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Buyer's Guide

A Step-by-Step First Time Buyer's Guide

Buying a home is one of the most exciting milestones of your life. To prepare yourself for this moment, you need to know what to expect during the process. This step-by-step first time buyer’s guide created by your agent will help reduce the stress of buying a home and help you enjoy the journey as much as possible.

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Step 1: Research

Do you already know where you want to buy? If you want a condo, townhome, or single-family home? Which features do you like and dislike? What’s available on the market now? If you answered no to any of these questions, now is the time to start researching. In addition to looking for homes that interest you, also take note of any changes in asking prices. This could give you valuable insight into housing trends in specific neighborhoods and help you when the time comes to make an offer.

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Step 2: Decide on Your Budget

Notice I said to decide on your budget—not determine how much the mortgage company will give you. In many cases, a mortgage company will pre-approve you for more than you’re comfortable spending, which is why you need to determine the monthly payment you feel comfortable with before talking to a lender. This likely includes doing a full household budget and taking into consideration what changes other than a mortgage payment will occur once you move into your new home. If you’ve lived in an apartment or with roommates, you may overlook new expenses like garbage, water, or HOA fees that could easily blow your budget.

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Step 3: Get Prequalified

Just because you think you can afford a certain payment every month doesn’t mean the mortgage company will agree. Just as they may approve you for too large of an amount, they may also approve you for a lesser amount or deny you a mortgage altogether. Lack of time at a job, insufficient credit, past bankruptcies, or other financial issues can cause major problems when trying to secure a mortgage. Before you get your heart set on a home, talk to a mortgage professional to find out what amount you can qualify for. This will also be an advantage when you make an offer on a home, as some sellers won’t entertain offers from those who aren’t already prequalified for a loan.

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Step 4: Choose a Real Estate Agent

Can you shop for, look at, and ultimately make an offer on a home without a real estate agent? Technically, yes, but why would you when it costs you nothing for an agent like me to take much of the stress off your shoulders? Not only will I help identify properties you might be interested in, arrange showings, and ultimately handle the offer process, but I also have a knowledge of the market that you don’t possess. Finding the perfect home can be a daunting task, and this is where my expertise and wealth of knowledge come into play. Let me show you around some homes that meet your dream home criteria so you can find the one that's right for you.

Passion & Expertise

My goal is to provide you with the most personalized service possible, meticulously designed to help you navigate the process of buying your dream home. I am dedicated to understanding your unique needs and preferences, ensuring that every step of the journey is tailored to achieve your ultimate home-buying aspirations.

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Step 5: Find the Right Home

This should be the most enjoyable step of the entire process (other than moving in!). I will arrange showings of homes you’re interested in that are within your price range. Take notes about what you like and don’t like, and make sure to pay attention to details. Turn light switches on and off, open and close doors, and run the faucets in various rooms. Don’t limit your inspection to the home itself. Make sure to take time to explore the neighborhood and keep an eye on traffic at certain times of the day, the parking situation, and how close it is to necessities like schools and grocery stores.

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Step 6: Make an Offer

Once you have selected the perfect home, work with your agent to craft a fair offer based on the value of comparable homes on the market. Depending on what the home is listed at and whether the current environment is a buyer’s or seller’s market, your offer may be below, at, or even above the asking price. I will be able to help you negotiate if you receive a counteroffer and reach an agreement. At this point, the house will go into escrow.

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Step 7: Have the Home Inspected

In most cases, your offer will be contingent on having the home inspected to ensure there is no major structural damage or large repairs needed. I can help you arrange this, and you can schedule it within days of making an offer. If there are no major issues, the process goes to step eight. If there is, you can renegotiate your offer based on what needs to be fixed, or you can withdraw it.

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Step 8: Select Your Loan

Now is the time to go back to the mortgage lender who pre-approved or pre-qualified you and choose your mortgage. You will be presented with various options based on your unique financial situation, including fixed-rate, variable-rate, 15-year, 30-year, or special programs such as VA loans or FHA loans. Work with your mortgage lender to select the option you feel the most comfortable with.

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Step 9: Get a Home Appraisal

Your lender will have your new home appraised so they have their independent value of it. The appraisal is to ensure that all parties involved are paying a fair price for the house.

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Step 10: Finish Paperwork

No one looks forward to all the paperwork involved in buying a home, but it’s a necessary part of the process. Fortunately, everything will be arranged by your lender and title company and, when you’re finished, you’ll know you are the legal owner of your new home.

Congratulations!

After signing the final paperwork to complete the purchase, you are now the owner of a new house. It may take a few days for your loan to be funded once the paperwork has been returned to the lender, but once that check is delivered to the seller, you’ll be all set to move into the home of your dreams. 

Testimonials

"Mandy is amazing! We were first-time buyers and clueless about the entire process. We didn't have a big budget, but Mandy didn't care! She was so patient and answered every question I had and then some! I can't recommend Mandy enough to anyone looking to purchase a home."
"Mandy is amazing! We were first-time buyers and clueless about the entire process. We didn't have a big budget, but Mandy didn't care! She was so patient and answered every question I had and then some! I can't recommend Mandy enough to anyone looking to purchase a home."
Ashley M.
"I really can’t recommend Mandy highly enough. My boyfriend and I have been looking at homes for months. We’ve looked at so many houses we’ve lost count. Mandy has shown up to every showing extremely prepared and knowledgeable about the homes. She’s helped us understand how to make our offers stand out. She’s helped us make smart choices about everything from our lender to our appraisal recommendations. We’ve been incredibly difficult clients and haven’t loved most of the houses we’ve seen- and yet Mandy keeps showing up and never makes us feel bad about wasting her time (even though we still do because she’s so awesome). She’s insanely knowledgeable, hardworking, caring, and professional. I’d recommend her to anyone!"
"I really can’t recommend Mandy highly enough. My boyfriend and I have been looking at homes for months. We’ve looked at so many houses we’ve lost count. Mandy has shown up to every showing extremely prepared and knowledgeable about the homes. She’s helped us understand how to make our offers stand out. She’s helped us make smart choices about everything from our lender to our appraisal recommendations. We’ve been incredibly difficult clients and haven’t loved most of the houses we’ve seen- and yet Mandy keeps showing up and never makes us feel bad about wasting her time (even though we still do because she’s so awesome). She’s insanely knowledgeable, hardworking, caring, and professional. I’d recommend her to anyone!"
Jackie L.
"I couldn't be more grateful to Mandy for helping me with such an important accomplishment for me and my family. I highly recommend her! During these difficult times to get a home, she was always one step ahead creating strong offer proposals and negotiating in a short period of time to finally be able to get the perfect home for me and my family. She was always professional and guided us through all the details of the home-buying process. Mandy we were very lucky to meet you, appreciate all the work and support you did for us. Thank you so much!"
"I couldn't be more grateful to Mandy for helping me with such an important accomplishment for me and my family. I highly recommend her! During these difficult times to get a home, she was always one step ahead creating strong offer proposals and negotiating in a short period of time to finally be able to get the perfect home for me and my family. She was always professional and guided us through all the details of the home-buying process. Mandy we were very lucky to meet you, appreciate all the work and support you did for us. Thank you so much!"
Federico C.
"What a great help Mandy was. From the day we started house hunting she was the guiding light who took care of our needs and requirements in the house search. In times of this crazy home market, Mandy's advice made us steal our dream house in less than a month. With 15 offers over the list price, Mandy's advice and guidance helped us clinch the deal. A real professional whose help wasn't limited to just the home deal, but throughout the process of home buying and even after purchase. Thank you Mandy for all your hard work and professionalism. It was great working with you."
"What a great help Mandy was. From the day we started house hunting she was the guiding light who took care of our needs and requirements in the house search. In times of this crazy home market, Mandy's advice made us steal our dream house in less than a month. With 15 offers over the list price, Mandy's advice and guidance helped us clinch the deal. A real professional whose help wasn't limited to just the home deal, but throughout the process of home buying and even after purchase. Thank you Mandy for all your hard work and professionalism. It was great working with you."
Anoop B.
"Mandy is great and is motivated to find you a home in a competitive market. I would gladly use her again for our next real estate deal. Very flexible schedule and will do her best to meet all your needs."
"Mandy is great and is motivated to find you a home in a competitive market. I would gladly use her again for our next real estate deal. Very flexible schedule and will do her best to meet all your needs."
Mogs M.
"Integrity, Personal attention, and extreme patience."
"Integrity, Personal attention, and extreme patience."
Morgan M.
"What can I say about the amazingness of Mandy in a few words? The first word that comes to mind is exceptional, in every way possible! The process of house hunting can be stressful and overwhelming, but with Mandy, that was never the case. Mandy was knowledgeable, transparent, and fun! In short, Mandy is the reason for me having a place that I can call "Home". The only downfall of finally closing on our home is not getting to spend time with Mandy on a regular! Thank you Mandy for everything you have done, we appreciate you more than you will ever know!"
"What can I say about the amazingness of Mandy in a few words? The first word that comes to mind is exceptional, in every way possible! The process of house hunting can be stressful and overwhelming, but with Mandy, that was never the case. Mandy was knowledgeable, transparent, and fun! In short, Mandy is the reason for me having a place that I can call "Home". The only downfall of finally closing on our home is not getting to spend time with Mandy on a regular! Thank you Mandy for everything you have done, we appreciate you more than you will ever know!"
Kane B.
"Mandy is an amazing real-estate agent. She helped us buy some property in 2020 and we could not be happier. She showed us the most amazing listings that matched our criteria 100% and was there for us throughout the entire process step by step, guiding us and getting us though the closing process. We are very happy and we highly recommend Mandy to anyone who is in the market for any property."
"Mandy is an amazing real-estate agent. She helped us buy some property in 2020 and we could not be happier. She showed us the most amazing listings that matched our criteria 100% and was there for us throughout the entire process step by step, guiding us and getting us though the closing process. We are very happy and we highly recommend Mandy to anyone who is in the market for any property."
Alex A.
"This was our first home for my fiancé and I, it would not have been possible without her! Thank you Mandy for helping us find a home to raise a family in!"
"This was our first home for my fiancé and I, it would not have been possible without her! Thank you Mandy for helping us find a home to raise a family in!"
Yannick B.
"Mandy is absolutely amazing! She is incredibly knowledgeable, responsive, patient, and really willing to go the extra mile to help out however she can. Mandy took the time to learn exactly what we were looking for and never made us question if she was the right partner to work with. The market was crazy and we ended up spending practically every weekend for just shy of 6 months with Mandy, seeing over 100 houses until we found one that was just right for us. I truly believe that if we hadn't worked with Mandy we would still be looking and would have switched realtors in the process. We came in looking for a house but we came out with a home we love and friendship with a truly wonderful person!"
"Mandy is absolutely amazing! She is incredibly knowledgeable, responsive, patient, and really willing to go the extra mile to help out however she can. Mandy took the time to learn exactly what we were looking for and never made us question if she was the right partner to work with. The market was crazy and we ended up spending practically every weekend for just shy of 6 months with Mandy, seeing over 100 houses until we found one that was just right for us. I truly believe that if we hadn't worked with Mandy we would still be looking and would have switched realtors in the process. We came in looking for a house but we came out with a home we love and friendship with a truly wonderful person!"
Brian H.

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