Starting Your Search

Time To Go House Hunting

Once you've secured the right agent and gotten your financials in order, it's time to start shopping.

Explore

If you can, drive the neighborhoods and communities you're considering. There's no substitute for seeing a place in person. Browse listings online too, and once something catches your eye, let your agent know so they can get you in the door. As you walk through properties, ask about long-term resale value. A home should work for you today and hold its worth tomorrow.

Narrow Your Search

Get specific with your agent about what you actually need. How many bedrooms and baths? Do you want a yard? Is there a school district that matters to you? The clearer you are upfront, the faster your agent can zero in on the right properties and skip the ones that aren't a fit.

It's Time to Buy

This is where a good agent earns their keep. Once you've found the property you want, it's time to make an offer, and your agent should do the legwork to help you make it a smart one. That means looking closely at the real costs and expenses tied to the property, not just the sticker price.

During negotiations, your agent will draft the purchase agreement, covering the home warranty, escrow arrangements, and title. They'll walk you through every contingency, local regulation, and standard practice that applies to your deal. At the end of the day, the price and terms are your decision. Your agent's job is to make sure you're making that decision with every fact in hand.