Becca Locke

Congratulations on taking this exciting step toward homeownership! Finding a home you're interested in is a great start. Here's what you need to do next: First, connect with a lender. Before you can make an offer, you'll need to get pre-approved for a mortgage. A lender will review your finances, credit, and income to determine how much you can borrow. This pre-approval letter is essential because sellers won't take your offer seriously without one. You can start by checking with your local bank or credit union, or ask friends and family for lender recommendations. Second, work with a buyer's agent. A real estate agent who represents you (not the seller) will guide you through the entire process. Your agent will help you understand the home's value, negotiate the price and terms, coordinate inspections, and navigate all the paperwork from offer to closing. Look for an agent who specializes in working with first-time buyers in your area. What to expect in the process: Once you're pre-approved and working with an agent, you'll make an offer on the home, conduct inspections, finalize your financing, and close the transaction. Your agent and lender will walk you through each step. First-time buyer advantages: You may qualify for down payment assistance programs, special loan types like FHA (as low as 3.5% down), or first-time buyer grants available in your state. Your lender and agent can help you explore these options. The key is getting that pre-approval first, then finding a trusted agent to represent your interests. Best of luck with your home purchase!

Yes, you should absolutely get a home inspection. While technically you can skip it, choosing not to have a home inspection is one of the riskiest decisions you can make when buying a home. Here's why: A home inspection protects your investment. For a few hundred dollars, a professional inspector will thoroughly evaluate the home's condition, including the roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and structural components. They'll identify issues you can't see during a walkthrough, from minor maintenance needs to major safety concerns or expensive repairs. Knowledge is power (even if negotiation isn't). The inspection report gives you valuable information about the home's condition. In a less competitive market, you may be able to negotiate repairs with the seller, request a price reduction, or walk away from a bad deal. In a highly competitive market, you may not have leverage to negotiate after the inspection, but you'll still know what you're buying and can make an informed decision about whether to proceed. You'll avoid costly surprises. Discovering after closing that you need a new roof, foundation work, or electrical upgrades can cost tens of thousands of dollars. An inspection helps you understand what you're getting into and plan accordingly. What about pre-listing inspections? Sometimes sellers will have an inspection done before listing the home and provide that report to potential buyers. While this can be helpful information, keep in mind that it was ordered by the seller. You may still want your own inspection for peace of mind and to have an inspector working on your behalf. The bottom line: Whether to get an inspection ultimately depends on your risk tolerance, market conditions, and your agent's strategic advice. In competitive markets, you may need to waive inspection contingencies to get your offer accepted, but that doesn't mean you can't still do an inspection for informational purposes. Work with your buyer's agent to determine the best approach for your specific situation and understand the risks you're taking on.

The timeline to sell a house typically ranges from 1 to 3 months, but it varies widely based on market conditions and your specific situation. Here's a general breakdown of the process: Pre-listing preparation (1 to 4 weeks): Before your home hits the market, you'll need time to prepare. This includes decluttering, making repairs, staging, professional photography, and finalizing your listing strategy with your agent. Some sellers can turn this around quickly, while others need more time to get their home market-ready. Active marketing period (days to months): How long your home stays on the market depends heavily on pricing, condition, location, and current market demand. In a hot seller's market, well-priced homes can receive offers within days or even hours. In a slower market, it might take weeks or months to find the right buyer. The national average is typically 30 to 60 days on market, but your local market may be quite different. Under contract to closing (30 to 45 days): Once you accept an offer, the closing process usually takes 30 to 45 days. This includes the buyer's inspection period, appraisal, loan processing, and final preparations for closing. Cash buyers can sometimes close faster, while certain loan types or complicated transactions may take longer. Total timeline: From the day you decide to sell to your last day in the home, you're looking at roughly 2 to 4 months in most cases. However, this can be shorter in competitive markets with multiple offers or longer if your home needs significant preparation or sits on the market for an extended period. Bottom line: Work with your agent to create a realistic timeline based on your local market conditions, your home's condition, and your personal circumstances. They'll help you plan accordingly and set proper expectations.