Ira and Carol Serkes

We're Ira Serkes ABR, CRS, GRI and Carol Serkes, CRS, GRI of Berkeley, California. In 1998, we personally helped more folks buy homes in our community than any other Realtor. Our buyers really appreciated that we had an extraordinary buyer brokerage system. Since most Realtors are trained to work with sellers, and not buyers, we realized that there was a tremendous need for a Buyer Broker referral system. Hence, we developed this web site - it is designed to place buyers and sellers in contact with client-centered Realtors no matter where in the United States & Canada you need them! Sellers have special needs too! We'll select someone to take great care of you too! Take a moment now and send an email, fill out the referral form, or give us a call... we'll get right to work for you!

Here's how we do it

• We attend many Realtor conventions, so personally know many outstanding real estate agents throughout the United States and Canada. There's a good chance we'll be able to refer you to someone we've met

• We'll also check our extensive referral network of ited Buyer Representatives (ABR) and Certified Residential Specialists (CRS) for other great folks

Here's a partial list of all the service you receive when you hire Ira & Carol Serkes as your Buyer Broker! Best of all - it costs you nothing for our services - the seller pays all our fees!

We Determine Your Housing Needs

Discuss present and future housing criteria
How you can reach us - Toll Free 800#; Phone; FAX; E-Mail; Mail
Your past experiences with Realtors
When you'd like to be in your home
Give you information on loan pre-approval

We'll ask about the home you're looking for

Neighborhood & location
Home size, bedrooms & baths
Hobbies and special needs
Amenities
Preferred condition

We Carry Out Your Home Search

We store your housing criteria in MLS database for matches with existing and future listings and review new or changed listings for suitability to your needs.
Price
Location
Amenities

We eliminate marginal or unsuitable properties which are
Overpriced
In bad condition
On a busy street
Backing up on a freeway
In a bad neighborhood

We spend immense amounts of time evaluating and previewing new properties as they come on the market For each home we show you, we've already seen dozens of homes which werenıt suitable.


We Search for all homes which could suit you

As needed, investigate newspapers for open houses and "for sale by owners," along with expired or withdrawn homes, and evaluate them using the criteria you defined
Arrange home tour for selected properties
Check sales availability with listing agents
Make showing appointments with owners or tenants and pick up keys
Drive you to each home, commenting on neighborhood and streets


We Assist you with each home viewing, carrying out a competent visual inspection of following items for homes you are interested in


Driveways
Sidewalks
Garage doors
Roofs and gutters
Fencing
Floor covering
Windows and doors

We'll recommend inspections by licensed professionals where appropriate or when "red flags" are evident

We Prepare the Purchase Agreement and Present Your Offer

We'll review sales of comparable homes to make sure you don't overpay. We'll determine approximate fair market value from recent sales

We'll confer with seller's broker to accurately assess your negotiating position with the seller so we can draft a successful purchase offer We Prepare the purchase agreement with special consideration given to
Purchase price
The deposit
Closing costs
Loan contingencies
Fixtures vs. personal property
Professional inspections
Flood, special studies zone, and other disclosures
Close of escrow date
Possession
Condition of the property at time of possession
Avoiding unnecessary controversy, complications or delays
Special terms - i.e. Berkeley's energy and earthquake requirements

We arrange for contract presentation to seller, listing broker, or both, as appropriate Meet with them, negotiate effectively on your behalf, and facilitate the negotiations of any sellerıs counter offer to buyer and vice versa

We Take Care Of All Contract & Escrow Details


Open Escrow
Carry out a competent visual inspection of the property on your behalf
Prepare our Transfer Disclosure Statement listing any home defects we observe
Provide you with information on Earthquake Safety and Hazardous Materials
Review the Preliminary Title Report for clouds on title and liens, and deliver to you and lender
Coordinate loan processing with loan officer
Provide access and comparable sales information for appraiser
Order pest control, roof, property, geological inspections, as needed
Arrange access for above inspectors
Review all reports, forwarding them to client
Coordinate all repair work
Review and forward all completion notices to you
Order loan documents
Review clients escrow instructions with escrow officer, making sure they reflect your wishes
Schedule and conduct buyers "walk through" inspection
Arrange client/escrow officer paperwork sign off meeting
Coordinate close of escrow and possession
Arrange for transfer of the keys to the property
In short, we handle any and all problems that arise along the way

Best of all - it costs you nothing for our services - the seller pays all our fees! Give us a call - you'll be glad you did!