Buyer's Guide
Buying a property is likely one of the most significant financial decisions you’ll ever make. Whether it’s your first purchase or you’re a seasoned buyer, it’s a decision that requires careful consideration.

DECIDING TO BUY
Why Do You Want To Buy?
Are you ready to stop paying rent and start investing in your own home? Have you outgrown your current space or decided it’s time for a bigger yard? Are you considering adding a rental property to your investment portfolio or moving to a neighborhood that better suits your needs? Perhaps you’re looking for a shorter commute or a fresh start. Whatever your reasons, having a clear understanding of your goals will guide you toward finding the perfect property.
Has Your Income Grown?
Whether you are looking for your dream home, a rental property, or want to expand your investment portfolio, property ownership is an excellent investment. Ownership of real estate is one of the least risky ways to build equity or to obtain a greater return on your initial investment.
PREPARING TO BUY
Before you start shopping for your property, it is a good idea to make some preparations.
Build Your Green File.
A green file contains all your important financial documents. You will need it to secure financing for your property.
The typical green file should contain:
- Financial statements
- Bank accounts
- Investments
- Credit cards
- Auto loans
- Recent pay stubs
- Tax returns for two years
- Copies of leases for investment properties
- 401K statements, life insurance, stocks, bonds, and mutual account information.


CHECK YOUR CREDIT RATING
Your credit score plays a significant role in determining the type of property you can purchase and at what price. It’s important to begin by checking your credit rating with a trusted lending institution to understand your buying power. Lenders will review your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. We can connect you with experienced and knowledgeable lenders specializing in residential, construction, commercial, and investment real estate.
BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR FINANCES
This is not the ideal time for sudden career changes or significant purchases. It’s important to approach your property purchase with a foundation of financial stability.
CHOOSING A REAL ESTATE AGENT
Purchasing a property involves significant financial decisions, navigating complex details, and managing extensive paperwork. Having an expert by your side can make all the difference. We’re here to guide you through the process and offer access to property listings, including those not yet available to the general market.
Here are some factors to consider when choosing your real estate professional:
- Look for a full-time agent – one who has experience completing transactions similar to yours.
- Interview a few agents: Are they familiar with the area in which you are interested?
- Ask how much time the agent will have for you, and if they are available at night and on weekends.
- Ask about their credentials and education: A good agent will continually strive to improve and gain knowledge of the latest real estate trends.
- Does the agent return your calls promptly? Time is money when attempting to buy a property.
- Ask for a list of properties they have sold or a list of references.
- Choose an agent who listens attentively to your needs and concerns. Pick an agent, with whom you feel comfortable.
TIME TO GO SHOPPING
Once those preparations are out of the way, it is time to find the right property for you.
Take a Drive.
Familiarize yourself with the neighborhoods, complexes, or subdivisions that catch your interest. Take some time to explore the area and imagine what it would be like to own a property there. Begin observing the types of properties available in those locations.
Narrow Your Search.
Choose a few properties that capture your interest and have your real estate agent schedule viewings. Be sure to ask your agent about the potential long-term resale value of the properties you’re considering.
Time to Buy.
After selecting the property you wish to buy, your real estate agent can assist you in crafting an offer that appeals to the seller. A skilled agent will research the potential costs and expenses tied to the property and structure your offer strategically to give you an edge over competing offers.
ESCROW INSPECTIONS AND APPRAISALS
The Process, Step-by-Step
Some important tips to keep in mind to streamline the process:
To ensure clarity, it’s essential to document verbal agreements, including counter-offers and addendums, by converting them into signed written agreements. We’ll help draft all the necessary paperwork for your purchase and ensure you have copies of every document.
Once your offer is accepted, you and the seller will follow a schedule outlining each stage of the closing process. Staying on track with deadlines ensures smooth negotiations and prevents any breaches of agreement. Throughout the process, we’ll keep you informed at every step, ensuring you’re always ready for what comes next.
A title company or attorney will be chosen as the closing agent. This agent will hold the deposit in escrow and conduct a thorough review of the property’s recorded history to confirm that the title is free of encumbrances by the closing date. They will also ensure that any new encumbrances are properly recorded. Be aware that some properties may have restrictions, such as limitations on building or parking, as well as recorded easements or encroachments that could affect your property rights.
Consider consulting an attorney or tax advisor to determine the best way to hold the title. Various methods of title ownership come with different legal, estate, and tax implications, particularly when selling the property or in the event of the titleholder’s passing.
After the seller accepts your offer, it’s essential to have a licensed property inspector evaluate the property within the timeframe outlined in the purchase agreement. You may choose to hire additional inspectors for specialized assessments, such as roofing, HVAC, or structural integrity. For commercial properties, an environmental audit may also be required by the lending institution. We can provide recommendations for qualified inspectors to meet your needs.
Depending on the outcome of these inspections, one of two things may happen:
- Either each milestone is successfully closed and the contingencies will be removed, bringing you one step closer to the close, or
- The buyer, after reviewing the property and the papers, requests a renegotiation of the terms of contract (usually the price).
After the seller accepts your offer, it’s essential to have a licensed property inspector evaluate the property within the timeframe outlined in the purchase agreement. You may choose to hire additional inspectors for specialized assessments, such as roofing, HVAC, or structural integrity. For commercial properties, an environmental audit may also be required by the lending institution. We can provide recommendations for qualified inspectors to meet your needs.
If the property you are purchasing requires association approval, promptly request the rules, regulations, and other relevant documents from the seller once the purchase agreement is finalized. Ensure that all application forms and processing fees are submitted to the appropriate association representative by the required deadline. Complete the forms thoroughly and legibly to avoid delays. If an interview with the association is needed for approval, schedule it as soon as possible. Most associations require a certificate of approval before move-in. Your closing agent will arrange for the original approval letter to be brought to the closing, so it can be recorded with the deed in the county's public records.
If you’re securing a loan, your lender will require you to purchase property insurance, with the coverage amount determined by the lender and the property’s purchase price. Shopping around for homeowners insurance can help you save hundreds of dollars annually. Additionally, you can reduce costs by following a few helpful tips.
Increasing your deductible by just a few hundred dollars can make a big difference in your premium.
You may be able get a lower premium if your home has safety features such as dead-bolt locks, smoke detectors, an alarm system, storm shutters or fire-retardant roofing materials. Persons over 55 years of age or long-term customers may also be offered discounts.
After a disaster, the land is still there. If you do not subtract the value of the land when deciding how much homeowner’s insurance to buy, you will pay more than you should.
We will be happy to recommend experienced knowledgeable insurance agents for every property type.

MOVING IN
Closing Day: If you’ve reached this point, you’re almost ready for congratulations—but there are still a few loose ends to address first.
Final Walk-Through Inspection.: The final inspection, typically done a day before or on the day of closing, is largely a formality. During this visit, you’ll ensure that everything is in working order, the property is in the same condition as your last visit, no unwanted items have been left behind, and all agreed-upon inclusions are still present.
Home Services and Utilities.: We will provide a list of useful numbers for the activation of home services and utilities after the closing occurs.
BE PREPARED:
We’re here to support you if any unexpected issues arise, even at this final stage. Whether something at the property needs attention or a minor detail requires resolution, there’s no need to worry. With our experience handling similar situations, we know how to address them efficiently and with minimal stress.
Closing.: The closing agent will provide a settlement statement to all parties, outlining the financial details of the transaction. You, the seller(s), and the closing agent will sign this document to confirm its accuracy. If you’re financing the purchase, you’ll also need to sign all required loan documents. Should you be unable to attend the scheduled closing, alternative arrangements can be made with advance notice. If you’re bringing funds to the closing, you can either wire the money directly to the closing agent’s escrow account or bring a certified bank check for the amount specified in the settlement statement. The seller should ensure all property keys and any relevant information are available for you to collect at closing.
ACCEPTING AN OFFER
The Price Is Not Always Right.
“The higher the price, the better the offer” is a common misconception—don’t be misled. Price alone isn’t always the deciding factor when evaluating an offer. Initial offers are often subject to negotiation, and various terms and conditions can impact the final outcome. You can rely on our professionals to carefully assess each proposal while maintaining your strong market position.
Negotiating The Right Way.
We take our ethical responsibility to negotiate fair and equitable contractual terms very seriously. Our goal is to achieve a win-win agreement that benefits all parties involved. You may encounter multiple offers before selecting the one that best meets your needs. As your agents, we are committed to providing a thorough and objective evaluation of each offer, ensuring you have the information needed to make the best decision.
THE INITIAL AGREEMENT AND DEPOSIT
An effective agreement is a legally binding contract between a potential buyer and the property seller. While laws differ by state, such agreements often require consideration to be valid. This consideration, typically consisting of an initial and additional deposit, is held in the closing agent’s escrow account until all conditions or contingencies outlined in the agreement are fulfilled.
Some important tips to keep in mind to streamline the process even further:
To ensure clarity, it’s important to document all verbal agreements, including counteroffers and addendums, by converting them into written agreements signed by both parties. We’ll assist in preparing all necessary paperwork for your sale and ensure you receive copies of every document.
Once your offer is accepted, you and the buyer will follow a timeline outlining each step in the process of closing the real estate contract. Adhering to deadlines helps ensure smooth negotiations and prevents either party from breaching their agreements. Throughout this process, we’ll keep you informed at every stage so you’re always prepared for what comes next.

ESCROW INSPECTIONS AND APPRAISALS
Most buyers will arrange for a licensed property inspector to evaluate the property within the timeframe specified in the purchase agreement. Some may opt for additional inspections from specialists in specific areas, such as roofing, HVAC, or structural integrity. If the agreement is contingent on financing, the property will be appraised by a licensed appraiser through a third party to determine its value for the lender, ensuring the investment is accurately assessed. Commercial property buyers may also need to conduct a comprehensive environmental audit or soil testing, depending on the lender’s requirem
A title company or attorney will be chosen as the closing agent to review and ensure a clear title to the property. They will thoroughly examine the property's recorded history and certify that: 1) the title is free of encumbrances, such as mortgages, leases, restrictions, or liens, by the closing date, and 2) any new encumbrances are properly recorded in the title.
A contingency is a condition that must be fulfilled before a contract becomes legally binding. For example, buyers often include a contingency requiring a satisfactory home inspection report from a qualified inspector before the contract takes effect.
Before finalizing the purchase of your property, the buyer will review all aspects of the property, as outlined in the purchase agreement and any applicable addendums. These may include:
- Obtaining financing and insurance;
- Reviewing all pertinent documents, such as preliminary title reports and disclosure documents; and
- Inspecting the property. The buyer has the right to determine the condition of your property by subjecting it to a wide range of inspections, such as roof, termite/pest, chimney/fireplace, property boundary survey, well, septic, pool/spa, arborist, mold, lead based paint, HVAC, etc.
Depending on the outcome of these inspections, one of two things may happen:
- Either each milestone is successfully closed and the contingencies will be removed, bringing you one step closer to the closing; or
- The buyer, after reviewing the property and the papers, requests a renegotiation of the terms of contract (usually the price).
How can you respond objectively and fairly to a buyer's renegotiation request while still protecting your best interests? This is where the expertise of a professional listing agent becomes invaluable. With extensive experience handling property sales, we are dedicated to providing knowledgeable guidance and unwavering commitment to every client, regardless of their circumstances.
We recommend accepting offers from buyers who provide a lender’s pre-approval, approval letter, or written loan commitment, as these offer stronger assurance of loan approval compared to a pre-qualification or lack of documentation. You can also expect the lender to send an appraiser to evaluate your property and confirm that the sales price is justified.
