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 know where you want to buy? If you want a condo, townhome, or single-family home? Which features do you like and dislike? What’s available on the market now? If you answered no to any of these questions, now is the time to start researching.
Just because you think you can afford a certain monthly payment doesn’t mean the mortgage company 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, talk to Antonio about connecting with a mortgage professional 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.
Notice I said to decide on your budget—not determine how much the mortgage company will give you. In many cases, a mortgage company will pre-approve you for more than you’re comfortable spending. Therefore, you should determine the monthly payment you feel comfortable with when talking to a lender. This will help Antonio guide you with your new home search.
This should be the most enjoyable step of the entire process (other than moving in!). I will arrange showings of homes you’re interested in that are within your price range. Take notes about what you like and don’t like, and pay attention to details. Turn light switches on and off, open and close doors, and run the faucets in various rooms. Don’t limit your inspection to the home itself. Take time to explore the neighborhood, observe traffic at different times of the day, check the parking situation, and note its proximity to necessities like schools and grocery stores.
My goal is to provide you with the most personalized service that is designed to help you buy your dream home
Once you have selected the perfect home, work with Antonio to craft a fair offer based on the value of comparable homes on the market. Depending on what the home is listed at and whether the current environment is a buyer’s or seller’s market, your offer may be below, at, or even above the asking price. I will always guide you to be as competitive as possible so hopefully you don't lose the home to another buyer.
In most cases, your offer will be contingent on having the home inspected to ensure there is no major structural damage or large repairs needed. I can help you arrange this, and you can schedule it within days of making an offer. If there are no major issues, the process moves to the next step. If there is an issue, you can try to renegotiate your offer based on what needs to be fixed, or you can withdraw it all depending what the other terms are of the contract.
Your lender will have your new home appraised to establish an independent valuation. The appraisal ensures all parties pay a fair price for the house. This step protects you from overpaying and knowing the true market value.
No one looks forward to all the paperwork involved in buying a home, but it’s a necessary part of the process. Fortunately, your lender and title company will arrange everything. When you’re finished, you’ll know you are 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.
Real estate should feel straightforward and personal. You’ll get honest guidance, a clear plan, and someone who pays attention to the details that matter to you. From start to finish, everything is handled with care so the process feels smooth—and the outcome feels right.
