From First Call to Closing Day: What It Is Really Like to Work With Shaina McAndrews
If you are thinking about buying or selling a home in Montgomery County or Greater Philadelphia, you might be wondering what it would actually feel like to work with me from the very first call to closing day. In a 2026 market where our region is one of the hottest in the country and both buyers and sellers are feeling cautious, the experience matters just as much as the result.
My name is Shaina McAndrews. I am a Realtor and Team Leader of the Shaina McAndrews Team with eXp Realty, serving Montgomery County PA, Philadelphia, and the surrounding counties. My business is built on clear communication, education, and walking with you through what can be an emotional, stressful season so you never feel like you are doing this alone.
Step 1: The First Call – No Pressure, Just Clarity
Our relationship usually starts with a simple call or video chat. You might not be sure if you want to move yet, or you might have a clear goal but no idea where to start. That is okay.
In this first conversation, we:
Talk about your “why”—what is prompting you to think about buying or selling now.
Go over your timeline, your questions, and any fears you are carrying.
Outline what the process looks like in today’s market for your specific situation.
You will not get a sales pitch or a script. You will get honest feedback and a realistic sense of what is possible in a market that is competitive but slowly moving toward more balance.
Step 2: Setting Up a Plan That Fits Your Life
After that first call, if we decide to move forward together, we create a plan. This is where my process becomes very personalized.
For buyers, this often includes:
Connecting you with a trusted local lender if you are not already pre approved.
Clarifying your budget based on what feels comfortable, not just what you qualify for.
Defining your must haves, nice to haves, and deal breakers.
For sellers, this includes:
Reviewing your home’s condition and market position.
Going over recent sales, active competition, and realistic pricing ranges.
Mapping out a prep and timing plan that fits your life, not just a calendar.
You will leave this stage with a written or clearly outlined game plan instead of a vague sense that you “should probably do something.”
Step 3: The Day to Day Experience While We Search or Prepare
This is where a lot of people worry they will feel lost—but when we work together, the middle is where we communicate the most.
If you are buying, you can expect:
Regular listing updates and context around what we are seeing.
Honest conversations after showings about how each home fits your goals.
Guidance on when to move forward and when to walk away, even if you like the photos.
If you are selling, you can expect:
Checklists and clear steps for prep so you are not guessing what matters.
Help prioritizing changes that will make a difference versus projects you can skip.
Updates on market activity, feedback from showings, and how your home compares to others currently on the market.
You will not be left wondering what I am doing behind the scenes; you will know where we stand and what is coming next.
Step 4: Writing Offers or Going Live on the Market
This is the moment where many people feel their anxiety spike. In a still strong but more nuanced 2026 market, strategy matters.
For buyers, when you are ready to make an offer, I:
Pull detailed comparable sales and current competition to help you choose a smart price.
Explain each part of the offer—price, deposits, contingencies, timelines—so you understand what you are agreeing to.
Talk about how aggressive or conservative you want to be based on your comfort level and the property’s competition.
For sellers, when we go live:
We launch with professional photos, strong online presentation, and a clear pricing strategy.
I monitor showings, feedback, and interest closely in the first days and weeks.
I keep you updated so you are never guessing what is happening behind the scenes.
You will feel like we are making decisions together, not having decisions made for you.
Step 5: Negotiations, Inspections, and All the “What Ifs”
Once you are under contract—either as a buyer or a seller—the real work begins. This is where you benefit most from having someone calm and experienced in your corner, especially in a market where buyers are cautious and inspections still matter a lot.
As a buyer, I help you:
Understand your inspection report—what is normal, what is negotiable, and what is a true red flag.
Decide what to ask for, what to accept, and when it might be best to walk away.
Stay grounded when emotions run high, especially if you have already lost out on other homes.
As a seller, I help you:
Evaluate repair requests or credits through the lens of the bigger picture.
Decide when to negotiate and when to hold firm.
Keep your eye on your net and your goals, not just the noise of the moment.
You will not be handed a long email and told, “Let me know what you want to do.” We will talk, weigh options, and choose a path together.
Step 6: The Final Stretch to Closing Day
As we get closer to closing, there are a lot of details to manage: appraisals, loan conditions, title work, walk throughs, utilities, and logistics for the move. My job is to keep those details organized and communicated.
Expect:
Reminders about important dates and what each one means.
Coordination with your lender, title company, and the other agent.
A final walkthrough plan where we confirm the home is in the expected condition.
I also make space for how you are feeling: the mix of excitement, sadness, stress, and relief that often comes with leaving one chapter and starting another.
Beyond Closing: The Relationship Does Not End at the Settlement Table
When you work with me, closing day is not the end of our relationship; it is a milestone. In a market where long term stability and smart decisions matter more than ever, I stay in your corner.
After closing, you can expect:
Check ins to see how you are settling in and if any questions have come up.
Referrals for local contractors and service providers as you make the home your own.
A resource you can reach out to if you are curious about your home’s value, thinking about updates, or wondering about your next step.
I am not interested in one time transactions; I am interested in being your real estate person for the long run.
What Happens When You Hire Me?
When you hire me, you are choosing:
A clear, step by step process instead of guesswork.
Honest feedback instead of sugar coating.
Calm, consistent communication instead of silence and surprises.
If you are thinking about buying or selling and want to experience what this kind of relationship driven approach feels like, you can book a consultation here:
https://calendly.com/agentshainamc/greater-philadelphia-home-seller-consultation
Whether we end up working together now, later, or not at all, my goal is that you walk away from our conversation feeling more clear and more confident about your next move.
