Buying a home is one of the most exciting milestones of your life. To prepare yourself for this moment, you need to know what to expect during the process. This step-by-step first time buyer’s guide created by your agent will help reduce the stress of buying a home and help you enjoy the journey as much as possible.
Do you already have an idea of where you’d like to live? Are you considering a condo, townhome, or single-family home? What features are must-haves—and which ones are deal-breakers? If you’re unsure, now is a great time to start exploring. While browsing listings can help you get a feel for what’s out there, understanding pricing trends and neighborhood values takes experience. That’s where I come in.
Can you search for, view, and even make an offer on a home without a real estate agent? Yes, it’s possible. But having a professional like me by your side can help simplify the process, protect your interests, and guide you every step of the way. Best of all, in many cases, buyers don’t pay out of pocket for agent representation—so why go it alone? Finding the perfect home can be a daunting task, this is where my expertise and wealth of knowledge come into play. Let me show you around some homes that meet your dream home criteria so you can find the one that's right for you.
Just because you feel comfortable with a certain monthly payment doesn’t mean the mortgage company will agree. While they might approve you for more than you expect, they could also approve you for less—or even deny the loan—depending on factors like your job history, credit score, or past financial challenges such as bankruptcies. That’s why it’s so important to speak with a mortgage professional early on, before falling in love with a home. Knowing what you qualify for not only helps set realistic expectations, but it also strengthens your offer—many sellers won’t even consider offers without a preapproval letter. If you don’t already have a lender in mind, I’d be happy to share a list of trusted professionals you can reach out to.
Notice I said your budget—not just what a lender is willing to approve. In fact, it’s pretty common for a mortgage company to pre-approve you for more than you’re actually comfortable spending. That’s why it’s so important to figure out what monthly payment fits your lifestyle before you start talking to lenders. Take a good look at your full household budget and think about how your expenses might change once you move. If you’ve been living in an apartment or with roommates, don’t forget to factor in new costs like water, trash, and HOA fees—those can add up quickly and take you by surprise.
My goal is to provide you with the most personalized service that is designed to help you buy your dream home
This is often the most fun part of the journey—aside from move-in day, of course! I’ll schedule showings for homes that match your criteria and fit your budget. As we tour each property, take notes on what stands out to you—both the pros and the cons—and don’t be afraid to test things like light switches, doors, and faucets. It’s also important to look beyond the home itself. Take a walk around the neighborhood, check out the traffic at different times of day, see how parking feels, and note how close you are to essentials like schools, shops, and grocery stores.
Once you’ve found the right home, I’ll help you put together a competitive offer based on the value of similar homes in the area. Depending on the listing price and the current market conditions—whether it’s favoring buyers or sellers—your offer might come in below, at, or even above asking. If there’s a counteroffer, I’ll guide you through the negotiation process to help you reach an agreement you feel good about. Once we’re under contract, the home will go into escrow.
In most cases, your offer will include an inspection contingency, giving you the opportunity to have the home professionally inspected for any major structural issues or significant repairs. I’ll help coordinate the inspection, which typically happens within a few days of your offer being accepted. If everything checks out, we’ll move on to the next step. If the inspection uncovers concerns, we can revisit the terms of the offer and negotiate with the seller based on the findings.
Once the inspection is complete and any negotiations are settled; the next step is securing final loan approval. At this stage, your lender will finish reviewing all your financial documents, the appraisal report, and the property details to officially approve your mortgage. I’ll stay in close contact with your lender to make sure everything is moving along smoothly. It’s important not to make any major financial changes during this time—like opening new credit lines or making big purchases—as it could impact your approval. Once you get the green light, we’re one step closer to closing!
While the paperwork involved in buying a home isn’t anyone’s favorite part, it’s an important step in making your purchase official. Luckily, your lender and the attorney/title company will handle most of the details for you. When everything is complete, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re the legal owner of your new home.
After signing the final paperwork to complete the purchase, you are now the owner of a new house. It may take a few days for your loan to be funded once the paperwork has been returned to the lender, but once that check is delivered to the seller, you’ll be all set to move into the home of your dreams.
Get assistance in determining current property value, crafting a competitive offer, writing and negotiating a contract, and much more. Contact me today.
