The Buying Process

The first step to buying a home is to understand your buying power and establish a price range. I can recommend some fantastic local lenders for you to consider. A licensed lender can help evaluate your financial standing and provide a pre-approval. They will review your income and credit history to determine how much the bank will lend you, which will help you determine the price range for your search. 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. 

Based on your unique preferences and needs, we will continue to tailor your search to identify properties that are a right fit for you. Working together, I will offer insights into local market trends and pricing and arrange access to a wide range of properties, including off-market listings. When you are ready to make an offer on a property, I will help secure the best deal through effective negotiation. My goal is to streamline the buying process, making it more efficient and less stressful for you.

If your offer is accepted, you will be officially under contract. The purchase will not be complete until closing, but the home cannot be sold to anyone else while the contract remains in effect. At this point, unless you are making a cash purchase, it will be time to make an earnest money deposit and secure your mortgage loan. Lenders offer a wide range of loan programs, so it's important to work with a lender you trust to help you determine the best loan for your specific circumstances.

Your lender will arrange a professional appraisal of the home. An appraisal is an unbiased estimate of the true (or fair market) value of a home and is conducted by an independent third party. The appraiser will confirm the appraisal value of the property for all parties involved. If the home appraises at less than the expected value, you may have the option to renegotiate the purchase agreement or terminate the contract.

Time to celebrate! Your lender will provide a final closing disclosure that summarizes the loan terms, monthly payments, taxes, and other costs associated with the closing. They will also confirm that you are clear to close. Your attorney will guide you through all of the paperwork required to complete your purchase and loan agreement. Once the paperwork is signed by all parties and your loan is funded, you will receive keys, and you'll be ready to move into your new home!