Buying a home is one of the most exciting milestones of your life. To prepare yourself for this moment, it's important to know what to expect during the process. This 10-step Buyer’s guide is designed to give you an overview, reduce the stress of buying a home and help you enjoy the journey as much as possible.
buyer’s guide
Before you start house hunting, it helps to get clear on what you really want. Do you know which neighborhood you’d like to live in? Are you drawn to a condo, townhome, or single-family home? Which features are must-haves, and which are deal-breakers? If you’re unsure about any of these, now is the perfect time to start exploring.
As you browse listings of interest, also take note of any changes in asking prices. This could give you valuable insight into housing trends in specific neighborhoods and help you when the time comes to make an offer.
1/ Research Your Options
Before talking to a lender, it’s important to know what monthly payment feels comfortable for you. Lenders often pre-approve buyers for more than they really want to spend, so setting your own limit first helps prevent overextending.
Start by creating a full household budget and consider all the changes that come with a new home. If you’re moving from an apartment, don’t forget to factor in costs like utilities, garbage, water, or HOA fees, as they can add up and impact your overall housing budget.
2/ Decide Your Budget
You may be confident that you can afford a certain payment every month, but that doesn’t mean the lender will agree. Just as they may approve you for too large of an amount, they may also approve you for a lesser amount or deny you a mortgage altogether. Lack of time at a job, insufficient credit, past bankruptcies, or other financial issues can cause major problems when trying to secure a mortgage.
Before you get your heart set on a home, talking to a reputable local lender is an important first step to find out what amount you can qualify for. This will also be an advantage when you make an offer on a home, as some sellers won’t entertain offers from those who aren’t already prequalified for a loan.
3/ Get Prequalified
Finding and buying the right home can feel overwhelming, but that’s where I come in. I’ll help you identify neighborhoods and properties that fit your lifestyle, schedule and guide showings, and handle the offer process with confidence.
With my deep knowledge of the local market, I’ll make sure your offer is strong and strategic. As a skilled negotiator and problem solver, I’ll be by your side through every twist and turn of the process, so you can feel confident and excited about moving into your dream home.
4/ Choose the Right Real Estate Agent
This is typically the most enjoyable step of the entire process (other than moving in!). We’ll arrange showings of homes you’re interested in that meet your budget goals, inventory what you like and don’t like, and make sure to pay attention to details. Don’t limit your inspection to the home itself. It's important to take time to explore the neighborhood and nearby amenities. You may want to keep an eye on traffic at certain times of the day, consider commute times, the parking situation, and proximity to necessities like schools and grocery stores.
5/ Find The Right Home
Once you’ve found the home that’s right for you, I’ll help you craft a strong offer with a price and terms that align with your goals. We’ll look closely at comparable homes and current market conditions to determine whether to offer below, at, or even above the asking price. From there, I’ll negotiate on your behalf to reach the best possible agreement with the seller and guide you through securing the property with an accepted contract.
6/ Make an Offer
Your offer will be contingent on having the home inspected to ensure there is no major structural damage or costly repairs needed. It's typically scheduled within days of making an offer. If the inspection reveals issues, you can request the seller address them. I’ll negotiate on your behalf to reach a solution that works for both parties. And if an agreement can’t be reached, you always have the right to terminate your contract.
7/ Have the Home Inspected
Now is the time to go back to the mortgage lender who pre-approved or pre-qualified you and choose your mortgage. You will be presented with various options based on your unique financial situation, including fixed-rate, variable-rate, 15-year, 30-year, or special programs such as VA loans or FHA loans. Work with your mortgage lender to select the option you feel the most comfortable with and is inline with your financial goals.
8/ Select Your Loan
Your lender will have your new home appraised so they have their independent value of it. The appraisal is to ensure that all parties involved are paying a fair market price for the property and the loan amount is justified.
9/ Get a Home Appraisal
The final step is making it official, signing the paperwork and closing on your new home. We will meet with the escrow officer and they will guide you through reviewing all documents, ensuring you understand every detail, and coordinating with the lender, and seller so the process goes smoothly. Once everything is signed and funds are transferred, you’ll receive the keys and officially be a homeowner.
10/ Finalize Paperwork and Close
After signing the final paperwork to complete the purchase, you are now the owner of your new home. You’re now ready to move in and start your next chapter.
Congratulations!
“Kendall made my home buying experience smooth. She organized appointments that fit with my busy schedule and also would preview homes for me. She knew my preferences and once a home was posted that was what I was looking for, she was proactive about getting a viewing. Once I got my dream home, she helped me every step of the way after the closing.”