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Buyer's Guide

A Step-by-Step First Time Buyer's Guide

Buying a home is one of the most exciting milestones of your life. To prepare yourself for this moment, you need to know what to expect during the process. This step-by-step first time buyer’s guide created by your agent will help reduce the stress of buying a home and help you enjoy the journey as much as possible.

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Step 1: Research

Do you already know where you want to buy? If you want a condo, townhome, or single-family home? Which features do you like and dislike? What’s available on the market now? If you answered no to any of these questions, now is the time to start researching. In addition to looking for homes that interest you, also take note of any changes in asking prices. This could give you valuable insight into housing trends in specific neighborhoods and help you when the time comes to make an offer.

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Step 2: Decide on Your Budget

Notice I said to decide on your budget—not determine how much the mortgage company will give you. In many cases, a mortgage company will pre-approve you for more than you’re comfortable spending, which is why you need to determine the monthly payment you feel comfortable with before talking to a lender. This likely includes doing a full household budget and taking into consideration what changes other than a mortgage payment will occur once you move into your new home. If you’ve lived in an apartment or with roommates, you may overlook new expenses like garbage, water, or HOA fees that could easily blow your budget.

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Step 3: Get Prequalified

Just because you think you can afford a certain payment every month doesn’t mean the mortgage company will agree. Just as they may approve you for too large of an amount, they may also approve you for a lesser amount or deny you a mortgage altogether. Lack of time at a job, insufficient credit, past bankruptcies, or other financial issues can cause major problems when trying to secure a mortgage. Before you get your heart set on a home, talk to a mortgage professional to find out what amount you can qualify for. This will also be an advantage when you make an offer on a home, as some sellers won’t entertain offers from those who aren’t already prequalified for a loan.

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Step 4: Choose a Real Estate Agent

Can you shop for, look at, and ultimately make an offer on a home without a real estate agent? Technically, yes, but why would you when it costs you nothing for an agent like me to take much of the stress off your shoulders? Not only will I help identify properties you might be interested in, arrange showings, and ultimately handle the offer process, but I also have a knowledge of the market that you don’t possess. Finding the perfect home can be a daunting task, and this is where my expertise and wealth of knowledge come into play. Let me show you around some homes that meet your dream home criteria so you can find the one that's right for you.

Passion & Expertise

My goal is to provide you with the most personalized service possible, meticulously designed to help you navigate the process of buying your dream home. I am dedicated to understanding your unique needs and preferences, ensuring that every step of the journey is tailored to achieve your ultimate home-buying aspirations.

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Step 5: Find the Right Home

This should be the most enjoyable step of the entire process (other than moving in!). I will arrange showings of homes you’re interested in that are within your price range. Take notes about what you like and don’t like, and make sure to pay attention to details. Turn light switches on and off, open and close doors, and run the faucets in various rooms. Don’t limit your inspection to the home itself. Make sure to take time to explore the neighborhood and keep an eye on traffic at certain times of the day, the parking situation, and how close it is to necessities like schools and grocery stores.

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Step 6: Make an Offer

Once you have selected the perfect home, work with your agent to craft a fair offer based on the value of comparable homes on the market. Depending on what the home is listed at and whether the current environment is a buyer’s or seller’s market, your offer may be below, at, or even above the asking price. I will be able to help you negotiate if you receive a counteroffer and reach an agreement. At this point, the house will go into escrow.

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Step 7: Have the Home Inspected

In most cases, your offer will be contingent on having the home inspected to ensure there is no major structural damage or large repairs needed. I can help you arrange this, and you can schedule it within days of making an offer. If there are no major issues, the process goes to step eight. If there is, you can renegotiate your offer based on what needs to be fixed, or you can withdraw it.

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Step 8: Select Your Loan

Now is the time to go back to the mortgage lender who pre-approved or pre-qualified you and choose your mortgage. You will be presented with various options based on your unique financial situation, including fixed-rate, variable-rate, 15-year, 30-year, or special programs such as VA loans or FHA loans. Work with your mortgage lender to select the option you feel the most comfortable with.

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Step 9: Get a Home Appraisal

Your lender will have your new home appraised so they have their independent value of it. The appraisal is to ensure that all parties involved are paying a fair price for the house.

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Step 10: Finish Paperwork

No one looks forward to all the paperwork involved in buying a home, but it’s a necessary part of the process. Fortunately, everything will be arranged by your lender and title company and, when you’re finished, you’ll know you are the legal owner of your new home.

Congratulations!

After signing the final paperwork to complete the purchase, you are now the owner of a new house. It may take a few days for your loan to be funded once the paperwork has been returned to the lender, but once that check is delivered to the seller, you’ll be all set to move into the home of your dreams. 

See Why My Clients Love Me

Testimonials

"Martin is wonderful. He has now twice helped us to buy a home and now sell a home. I would recommend Martin to anyone looking to buy or sell a home. He is super cheery and such a fun guy to boot!"
"Martin is wonderful. He has now twice helped us to buy a home and now sell a home. I would recommend Martin to anyone looking to buy or sell a home. He is super cheery and such a fun guy to boot!"
Brittany & Casey
"Selling a home quickly and buying another one in another city can be a daunting and overwhelming experience. I was getting married and my future husband got his dream job in another city. I knew of Martin's experience and seen where he had worked miracles for others, so I contacted him. That day he put my home on the market and that day it sold for my asking price! He took care of all the details and keep me in the loop, explaining the entire process. Next step, find a together home for me and my husband. Martin knew the details of what we wanted. A place where we could split the travel time between both of us, but not a long distance. A place close to shopping, nice restaurants and just miles from the arts district of this great city. We were thrilled. He made the entire process stress free and everything moved along quickly. His expertise and knowledge of real estate, our wants and needs along with financially making this a great experience. Contact Martin Johnson for a worry free, great home buying and selling experience."
"Selling a home quickly and buying another one in another city can be a daunting and overwhelming experience. I was getting married and my future husband got his dream job in another city. I knew of Martin's experience and seen where he had worked miracles for others, so I contacted him. That day he put my home on the market and that day it sold for my asking price! He took care of all the details and keep me in the loop, explaining the entire process. Next step, find a together home for me and my husband. Martin knew the details of what we wanted. A place where we could split the travel time between both of us, but not a long distance. A place close to shopping, nice restaurants and just miles from the arts district of this great city. We were thrilled. He made the entire process stress free and everything moved along quickly. His expertise and knowledge of real estate, our wants and needs along with financially making this a great experience. Contact Martin Johnson for a worry free, great home buying and selling experience."
Don & Cindy
"Great experience working with Martin! In a niche neighborhood with limited inventory, Martin helped us find our dream home and connected us with great resources to explore lending options that would best suit our needs. It was a smooth process all around!"
"Great experience working with Martin! In a niche neighborhood with limited inventory, Martin helped us find our dream home and connected us with great resources to explore lending options that would best suit our needs. It was a smooth process all around!"
Jen & Kevin W.
"Martin was recommended to me by good friends. I also read previous reviews. Martin was prompt, efficient and courteous in all of our conversations in person or by email and text. My personal situation at the time was difficult to deal with whilst selling a home and he worked around all the 'hard' and went the extra mile. Thanks to Martin and his family too."
"Martin was recommended to me by good friends. I also read previous reviews. Martin was prompt, efficient and courteous in all of our conversations in person or by email and text. My personal situation at the time was difficult to deal with whilst selling a home and he worked around all the 'hard' and went the extra mile. Thanks to Martin and his family too."
Boyd Z.
"Martin did a fabulous job helping us sell our home. We listed the house and 4 days later accepted an offer! When he first met with us, he explained the process in great detail, had professional pictures taken and the house was listed in less than a week. We hardly had to lift a finger. We received feedback almost immediately when someone came to look at the house which was very helpful. Communication was superb and the closing process was simple and sweet. Thank you Martin for your help, we truly appreciate it!"
"Martin did a fabulous job helping us sell our home. We listed the house and 4 days later accepted an offer! When he first met with us, he explained the process in great detail, had professional pictures taken and the house was listed in less than a week. We hardly had to lift a finger. We received feedback almost immediately when someone came to look at the house which was very helpful. Communication was superb and the closing process was simple and sweet. Thank you Martin for your help, we truly appreciate it!"
Bennett A.
"Martin is a go-getter and will give his best to his clients! He sold our home in the middle of winter and guided us the whole way. My husband was out of the country and he helped us with extra paperwork and steps so that we could still sell. He went above and beyond."
"Martin is a go-getter and will give his best to his clients! He sold our home in the middle of winter and guided us the whole way. My husband was out of the country and he helped us with extra paperwork and steps so that we could still sell. He went above and beyond."
Amanda B.
"Martin has helped me on several occasions, both personally and with my business. He has helped me sell a home, buy or build a home, and purchase property for our business. He has also been a great resource for questions, concerns, ideas, and more. I have felt very comfortable with all of my real estate dealings as long as Martin is in the mix."
"Martin has helped me on several occasions, both personally and with my business. He has helped me sell a home, buy or build a home, and purchase property for our business. He has also been a great resource for questions, concerns, ideas, and more. I have felt very comfortable with all of my real estate dealings as long as Martin is in the mix."
Adam D.
"Martin did a fantastic job when he sold our home. Even though he had recently moved from the area, he flew back in to town just to make sure everything was done correctly and professionally. He was consistently up-beat, dealt professionally and empathetically with our frustrations, yet didn't sugarcoat the truth. He wanted to make sure we had an honest, straightforward assessment of what we should expect, and what would be expected of us. In fact, we accepted a bid we received in the first day and had to turn down a dozen-plus requests for a showing after the bid. Would definitely be worth bringing him in again regardless of where we live. Highly recommended."
"Martin did a fantastic job when he sold our home. Even though he had recently moved from the area, he flew back in to town just to make sure everything was done correctly and professionally. He was consistently up-beat, dealt professionally and empathetically with our frustrations, yet didn't sugarcoat the truth. He wanted to make sure we had an honest, straightforward assessment of what we should expect, and what would be expected of us. In fact, we accepted a bid we received in the first day and had to turn down a dozen-plus requests for a showing after the bid. Would definitely be worth bringing him in again regardless of where we live. Highly recommended."
Chris & Courtney D.
"Martin was absolutely fantastic to work with on the purchase of my first home! From working with me in the early stages of just "looking" to finding me the place I call home he answered all my questions and concerns! I recommend Martin to anyone I know looking at purchasing a home!"
"Martin was absolutely fantastic to work with on the purchase of my first home! From working with me in the early stages of just "looking" to finding me the place I call home he answered all my questions and concerns! I recommend Martin to anyone I know looking at purchasing a home!"
Corey R.
"Martin Sold my home fast, and negotiated fair and tough. Do to a strenuous situation with my job moving me across the country he and my wife work hand in hand together. Very Respectful, honest and hard working realtor."
"Martin Sold my home fast, and negotiated fair and tough. Do to a strenuous situation with my job moving me across the country he and my wife work hand in hand together. Very Respectful, honest and hard working realtor."
Dan M.
"We could not be more pleased with our house selling experience with Martin Johnson. He was extremely personable and knowledgeable. He kept us informed through each step of the process and made this experience less stressful than we anticipated. We would highly recommend Martin for anyone looking for someone to help through buying or selling a home."
"We could not be more pleased with our house selling experience with Martin Johnson. He was extremely personable and knowledgeable. He kept us informed through each step of the process and made this experience less stressful than we anticipated. We would highly recommend Martin for anyone looking for someone to help through buying or selling a home."
Mails J.

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