Home Buying Process Steps:

Pre-approval → Home search → Submitting offer → Negotiation → Inspection → Appraisal →
Mortgage underwriting → Title work → Insurance → Utility setup → Walk-through → Settlement

Pre-approval and Financial Considerations

Before you begin your search, you will need to get pre-approved. The lender you choose is vitally important. We have a handful of lenders we recommend based on your individual situation. Having a local lender who becomes “part of our team” is key. We want to make sure you have realistic expectations before we begin your house hunt. This will help us refine your search criteria so we can proceed with confidence, knowing your payments will be comfortable for you. In our current market, being armed with a pre-approval upfront will allow for decisions to be made quickly.

Solidify Buyer Representation

It is important to know that you will be represented and your rights will be protected through Buyer’s Agency. We like to begin with a brief consultation in the office or at a location convenient for you. We take the time to get to know your goals and timeline and will provide you with neighborhood information, mortgage resources, and an overview of how we work as a team to make it all happen seamlessly.

National Online Listing & MLS Portals

We will send you listings from the MLS that meet your criteria through an online listing portal. You will be sent listings in real time as they hit the market; you can highlight, delete, and send notes to your agent.

Home Search

We like to show properties that meet your search criteria and will schedule comprehensive tours of properties and their neighborhoods. Our philosophy is that we will show you as many properties as it takes until you find “the one”; we will never rush you or push you into making a decision.

Submitting an Offer

Once we find a home you love, we will prepare your offer. We will review all necessary paperwork together in person or via eSign/phone. Earnest money deposit will be included in the offer. For convenience, buyers can submit an online deposit of the EMD once the offer is accepted.

Negotiate

We will strategically negotiate the terms and price of your offer with the listing agent on your behalf. Once all parties reach a consensus and sign off on the Contract of Sale, it is considered fully executed.

Inspections

Per the contract, you will have a specified time period to perform and negotiate all inspections. We have professional inspectors we will be happy to recommend.

The Mortgage

You will immediately complete your mortgage application and submit all necessary documentation to your lender. The lender will issue us a written mortgage commitment on the date we specify in the contract.

Title

The title company will order title on your behalf unless you instruct us otherwise. We will review the report in full with you and make the seller aware of any title findings which they will clear prior to closing. We want the property to have clear title, free of liens, and resolved of any issues when you purchase.

Homeowner’s Insurance

You will obtain a homeowner’s or hazard insurance policy to cover your home and personal possessions.

Contact Utility Companies/Post Office

You will contact electric, gas, oil, cable, Internet, and water to be switched into your name as of the date of settlement. You may also change your mailing address with the post office.

Pre-Settlement Walk-Through

We will accompany you as you perform a pre-settlement walk-through just before settlement to ensure that all agreed-upon home inspection repairs have been completed and that the property is in reasonably the same condition as when you agreed to purchase.

Settlement

Celebrate receiving the keys to your new home!

Pre-Approval

Below is a document checklist. Make sure you have everything in order before seeking pre-approval.

☑ W-2 forms — or business tax return forms if you’re self-employed — for the last two or three years for every person signing the loan.
☑ Copies of at least one recent pay stub for each person signing the loan.
☑ Account numbers of all your credit cards and the amounts for any outstanding balances.
☑ Copies of two to four months of bank or credit union statements for both checking and savings accounts.
☑ Lender, loan number, and amount owed on other installment loans, such as student loans and car loans.
☑ Addresses where you’ve lived for the last five to seven years, with names of landlords if appropriate.
☑ Copies of brokerage account statements for two to four months, as well as a list of any other major assets of value, such as a boat, RV, or stocks or bonds not held in a brokerage account.
☑ Copies of your most recent 401(k) or other retirement account statement.
☑ Documentation to verify additional income, such as child support or a pension.
☑ Copies of personal tax forms for the last two to three years.