By 
You have decided to become a homeowner, and you are excited to start seeing homes. We have just met the first time, and I recommend a few local lenders to talk to about financing options. I have found some homes based on what you told me about: location, room count, and a few non-neogtiables. The only time that you have available is Saturday, due to work schedules and conflicts… and you want to see 12 out of the 28 homes I recommended. To make the best use of our time, here is what I recommend:
1.Have your Pre-Approval or Proof of Funds Letter Ready
- If you need financing, then submitting a pre-approval letter with your offer is stronger than a pre-qualification letter. Pre-approval letter is from a lender that you qualify for a specific mortgage amount based on an underwriter’s review of all of your financial information: credit report, pay stubs, bank statement, salary, assets, and obligations.
- If you are submitting a cash offer, then submitting a proof of funds letter with your offer is stronger than not. You would need to contact your bank.
- Why do I need to do this before I look at homes? When we look at homes, you may think the first one we see is the house for you. If you have your pre-approval or proof of funds letter ready to go, then we can submit your offer ASAP. Getting this done before we look for homes will allow for you to compare lenders, banks, and financing options.
2. If the homes are located in different cities, research the cities beforehand.
3. We need to plan!
- Do our schedules align that day? I may already have appointments booked.
- Submit your list of homes two full days prior to showing. I will need to contact all of the agents and see if their clients schedule matches up with our showing schedule. Maybe the home already went under contract? Maybe there is a conflict? If so, we can modify as necessary.
- Driving. I will map out the most effective route, usually ending back at my office. It may be better sometimes to either carpool, or drive separately, depending on my appointments or your other obligations later that day.
4. Pack the essentials:
- Snacks and Water
- Toilet Paper
- Hand Sanitizer
- Rain Gear
- Phone Charger
- Checkbook (for writing option check and earnest money check)
- Notepad and Pen (notes about homes, information you don’t want to forget)
5. Through the day for lunch and in the evening, try local restaurants, and wineries! After we are done for the day, maybe you want to check out a local event going on in town as well.
I am looking forward to working with you. Even though it will be a jam-packed day, I know that there will be laugher and fun memories to be made.
Kelly Raulston
“Reliable and Ready” REALTOR® since 2016. I was born in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, but was raised in Texas since 1997. When I found out we were moving to Plano, Texas, I remember looking forward to riding a horse to school and a brand-new pair of cowboy boots! Growing up in Plano prepared me to be competitive, quick, and to have a strong work ethic.
I graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Axe’em Jacks! That is where my love for East Texas began. The nature, warm smiles, football games, and community values can't be beat! I graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. I was a middle school math teacher in Tyler, Texas. I met my husband, Travis, in Sunday school, and we have been married since September 2016.
I love being a REALTOR® in East Texas! Relationships are genuine, the area is beautiful, and the market is rockin’! I am an involved REALTOR® to better the community. Some of the organizations I am involved with are: The Professional Development Committee, Texas Real Estate Political Action Committee, and Tyler Educational Networking Group. Some awards I have won were “The Hustle Award” in 2016, and “Rookie of the Year” in 2017.
When I am not working with my clients, I like to spend quality time with my friends and family doing the following: running, target practice, read and participate in book club, and playing with my dachshund Greta.
