Step 1
Define Your Goals
Think about why you want to move, when you would like to move, where you want to live, and what you need your next home to do for you.
Foy Realty Group Home Buyer Guide
A Clear Guide to Preparing for and Buying Your Next Home
You do not need to have every answer before you start. This guide is here to help you understand the process, prepare with confidence, and know what to expect from the first conversation through getting the keys.
Before You Start Touring
Prepare to Buy
A little preparation up front can make the home search much clearer and help you focus on homes that fit both your goals and your comfortable monthly budget.
Step 2
Review Your Finances
Look at your income, savings, monthly obligations, credit, and the amount you would feel comfortable spending each month. Leave room for life beyond the mortgage payment.
Step 3
Talk With a Lender
A lender can help you understand financing options, estimated cash needed, and a realistic price range. Ask about the full monthly payment, not only the purchase price.
Step 4
Build Your Buying Plan
Once you understand your goals and financing, we can build a search around the communities, home features, price range, and timing that matter to you.
The Home Buying Roadmap
From Planning to Getting the Keys
Every transaction is a little different, but these are the major stages you can expect along the way.
Get Prepared
Clarify your goals, timing, finances, and comfortable monthly budget.
Understand Your Financing
Work with a lender to understand loan options, estimated costs, and your buying range.
Create Your Home Search
Separate your must haves from your nice to haves and set up a search that reflects what matters most.
Tour Homes With Purpose
Look beyond finishes and staging. Pay attention to layout, condition, location, major systems, and how the home fits your life.
Make the Right Offer
We look at the property, market activity, comparable sales, price, timing, and terms before deciding on an offer strategy.
Complete Your Due Diligence
After an accepted offer, inspections and other appropriate property investigations help you learn more about what you are buying.
Move Through Financing and Appraisal
Your lender continues the loan process while the transaction moves toward final approval and closing.
Prepare for Closing
Review final details, complete your final walkthrough, follow lender instructions, sign documents, and prepare the funds required for closing.
Get the Keys
Once the transaction is complete and possession is available under your agreement, it is time to begin the next chapter in your new home.
Build a Smarter Search
Know Your Must Haves and Your Flex Points
Start with the things that truly affect your day to day life: location, monthly budget, number of bedrooms, accessibility, commute, lot needs, and the amount of work you are comfortable taking on.
Then identify the features you would love to have but could compromise on. That distinction makes it much easier to recognize the right home when it appears.
Create My Custom SearchQuestions to Ask Along the Way
Good Questions Lead to Better Decisions
Before the Search
What monthly payment feels comfortable? How much cash should I keep in reserve? Which locations fit my daily life? What would make me want to move again in a few years?
While Touring
What is the condition of the home? What may need attention soon? Does the layout really work for me? How does this location compare with the others I am considering?
Before an Offer
How does the price compare with relevant market activity? What terms matter in this situation? What risks should I understand before moving forward?
Before Closing
What still needs to be completed? What does my lender need from me? When is my final walkthrough? When will possession be available?
One Important Reminder
Avoid Big Financial Changes Before Closing
If you are financing your purchase, talk with your lender before opening new credit, financing a vehicle or furniture, changing jobs, moving large amounts of money, or making another major financial change. Something that seems unrelated to the home purchase can affect loan approval.
Ready for the Next Step?
You Do Not Have to Figure This Out Alone
Whether you are ready to start searching or you are still trying to understand what buying could look like for you, I am happy to help you work through the next step.