1. Get Preapproved
Before we start looking at houses, we need to know what the numbers look like.
I’ll connect you with my lending partner, Cruz Baisa of Powell Home Mortgage. He will get the mortgage pre-approval process started. This isn’t just about finding out the maximum amount you can borrow. We want to figure out a monthly payment and cash-to-close number that you’re actually comfortable with.
Knowing those numbers up front helps us search for the right homes and helps you make a strong offer when we find one.
2. Get Educated
I don’t want you learning how to buy a house while you’re in the middle of trying to buy one.
We’ll start with a personal buyer consultation over coffee or lunch and walk through the home buying process together. We’ll talk about financing, the Columbus real estate market, what to expect when we make an offer, inspections, closing costs, and some of the things that tend to surprise buyers.
If you’re a first-time home buyer, I’ll also encourage you to attend one of our homebuyer seminars with Cruz and me.
I stress these early steps because when it’s time to make decisions, I want you to know what you’re doing and why.
3. Build Your List
Now we figure out what you’re actually looking for.
What are your must-haves? What would be nice to have? What are the deal breakers? And where are you willing to compromise?
We’ll talk about location, price, style of home, condition, space, neighborhoods and anything else that matters to you.
Once we have that figured out, I’ll build an automated home search for you so new listings that fit your criteria are delivered to you every day.
4. Go Look at Some Houses
For our first trip out, I usually like to look at about 3–4 homes. When we tour a home, I will not follow you around. I have things I’ll look at myself and you go check on the look-fors from your list. Then, we’ll debrief.
What did you like? What did you hate? Did something you thought was important suddenly become less important? Did something you hadn’t considered move to the top of the list?
Sometimes we find a house worth pursuing. Sometimes we adjust the search and head back out. Both constitute progress.
In the end if a house satisfies 85% of the items on your look-for list, you should try to buy it.
5. It's Offer Time
When you find the right house, we’ll slow things down and make sure you understand exactly what you’re offering.
First, we’ll talk about your priorities.
Is keeping as much cash in your pocket as possible most important? Getting the lowest possible monthly payment? Getting possession quickly? Winning in a competitive situation?
Those answers help us build the offer.
Before you sign anything, we’ll carefully review the Seller’s Disclosure, talk through the most important terms, go through the purchase agreement line by line, and discuss what happens if the seller counters our offer.
You should never feel like someone just sent you a contract and said, “Sign here.”
6. We're Under Contract. Now What?
Once the seller accepts our offer, things start moving pretty quickly. I often use a transaction manager, Elisa Torres, who keeps things organized for us, so you will probably see a lot of emails from her.
We’ll take care of your earnest money deposit, schedule the home inspection, get your loan application moving, arrange homeowners insurance, and work through any inspection issues that come up.
This is also when I need you to help keep things moving on the lending side. If Cruz asks for documents, try to get him everything at once whenever possible, and ideally within 2–3 days.
The faster and more complete we are, the smoother the process tends to be.
And when the inspection is complete, we’ll go through it together, decide what matters, and determine whether there are repairs or other items we want to negotiate with the seller.
7. No Sudden Movements
Once you’re under contract, boring is good.
Don’t buy a car, open a new credit card, or finance a bunch of furniture. Don’t move large amounts of money around without talking to your lender.
Basically, don’t make any major financial moves until after closing. Even something that seems harmless can affect your mortgage approval. If you’re not sure whether something matters, ask us first.
8. Get Ready to Move
As closing gets closer, we’ll make sure the practical stuff is handled too.
You’ll transfer utilities into your name and make sure everything is scheduled to begin when you take possession of the house. We’ll also make sure you know what to expect at closing and what needs to happen before you get the keys.
9. Bring the Money
Before closing, the title company will give you the exact amount you need to bring to closing and instructions for getting the funds there.
If you’re wiring money, always verify the wiring instructions directly with the title company before sending anything.
Wire fraud is real. Never trust an emailed change to wiring instructions without independently verifying it with the title company.
Once the money is where it needs to be, we’re almost there.
10. Celebrate
You made it! We sign the papers, get the keys when possession begins, and you officially become a homeowner. Then, we celebrate!
