🏡 Your 10-Step Guide to Buying a Home
🏁 1. Let’s Get This Journey Started
Before diving into home listings, your first move should be talking to a mortgage advisor. They'll help you understand what you can comfortably afford and what loan options might work best for you. This takes the guesswork out of your home search and helps you feel confident moving forward.
📝 2. Submit Your Application
Once you're ready, you'll fill out a mortgage application and securely upload supporting documents like pay stubs, W-2s, and bank statements. These help us verify your income, assets, and overall loan eligibility.
📞 3. Review Your Pre-Approval
Next, we’ll schedule a loan consultation. During this meeting, we’ll review your pre-approval letter, go over estimated monthly payments, discuss cash needed at closing, and answer any questions. You’ll walk away informed and prepared to start your home search!
🕵️♀️ 4. Partner with a Real Estate Agent
Finding a great real estate agent is key to a smooth home search. If you don’t already have an agent, I’m happy to connect you with a trusted local expert. Your agent will help guide your home search, schedule showings, and negotiate offers on your behalf.
🔍 5. Start the Home Search
With your agent’s help, you’ll set up a personalized home search and start touring properties. When a home catches your eye, schedule a showing to see it in person and get a real feel for the space.
✍️ 6. Ready to Make an Offer
When you find “the one,” it’s time to write an offer! Your agent and I will work together to help you decide on the right offer terms based on your budget and comfort level — including your down payment and estimated closing costs.
🎉 7. Offer Accepted!
Once your offer is accepted, your agent will send a copy of the sales contract to me so we can officially begin the loan process. This is where your mortgage file moves into underwriting.
📬 8. Underwriting
During underwriting, my team and I will be in touch about anything else we need — such as updated documents or letters of explanation. The faster we work together here, the smoother the process. This phase typically takes 3–4 weeks as we navigate inspections, appraisals, and contingencies.
🖊️ 9. Closing Day
Time to sign! You’ll head to the title company to sign your final loan documents. Once everything is complete, you’ll get the keys to your new home and are officially a homeowner!
🏡 10. Move In & Celebrate
Welcome home! You’ve officially bought a house — now it’s time to unpack, settle in, and enjoy the space that’s all yours. 🎉