Before you fall in love with a house, it’s important to get clear on your budget. Look at your income, savings, and monthly expenses. A good rule of thumb: ideally your mortgage payment should stay under 1/3 of your gross monthly income. Don't forget to factor in property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs — they can add up.

This is a step that some buyers think they can wait on. They cant. A pre-approval letter shows sellers you're serious — a fully under-written pre-approval is the BEST! Don’t know the difference? Contact us to learn about it and why it’s so important. This is one of the best steps you can take before you start touring homes.

Me! It should definitely be me. But in case it isn’t, a great agent is your guide, your negotiator, and your advocate all in one. Look for someone who knows the local market well and actually listens to what you want. The right agent makes the whole process a lot less stressful.

Now the fun part! Make a list of your must-haves vs. nice-to-haves — things like location, square footage, number of bedrooms, and commute time. Stay open-minded. Your perfect home might look a little different than you expected. Or it may be in an area you hadn’t considered.

You found a house you want to call home. Amazing! Your agent will help you put together a competitive offer based on comparable sales in the area as well as market conditions. Be prepared for some back-and-forth — negotiating is totally normal and expected.

This is where you kick the tires and really find out if it’s love. Your agent will guide you through basic and possibly secondary inspections, escrow will collect your deposit and title will make sure there aren’t any issues there. And then there’s the lending piece. But not to worry - this is where you will have a team of professionals guiding you through to close.