The very first step is getting pre-approved for a mortgage. This tells you exactly what your budget is and shows sellers that you are a serious buyer. Once pre-approved, we can start viewing homes that fit your criteria.
On average, finding a home takes about 10-12 weeks, and the escrow/closing process takes another 30-45 days. However, this varies widely depending on market conditions and your personal timeline.
While not legally required, a specialized realtor protects your financial interests, negotiates on your behalf, handles complex legal paperwork, and spots potential issues with properties that an untrained eye might miss.
While 20% is the traditional gold standard to avoid Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), many first-time buyer programs allow down payments as low as 3% to 5%. Our agents can connect you with trusted lenders to explore your options.