From your first text,to the keys in your hand.
Every buyer's path looks a little different, but the shape of it stays the same. Here's what actually happens, step by step, so nothing catches you off guard.
Step by step,no surprises.
You don't need real estate experience to do this well. I explain every step before it happens, not after, so you always know what's coming next.
Start to finish,one guide the whole way.
Pre-approval
You talk to a lender before you look at a single house. I'll connect you with one I trust if you don't already have one. You share your basic financial picture, the lender tells you what you can actually afford, and you walk away with a pre-approval letter.
The search
We talk about what you actually want and need, not just what looks good online. I send you homes that match, you tell me what's a yes and what's a no, and we narrow it down together.
Showings
We walk through homes in person. I point out what a photo won't show you, good and bad. You get to ask anything, including the questions that feel too basic to ask out loud.
The offer
Once you find the one, I put together an offer based on what's actually happening in that market, not a guess. You decide the number and terms, I write it up and present it.
Under contract
Once the seller accepts, a few important windows open up. I walk you through exactly what's due and when, so nothing slips past you.
Option period
You get a window, per contract, to have the home inspected and decide if you want to move forward, renegotiate, or walk away. I coordinate the inspection and handle the conversation with the seller's agent.
Inspection
A licensed inspector goes through the home top to bottom. I help you read the report for what actually matters versus normal wear, and we decide together if anything needs to go back to the seller.
Appraisal and financing
Your lender orders an appraisal to confirm the home's value and finishes underwriting your loan. I stay in contact with your lender through this stage so nothing stalls without you knowing.
Closing
You'll sign the final paperwork, usually at a title company. I walk you through what you're signing before you're sitting at the table, so nothing feels rushed.
Keys
The home is yours. I'm still a text away after closing, for the questions that come up once you've actually moved in.
I'm not going tothrow a number at you here.
Before we do anything else, I walk you through a buyer representation agreement and explain exactly what it means, line by line. Nothing is signed until you understand it and you're comfortable with it. Your situation isn't the same as anyone else's, so that conversation happens with you directly, before anything is on paper.
About the process.
Do I have to sign anything before we start looking at homes?
No. We talk first. When you're ready to move forward, I'll walk you through the buyer representation agreement before anything is signed.
What if I'm still not sure I'm ready to buy?
That's a completely normal place to start. We can talk through where you are and figure out a realistic timeline, even if that timeline is not now.
Can I back out after I'm under contract?
There are windows built into the contract for exactly that, per contract terms. I'll walk you through what those protect and when they close.
What happens if the appraisal comes in lower than the offer?
We have options, and I'll walk you through each one so you can decide what makes sense, instead of finding out after the fact.
How long does the whole process usually take?
It varies buyer to buyer and home to home. I'll give you a realistic sense of timing once we know what you're looking for.
You don't have to knowevery step to take the first one.
Text me and I'll tell you exactly where you are in this and what comes next.