Your roadmap to a new home

Talk to a lender and get pre-approved before you start touring. It tells you what you can actually afford, and in a competitive situation a pre-approved offer is taken far more seriously than one without financing lined up.

It depends on the loan. Conventional loans can start well below the twenty percent many buyers assume is required, FHA loans lower it further, and VA loans can require nothing down for eligible buyers. A lender can tell you exactly which programs you qualify for.

Once your offer is accepted, a financed purchase typically takes about a month to six weeks to close. Finding the right home is the part that varies most — some buyers know on the first tour, others look for months.

Buyer representation is covered by a written agreement you sign before we start touring, and it spells out our compensation and who pays it. Depending on the transaction, that may be offered by the seller, negotiated into the deal, or paid by you. We go through it with you in plain language up front so there are no surprises.

Yes, on every purchase. An inspection is the one point in the process where you can find out what's actually wrong with the house while you still have the option to renegotiate or walk away.

It's worth checking on any home here. Review the flood zone, ask for the seller's disclosure, and look at whether the property or the street has flooded before. We'll help you pull that history on anything you're seriously considering.