Why It’s Important: Before you start your home search, it’s essential to understand your budget. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage gives you a clear picture of what you can afford and shows sellers that you’re a serious buyer.
What to Do: Contact a lender to provide your financial details (income, assets, credit score) for pre-approval. This will give you a pre-approval letter that you can present when making an offer on a property.

What to Consider: Think about the location, type of home, size, price range, and features that are important to you. Whether you're looking for a lakefront retreat or a cozy home near Cedar Creek Lake, defining your must-haves will make your search more efficient.
Questions to Ask:
- What neighborhoods or areas are you interested in?
- What’s your ideal number of bedrooms and bathrooms?
- Do you need a home office, large yard, or lake access?

Explore Listings: You’ll begin browsing listings on real estate platforms, but I’ll also send you curated recommendations based on your preferences.
In-Person Showings: Once you have a list of potential homes, we’ll schedule showings so you can walk through the properties and assess their condition and fit for your needs.
Stay Flexible: The perfect home may not always meet every requirement. Keep an open mind and trust that we'll find a property that checks most of your boxes.

Analyzing the Market: I’ll help you evaluate the home’s value by comparing it to similar properties in the area (CMA - Comparative Market Analysis). This ensures your offer is competitive yet fair.
Negotiating: Once you find the right home, I’ll draft a personalized offer that includes your price, contingencies (like financing and inspections), and desired closing date. We’ll negotiate with the seller to get the best terms possible for you.

Sign the Contract: Once the seller accepts your offer, we’ll move forward with signing the purchase agreement. This legally binding document outlines the price, contingencies, and other details of the transaction.
Earnest Money: You’ll typically provide earnest money (a deposit that shows your commitment) that will be applied to your down payment at closing.

What to Expect: A professional home inspection is crucial to uncover any hidden issues with the property (e.g., structural concerns, plumbing, electrical, etc.).
Next Steps: If issues arise, I’ll help you negotiate repairs or a price reduction with the seller, or in some cases, walk away if the inspection reveals major problems.

Appraisal Process: Your lender will order an appraisal to confirm the home’s market value. If the home appraises for less than your offer, we may need to renegotiate the price.
Finalize Your Loan: Once the appraisal is completed and all conditions are met, your lender will finalize your loan. You’ll review the terms and prepare for closing.
Secure Homeowners Insurance: Before closing, you’ll need to secure homeowners insurance to protect your new property.

Closing Disclosure: A few days before closing, you’ll receive a closing disclosure that outlines your loan terms, closing costs, and the total amount you’ll need to bring to the table.
Title Search: A title company will conduct a title search to ensure there are no legal issues with the property (like unpaid taxes or liens).
Final Walkthrough: Prior to closing, we’ll do a final walkthrough of the home to make sure everything is in order and that any agreed-upon repairs have been completed.

Sign Documents: On closing day, you’ll sign all the necessary paperwork to transfer ownership of the property. This includes the mortgage documents, title transfer, and other legal forms.
Pay Closing Costs: Be prepared to pay your closing costs, which include title insurance, appraisal fees, taxes, and other fees associated with the transaction.
Transfer of Ownership: Once the documents are signed and funds are transferred, you’ll receive the keys to your new home!

Get Settled: Congratulations! It’s time to plan your move-in, transfer utilities, and settle into your new home.
Enjoy: Whether you’re enjoying the peaceful lakeside views at Cedar Creek Lake or exploring your new neighborhood, it’s time to celebrate your homeownership!