Home-buying questions? Get clear answers, fast!
1
Showing Homes
Time for the fun part: touring homes that fit your style,
including the ones you’ve discovered yourself!
Every contract is different, so no two contracts look the same. Here’s a peek at what goes into a contract. Could be more, could be less, but don’t worry, your powerhouse agent handles the fine print so you can focus on the big win: getting the keys!
✅ Buyer Information: Full legal names and contact info of all buyers.
✅ Property Details: Exact legal description and address of the property.
✅ Purchase Price & Financing Terms: Agreed price, type of financing (conventional, FHA, VA, cash), and loan details.
✅ Earnest Money Deposit: Amount, form of payment, and where it will be held (title company/escrow).
✅ Inclusions & Exclusions: Fixtures, appliances, or personal property staying with or excluded from the sale.
✅ Contingencies: Key protections for the buyer, such as:
✅ Financing contingency
✅ Appraisal contingency
✅ Inspection contingency
✅ Title review contingency
✅ HOA document review contingency (if applicable)
✅ Closing & Possession Dates: Target closing date and when the buyer will take possession (same day or post-closing occupancy).
✅ Prorations & Closing Costs: Property taxes, HOA dues, utilities, and which party is responsible for specific costs.
✅ Property Condition: Agreement that the property will be delivered in substantially the same condition as when the contract was signed.
✅ Disclosures: Seller’s Property Disclosure, Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (if built before 1978), and any other required disclosures.
✅ Termination Rights: Conditions under which the buyer can terminate and retain earnest money.
✅ Signatures: All buyers (and sellers) must sign to make the contract binding.
✅ Financing: Unless you’re paying cash, most offers include a financing contingency. This protects you if you can’t finalize your loan within a set timeframe—keeping your earnest money safe, even if you’re pre-approved.
✅ Home Inspection: Your offer can hinge on a satisfactory inspection within a certain number of days. If major issues pop up and the seller won’t fix them, you can walk away without penalty.
✅ Appraisal: If the home doesn’t appraise at the contract price and the seller won’t adjust, you have the right to terminate—or negotiate the difference.
✅ Sale of Current Home: Need to sell your current home before buying the next one? This contingency lets you disclose that upfront in your offer.
It’s not unusual to land in a bidding war with other buyers. That’s where your real estate agent becomes your secret weapon! With access to real-time market data, they’ll craft a winning strategy to help your offer stand out from the rest. When multiple offers hit the table, sellers have choices, and your agent’s job is to make sure yours rises to the top.
✅ Accept the best offer as it is.
✅ Counter all offers to push for a better price and terms.
✅ Counter just one offer that’s closest to what you want.
Accepting an offer isn’t always about the highest dollar, it’s about what truly matters to you as the seller. With your real estate agent by your side, you can zero in on your priorities, whether that’s the right moving date, a fast closing, fewer contingencies, a solid price, or even perks like a post-closing occupancy agreement. The closer an offer matches your needs, the stronger it becomes!
When you make an offer on a property, the seller has choices, they can accept it as is, tweak the terms and send back a counteroffer, or negotiate further. From there, you can accept, reject, or counter again. The back-and-forth continues until both sides reach an agreement, and once everyone’s on the same page, the contract is official and the deal is set!
2
Making an Offer
3
Execute The Contract
Your real estate agent is your fiduciary, guiding you from the very first consultation all the way to the closing day. With their expertise and insider know-how, they’ll break down the fine print, simplify the details, and make sure you fully understand (and feel confident about) every term and condition before you sign.
✅ Accuracy of all information in the contract
✅ The effective date of the contract, and why time and deadlines matter
✅ A full list of contingencies (financing, appraisal, home inspection, or even the sale of your current home)
✅ Seller’s property disclosure information
✅ A complete list of items that convey with the property (fixtures, appliances, etc.)
✅ Required inspections, such as a home inspection
✅ Move-in day requirements and possession details
✅ First right of refusal clause (if your offer is contingent on selling your current home, the seller may reserve the right to accept another offer first)
Your real estate agent will give you expert guidance, but the final call is yours. Meaning, how much is this home worth to you and what are you truly willing to pay? Sometimes that means standing firm… and sometimes it means walking away. Knowing when to let go is just as important as knowing when to make your move.
✅ A bidding war drives the price higher than you’re comfortable paying
✅ The appraised value comes in lower than your offer
✅ The home inspection reveals costly defects
✅ The sellers refuse to make reasonable repairs
✅ HOA rules or restrictions don’t align with your lifestyle
Your real estate agent will assist you in staying vigilant and aware of potential issues.
✅ Unrealistic deadlines – You’ll need enough time to schedule a home inspection, review the report, and finalize financing.
✅ Missed deadlines – Missing a deadline could cost you your chance to terminate the contract (and your earnest money deposit).
✅ Items that don’t convey – Be clear about what stays with the property and what doesn’t (like high-end appliances).
✅ Communication is key – Stay connected with your agent and lender to keep everything on track.
Contract details matter. Missing a deadline, overlooking items that don’t convey, or mismanaging contingencies can cost you your earnest money and even the deal. From inspection timelines to appraisal clauses and HOA reviews, buyers should stay sharp. The good news? Your real estate agent keeps you on track and helps you avoid these common pitfalls so your path to closing stays smooth.
A home inspection is essentially a check-up for the property. A licensed inspector will carefully review the home’s major systems, appliances, and structure, then provide a detailed report identifying potential issues and outlining future maintenance needs.
For buyers, this report offers options:
✅ Walk away if serious concerns arise
✅ Request repairs or negotiate solutions with the seller
✅ Proceed with an “information only” inspection to buy the home as-is, while fully understanding its condition
For sellers, it’s important to remember that no home, unless it’s brand new, is perfect. The inspection is designed to flag significant concerns, not minor cosmetic items. Overreacting to small issues or treating the report as a repair checklist can derail negotiations unnecessarily.
During a standard home inspection, the inspector will examine:
✅ Foundation and structural integrity
✅ Roof and gutters
✅ Heating and cooling systems
✅ Plumbing and electrical systems
✅ Appliances and interior components
✅ Signs of deferred maintenance, health or safety issues, and habitability concerns
A typical home inspection takes about 2–4 hours, depending on the size and condition of the property. When handled with balance and professionalism, the inspection is more than just a checklist, it’s a powerful tool. For buyers, it provides peace of mind and the knowledge needed to make informed decisions. For sellers, it’s a chance to show transparency, build trust, and demonstrate confidence in their home.
After receiving the inspection report for a potential home purchase, you and your real estate agent will review the findings to determine whether any items should be addressed through negotiation. To support this process, it is helpful to ask the inspector clarifying questions and seek additional insights about the home’s systems and overall condition. The inspector’s expertise provides valuable guidance, equipping you with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions regarding the property.
✅ Are the items flagged as major or minor issues?
✅ What needs to be done to resolve any flagged issues?
✅ Do you know the estimated cost of any repairs?
✅ Do I need another inspection (electrician, plumber, or structural engineer)?
✅ Are there things I should plan to do after I move in?
4
Schedule The Home Inspection
5
Get a Home Warranty
A home warranty policy is an agreement that provides coverage for some of the systems and appliances in your home. It usually lasts for a year and is renewable. When you pay the annual fee, the company will cover the costs of repair and arrange for contractors. However, in case you need to use the warranty, you will have to pay a deductible fee and possibly service fees. To get a list of A-rated Home Warranty companies, you can ask your Real Estate agent.
If you are buying an existing home, especially one with appliances that are more than four years old, you may want to consider purchasing a home warranty. Although it's not required, having a home warranty can provide you with peace of mind when it comes to paying for unexpected repairs and finding a reliable contractor. This is particularly important for first-time buyers, especially those with limited savings. However, if you have enough emergency savings, are handy around the house, or know reliable contractors, you may not need a home warranty. Your Real Estate agent can offer recommendations for contractors if you need them. If you're purchasing a newly built home, structural defects are usually covered by the builder's warranty for ten years, and other items are typically covered for six months to two years, so a home warranty is usually unnecessary.
To select a reliable home warranty, it is recommended that you and your real estate agent carefully review the available options.
The home warranty company’s license with your state’s real estate commission.
The fine print where you will find exclusions and limitations.
What’s covered and what’s not.
The coverage limits your repairs will be paid for up to a specific level.
Service fees and deductibles.
How quickly service and claims are handled.
How contractors are vetted and what happens if you use your own.
Coverage differences between a basic warranty and enhanced warranty.
Online reviews.
✅ Your agent will stay in close communication with you, your lender, and the title company keeping you updated on the status of your transaction and any contract changes or news.
✅ Avoid lowering your credit score or risking loan denial don’t apply for new credit or make late payments on any accounts.
✅ Confirm that all contract contingencies are cleared: home inspection, appraisal, and financing.
✅ Finalize your homeowner’s insurance policy with your lender.
✅ Gather your down payment and closing cost funds from an easily accessible account.
✅ Review your closing disclosure (delivered 3 days before settlement) and ask questions if anything is unclear.
✅ Arrange your wire transfer or secure a cashier’s check for the closing funds. Your lender will provide the exact amount.
✅ Your agent will complete a final walk-through of your new home within 24 hours of closing to confirm everything is in order.
Closing day comes with a stack of paperwork, so plan to spend a few hours getting everything signed and squared away. The good news? Your agent and lender will guide you through it and let you know exactly what to bring. In most cases, it’s just a short list of key documents simple and straightforward so you can focus on the big moment of getting your new home!"
✅ A government-issued photo ID
✅ An additional form of ID (credit card, passport, or other valid ID)
✅ Your cashier’s check or wire transfer confirmation for the required closing funds (your lender will confirm the exact amount)
On closing day, be ready to sign a stack of important documents. Some you’ll recognize from your loan application and a few new ones that finalize the deal. Each signature brings you one step closer to holding the keys to your new home!
✅ Promissory Note
✅ Deed of Trust
✅ Settlement Statement
✅ Tax Declaration Form
✅ HOA Documents (if applicable)
✅ Mortgage Insurance paperwork (if applicable)
✅ Closing Disclosure
After you’ve signed the mountain of closing papers and your wired funds are verified, the big moment arrives, and your agent hands you the keys to your brand-new home! But here’s the best part: the relationship doesn’t stop at closing. Your agent is still just a call away, ready to answer questions, connect you with resources, and make sure you feel confident as a new homeowner.
