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Your Buying Journey

Buyers Guide

Empowering informed decisions every step of the way.

A Step-by-Step Buyer's Guide

Buying a home is one of the most exciting milestones in life. To prepare for this moment, you must know what to expect during the process. This step-by-step buyer’s guide created by your agent will help reduce the stress of buying a home and help you enjoy the journey.

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Step 1: Research

Do you already know where you want to buy? If you want a condo, townhome, or single-family home? Which features do you like and dislike? What’s available on the market now? If you answered no to any of these questions, now is the time to start researching. In addition to looking for homes that interest you, also take note of any changes in asking prices. This could give you valuable insight into housing trends in specific neighborhoods and help you when the time comes to make an offer.

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Step 2: Decide on Your Budget

Notice we said to decide on your budget—not determine how much the mortgage company will give you. In many cases, a mortgage company will pre-approve you for more than you’re comfortable spending, which is why you need to determine the monthly payment you feel comfortable with before talking to a lender. This likely includes doing a full household budget and taking into consideration what changes other than a mortgage payment will occur once you move into your new home. If you’ve lived in an apartment or with roommates, you may overlook new expenses like garbage, water, or HOA fees that could easily blow your budget.

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Step 3: Get Prequalified

Just because you think you can afford a certain payment every month doesn’t mean the mortgage company will agree. Just as they may approve you for too large of an amount, they may also approve you for a lesser amount or deny you a mortgage altogether. Lack of time at a job, insufficient credit, past bankruptcies, or other financial issues can cause major problems when trying to secure a mortgage. Before you get your heart set on a home, talk to a mortgage professional to find out what amount you can qualify for. This will also be an advantage when you make an offer on a home, as some sellers won’t entertain offers from those who aren’t already prequalified for a loan.

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Step 4: Choose Real Estate Experts

Can you shop for, look at, and ultimately make an offer on a home without real estate experts? Technically yes, but why would you when it costs you nothing for agents like us to take much of the stress off your shoulders? Not only will we help identify properties you might be interested in, arrange showings, and ultimately handle the offer process, but we also have knowledge of the market that you don’t possess. Finding the perfect home can be a daunting task, this is where our expertise and wealth of knowledge come into play. Let us show you around some homes that meet your dream home criteria so you can find the one that's right for you.

Passion & Expertise

Our goal is to provide you with the most personalized service possible, meticulously designed to help you navigate the process of buying your dream home. We are dedicated to understanding your unique needs and preferences, ensuring that every step of the journey is tailored to achieve your ultimate home-buying aspirations.

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Step 5: Find the Right Home

This should be the most enjoyable step of the entire process (other than moving in!). We will arrange showings of homes you’re interested in that are within your price range. Take notes about what you like and don’t like, and make sure to pay attention to details. Turn light switches on and off, open and close doors, and run the faucets in various rooms. Don’t limit your inspection to the home itself. Make sure to take time to explore the neighborhood and keep an eye on traffic at certain times of the day, the parking situation, and how close it is to necessities like schools and grocery stores.

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Step 6: Make an Offer

Once you have selected the perfect home, work with your agent to craft a fair offer based on the value of comparable homes on the market. Depending on what the home is listed at and whether the current environment is a buyer’s or seller’s market, your offer may be below, at, or even above the asking price. We will be able to help you negotiate if you receive a counteroffer and reach an agreement. At this point, the house will go into escrow.

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Step 7: Have the Home Inspected

In most cases, your offer will be contingent on having the home inspected to ensure there is no major structural damage or large repairs needed. We can help you arrange this, and you can schedule it within days of making an offer. If there are no major issues, the process goes to step eight. If there is, you can renegotiate your offer based on what needs to be fixed, or you can withdraw it.

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Step 8: Select Your Loan

Now is the time to go back to the mortgage lender who pre-approved or pre-qualified you and choose your mortgage. You will be presented with various options based on your unique financial situation, including fixed-rate, variable-rate, 15-year, 30-year, or special programs such as VA loans or FHA loans. Work with your mortgage lender to select the option you feel the most comfortable with.

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Step 9: Get a Home Appraisal

Your lender will have your new home appraised so they have their independent value of it. The appraisal is to ensure that all parties involved are paying a fair price for the house.

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Step 10: Finish Paperwork

No one looks forward to all the paperwork involved in buying a home, but it’s a necessary part of the process. Fortunately, everything will be arranged by your lender and title company and, when you’re finished, you’ll know you are the legal owner of your new home.

Congratulations!

After signing the final paperwork to complete the purchase, you are now the owner of a new house. It may take a few days for your loan to be funded once the paperwork has been returned to the lender, but once that check is delivered to the seller, you’ll be all set to move into the home of your dreams. 

Proven Trust

Client Stories

Discover how we've helped clients find their dream homes.

"Stephanie did a fantastic job helping us. We could not have asked for a better experience. She is a top-notch professional. Her ability to make you feel that you are her only client is remarkable. 5-star recommendation for sure; if you are looking for a true realtor, connect with her. You will not regret your choice!"
"Stephanie did a fantastic job helping us. We could not have asked for a better experience. She is a top-notch professional. Her ability to make you feel that you are her only client is remarkable. 5-star recommendation for sure; if you are looking for a true realtor, connect with her. You will not regret your choice!"
Philip P.
"Stephanie is a queen on a chess board, she has all the moves. She works fast, is dedicated at all hours of the day, is a true professional, and knows all the right people. I cannot recommend her more! Call her with any realtor need. She will not disappoint."
"Stephanie is a queen on a chess board, she has all the moves. She works fast, is dedicated at all hours of the day, is a true professional, and knows all the right people. I cannot recommend her more! Call her with any realtor need. She will not disappoint."
John R.
"Five Stars! I would give Stephanie six stars if I could. What a pleasure it has been working with Stephanie. From start to finish, Stephanie provided excellent service, and great communication, and was just a pleasure to work with. Stephanie and her team helped walk us through the home-buying process and got us into an absolutely beautiful home that we are still in shock that we now own. Stephanie came to us as a professional reference from a friend of ours, and she did not disappoint. A huge thank you to Stephanie for making our dreams come true, even in the middle of this insane housing shortage and super-competitive market. Make sure you choose Stephanie and the Bray Team for your next home purchase and sale needs!"
"Five Stars! I would give Stephanie six stars if I could. What a pleasure it has been working with Stephanie. From start to finish, Stephanie provided excellent service, and great communication, and was just a pleasure to work with. Stephanie and her team helped walk us through the home-buying process and got us into an absolutely beautiful home that we are still in shock that we now own. Stephanie came to us as a professional reference from a friend of ours, and she did not disappoint. A huge thank you to Stephanie for making our dreams come true, even in the middle of this insane housing shortage and super-competitive market. Make sure you choose Stephanie and the Bray Team for your next home purchase and sale needs!"
Rory T.
"Stephanie is the only person I trust with my real estate needs. Not only is she incredibly professional, but she also makes the entire real estate process fun and understandable. With the market as insane as it is, I knew that we'd have competition when trying to purchase a home. Stephanie helped alleviate any stress about other offers and not only helped me find the perfect home but helped me purchase a home that was a sound investment fiscally. Stephanie Bray makes me want to buy 100 more homes and will be representing me as I continue to acquire properties. Not only will she be representing me, but she can be very sure that I will refer anyone I know her way. Thank you, Stephanie, for putting up with me and exceeding my high standards. You made a large purchase very simple and fun!"
"Stephanie is the only person I trust with my real estate needs. Not only is she incredibly professional, but she also makes the entire real estate process fun and understandable. With the market as insane as it is, I knew that we'd have competition when trying to purchase a home. Stephanie helped alleviate any stress about other offers and not only helped me find the perfect home but helped me purchase a home that was a sound investment fiscally. Stephanie Bray makes me want to buy 100 more homes and will be representing me as I continue to acquire properties. Not only will she be representing me, but she can be very sure that I will refer anyone I know her way. Thank you, Stephanie, for putting up with me and exceeding my high standards. You made a large purchase very simple and fun!"
Rachel T.
"If you are looking for a communicative, bright, and gets-the-job-done person, it’s Stephanie! We are first-time home buyers and she made the transition so smooth from Day 1! Day and night, she was there through it all! We really appreciate Stephanie for always having a smile and bubbly personality each time we were viewing! Nothing short of Amazing! Thank you again, Stephanie!"
"If you are looking for a communicative, bright, and gets-the-job-done person, it’s Stephanie! We are first-time home buyers and she made the transition so smooth from Day 1! Day and night, she was there through it all! We really appreciate Stephanie for always having a smile and bubbly personality each time we were viewing! Nothing short of Amazing! Thank you again, Stephanie!"
Jamesha J.
"Stephanie was an amazing realtor, she took the time to show us several homes before we found the right one. Even sometimes after we got off work in the evenings! Once we chose our home, she helped to keep our transaction seamless. She was always prompt and prepared, couldn’t be happier with our experience."
"Stephanie was an amazing realtor, she took the time to show us several homes before we found the right one. Even sometimes after we got off work in the evenings! Once we chose our home, she helped to keep our transaction seamless. She was always prompt and prepared, couldn’t be happier with our experience."
Jaime H.
"Stephanie is an excellent realtor who made our experience easy. She was extremely accessible, and accommodating and went above and beyond to help us! We can’t thank her enough."
"Stephanie is an excellent realtor who made our experience easy. She was extremely accessible, and accommodating and went above and beyond to help us! We can’t thank her enough."
Jessica G.
"My experience with Stephanie from the get-go was amazing! Very knowledgeable about her craft and in making you knowledgeable about it as well. She was also very responsive via text, email, and phone! There was never a time that I could not reach Stephanie. Would 1000 times over choose Stephanie to assist in my homebuying ventures."
"My experience with Stephanie from the get-go was amazing! Very knowledgeable about her craft and in making you knowledgeable about it as well. She was also very responsive via text, email, and phone! There was never a time that I could not reach Stephanie. Would 1000 times over choose Stephanie to assist in my homebuying ventures."
Nathaniel K.
"My husband and I had such a great experience with Stephanie. We've used her to buy and sell a few homes. This market is crazy, and we still managed to get exactly what we were looking for. Stephanie was very professional through the process and explained everything in detail every step of the way. We looked for almost 5 months, and we saw a lot of homes. She was very patient but also on her game when it came time to answer questions and write up offers. I love the family dynamic of the Bray Team. It was nice to have second opinions and someone there to show homes if Stephanie was busy. Thank you, Stephanie, for helping us find our dream home!"
"My husband and I had such a great experience with Stephanie. We've used her to buy and sell a few homes. This market is crazy, and we still managed to get exactly what we were looking for. Stephanie was very professional through the process and explained everything in detail every step of the way. We looked for almost 5 months, and we saw a lot of homes. She was very patient but also on her game when it came time to answer questions and write up offers. I love the family dynamic of the Bray Team. It was nice to have second opinions and someone there to show homes if Stephanie was busy. Thank you, Stephanie, for helping us find our dream home!"
Elena S.
"Working with Stephanie made our experience as first-time home buyers an absolute breeze! Day in and day out, Stephanie was ready and willing to answer any question we had with an honest and well-thought-out response. She made us feel comfortable and ready to take the plunge into home ownership. I can confidently recommend Stephanie to anybody looking to buy or sell, whether it be their first time or their tenth time. We are also happy to call Stephanie a friend after working together for a few short months!"
"Working with Stephanie made our experience as first-time home buyers an absolute breeze! Day in and day out, Stephanie was ready and willing to answer any question we had with an honest and well-thought-out response. She made us feel comfortable and ready to take the plunge into home ownership. I can confidently recommend Stephanie to anybody looking to buy or sell, whether it be their first time or their tenth time. We are also happy to call Stephanie a friend after working together for a few short months!"
Jeremy L.

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