The Buying Process

Buying a home can be an exciting and emotional experience. My goal is to guide you through the process so you can feel comfortable and confident each step of the way.

Get Pre-Approved

This is a quick necessary process that helps narrow down and determine how much you can afford! It will help you understand your buying power and establish a price range. Lenders will review your income and credit history to determine how much the bank will lend you. Having a pre-approval letter in-hand can also increase the attractiveness of your offer, particularly when a seller has multiple offers to choose from.

There are many different financing structures that they can make work for you!

The Home Search

I will tailor listings based on your criteria. I funnel all properties and pick the best to view, and will filter out the homes that will not work.

Once you find one you love... it's time to determine the market value of that property. I will compare that home to others that have sold and from there we will determine the value for the home!

Making an Offer

When you are ready to move forward on a purchase, I will walk you through the contract and advise to make the strongest possible offer. I will draw up the paperwork on your behalf and we will go over the purchase price, closing date, sale contingencies and any stipulations for your particular offer.

Once an offer is submitted, the seller may accept, reject or counter the offer. If the seller returns a counter, we will enter a negotiation period until an agreement is reached, or until the offer is rejected by either parties.

Going Under Contract

Once your offer has been accepted, you will officially be under contract. At this point, the property is no longer actively being marketed, and the buyer begins their due diligence, such as home inspections and securing financing. This is where you will discuss with your lender best financing options. There is still a chance for contingencies to be addressed but once all terms are met and the process moves forward, the contract leads toward closing.

Home Inspection

The immediate step after your offer is accepted is to schedule a home inspection. You will have a certain number of days to complete this inspection (known as your option period) after the offer is accepted. This may also include mold, termite, plumbing and roof inspections if necessary.

Your home inspection letter will verify any items considered defective or problems relating to the safety of the home. We may enter another negotiation round prior to closing depending on the signed purchase agreement.

Home Appraisal

The home appraisal process is an important step in a real estate transaction to secure financing. Your lender will order an appraisal to determine the home’s fair market value. A licensed appraiser will visit the property, assess its condition, compare it to similar homes in the area, and provide an estimated value. If the appraisal comes in lower than the agreed-upon purchase price, you may have the option to renegotiate with the seller, come up with a larger down payment, or, in some cases, terminate the contract.

The Final Walk Through

Prior to closing, we will conduct a final walk through to ensure that any agreed-upon repairs have been made, the home is in the same (or better) condition as when you first saw it, and there are no new issues. It’s also a chance to check that appliances and fixtures are still in place, and that everything is functioning as expected. While it’s usually a quick inspection, it’s important to take your time and make sure you’re comfortable before signing the final documents.

Closing!

At closing, your lender will go over the final closing disclosure that summarizes the loan terms, monthly payment, taxes and other fees. From there, you'll review and sign various documents, including the deed, loan paperwork (if applicable), and closing disclosures. You’ll also pay closing costs, which can include fees for the title search, insurance, and recording the deed. Once everything is signed and funds are exchanged, the property is officially yours and you’ll receive the keys.

It’s a detailed process, but once completed, you can celebrate your new home!