties that sold recently, those that are currently activeon the market and those that failed to sell. Your Berkshire Hathaway HomeServicesFlorida Properties Group Sales Executive will assist you in this process.

• Your Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group Sales Executivewill discuss with you an estimate of costs associated with purchasing this property.

Decide on other issues that are important to you, such as:• Items of personal property you want included with the house.• Warranty, inspections, repairs or other home enhancements by the seller.• Closing date and possession.

I will present your offer.• The seller will have three choices: accept youroffer as it is presented; reject it completely; orpropose adjustments to your offer (counteroffer).• If there is a counter offer, you can choosewhether to accept it, reject it or counter it.

Once you have reached agreement with the seller, you have made a legalcommitment to purchase the home and are bound to complete the pur-chase as outlined on the sales contract.

20 | Good To KnowTM

Peace Of Mind.

Important Ways ToProtect Your Interests

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There are several ways to help support a trouble-freehome purchase:

� A home warranty can give you peace of mind—and protect you from unplanned

expenses—by providing repair-or-replace coverage of major home operating

systems and appliances. If a home warranty is not offered by the seller of the

property you have selected, ask your sales executive about purchasing a 2-10

Home Buyers Warranty. A 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty covers major operating

systems and appliances regardless of age, make or model.

� A written seller’s disclosure statement from the seller will reveal any past or present

problems of which the seller is aware.

� Professional inspections can

reveal structural, roof,

termite, and other problems

with the property that the

seller may need to remedy.

� A preliminary title report

informs you of any problems

with the property’s title and

a policy of title insurance

protects your rights to the

property.

� A walk-through before closing will allow you to make sure any required work has

been taken care of, that all warranted items are in working condition, and that the

property is ready to become yours.

22 | Good To KnowTM

Protect Your Assets.

Homeowner’s Insurance

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Home insurance, also called hazard insurance or homeowners insurance, is a type of insur-ance that covers private homes. There are many types of policies to review before purchasinga specific plan. Your home is typically the most expensive asset an individual owns, and ifdestroyed, would leave you in great financial hardship.

Homeowners insurance combines various personal insurance protections, which can include:losses to one's home, its contents, loss of its use, or loss of other personal possessions of thehomeowner, as well as liability insurance for accidents that may happen at the home or atthe hands of the homeowner within the policy’s territory.

The premium of a home insurance policy varies and typically depends on the cost to replacethe property (including contents and personal possessions) and will also factor in the like-lihood of the home being damaged or destroyed. Deductibles also vary and will affect theannual price of the policy.

An unforeseen death or disability, however, could quickly put your home at risk. That’swhy it’s important to have life insurance to pay the balance of your mortgage in the eventof your premature death.

It is important to understandthat the replacement valueof your home is based onyour insurance company’sestimate of the cost to re-build your home on yourproperty, not on the pur-chase price or appraisedvalue of the home. Pleaseconsult a Capstone Insur-ance representative for moreinformation on home insur-ance policies.

24 | Good To KnowTM

A Stress-Free Transaction.

The Added ValueOf A Smooth Closing

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We strive to make the home buying process as stress-free as possible and are pleasedto offer you expert title and closing services in-house through Capstone Title, LLC. Itis important to work with a title company when purchasing your Florida home as aFlorida title gives you a legal right to own the property. Obtaining title insurance froma title company specializing in Florida real estate can protect you from financial lossshould problems occur regarding the rights to ownership of your property. There maybe hidden title defects that even the most careful title search will not reveal. In additionto protecting you from financial loss, title insurance pays the cost of defending againstany covered claim.

Our partnership with Capstone Title enables us to provide you with:

• The convenience of one-stop shopping with title professionals located on site

• A dedicated transaction coordinator to ensure that everything is completedaccurately and on time

26 | Good To KnowTM

Moving Tips.

A Smooth TransitionTo Your New Home

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Here are some things to consider as you make the move to your new home.

I can suggest local professionals for many of these services.

Immediately after scheduling your moving date, contact and contract with a reputable

moving company.

4 weeks before your move

__Contact and contract with a reputable moving company.

__Transfer school records.

__Arrange to transfer (or take with you) medical, dental and other important records.

__Notify your homeowner’s and auto insurance companies of your new location.

__Hold a garage sale to get rid of unneeded items; arrange to place excess items in

storage.

__Keep track of moving-related expenses. (Check with your accountant to find out

what expenses will be deductible).

3 weeks

__Obtain and mail change-of-address cards to the post office, subscriptions, credit

card companies and important contacts.

28 | Good To KnowTM

Welcome Home.

A Smooth Transition ToYour New Home

The plan to BUY your home | 29

2 weeks

__Arrange for final utility reading at your former residence the day after your move and

have utilities and phone turned on at your new home the day before you move in.

__Close or transfer bank accounts.

__Terminate newspaper delivery service.

__Arrange for transfer of vehicle licenses and driver’s licenses.

__Have an extra supply of prescription medications for the next four weeks.

__We will schedule a final walk-through of the property to make sure everything is

in order.

Moving Week

__Check in with your sales executive, mortgage company and title company for any

last minute items that need your attention.

__Keep valuable financial records and personal papers with you; do not pack them

with the rest of your household goods.

__On closing day, sign the home purchase documents and the home is yours.

__Move in!

Settling In

__Consider plans for landscaping design, installation and maintenance.

__Review home security requirements and systems.

__New home furnishings, appliances and interior decorating will help make

the house your home.

(continued)

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