The buying process

It is a good idea to get pre-approved for a mortgage, as it will help define the type of homes and locations we will look in. In a competitive market, a pre-approval will help your offer stand out when the seller has multiple offers to consider. Ask your lender or mortgage broker about possible buyer incentive programs you may qualify for – these often help with down payment assistance or closing costs. Once approved, hold off on any new credit inquiries or large purchases on your existing credit, as any change in your credit could jeopardize your purchase.

Looking at homes is a very exciting time, but it’s not always as easy as they make it look on TV. That’s why it’s important to have trusted advisors looking out for your interest every step of the way. As your Buyer’s Agent, we will work on your behalf to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. We’ll provide you all the important information you need to know about a property and market conditions so you can make the best decision possible. Let’s be sure to have a few laughs along the way too!

Once you have your pre-approval, you can start to narrow down the criteria you are looking for in a home. You know the price range, now you can determine other features like size, location, finishes, etc. Categorize these into “must have” and “nice to have” sections. As you look, you may find you will make adjustments to the list. When you’re looking – remember cosmetic things can be updated fairly easily, but size and location cannot. If you can look past the wallpaper and outdated features you’re on the right track.

You’ve found the house – it’s time to write an offer. We will research nearby comparable sales and other market and home information to guide you on an offer price and other terms like inspections, closing date, etc. We will lead negotiations to help ensure you get the best terms possible.

When your offer is accepted, we will have an inspection to ensure the home is in good working order. This will give you a good understanding of potential future repairs and costs. Any larger issues can be addressed through negotiation – having it fixed by the seller before the closing, a price reduction, or with closing costs.

A lot of work takes place between the offer and closing day. Your lender will have the home appraised and finalize your loan. A title company will research the property and work with the county to issue your deed. There are a lot of moving parts, rest assured we are here to coordinate all of it to ensure a successful closing.