Buyer's Guide
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Partner with an Agent (Me, I hope!)
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Absorb their local insight
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Get to know neighborhood inventory levels
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See what's about to hit the market
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Gain access to off-market properties
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Review market averages
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Complete needs assessment
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Get Pre-Approved for a Loan
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Understand what you can afford
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Determine your monthly mortgage payment
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Understand your debt ratio
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Prepare for escrow
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Obtain a pre-approval letter
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Find Your New Home
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Compare home and neighborhood averages, then narrow down the neighborhoods you want to live in
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Favorite homes and save them to collections
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Nix homes that don't meet the mark
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Schedule home tours and plan an itinerary with your agent
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Decide on your dream home
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Make Your Offer and Negotiate the Terms
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Review contract terms and time limit for offer
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Negotiate purchase price
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Choose a title company
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Shop home insurance options
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Prepare for down payment, earnest money
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Choose a target closing date
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Sign the offer
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Deliver escrow check
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Stay in close contact with your agent
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Under Contract
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Secure a home loan
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Acquire home insurance and send proof to your lender.
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Request a list of what conveys with the property
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Schedule home inspection and negotiate repairs
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Acquire a property disclosure from the seller
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Order an appraisal
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Neutralize contingencies. Input any contingencies that may be specific to your area
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Conduct a title search
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Choose your title company
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Schedule your closing
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Solidify both contract effective and allowable move-in dates
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Certify funds for closing
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Stay in close contact with your agent, lender, and title company
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Before You Close
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Transfer funds for closing
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Reserve a moving company and set a moving date
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Change your address through USPS, your bank, and other instances
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Set up your utilities to be activated or transferred
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Confirm that all contingencies are resolved
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Schedule the final property walk-through
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Designate a safe, dedicated space to save your final paperwork
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Stay in close contact with your agent, lender, and title company
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Closing Day: What to Bring
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Connect with your lender to wire down payment funds. You'll need to cover the cost of closing and the down payment.
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Bring a printed confirmation of your wire transfer
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Government-issued Photo ID(s)
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Social Security numbers
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Home addresses from the last 10 years
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Proof of homeowner's insurance
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Your copy of the contract
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Your checkbook
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Closing Day:
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Sign closing disclosure, promissory note, and all other documentation
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Title transfer
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Deed delivery
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Save your paperwork in your pre-designated spot
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Get the keys! CONGRATS! IT’S ALL YOURS!
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Use the Guide feature in my app to find step-by-step, on-demand information throughout your purchase.
