Buyer Resources

Determining how much home you can afford is the first step in the home buying journey. Knowing this and getting prequalified for a loan upfront will streamline your home buying journey and put you in a position to be competitive when you find your perfect home! 

Your lender is an important member of your home buying team, so it is crucial that you put the time and energy needed into this foundational piece of your journey to prevent potentially catastrophic problems down the line. Visit our Partners We Love  section to see the lenders that we know and love and will provide the highest level of customer service and excellence. 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Human Services more commonly referred to as HUD, offers various free resources for homebuyers. This federal agency helps with everything from shopping for a loan, determining how much of a mortgage you can afford, learning your rights as a borrower as well as seeing if you qualify for any special home buying programs.

A home inspection provides the perfect opportunity to get to know your new house better and to identify any potential defects and needed maintenance items. It is a crucial part of the home buying process and allows you to spend more time getting to know your new home than you were likely able to spend before writing an offer on it. Consumer Reports, a leading advocate for consumer rights, provides in depth guides on a variety of topics including how to get the most out of your home inspection.

Protecting Your #1 Asset

Whether you are paying for your home in cash or financing it, homeowners’ insurance is crucial (and required if you are using financing) to help protect what is likely your largest investment. Because of this, most insurance companies provide great buyer resource tools and guides including companies like Allstate, Progressive and State Farm. The Insurance Information Institute also provides helpful information and resources on what insurance typically covers, guides to choosing the right insurance along with other helpful tips.  

Contingencies allow a buyer or seller to void the contract if certain items or contractual contingencies aren’t met. Examples of real estate contingencies are appraisal, inspection, house sale, and loan approval contingencies. Failure to comply with certain contractual contingencies can result in cancellation of the contract, the loss of the earnest money deposit or even potential litigation. For these reasons, it is important to have an experienced REALTOR  at your side to help you understand your rights and navigate the intricacies of the contract to avoid these potential pitfalls.

Closing costs are expenses buyers and sellers are responsible for when the ownership of the property is transferred. Examples of closing costs include recording fees, documentary fees, real estate commission, taxes, prorations, settlement fees, and title insurance. As part of your real estate team, we will work hand-in-hand with the lender and title company to determine what all of your fees will be so that you can make informed decisions and do not have any surprises at the closing table.