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Home Buying Process

At Keller Williams, we know that finding your dream home is about more than just square footage or curb appeal. It’s about that unmistakable feeling you get the moment you walk through the door—the sense of possibility, comfort, and belonging. A home isn’t just a place; it’s a reflection of your dreams, your future, and the life you envision within its walls. Let us help you find not just a house, but the perfect place to call home.


Showings

Your agent will set up a scheduled time for both of you to visit the home(s) together.

Maximize Your Home Viewing: Smart Strategies for Buyers

Partner with your KW agent for a strategic home search: Begin by gaining a clear understanding of your financial capacity – determine your price range, estimate monthly payments, and secure pre-approval to demonstrate your seriousness. Then, collaborate with your agent to define your priorities, distinguishing between essential needs and desired features, focusing on location or property attributes. Leverage the KW app to preview listings virtually, saving time and energy, and work with your agent to develop a tailored viewing plan

What Should I expect when viewing homes

Your KW agent will accompany you on home tours, providing expert guidance as you explore each property. With homeowners typically absent, you'll have the space to experience each home at your own pace. While initial impressions are powerful, your agent will offer invaluable insights into property values and market dynamics, helping you refine your priorities within your budget.

How many homes should we visit

Some buyers discover their perfect home right away, while others explore dozens before finding the right fit. While it’s helpful to view a few options for comparison, sometimes you step into a home and instantly know—it’s the one. Trust the process, but also trust your instincts.

What Should I look for?

Go beyond the surface: Evaluate the home's core features and fixtures, not just the staging. Conduct a thorough condition assessment, documenting your findings with photos and detailed notes. Begin envisioning potential improvements and research associated costs. Don't overlook the property's exterior and surrounding neighborhood; your KW agent can provide invaluable community insights. Explore your commute, local schools, amenities, and understand any HOA fees and regulations. Rely on your KW agent as your trusted guide throughout your home search.

Making the Offer

Once you've found the perfect home, let’s work together to craft a strong, strategic offer that stands out.

What Should Be Included with the Offer?

Your offer will encompass: the purchase price, specific terms (like closing cost assistance, financing, and inspection contingencies), the desired closing date, the deposit (with guidance from your KW agent on appropriate amounts), a request for a final walk-through, and an offer expiration date.

Most Common Contingencies

When purchasing a home, buyers typically include contingencies in their offer to protect their interests and ensure a smooth transaction. The most common contingencies include a financing contingency, which allows buyers to secure their mortgage before committing to the purchase; an inspection contingency, which provides an opportunity to assess the home’s condition and negotiate repairs if necessary; and an appraisal contingency, ensuring the home’s value aligns with the agreed-upon price. Other contingencies may include the sale of the buyer’s current home or a final walk-through to confirm the property’s condition before closing. These safeguards help buyers navigate the process with confidence while minimizing financial risks.

Multiple-Offer Situation

In a multiple-offer situation, competition among buyers is high, and the seller will typically choose the strongest offer based on price, terms, and contingencies. As a buyer, you should be prepared to act quickly and make your offer as attractive as possible. This may include offering above the asking price, minimizing contingencies, increasing your earnest money deposit, or being flexible with closing dates. Your real estate agent will guide you through the process, helping you craft a competitive offer while ensuring you don’t overextend yourself financially.

Counteroffers

Be prepared for the sellers to either accept your initial offer or present a counteroffer, potentially modifying certain terms. You can then accept, decline, or issue your own counterproposal. The purchase agreement is finalized when both parties reach a consensus on all terms. Your Keller Williams agent is indispensable during these negotiations, ensuring your interests are protected and a favorable outcome is achieved.

Deadlines & Timelines

Deadlines and timelines play a crucial role in the negotiation phase of a home purchase offer, ensuring the process moves forward efficiently and preventing unnecessary delays. An offer expiration date creates urgency, prompting the seller to respond within a set timeframe. Clear deadlines for contingencies—such as inspections, financing, and appraisals—help both parties stay on track and minimize risks. Without well-defined timelines, negotiations can drag on, increasing the chance of losing the home to another buyer or encountering unexpected hurdles before closing. Setting firm yet reasonable deadlines keeps the deal structured and protects the buyer’s interests.

Executed Contact

An executed contract signifies that all parties involved in the transaction—typically the buyer and seller—have signed the agreement, indicating their acceptance of its terms. This means:

Binding Agreement:

Once executed, the contract becomes legally binding, obligating both parties to fulfill their respective obligations as outlined within the document.

Formalization:

It marks the transition from negotiation to a formal, legally enforceable commitment to proceed with the real estate transaction.

Essentially, it's the point where everyone is "on the same page" and legally bound to the agreed-upon terms of the property sale.


Home Inspections

Upon offer acceptance, immediate scheduling of your home inspection is crucial. Given potential inspector availability constraints, especially during peak seasons, your Keller Williams agent can provide recommendations for trusted and reliable professionals.

What is a Home Inspection

A home inspection is a thorough evaluation of a property's condition, typically conducted by a licensed professional before a sale is finalized. The inspector examines key components such as the foundation, roof, plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC, and overall structural integrity to identify potential issues or needed repairs. The findings are compiled into a detailed report, helping buyers make informed decisions and negotiate repairs or pricing adjustments if necessary.

What does a Home Inspector Look For

A home inspector looks for any issues that could affect the safety, functionality, or value of a property. They examine key components such as the foundation, roof, plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC, and overall structural integrity. Additionally, they assess the condition of walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, insulation, ventilation, and appliances. The inspector also checks for potential hazards like mold, pest infestations, water damage, and improper drainage. Their findings are compiled into a detailed report, helping buyers make informed decisions and negotiate repairs or pricing adjustments if necessary.

Attend the Home Inspection

Buyers should attend the home inspection to gain firsthand insight into the property's condition and better understand any potential issues. Being present allows them to ask questions, see concerns in real time, and receive explanations directly from the inspector. This helps buyers make more informed decisions, prioritize repairs, and avoid surprises after closing. Attending also provides an opportunity to learn about the home’s maintenance needs and how its systems function, giving buyers confidence in their investment.

Inspection Report & Repair Requests

The inspection report is a detailed document outlining the home inspector’s findings, including any issues, potential concerns, and recommended repairs. Buyers can use this report to negotiate with the seller by requesting repairs, asking for a price reduction, or seeking closing cost credits. While sellers aren’t obligated to make repairs, buyers can prioritize major safety, structural, or system-related issues to strengthen their negotiation position. The goal is to reach a fair agreement that ensures the home is in acceptable condition before closing.

Closing

It's natural to feel a bit nervous before closing, but your KW agent and lender will ensure you're fully prepared for the big day. As the buyer, you have the right to choose the title company for your title search and closing. If you need recommendations, your agent and lender can connect you with trusted, reliable title companies to guide you through the process smoothly.

Preparing for the Closing

As Your Closing Approaches, Be Sure To:

Stay in close contact with your Keller Williams agent, lender, and title company to ensure a smooth and timely closing.

Avoid any financial changes that could impact your loan approval, such as applying for new credit, making large purchases, or missing payments.

Confirm that all contract contingencies have been met, including the home inspection, appraisal, and final mortgage approval.

Finalize your homeowner’s insurance policy and have proof of coverage ready for closing.

Ensure your down payment and closing cost funds are in an accessible account, free from withdrawal restrictions.

Carefully review your Closing Disclosure, which you’ll receive at least three days before closing. If anything looks unclear, ask your lender for clarification.

Arrange for a wire transfer or obtain a cashier’s check for the required funds before settlement, as personal checks are typically not accepted.

Schedule and complete a final walk-through of the home within 24 hours before closing to confirm it’s in the agreed-upon condition, with any negotiated repairs completed.

Taking these steps will help prevent last-minute surprises and ensure a seamless transition to homeownership.

At the Closing

Closing day is all about paperwork and final details, so set aside a few hours and come prepared. Make sure to bring:

A valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.)

Proof of homeowner’s insurance to confirm your coverage is in place

A copy of your purchase contract for reference

All loan-related documents and any paperwork connected to the home purchase

A cashier’s check or wire transfer confirmation for your closing costs and down payment (personal checks are not typically accepted)

Your checkbook for any last-minute expenses not accounted for in your final closing disclosure

Having everything in order will help your closing go smoothly, so you can focus on the excitement of getting the keys to your new home!


Closing Paperwork

Be prepared to sign a lot of paperwork, including many of the same documents from your loan application. Some of the most important ones include:

Promissory Note – Your legal agreement to repay the mortgage, outlining the loan terms.

Deed of Trust – Grants the lender the right to foreclose if the loan isn’t repaid.

Closing Disclosure – A breakdown of what’s covered in your loan terms, fees, and payments.

Initial Escrow Disclosure – Details the escrow account setup for property taxes and homeowner’s insurance.

Right to Cancel Form – Gives you three business days to cancel the transaction if it’s a refinance (not applicable for home purchases).

Review each document carefully, and don’t hesitate to ask questions before signing—this is a big financial commitment!

After the Closing

Now that you’ve closed on your home, there are a few important steps to take:

Store your closing documents securely – Keep all signed paperwork in a safe place for future reference.

Protect your credit – Avoid new credit applications or late payments that could impact your financial standing.

Update your address – Notify the post office, banks, employers, and other important contacts of your new address.

Secure your home – Change the locks, garage codes, and any security system passcodes for added peace of mind.

Review your due dates and budget – Familiarize yourself with your mortgage payment schedule and any new expenses.

🎉 Congratulations! You’re officially a homeowner! Stay connected with your Keller Williams agent for recommendations on home services, contractors, or any future real estate needs