Real Estate Expert
95% of my business are relocations to and from Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC.
My commitment has always been to curate an exceptional experience for my clients – one that is characterized by excellence, integrity, and professionalism. Whether you are embarking on your first home purchase, transitioning from another state or country, or seeking out-of-state opportunities, it is essential to align yourself with a real estate expert like me.
As an experienced realtor, I've developed streamlined processes to ensure smooth transitions. With my extensive network of professionals such as lenders, inspectors and contractors, you can rest assured that you're in capable hands, no matter where your journey takes you. My goal is to inform and guide you through each phase of this journey.
Buyer Consultation
An initial meeting is important to understand your home-buying needs and to develop a strategy to help you make a purchase. This initial consultation can be conducted via Zoom Video. It will last approximately 20-30 minutes, during which we will cover the following points:
Understanding your real estate goals
Purchase time frames
Costs involved
Lenders & Loans
Desired location and neighborhood
Price range
Size of home, style, and amenities
Specific requirements and non-negotiables
Condition of home and flexibility to make improvements
School districts, commute, walkability, public transportation, etc.
Address your questions
Buyer Representation
A buyer’s agent represents only the home buyer and is legally obligated to protect the buyer’s best interests throughout the real estate transaction. All personal and financial information is kept strictly confidential.
As your exclusive buyer’s agent, I will guide you through the entire home buying process, from your initial search to closing, by providing the following services:
Create a personalized purchased experience.
Provide an overview of the current market dynamic and challenges.
Evaluate purchase price range.
Recommending mortgage lenders.
Setup MLS listing alerts through Realscout
Schedule property tours, both privately and of open houses.
Map out and tour properties.
Provide access to off-market and office-exclusive listings.
Review disclosures on selected homes.
Evaluate and negotiate offers.
Recommend home inspectors.
Locating & Touring Homes
Finding a new home can be daunting, especially during a relocation. That's why I've developed strategic methods designed to support buyers like you as you relocate to Northern Virginia, Maryland, or Washington DC. These methods have been refined to suit your situation and to facilitate a smooth transition in your home buying experience.
Video Tours:
Buyers find buying a home from a distance much more manageable with video tours. I conduct video tours almost weekly during the Spring and Summer. Around 90% of my contracts involve video tours, with clients often not visiting the home physically. Buyers can also utilize Google Street View on Google Maps to survey the neighborhood, offering an excellent way to explore the area virtually without leaving home.
House Hunting Trip:
A house hunting trip is a crucial step for buyers relocating to the DC area. This trip allows buyers to explore neighborhoods and tour potential homes in person. The goal of the house hunting trip is to find a suitable home within a limited timeframe, typically ranging from a few days to a week. By the end of the trip, families aim to secure a home that meets their needs and preferences, ensuring a smooth transition to their new location.
Out-of-state and International Closings:
Whether you are buying a home through virtual tours or after an in‑person house‑hunting trip, you can complete your purchase remotely using a notary. This allows you to sign all closing documents without being physically present in Washington DC, Maryland, or Northern Virginia.
If you are located overseas, you can also close remotely by scheduling your signing at a U.S. Embassy. I have extensive experience coordinating out‑of‑state and international closings, and I will guide you through each step to ensure a smooth, stress‑free process.
The Journey of Purchasing a Home
Initial Consultation: Getting to know you and your goals.
Pre-approval: Defining your budget and price range.
Property Search: Finding the perfect home.
Offer Submission: Understanding market conditions.
Negotiation: Delivering the best price and terms for your purchase.
Home Inspection: Examining the condition of the home.
Insurance: Obtaining home owner’s insurance.
Appraisal: Valuating your future home.
Mortgage Financing: Obtaining lender commitment.
Pre-settlement Walk-Through: Confirming of property condition prior to closing.
Settlement: Reviewing and signing of final purchase documents.
New Home Waits: Welcome home.
Writing Competitive Offers
Once we find your dream home, I will help you determine an offer price and terms, and then negotiate on your behalf. I'll also communicate with the listing agent to gather the best information about competing offers and the seller's preferences regarding terms and the deadline for offer submission.
I will draft a competitive offer along with the relevant addenda and disclosures, and submit it with a copy of your pre-approval letter and/or proof of funds. I'll ensure all offer documents are fully signed and initialed to provide a complete offer.
Completing the Closing Process
Once your offer is accepted and you go under contract, you can typically close on your new home in about 30 days or less. For example, if you go under contract on March 1st, you would close and receive the keys to your new home by March 30th. This timeline depends on your lender’s loan approval process.
The lenders I work with can often close a home loan in 20 days. In competitive real estate markets where multiple buyers are submitting offers, having a lender who can close quickly gives you a significant advantage. If a lender requires 45 days or more to close, it will put you at a disadvantage compared to buyers whose lenders can close in 30 days or less.
Sellers typically prefer fast closings, as it allows them to receive payment and move forward with their next plans. Choosing a lender who can close efficiently is a key factor in a successful home purchase.
Your First Mortgage Payment
As a new homeowner, your first mortgage payment is deferred, giving you extra financial flexibility during your first month. For example, if you close on April 1st, your first mortgage payment will not be due on May 1st—it will be due on June 1st instead.
When I moved, I had to cover moving costs and purchase new furniture. Skipping that first mortgage payment was incredibly helpful, giving me some breathing room after the significant expenses of buying a home.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire Me as Your Realtor?
As your buyer’s agent, my standard commission is 2.5% of the sales price + $395 broker fee.
The good news: I negotiate with the seller to pay my 2.5% commission, so you pay nothing out of pocket for my services.
As a thank-you for choosing me as your realtor, I also provide a buyer closing credit equal to 0.5% of the sales price. This buyer credit is applied at closing and can be used toward closing costs helping you save even more as you purchase your new home.
Example Buyer Credits:
$500,000 purchase price → $2,500 credit
$600,000 purchase price → $3,000 credit
$700,000 purchase price → $3,500 credit
$800,000 purchase price → $4,000 credit
$1,000,000 purchase price → $5,000 credit
This structure gives you full‑service buyer representation, expert negotiation, and local market guidance—while reducing your overall cost to purchase a home in the DC metro area.
Schedule a Consultation
Please, complete the form below so we can start working together. You can also send me a text message at +1-571-230-9686 or email me at Diana@BestHomesByDiana.com If you are stationed abroad, we can arrange a video appointment via Zoom.