Jeff Franklin

DRE: SA544430000


(480) 620-4141
(602) 230-7600 (Office)

Welcome

casual jeff and susan

 


 

SPECIALTIES:

 

Helping First-Time Homebuyers make smart home choices and avoid becoming house rich and cash poor.


Prepping and Staging Your Home to Sell Faster and More Money


Bettina G.



ABOUT JEFF


Proud to be an American - Let Freedom Ring

 

Jeff puts his personal touch on every step of your home buying or selling journey. Unlike other realtors, Jeff won't treat you like a number and pass you off to a team member – you are his top priority!

 

With over 20 years of experience in real estate and a background in formal teaching and coaching for over 15 years, Jeff has honed his skills in educating clients to make smart home choices. He helps you avoid the pitfall of being "house rich and cash poor" and strategically stages and prices your home to sell faster and for more money.

 

Jeff's innate ability to inspire homebuyers to align their wants and needs with their short and long-term goals is what sets him apart. Years ago, Jeff and his wife were inspired to radically change their lifestyle and pay off all their debt. This decision profoundly changed their lives! Now he wants to help you make informed decisions that will positively impact your life forever, starting with the biggest purchase of your lifetime – your home!

 

Jeff's values extend beyond the real estate world. In his free time, he treasures moments spent with his family, commits to reading for self-improvement, volunteers to serve the homeless and his community, attends church functions, and remains devoted to his fitness routine. Jeff and his wife also love embarking on road trips, finding simple pleasures along the way and maintaining a life in balance filled with gratitude and American values.

 

When you work with Jeff, you can trust that he has your back and will never compromise his values to close a sale, as echoed by his satisfied clients. Experience the difference with Jeff as your realtor – give him a call today!

 

 

 

TESTIMONIALS

 

So blessed to have Jeff as my Realtor.  After I told him I wanted to retire in two years, Jeff convinced me to buy a home for $80,000 less than I qualified for in order to better finance my retirement.  I would most definitely recommend Jeff to anybody looking to buy or sell a home because he truly has your best interest at heart. Bettina G.

 

Jeff STAGED our home to create a BUYER FRENZIE and sold it for much more than we anticipated. He also helped us upsize to a larger home at market value.  So financially, we came out well ahead of what we expected.  It wasn't luck. It was the difference Jeff made as our realtor. Troy G. 

 

Jeff was never pushy or leading. He quickly responded to any questions we had. He offered options when we looked for guidance. It was clear that Jeff would not compromise his values to close the deal.  - Charles and Danee B

 

I have owned several title insurance companies in the past and during that time I had the opportunity to work with a number of real estate companies and their agents.  I can honestly say, "I have never seen any realtor treat their clients with the same courtesy and consideration that you have Ron and me."  Thank you again Jeff, for going above and beyond your responsibility for us. - Sherry K

 

I am a single mother with two small children.  Jeff and Susan sold their personal home to me when they had offers above what they sold it to me for.  There are a few people in the world that really care for others and their situations rather than themselves. You both are such wonderful and generous people. I feel lucky to have met you both. This experience has changed my life for the better.  Chelsea P

 

I can say without hesitation that Jeff is one of the most conscientious and hardworking professionals within our community.  Bob D 

 

Click here for MORE TESTIMONIALS

 

 

 

 

 

FAQ'S (Please scroll down for answers)

 

WHEN YOU SELL YOUR HOME, SHOULD YOU STAGE IT?  YES!  WHY?

WHAT DO YOU COVER IN YOUR FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER SEMINAR

WHY DO FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS PREFER TO WORK WITH JEFF

WHERE CAN IF FIND A WORKSHEET FOR SORTING NEEDS AND WANTS AND CREATING A BUDGET?

HOW MUCH MONEY WILL I LOSE BY SELLING MY HOUSE ON MY OWN?

HOW CAN I MAKE SURE I CAN BUY A HOME BEFORE SELLING MINE?

HOME OWNERSHIP vs. RENTING, WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS?

HOW CAN YOU AFFORD TO NOT BUY A HOME?

WHY IS IT RISKY TO BUY A HOME WITHOUT A REALTOR?

HOW DO WE PREPARE YOU TO BUY A HOME AND ACHIEVE YOUR FUTURE FINANCIAL GOALS?

WHAT IS AN INSPECTION PERIOD AND WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT?

WHAT IS A CREDIT SCORE AND HOW CAN IT BE IMPROVED?


 

ANSWERS TO FAQ'S

 

 

WHEN YOU SELL YOUR HOME, SHOULD YOU STAGE IT? 

YES! 

WHY?

Click here 



WHAT DO YOU COVER IN YOUR FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER SEMINAR

 

For the first time in several years, 1st-time homebuyers are able to compete for homes again with less competition and better prices.  Creative financing has also decreased the risk of buying with today's interest rates. 

 

Join us for an informative evening and we will also answer your questions and provide pizza.

 

 

You Will Learn How:

 

we ask sellers to pay, to reduce your interest rate 2% the first year and 1% the second year;

you can refinance after 6 months and up to 5 years free. if interest rates go down (one time refinance);

to get prequalified for buying a home;

to make a smart home choice;

to avoid becoming house rich and cash poor;

to determine what you should spend on a mortgage payment;

to determine the other monthly cost associated with owning a home;

to budget for other future repairs;

to determine which home features you should buy to stay in budget;

to understand the advantages of buying a home.

 

Our passion is to help you change your life forever, beginning with the biggest purchase of your lifetime.

 

This decision can have a dramatic impact on your long-range prosperity, in either a positive or negative direction.

 

We have your back every step of the way!

 

Please call Jeff to RSVP at 480-620-4141.



WHY DO FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS PREFER TO WORK WITH JEFF

 

 

I've Got Your Back 

 

Since this is your first home purchase, it is not uncommon that first time homebuyers don't know, what they don't know.  For that matter even people who have purchased two or three homes in the past forget most of what they learned from the previous purchases. Besides, things change over the years. I am here to educate you and help make sure no stone is left unturned.

 

You Are My Priority

 

My wife is retired so I have chosen to do no more than 9 sales a year.  This allows me to give you the attention to detail you deserve instead of trying to juggle 3 or 4 clients at a time and spread myself to thin.  

 

We Discuss Your Wants, But More Importantly Your Needs

to help you achieve your short and long-term goals.

 

I Give You A List Of Other Estimated Cost To Expect When Buying A Home

 

These include cost you will pay upfront, as well as monthly and yearly expenses.  I also suggest saving money each month to cover those expenses that will come due yearly or unexpectedly.

  

I Help You Sort Through Home Features and Prioritize

 

In reality, we seldomly get everything we want in a home, So I help you create a ranking of which home features are the most important to you, based on your lifestyle. This streamlines the process and allows you to maximize your time and effort and minimize your frustrations by only looking at homes that are the best fit for you.

 

I Give You Recommendations to Save You Time and Worry

 

Your Realtor is the person you spend the most time with during this process, by far, so I should be the first person you call.  I can give you recommendations for trustworthy people such as lenders, home inspectors and handymen.


I Have Teamed Up With Homesmarts Family of Companies to Save You Money by Using

Minute Mortgage

Equitable Title

Homebuyer's Assistnace Program

 

MY Passion Is to Change Your Life Forever, Beginning with The Biggest Purchase of Your Life

 

Since buying a home is the biggest purchase of your lifetime, it stands to reason that it can also have a dramatic effect on your long-range prosperity in either the positive or negative direction.  So, we want to help you make smart home choices so your home is filled with great memories instead of wishes that that you had done something differently. 

 

Buyer Testimonial

 

BETTINA(Buyer): My lender gave me Jeff's name and told me Jeff would help me find the right house. I told Jeff I wanted to buy a home for $380,000 in 2019. 

ME: What are your goals Betinna?

BETTINA: I want to retire from teaching in 2 years. 

JEFF:  If you want to retire in 2 years, why do you want to spend $380,000.

BETTINA: Because I want what I want.

JEFF: If I can find a home that is a good fit for you for $300k, would you be interested in buying something in that price range and put the other $80k into retirement?  Just think how much further ahead you would be if that extra $80k were invested for your retirement. 

BETINNA: You are absolutely right Jeff, let's see what we can find for $300k.

BETINNA: Thank you so much Jeff for doing what was best for me instead of selling me a more expensive home that would have earned you a couple more thousand dollars.  Betinna G.



WHERE CAN I FIND A WORKSHEET FOR SORTING NEEDS FROM WANTS AND CREATING A BUDGET?

Select the "RESOURCES" tab at the top of this page and then select "RESOURCE PAGES."



HOW MUCH MONEY WILL I LOSE BY SELLING MY HOUSE ON MY OWN?

 

Homes sold by Realtors on the MLS sell for 17% more!

There is a perception that selling outside the multiple listing service, either with an agent or as a For Sale By Owner, can save time and money for the consumer.

Elliot Eisenberg, a real estate economist, said a two-year study shows otherwise and that the fastest sales for the most money use the MLS to market the homes for sale.

The median sold on the MLS was about 17% higher than homes sold off of the MLS, the study found.

Click here for the full article.

 

Call and find out how Jeff STRATEGICALLY

STAGES and

PRICES your home

to sell FASTER and for MORE MONEY.


 

HOW CAN I MAKE SURE I CAN BUY A HOME BEFORE SELLING MINE? 

(Solution for this low inventory market)

 

 Click here to view a 1-minute video explaining the benefits of the KNOCK program that includes:

 

  1. Allows you to sell your home after you buy another;
  2. Helps with your down payment;
  3. Allows you to make a stronger offer;
  4. Provides repair money for the house you’re selling, to get top dollar.

 

Please give me a jingle if you or anyone else has any questions about the KNOCK program.

 

 

HOME OWNERSHIP vs. RENTING, WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS? 

 

Did you know a typical homeowner has 45 time more net worth than a renter in their lifetime?  If fact, Dave Ramsey says, “homeownership should be on everybody’s to do list” because it is a fantastic “forced savings program”!

 

This in itself should be enough motivation to buy a home but there are a number of other reasons also. These include: Pride of ownership, home appreciation, tax deductions, and no capital gains tax for the first $250,000 if your single and $500,000 for couples when you sell.

 

If these benefits are so impressive, why is there so much debate over whether it’s better to rent or buy a home?  Well, there are a number of reasons why it might not be advisable or even possible for you to buy a home at this particular point in your life.  These include a low credit score or financial problems, no down payment (which makes it much more difficult but not necessarily impossible), imminent relocation, declining market, unstable relationship, home maintenance cost, job security and simply not wanting the responsibility.

 

If none of these reasons for not buying a home apply to you, what’s holding you back?  Maybe you just need a little more information and somebody to walk you through the process.  Fortunately, we had our parents to patiently encourage us and assure us buying a home was the right thing to do. 

 

Well, we want to do the same thing for you.  Please give me a call, I would love to help you take this giant step towards home ownership and financial freedom.  The sooner you get started the brighter your future will be!

 

 

HOW CAN YOU AFFORD TO NOT BUY A HOME?

 

Forbes recently stated, “homeowners have 45 times more net worth than a typical renter”. It seems this single statistic would be more than enough motivation for everybody to buy a home because it has the potential to significantly improve your future financial well-being.

 

The biggest reason for this disparity, by far, is homeownership simply creates a “forced savings program.”  With every mortgage payment you’re required to make, your ownership automatically increases and adds to your net worth. On the other hand, every single dollar spent on rent is gone FOREVER!  Think about that! Forever!

 

Unfortunately, Americans are well known for not being good savers.  This is the reason the “forced savings program” is so important because it helps compensate for the poor savings lifestyle.   

 

So, the question you should be asking is not how can I afford to buy a home but how can I afford not to buy a home?!  Please give us a call, we would love to help you make homeownership a part of your life to help you build your net worth and avoid the debt-trap so many Americans get sucked into!!!


 

WHY IS IT RISKY TO BUY A HOME WITHOUT A REALTOR?

 

In the past it seemed that many buyers were totally uninformed about buying a home and assumed everything would work out ok.  However, today’s savvy consumers are usually very prepared to buy a home but often that confidence can also get them into hot water.  Unfortunately, we humans obviously just don’t know what it is we don’t know so we proceed forward assuming we have all the information we need.

 

Mistakes in real estate can cost tens of thousands of dollars in overpaying for a home, not pricing correctly and repairs. This is where a veteran realtor earns their keep because they are in the trenches every day and can help anticipate the unexpected and mitigate difficulties.

 

As we said at the beginning, good realtors are worth their weight in gold!  They sort through irrelevant and inaccurate information, keep abreast of the everchanging market trends and practices, understanding the psychology of buyers and sellers, negotiating tactfully and have a backup strategy, know which questions to ask, think outside the box, keep you grounded emotionally, accurately prepare documents, explain your documents, insure you stay within your budget to accomplish your other financial goals, anticipate problems and challenges while communicating effectively with all parties evolved in the transaction, making competitive realistic request or offers to keep the transaction moving forward. 

 

The question is not whether you should use a realtor but how can I afford to not use a realtor.  Call Jeff and find why clients say Jeff is never pushy or leading and will not compromise his values to close a deal.


 

HOW DO WE PREPARE OUR BUYERS TO BUY A HOME AND ACHIEVE THIER FUTURE FINANCIAL GOALS?

 

Even with all the benefits of home ownership, many people still have some apprehension about making a huge financial commitment for the next 30 years.  I know, because I felt the same way.  Fortunately, my parents had purchased several homes in the past and were there to keep us grounded, encourage us and confirm that we were making the right decision.  WE ARE HERE TO DO THE SAME THING FOR YOU!!!

 

We will obviously provide the typical realtor services like explaining the buying process, helping you find a good lender to get you prequalified, finding homes to meet your criteria and create the documents for you to sign.  But we also take the time to patiently answer all your questions, explain the documents you are signing and look out for your financial well-being.

 

All the emotions first time home buyers experience are understandable.  However, it is our goal to remove the emotions from the buying process because they often cause you to make decisions you shouldn’t make. 

 

We also take the time to discuss your wants and more importantly your needs.  Then we discuss your buying options and how your decisions can affect your short-term goals, long-term goals and even the elusive life balance.

 

I have personally bought and sold several homes and have helped many other people do the same.  I understand how to help you find the home that makes the most sense for you.  I also understand how to help you avoid the pitfalls many first-time homebuyers make.

 

Please give us a call, we would love to help you make a smart home purchase, avoid the debt-trap so many Americans get sucked into and achieve a Life in Balance.


 

WHAT IS AN INSPECTION PERIOD AND WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT?

 

The 10-day inspection period is the homebuyer’s best friend!  Besides the realtor, of course (LOL)!!!  It is designed to protect the buyer by giving them time to do all their research, read their documents and complete their inspections to ensure the home and neighborhood is everything they expect it to be.


During their inspection period the buyer has three options.


1. Accept the property as it is.

2. Cancel the contract immediately if they feel an issue is too big.

3. The buyer can ask the seller to make repairs. Then, the seller has the option to make all the repairs, some of the repairs or do nothing. If the seller chooses to do anything less than the buyer requested, the buyer can either accept the seller’s offer or cancel the contract.


In order for the buyer to cancel a contract and get their money back they must cancel within the 10-day inspection period, and give a reason for the cancelation that is allowed by the contract.


If the buyer decides to cancel after the 10-day inspection period they will most likely have to forfeit their earnest money.


Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions of your lifetime so make sure you use this inspection period effectively.  It could save you tens of thousands of dollars.


There are 10 things you need to know about real estate. #1 call Jeff Franklin, and as always, I’ve got your back for the other 9!  Please call me for more information.

 

 

WHAT IS A CREDIT SCORE AND HOW CAN IT BE IMPROVED?

 

A credit score is just a rating of how likely you are to pay your bills on time.  This topic can become quite complicated so I will simplify it as much as possible.   For our purposes you can consider a credit score and a FICO score one and the same.

 

Lenders have access to FICO SCORES which indicate the buyer’s level of risk based on the 5 categories below. As you can see, each category is weighted differently to account for its significance in the overall credit score.

 

5 CATAGORIES USED TO CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT SCORE

  1. Your payment history                      35%
  2. How much you owe                        30%
  3. Length of credit history                   15%
  4. New credit                                       10%
  5. Other factors                                    10%

By the way, don’t assume an online credit score, Auto FICO Score, Credit Card FICO Score are the same as your Home Loan FICO Score.  You also need to understand the online credit scores are not as thorough as a lender’s FICO Score. 

 

HOW GOOD IS YOUR CREDIT SCORE?

 

According to Experian, here are the ratings for each of the credit score ranges.  Use this scale to determine how likely you are to qualify for a descent loan.

300 -579 is very poor.

580-669 is fair.

670 – 739 is good.

740 – 799 is very good.

800 – 850 is exceptional.

 

HERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU CAN DO TO IMPROVE YOUR CREDIT SCORE

 

Reduce your debt

Keep credit card charges below 30% of your limit

Pay on time

Pay off credit cards every month if possible

Keep credit inquiries to a minimum

Don’t use one credit card to pay off another

 

After improving your credit score you may want to wait for a year to make a big purchase.

 

If you have a lower credit score, we would love to help you raise that score in order to qualify for a better rate on your home loan.  Please give us a call to help you not only make a smart home purchase but also avoid the debt-trap so many Americans get sucked into and achieve the elusive life in balance and financial freedom.