Read below for information on the major steps involved in buying a property, or click HERE for a video. Some steps may happen slightly out of this order, or be skipped over completely, depending on the type of transaction.

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 1.  Doing Your Due Diligence 

Factors concerning whether or not to purchase a property (whether it's your first or fiftieth transaction) include overall market conditions, household income, credit standing, veteran or teacher status, & more.  Details on the matter can be found on the page 'Loan Types & Requirements.'

Real estate as a whole is chock full of information, speculation & activity at all times.  Understanding how real estate functions as an institution in society is important for cultivating competency & long-term success.  Molding yourself into a knowledgeable buyer through up-to-date literature, understanding industry terminology, being aware of the role players involved in a transaction, & having an accurate idea of market conditions can go a long way in preparation for making moves in real estate.

 2. Finding a Capable Agent 

Everyone could use some good advice from a seasoned professional.  Selecting a skilled Realtor to help guide you through an entire transaction can pay off big when negotiating sales price, viewing properties with an unbiased eye, ensuring all boxes are checked en route to close, & much more. An agent can also expand the amount of potential properties at your disposal, & sometimes serve as much needed reassurance during the transitional, sometimes emotional, period. The bottom line: a Realtor's performance directly affects your bottom line.

 3. Locating a Lender & Calculating Price Point 

Before viewing homes, you must first get pre-qualified for a mortgage loan. A reputable agent will have a few reliable mortgage lenders at the ready that will assist in attaining a prequalification for a home loan at the start of the buying process (sets maximum home price & confirms buying power), crunch numbers like closing costs, interest rates, & out-of-pocket expenses during escrow, as well as serve as a wealth of information long after you close on a property. 

Acquiring a prequalification letter (or pre-approval letter) from a lender is as easy as sending a few documents & waiting a few hours.  Once you establish a price range, the home search begins! Check out a list of competent lenders at the 'Start Prequalification' page.

 4. Begin Touring Homes & Making Offers 

The phrase 'when you know, you know,' is never more true than when looking for a place to call home.  A diligent buyer will be privy to information on current listings in their desired area, & can receive instant updates when new properties are listed. After some deliberating, all properties worth an in-person look are sent to the Realtor who sets up the viewing times at each property. Once a home worthy of a buyer's offer is found, the negotiating ensues.

Getting the most in return for a client's investment should be any agent's top priority.  At this stage decisions are made & tactics are employed that directly affect a buyer's pocketbook.  Sending over a clean, respectable offer for a desired property can make or break a seller's decision.  It is not uncommon to submit a number of offers on multiple properties in the hopes one or more is accepted.

 5. Escrow, Appraisal, & Inspection 

Once a seller has accepted an offer, both parties enter the Closing Process, often referred to as escrow.  A lender will arrange for an unaffiliated third-party appraiser to estimate the value of the home in order to confirm the investment's perceived value at a given date.

As a buyer, you want to be crystal clear on the condition of the subject property before it's too late to exit the contract.  Having a home inspection during the due diligence period (10-15 days following acceptance) is crucial to revealing any issues that may drastically affect the price of the home.  Plumbing issues, roof leaks, structural damages, infestations, & other detriments to a property can become leverage in vying for a better price, or be reason enough to walk away from a deal, altogether.

 6. Sign the Dotted Line(s) || Move-in 

As one might imagine, the transfer of the real property from seller to buyer requires a lot of paperwork, as does securing all loan documentation, inspection reports, disclaimers, HOA packages & any other boxes to check before a closing date.  When all proverbial dust settles & all obligations are fulfilled on both sides of the transaction, the seller will deliver the keys to the titling agent, & the titling company will pass them off to the new homeowner!