Your guide to buying a home
A companion for our buyer consultation — everything we'll walk through together on the way to your front door.
This is about more than real estate.
In my experience, a home isn't a dream home because of its room dimensions. It's about how you feel when you walk through the front door, and the way you can instantly envision your life unfolding there. This is about more than real estate — it's about your life and your dreams.
I understand you're looking for a new home, and I want to be the person who helps you find it. Our team works with each client individually, taking the time to understand their unique needs and lifestyle — and we want to do exactly that for you.
It's incredibly fulfilling to help our clients open a new chapter of their lives. That's why my team and I work so hard not only to find that perfect home, but also to handle every last detail of the purchase — from negotiating the terms of sale to recommending moving companies.
This guide contains everything a home buyer needs: an overview of the entire process, helpful tips, and the questions and fact sheets that help us discover the home and neighborhood characteristics most important to you.
After you've had a chance to review it, we'll meet to go over the process and get started on finding your new home. I'll prepare an in-depth, customized package of homes for you to review — properties that meet your criteria in neighborhoods that suit your lifestyle.
I'm so excited to get started on finding you the perfect home.
The goals of our time together
A quick look at what we'll accomplish when we sit down — so our consultation is focused, useful, and entirely about you.
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01
Share how our team helps youWe'll show you exactly how my team and I work to reach your goals.
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02
Conduct an in-depth needs analysisSo we're crystal clear on what you want in your next home — and on what you expect from us.
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03
Walk through the home-buying processEvery step, so there are no surprises along the way.
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04
Discuss what's happening in our marketA clear read on the Hudson Valley market today — and how to win in it.
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05
Decide to partner togetherBy the end, we'll decide together that we're the right team for your search.
It's all about you.
Our entire business has been built around a single idea. When we say the search is about you, we mean all of it —
Our focus is your complete satisfaction. In fact, we work to get the job done so well that you'll want to tell your friends and family about it.
Maybe that's why more than half of our business comes from repeat clients and referrals. Good service speaks for itself — and we look forward to earning your referrals, too.
What you get when you work with us
When you work with us you're not hiring a single agent — you're gaining a seasoned team led by founder Brian Caplicki, a lifelong Hudson Valley resident with more than two decades in the business. We've guided over 1,300 families through every kind of market, and we bring all of that experience to your search.
Brian built this team around one idea: make buying a home feel exciting, not overwhelming. He listens first, acts with heart, and treats every transaction like it's his own — and that same standard runs through our whole team. Here's what that partnership looks like for you.
- —A dedicated buyer's agent who knows the Hudson Valley street by street
- —A committed negotiator working to win you the right home at the right terms
- —A team that has navigated booming markets and downturns alike — and knows how to win in any market
- —Cutting-edge search tools paired with deep, on-the-ground local knowledge
- —A transaction coordinator managing 80+ behind-the-scenes tasks so nothing slips
- —The full backing of Caplicki Home Team at Keller Williams Hudson Valley United
- —Previewing homes in advance on your behalf
- —Personally touring homes and neighborhoods with you
- —Keeping you informed of new homes as they hit the market
- —Advising you of comparable homes that have sold, and for how much
- —Working with you until we find the home of your dreams
Winning together
Great partnerships have clear expectations on both sides. Take a moment to jot down what a win looks like — and what would feel like a miss — so we start on the same page.
Your discovery workbook
We'll complete this together during our consultation — type right into this guide as we talk. There are no wrong answers, and every note helps us zero in on the right home.
If a home had only five features, which five are non-negotiable?
Your buyer's roadmap
Ten steps from our first conversation to the keys in your hand. We'll be right beside you at every one.
The home-buying process
The same journey as a simple checklist — the milestones from start to keys, including the parallel work that happens once you're under contract.
Our promise to you
All of us at the Caplicki Home Team are committed to providing you with a 5-star level of service. This is an amazing endeavor you're undertaking, and we're here for you. We'll use our extensive knowledge to rest your mind at ease and ensure you're represented at the highest level possible.
Throughout the process we'll keep you ahead of what's next — guiding you through every step and timeline. We'll do our best to anticipate challenges and communicate effectively at every turn. Most of all, we promise you'll always feel cared for, as if you were our own family — so you feel proud to be part of ours.
There will be challenges; we know there will be — it's real estate, and it's people. Just know that everyone on our team is focused on creating the 10+ experience. That's our promise.
Keep in mind: real estate transactions involve many people, so things are likely to go sideways at some point. It's all a team effort, and we'll be here to walk you through it and find solutions. If we reach the end and you haven't offered a referral or review, we'll assume we fell short of our promise — and we'll want to sit down and discuss where we could have done better.
When we meet, we'll cover
This section is for our in-person consultation. When we sit down together, we'll walk through:
Financing do's & don'ts
Between pre-approval and closing, small financial moves can put your loan at risk. Keep this list handy — and when in doubt, call us or your loan officer first.
- Quit or change jobs. If it's likely, talk to your loan officer and call us first.
- Let anyone but your lender pull your credit, or apply for credit anywhere else — each inquiry can lower your score.
- Change bank accounts or move money between existing accounts, or co-sign for anyone, for any reason.
- Buy — or try to buy — anything on credit: a car, boat, furniture or other real estate. Avoid abnormal charges to your cards or credit lines.
- Send in late payments or incur late fees on anything.
- Wait longer than your contract allows to get paperwork and information to your lender.
- Keep all accounts current — mortgages, car loans, credit cards and more.
- Contact both your lender and our team any time a question comes up.
- Make every payment on or before its due date — even on accounts being paid off with your new loan.
- Get any lender-required funds to your loan officer within 72 hours after the home inspection is complete.
- Return calls from your agent, loan officer or settlement company within two hours of a message.
Questions to ask your realtor
You should feel completely confident in who represents you. Ask us anything — and here's a great place to start.
- 01Will I receive daily updates on real estate activity in my area — price changes, new listings, and homes that come back on the market?
- 02Can I adjust my search criteria on my own through your website?
- 03Are you a full-time or part-time realtor?
- 04Are you a single agent, or do you work with a team?
- 05Do you specialize in working with buyers or sellers?
- 06Besides the MLS, what other sources do you use to find homes for sale?
- 07Do you have a dedicated transaction manager watching over my file from contract to close?
- 08What is your availability to show me homes?
- 09Do you have experience with short sales and foreclosures?
- 10Do you have a list of trusted vendors who can help me with repairs?
- 11Will you keep in touch after the sale — or will I have to find another realtor when it's time to sell?
Let's find the one.
When you're ready, so are we. Reach out any time — we'd be honored to guide you home.
Caplicki Home Team · Keller Williams Realty Hudson Valley United
(845) 656-4498 · brian@caplickihometeam.com
