Let me guide you through the keys to a seamless home-buying experience

DECIDE TO BUY

There are so many great reasons to buy a home, but one of the biggest is building wealth. Many people see homeownership as an “accidental investment,” but when done right, it becomes an intentional step toward financial security and more freedom in life. Plus, owning a home comes with some great perks—like building equity, increasing property value, and enjoying tax benefits!

HIRE YOUR AGENT

The typical real estate transaction involves at least two dozen separate individuals-insurance assessors, mortgage brokers and underwriters, inspectors, appraisers, escrow officers, buyer’s agents, seller’s agents, bankers, title researchers, and a number of other individuals whose actions and decisions have to be orchestrated in order to perform in harmony and get a home sale closed. It is my responsibility as your real estate agent to expertly coordinate all the professionals involved in your home purchase and to act as the advocate for you and your interests throughout.

SECURE FINANCING

Buying your first home is exciting, but the idea of taking on a mortgage can feel a bit overwhelming. It’s completely normal for first-time buyers to feel unsure about the process or nervous about such a big financial step. I work with a network of lenders that makes securing financing for your first home easy to understand and stress-free!

FIND YOUR HOME

It’s easy to think that home shopping starts by jumping in the car and exploring neighborhoods. And while that’s definitely one of the most exciting parts, it can quickly become frustrating if weeks go by without finding the right home. That’s why the best way to start is by taking the time to assess your values, wants, and needs—both now and for the future. A little planning upfront can make the entire process smoother and more enjoyable!  To help you put your ideas to paper, I will send you the link to my Home Buying Quiz.  

It will help you decide:

  • What do I want my home to be close to?
  • How much space do I need and why?
  • Which is more critical: location or size?
  • Would I be interested in a fixer-upper?
  • How important is home value appreciation?
  • Is neighborhood stability and priority?
  • Would I be interested in a condo?
  • Would I be interested in new home construction?
  • What features and amenities do I want? Which do I really need?

MAKE AN OFFER

When searching for your dream home, you were just that-a dreamer. Now that you’re writing an offer, you need to be a businessperson. You need to approach this process with a cool head and a realistic perspective of your market. The three basic components of an offer are price, terms, and contingencies.

PERFORM DUE DILIGENCE

Unlike most major purchases, buying a home isn’t something you can return if something goes wrong. That’s why property inspections are crucial.

Performing a property inspection helps uncover hidden issues so you know exactly what you’re getting into before closing.

Your main concern should be structural damage – don’t stress over minor, easily fixable issues.  However, if a major problem appears in the inspection report, it’s wise to bring in a specialist.  In the worst-case scenario, walking away might be the best option.

 

GETTING TO THE CLOSING TABLE

The final step in the home-buying process is your lender’s confirmation of the home’s value, legal standing, and your financial stability. This includes an appraisal, title search, and a final review of your credit and finances. I will keep you updated on each step, but most of your work is done!

There are just a few pre-closing responsibilities to keep in mind:

  • Maintain control of your finances. Do not open any credit cards or loans.
  • Respond quickly to phone calls and paperwork requests.
  • Stay in touch with me at least once a week.
  • A few days before closing, I will confirm that all documentation is in order.
  • Obtain certified funds for closing.
  • Conduct a final walk-through of the home.

On closing day, with guidance from me and the settlement team, you’ll sign the necessary documents—making the sale official and turning the home into yours!

PROTECTING YOUR INVESTMENT

Throughout your home-buying journey, you’ve likely spent a lot of time with me and hopefully we have built a strong relationship. Just because the deal is closed doesn’t mean that connection has to end—I want to stay in touch!

Even after you’ve settled into your new home, I can still assist you with:

  • Navigating your first tax return as a homeowner.
  • Finding reliable contractors for maintenance or remodeling.
  • Helping friends and family find their dream homes.
  • Tracking your home’s current market value.

Home maintenance is key to protecting your investment’s long-term value.

It falls into two simple categories:

  • Keeping it clean – Perform regular maintenance based on your home’s age and systems.
  • Keeping an eye on it – Watch for leaks, damage, or wear. Addressing small issues early can prevent costly repairs down the road.

By staying proactive with upkeep and keeping in touch with me, you’ll ensure your home remains a valuable asset for years to come!

7 Mistakes to avoid

Not being pre-APPROVED

We are still in a Seller’s market meaning you may likely be dealing with competition when putting an offer on a home. Therefore, before shopping and falling in love with a home, make sure to get a mortgage pre-APPROVAL by a lender to ensure you can afford a home you love and know the price range at which you should be looking.

The more buyers shop around for mortgages, the better deal they will be able to find, possibly saving them hundreds or thousands of dollars.  I suggest you shop around with at least three different lenders or consult with a mortgage broker who can do the research for you and find you the best terms.  Once you gather rates, terms, and fees, compare what each lender can offer you and decide based on this data.

When you find a house you absolutely love, it can sometimes come at a price tag over what you had budgeted.  If this happens, when deciding whether to stretch your budget for your dream home, be careful not to over-stretch it. Doing so may put you at a higher risk of foreclosure, and you could have less room in your monthly budget to pay for utilities and other expenses.

When going through the process of obtaining a mortgage, it’s essential to maximize your credit score and avoid using credit at all costs (including taking out a new car loan, furniture credit card, etc.). Any new loans or credit card accounts on your credit report can negatively impact your credit score and jeopardize your final mortgage approval. Therefore, until after you close on a property, take care of your credit score to make closing day and your first-time buying process run smoothly!

When calculating the costs of what homeownership could entail, make sure to add hidden costs of owning a home.  On top of paying your mortgage, you will have to consider budgeting for additional expenses, including property taxes, mortgage insurance, homeowners insurance, repairs, maintenance, utilities and more. Therefore, it’s always best to overbudget for unexpected costs to ensure you can afford and are comfortable paying for everything that homeownership demands when budgeting as first-time homebuyers.

While having at least 20% downpayment is favorable as it helps you avoid paying mortgage insurance, many buyers do not have the funds (or even do not want) to put such an amount towards a home downpayment. If this is your case, you don’t have to delay a home purchase to save up this 20% downpayment, but can instead seek out other mortgage options where you may be able to put as little as zero – 5% down towards your new home with government or locally-insured loans. Do keep in mind that you may be required to pay a larger downpayment if purchasing in a community like condos.

Although you should aim to find a home that checks off features you want and need in a home, being too focused on finding a home that meets all of your wants and needs may cause you to overlook the property’s location.  Once you purchase a home, you will have to live with the neighborhood where it’s located, so make sure you choose an area where the community culture matches yours.  if you’re unfamiliar with the neighborhood, don’t worry, as I would to help guide and inform you based on safety and school statistics and rankings.

let's find your dream home

Buying is a big deal, but it doesn’t have to be stressful! With 25+ years of experience and a deep love for the greater Kansas City area, I’ll be with you every step of the way—offering expert advice, honest communication, and a personal touch that makes all the difference.

Let’s find the perfect home  together! Call, text, or message me anytime—I’d love to help!

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