This document summarizes a home buying class presented by Joseph "Butch" Wahlsmith. The class covers local real estate trends, the home buying process, financing a home, and the closing process. It provides an overview of each topic and highlights key points like how to get pre-approved for a mortgage, tips for winning a bidding war, and the typical steps in the closing process. The class aims to educate home buyers on navigating the purchase process from start to finish.

1. Home Buying Class
Presented by Joseph “Butch” Wahlsmith

2. Meet Joseph “Mr. Butch” Wahlsmith
Butch has been a Columbus resident since 1986 and in residential real-estate for 16 years. Butch
began his new real estate career in new home and condo sales for MI Homes and later,
Schottenstein Real Estate Group. In 2009 Butch was recruited by HER Realtors as an area sales
leader and quickly moved into developer account management (2008-2012) working with Michael
Mahon. During this time he was being mentored by Michael and later promoted to General
Manager and then, Vice President of HER Realtors, Builder Division.

3. About Redfin
A Better Way to Buy & Sell
On Your Side
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results of a survey each customer
on our service and pay a bonus
based on the review.
Smarter & Faster
Our technology makes home tours,
listing debuts, the escrow process,
faster easier and worry-free.
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Customers save thousands due to
our commission refunds and lower
listings fees for full-service
representation
100% Team Support
We accommodate to your schedule by
working with a team to tour homes and work
on transactions.

4. Local Real Estate Trends1
Home Buying Process2
Finance Your Home3
The Closing Process4
Agenda
Break!

5. Local Real Estate Trends

6. Median Sale Price
• Compare neighborhoods at the
Redfin Data Center: redfin.com/blog/data-center
• Updated every 15–30 minutes

7. Days On Market
• Compare neighborhoods at the
Redfin Data Center: redfin.com/blog/data-center
• Updated every 15–30 minutes

8. Sale to List Percentage
• Compare neighborhoods at the
Redfin Data Center: redfin.com/blog/data-center
• Updated every 15–30 minutes

9. Percent SoldAboveAsking
• Compare neighborhoods at the
Redfin Data Center: redfin.com/blog/data-center
• Updated every 15–30 minutes

10. Be Prepared to Compete!
Competing Against Multiple Offers
• In a hot real estate market, a home can receive
multiple offers within hours of being listed for sale.
• When inventory is low and buyer demand is high,
there’s often an increase in multiple-offer situations.
• Check out the top tactics Redfin Agents to give you
an edge over the Competition.

11. Be Prepared
to Compete 5 Tips for Winning a Bidding War
• Stay one step ahead of other homebuyers.
• Get pre-approved with a local lender & get underwriter approval.
• Start the conversation early.
• Write a letter & appeal to the seller.
• Know your limits.

12. Home Buying Process

13. Before You Buy
• Rent vs. own
• Length of ownership
• Life changes
(family, job)
• Personal finances

14. Research1
Search for Homes2
Make Your Offer4
Closing Process5
Overview of the Home Buying Process
Finance Your Home3

15. Research
• Mortgage loans & pre-
approval
• Home wish list
• Location &
neighborhoods
• Real estate agents &
reviews

16. Search for
Homes
• Wish list for home
features, # of bedrooms,
etc.
• Check out open houses
• Save Searches on
Redfin mobile app &
redfin.com
• See homes in person
with Book it Now on
Redfin mobile.

17. How to Navigate
Home Listings on Redfin
• Schedule a tour, agent review,
number of beds/baths, favorite
or x-out a home

18. Touring Homes is Simple with Book It Now
1 2 3 4

19. Break!
1 2Try book it now! Get an edge and set up Saved Searches for the
neighborhoods and homes you’re searching for
Refill your drinks, stretch your legs & check out our mobile tools!

20. Finance Your Home

21. Meet Brian
Brian has been involved in mortgage lending for the last 15 years. Moving to a
Community Bank in 2008 put him in the best position to help all of his customers
for the long term. First Financial Bank offers all conforming loans, FHA, VA, and
OHFA grants and seconds. In addition they have portfolio products which include
construction and rehab loans.
Brian Hitchcock
First Financial Bank
Residential Mortgage Lending
547 High Street, Worthington OH 43085
614-260-5537
Brian@614-260-5537.com
Apply at www.614-260-5537.com

22. Choosing a
Lender
Redfin Open Book
• Shows customer
ratings of local
lenders
• Select your city in
the dropdown on the
right side
• Choosing a local
lender vs. someone
out of state
Redfin.com/openbook

23. Mortgage Rates

24. Getting Pre-Approved
Income
• Salary — Past 30 days
• Hourly — Consistency & History
• Self Employed — Two-year average
Assets
• Down Payment
• Closing Costs
• Cash Reserves
Credit
• 640 for FHA
• 680 for Conventional
• 720 for Rate Improvement

25. Types of
Loans
Conventional:
• As low as 5% down
• Fixed or adjustable rates, conforming or
non-conforming
Federal Housing Administration Loan (FHA):
• Always have mortgage insurance
• Buyers need only a 3.5% down payment
Jumbo Loan:
• Larger down payment required
• More restrictive debt-to-income ratios
VA Guaranteed Loan:
• Veterans, active duty personnel,
reservists/national guard, surviving spouses
• No down payment

26. Make Your
Offer
• Pricing & comparables
• Common
contingencies
• Negotiations
• Mutual acceptance

27. The Closing Process

28. The Closing
Process
Your offer is accepted,
now what?
Deposit Earnest Money
This shows the seller you are serious
about your offer
Title / Attorney
Your title company or attorney will review
the ownership history and title for liens,
encroachments and easements
Inspection / Finance
Schedule a professional home inspection and
have your lender submit your loan paperwork.
Sign Paperwork
Take your final walkthrough of the home then sign
paperwork at your closing appointment
Accept keys, Redfin Refund!
Your refund may be used towards closing costs.
Don’t forget to fill out your survey!
1
2
4
5
3

29. Congratulations! You Bought a Home!

30. Get More
From Redfin
Explore our online tools,
Redfin Home Affordability Calculator, Redfin Home
Value Tool, Book it Now, Redfin Data Center.
Take Redfin with you
Download the Redfin real estate app
for iPhone, iPad, and Android.
Sell your home
Homes listed with Redfin are viewed three times
as often as other homes and sell for $5,100 more
on average — for only a 1.5% listing fee*.
Check out more classes
Including market trends, mortgages, home selling
classes, and more at redfin.com/events.
* Subject to Redfin’s minimum commission policy.

31. Joseph “Butch” Wahlsmith
Joseph.wahlsmith@redfin.com
Thank You
For Coming!