Roadmap to Homeownership

  • Before we look at houses, we look at your goals. We’ll sit down to discuss your wishlist, your timeline, and your budget. We’ll also connect you with trusted local lenders to get you pre-approved.

    Pro Tip: A pre-approval letter makes you a serious buyer in the eyes of sellers and gives you a powerful advantage in a competitive market.

    Secure pre-approval from a trusted lender to be able to put an offer on a home. A pre-approval letter from a lender proves to sellers you are a serious buyer and is often required to put an offer in on a home. It also tells us exactly what your budget is.

  • This is the fun part! We set up a custom search that alerts us the moment a home hitting your criteria hits the market. We will tour homes together, looking past the staging to spot potential issues and hidden gems. Your team often has access to homes that haven’t hit the market yet. We will then assess what it is you want vs what you need.

    • Location: Commute, schools, and neighborhood.

    • Must-Haves: number of bedrooms, yard size, parking.

    • Deal-Breakers: What can you absolutely not live with?

  • Once you find "The One," we get to work. We analyze comparable sales in the area to determine a fair market value. We draft a strong, competitive offer that protects your interests while appealing to the seller.

    • Market Analysis: Your Team will analyze what similar homes sold for to determine a fair offer price.

    • The Contract: We will draft an offer that protects you with contingencies (safety nets).

    • Negotiation: If the seller counters, we negotiate on price, closing costs, or timelines until we reach a deal.

  • Your offer was accepted! Now the clock starts ticking.

    Please remember that after the offer is accepted each step going forward has a tight time frame to stick to. If your Lender or Agent needs things like documentation it is important to move quickly!

    • Earnest Money: You put down a small deposit to show good faith (this goes toward your down payment later and is often roughly 1% of the sale price).

    • The Inspection: We hire a pro to check the home's "bones." If they find big issues, we can ask for repairs or credits—or you can walk away with your deposit.

    • The Appraisal: The bank checks to ensure the home is actually worth what you are paying.

  • The finish line!

    We review the final closing statement with you to ensure every penny is accounted for. Then, we meet at the closing table, sign the papers, and celebrate!

    • Final Walkthrough: We do one last check of the house to ensure it's in the agreed-upon condition.

    • Signing: You sign the paperwork (expect a hand cramp!), transfer the funds, and…

    • Keys: The home is officially yours!

    Please note that sometimes taking possesion of the home can come at a later date based on contract specifics.

Busting First-Time Buyer Myths

Myth #1: "I need 20% down."

Fact: Most first-time buyers put down between 3.5% and 5%. Some programs (like VA or USDA loans) require 0% down.

Myth #2: "I have to pay my real estate agent."

Fact: In the vast majority of transactions, the seller pays the commission for both agents. You get expert representation and guidance for free.

Myth #3: "I need perfect credit."

Fact: While a higher score gets a better interest rate, there are FHA loan programs designed specifically for buyers with lower credit scores.

FAQs

  • It’s a common myth that you need 20% down. Many loan programs allow for as little as 3% or 3.5% down, and VA loans often require 0% down.

  • On average, once an offer is accepted, it takes about 30 to 45 days to close. Finding the home, however, can take anywhere from a few days to a few months depending on inventory.

    • Pre-Qualification: A quick estimate of what you might be able to borrow based on self-reported info. It’s good for a rough budget.

    • Pre-Approval: A verified commitment from a lender after they’ve checked your credit and income docs. You need a Pre-Approval letter to make a serious offer.

  • Think of this as a "good faith" deposit. It’s a check you write (usually 1-2% of the home price) when you make an offer to show the seller you are serious. This money is held in a safe account (escrow) and gets applied to your down payment at closing.

  • There is no magic number. Some buyers find "The One" on the first day; others look for months. The key is to view enough homes to understand the market value in your price range.

  • This is why we include an Inspection Contingency in your offer. If the inspector finds major issues (like a bad roof or foundation cracks), you have three options:

    • Ask the seller to fix it.

    • Ask for a credit (money off) to fix it yourself.

    • Walk away and get your full Earnest Money deposit back.

  • Contingencies are "escape hatches" in the contract that protect you. Common ones include:

    • Financing: "I will buy this IF my loan is fully approved."

    • Appraisal: "I will buy this IF the bank says it's worth the price."

    • Inspection: "I will buy this IF the condition is acceptable."

  • In most transactions, you do not pay my commission fee. My services—searching, touring, negotiating, paperwork, etc.—are typically paid for by the seller from the proceeds of the sale.

  • We would love to join you for any open houses you are interested in! Please shoot us a text or call us and we will try to be there! However you are more than welcomed to visit open houses on your own!

    Open Houses are a great way to learn the market. Just be sure to tell the hosting agent that you are already represented by us. (Pass them our card if you have it!). This ensures they know you have someone looking out for your best interests.