1. Budget: Determine how much you can afford to spend on a home, considering your income, savings, and current debts.

2. Credit Score: Check your credit score, as it will affect your mortgage interest rate and loan terms.

3. Pre-approval: Meet with a lender for FREE to determine your buying power if acquiring a loan.

1. Location: Consider factors like commute times, schools, amenities, and neighborhood safety.

2. Type of Home: Decide whether you're interested in a single-family home, condo, townhouse, etc.

3. Features: List your must-haves versus nice-to-haves, including the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, yard size, and other features.

1. Find An Agent: Look for a reputable and experienced agent who knows the local market well.

2. View Listings: Browse online listings and attend open houses to see what's available in your preferred areas.

3. Visit Homes: Schedule visits to homes that meet your criteria. Take notes or photos to help you remember and compare properties.

Once you find a home you love, your real estate agent will help you make a competitive offer based on comparable homes in the area and other factors.

Be prepared for negotiation. The seller may counter your offer, requiring some back-and-forth before reaching an agreement.

Once the offer is accepted, contact an attorney of your choosing to begin collaborating wih the Seller’s attorney on the Purchase & Sale Agreement.

Home Inspection: Hire a professional home inspector to check the property for any problems or repairs that may be needed. You can often negotiate repairs or credits with the seller based on the inspection results.

Appraisal: Your lender will require an appraisal to ensure the property's value supports the purchase price.

The purpose of an appraisal is to provide an unbiased opinion of a property's market value based on various factors such as its location, size, condition, and comparable sales in the area.

Terms and Conditions: finalizes details of the agreed-upon price, deposit amount, closing date, contingencies.

Contingencies: These are conditions that must be met for the transaction to proceed; such as the buyer securing financing, home inspection & title search.

Closing Details: The agreement outlines the responsibilities of both parties regarding closing costs, how taxes and utilities are prorated, and the exact date and location of the closing. It ensures that both the buyer and seller understand their obligations to complete the transaction.

Finalize your mortgage application with your lender. This will include verifying your financial information and final loan approval.

Once you've submitted all required documents, your lender will review your application and documentation. This process, known as underwriting, involves assessing your creditworthiness, financial situation, and the property's value.

After completing the underwriting process and receiving a satisfactory appraisal, the lender will issue a final loan approval. This approval will detail your loan terms, interest rate, and closing costs.

Keep in close contact with your real estate agent, lender, and closing agent, especially in the days leading up to closing to ensure all necessary documents are in order.

Final Walkthrough: Conduct a final walkthrough of the property to ensure it's in the agreed-upon condition.

Closing Day: Sign the mortgage and property transfer documents, pay closing costs, and receive the keys to your new home.

Legal Recording: The transfer of property is recorded with the local government, making the buyer the official property owner.