Buying a home is one of the most exciting milestones of your life. To prepare yourself for this moment, you need to know what to expect during the process.
This step-by-step first time buyer’s guide created by your agent will help reduce the stress of buying a home and help you enjoy the journey as much as possible.
Do you know where you want to buy? Want a condo, townhome, or single-family home? What features do you like or dislike? What’s on the market now? If you can’t answer these, start researching. Track homes you like and watch asking-price changes - they reveal local trends and help when you make an offer.
Decide your budget—not the lender. Lenders often pre-approve you for more than you want to spend. Figure the monthly payment you’re comfortable with first by doing a full household budget and accounting for new costs after moving (trash, water, HOA, etc.) that you might miss if you’ve lived in an apartment or with roommates.
Just because you can afford a monthly payment doesn’t mean a lender will agree. Lenders might approve more, less, or deny you entirely. Short work history, poor credit, past bankruptcies, or other financial issues can block mortgage approval.
Talk to a mortgage professional before falling for a home to learn what you qualify for - sellers often favor prequalified buyers.
Yes, you can buy without an agent - but why? We can do it all for you: find listings, schedule showings, guide offers, and bring market expertise you don’t have.
Buying a home is tough; let us show you homes that match your dream and handle the rest.
Fill-out the Buyer Questionnaire below to get started.
This should be the most fun part (aside from moving in!). We'll schedule showings for homes in your price range. Note likes and dislikes, and check details: flip switches, open doors, run faucets.
Also inspect the neighborhood: traffic at different times, parking, and distance to schools, grocery stores, and other necessities.
After choosing a home, work with your agent to make a fair offer based on comparable sales. Depending on the listing price and market conditions, offer below, at, or above asking.
We’ll help negotiate any counteroffers until you reach agreement. The house then enters escrow.
Most offers are contingent on a home inspection to check for major structural issues. We can arrange this; it can be scheduled within days. If no major issues, move to step eight. If there are, you may renegotiate or withdraw your offer.
Return to your pre-approval lender and pick a mortgage. Options—fixed or variable, 15- or 30-year, VA, FHA, etc.—will be offered based on your finances. Choose the loan you’re most comfortable with.
Your lender will appraise the home to determine its independent value and ensure a fair price for all parties.
No one likes the paperwork of buying a home, but it’s necessary. Your lender and title company handle it, and when it’s done you’ll legally own your new home.
After signing the final papers, you own the house. Funding may take a few days after the lender gets the paperwork; once the seller is paid, you can move in.
