11 Steps to The Home Buying Process
Written by a super cool realtor in the
stellar Pacific Northwest
Step One: Buyer's Consultation
This is an initial meeting where we grab coffee, cover the ins & outs of the
homebuying process and establish a path forward that aligns with your
timeline.
Step Two: Get Pre-Approved
It's a quicker process than you might think!
Reach out to your bank
or a recommended local mortgage broker.
A pre-approval letter makes your offer stronger and
helps you understand your purchase power.
Step 3: Search & View Homes
The average homebuyer views 5-7 homes
during the homebuying process.
Step 4: Write an offer on the home that
checks your boxes!
I always ask my clients to identify their
5 essentials
5 desirables
3 dealbreakers
When we find the right home,
we'll work together to write a strong offer.
Step 5: Offer Accepted!
Woohoo! Your offer's been accepted.
Now the real work and due diligence starts.
Step 6: Earnest Money Due
Earnest money is an upfront deposit showing
the seller you're serious about your offer.
The amount of earnest money you can expect
to deposit initially is 1% of the purchase price.
Step 7: Inspection Period Begins
After your offer has been mutually accepted,
the inspection or due diligence period begins.
This period typically lasts 10 days.
During this time, you will have a professional inspection done
and get any bids or consultations from licensed
experts to help inform your purchase.
Step 8: Mortgage Underwriting
Expect to work closely with your lender
throughout the entire transaction
process sharing documents
and answering questions.
Step 9: Obtaining Homeowner's Insurance
Prior to closing, you'll need to shop around
for homeowner's insurance.
Step 10: Final Walkthrough
You're almost there! During the final walkthrough,
we walk the home and make sure that any
negotiated repairs were sufficiently addressed.
Step 11: Signing & Keys
Congratulations! You made it to the finish line.
Time to make memories in your new home.
Buying a home doesn't have to be scary.
Informed people make informed decisions.
