At Tomlinson Sotheby’s International Realty, we take great pride in our real-time knowledge of the market and properties available. This intimate knowledge allows our agents to quickly “shrink the real estate universe” so you may quickly focus on the right property in the right way, and assist you with all facets of the sales process. There are many advantages to purchasing property in the Inland Northwest. The region is widely perceived as an up and coming, sought-after and high-end travel destination with much potential for growth and is often featured in the Top Ten or Best Places to Live lists compiled by publications like Sunset Magazine, Travel Magazine and many others.

As luxury market leaders and experts, we are uniquely qualified to assist you with buying real estate throughout the various stages of the process.

Select from one of the many tabs below for more information about our comprehensive commitment to our clients and for an overview of our buyer services.

Searching for the right home or acreage can be a transformative experience. As you look for an estate, new home or desire to acquire new land, you’ll try to find one that meets all of your needs, not only internally but also externally. Finding the perfect neighborhood and surrounding community is as important as ensuring you have enough bedrooms, floor space, and lot size. If you have a family, you may want to live in a close-knit neighborhood near good schools and local attractions. Professionals might want to ensure their new home has a manageable commute time and access to curated restaurants perfect for business meetings. 

All in all, the search for your new home can be an intimidating, even overwhelming, experience without guidance from a real estate agent adept at understanding the area market. When you work with Lisa Straza, you’ll benefit from her 16 years of experience in the business and her in-depth area expertise regarding the Kootenai County area of Northern Idaho.

Why Work with a Buyer Agent?

It is possible to go straight to a listing agent or hire an attorney to initiate the buying process, but what buyers don’t always realize is that listing agents already have an allegiance––to the seller. When you hire a buyer agent, you’re hiring someone who is 100% on your side with only your best interests in mind. 

Having a professional who will inspect contracts, offer support, negotiate on your behalf, and give you the insider scoop on potential off-market listings are critical advantages that can simplify the process and make it easier for you and your family. When you hire Lisa and her team, you can anticipate:

• A streamlined buying process tried and tested for more than a decade
• Access to a network of top-notch industry experts providing you with valuable connections to home inspectors, contractors, interior designers, service providers, lending professionals, title/escrow companies, artisans, technicians, and more
• Insider information, off-market listings, and up-to-date market data
• Caring and dedicated professionals who will go above and beyond to help you with every facet of the home buying process, whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a first-timer!
  
  

Services Offered 

Use our advanced property search tool to refine results by selecting your ideal city, subdivision, price range, and property details like bedrooms, bathrooms, and square footage. We also offer a customizable market report widget for discerning buyers to keep up to date with what’s under contract, sold, and available in their neighborhood. 

Lisa’s extensive knowledge of Kootenai County encompasses everything from the best restaurants to the most popular attractions. If you’re interested in learning more about the area’s most notable destination spots, she can give you unprecedented intel on the region. 

When searching for a home, you’ll likely want to keep tabs on community staples like The Golf Club at Black Rock and Gozzer Ranch. 

• ​​​​​​​Golf Club at Black Rock: An idyllic, world-class private golf club, the Golf Club at Black Rock was carefully crafted and curated by architect Jim Engh. Combining beautiful terrain encompassing prairies, wetlands, waterfalls, wooded forests, and the basalt rock formations from which the club gets its name, this lifestyle destination is one of the most breathtaking and luxurious golf clubs in the nation.
• Gozzer Ranch: Encompassing 700 acres, the Gozzer Ranch & Lake Club is one of the finest private clubs in the country yet still maintains the small-town charms of a classic Northwestern town outside of Spokane. Go fishing, get pampered at the spa, enjoy a round of golf, or sail across the sparkling turquoise waters in this gorgeous space full of natural splendor.
  
  

What Does the Process Entail?

The home and land buying process consists of three significant steps, which are as follows:

Step 1: Pre-approval process

• Work with our financial contacts to find out how much money you’re eligible to borrow to purchase a home.
• This process considers all variables, including any income, credit rates, and additional assets that help you discover what your interest rate will be.
• The pre-approval process is vital to understanding your financial standing.

Step 2: Negotiations & Making an Offer

• Our team will handle all of the paperwork and contractual obligations at this stage.
• Point us to your dream home, and we’ll employ strategic negotiation tactics to submit a bid.
• At this stage, we’ll also discuss home inspection and the appraisal process.

Step 3: Closing

• Congratulations! The seller has accepted your offer!
• Lisa is more than just an agent! The Lisa Straza Team hopes to forge a lasting relationship with each client, and that includes celebrating when a deal is closed!
• We’ll help you through all the final details and officiating to ensure the entire transition process goes smoothly.