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Buyer's Guide

A Step-by-Step First Time Buyer's Guide

Buying a home is one of the most exciting milestones of your life. To prepare yourself for this moment, you need to know what to expect during the process. This step-by-step first time buyer’s guide created by our team will help reduce the stress of buying a home and help you enjoy the journey as much as possible.

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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. 

See Why Our Clients Love Us

Testimonials

"Jacci and Rachael See are effervescent (they take the drudgery out of home shopping). I was relocating to the Madison, WI area, didn't have much time, and needed to find a good neighborhood with great schools. They handled all of my needs beautifully!"
"Jacci and Rachael See are effervescent (they take the drudgery out of home shopping). I was relocating to the Madison, WI area, didn't have much time, and needed to find a good neighborhood with great schools. They handled all of my needs beautifully!"
Molly N.
"I can't speak to her negotiation skills. My situation didn't allow for too much haggling. She was very current on market changes and neighborhood events. Very flexible with accommodating with her schedule. Definitely a good advocate for the inexperienced and helps you feel confident about your options. Came to all scheduled meetings prepared. Remember any allowances or conditions discussed in the contract. Take a good look at the details of the final house she plans to show you. She's very good at identifying what you want. The first few houses are to show you comparable options but the last one she takes you to is likely the one she knows you will love. It's still important to see all the houses though. They provide an excellent baseline of market value."
"I can't speak to her negotiation skills. My situation didn't allow for too much haggling. She was very current on market changes and neighborhood events. Very flexible with accommodating with her schedule. Definitely a good advocate for the inexperienced and helps you feel confident about your options. Came to all scheduled meetings prepared. Remember any allowances or conditions discussed in the contract. Take a good look at the details of the final house she plans to show you. She's very good at identifying what you want. The first few houses are to show you comparable options but the last one she takes you to is likely the one she knows you will love. It's still important to see all the houses though. They provide an excellent baseline of market value."
Buyer
"Jacci is a pleasure to work with. Selling was a seamless process. Jacci handled everything quickly and professionally, from preparing the listing through closing."
"Jacci is a pleasure to work with. Selling was a seamless process. Jacci handled everything quickly and professionally, from preparing the listing through closing."
Joe A.
"With Jacci See’s help, we were able to find just the right house and make just the right offer in a tight market. Jacci was a great resource and shepherded us through the purchase process quickly and efficiently. Our experience with Jacci could not have been better."
"With Jacci See’s help, we were able to find just the right house and make just the right offer in a tight market. Jacci was a great resource and shepherded us through the purchase process quickly and efficiently. Our experience with Jacci could not have been better."
Buyer
"Rachael is very friendly and responsive. She was able to help clear some roadblocks we ran into along the way. It was great having someone willing to explore different options during social distancing so that we did not need to take any unnecessary risks."
"Rachael is very friendly and responsive. She was able to help clear some roadblocks we ran into along the way. It was great having someone willing to explore different options during social distancing so that we did not need to take any unnecessary risks."
Buyer
"Rachael is extremely personable and fun to work with. She takes your needs and wants into consideration when finding your possible new home. She opens your eyes to things you may not have originally thought of and is honest with you on the spot if she sees any issues with a house. Highly recommend working with Rachael!"
"Rachael is extremely personable and fun to work with. She takes your needs and wants into consideration when finding your possible new home. She opens your eyes to things you may not have originally thought of and is honest with you on the spot if she sees any issues with a house. Highly recommend working with Rachael!"
Buyer
"Rachael showed me 20 homes, several virtual. She was always responsive to homes I found on the internet. She was very understanding and helpful with my difficult situation of buying in Madison while selling in Colorado."
"Rachael showed me 20 homes, several virtual. She was always responsive to homes I found on the internet. She was very understanding and helpful with my difficult situation of buying in Madison while selling in Colorado."
Buyer
"Rachael does a great job keeping us informed and up to date on when listings pop up and got a great deal for us in negotiating. Always replies very quickly as well!"
"Rachael does a great job keeping us informed and up to date on when listings pop up and got a great deal for us in negotiating. Always replies very quickly as well!"
Buyer | Seller
"I would highly recommend Jacci to anyone who is in the market for a new home. She is very knowledgeable and responds to my questions and concerns very quickly."
"I would highly recommend Jacci to anyone who is in the market for a new home. She is very knowledgeable and responds to my questions and concerns very quickly."
Buyer
"We first met Rachael See when she was the agent for our daughter and son-in-law several years ago. We were impressed then with her thorough knowledge of real estate and her professionalism. Our daughter has recommended Rachael to every friend she has who has bought a house, and everyone has been delighted. We decided to move to Madison to be closer to our kids and never considered anyone but Rachael. As always happens with buying a house, there were a few bumps in the road that Rachael smoothed out many times before I could. Rachael’s expertise, helpfulness, and professionalism, not to mention that she knows other professionals involved in every part of buying and closing on a house, made her the premier agent that we have ever worked with, and we have been buying, investing in, and selling houses for over 45 years. I can’t recommend her enough!"
"We first met Rachael See when she was the agent for our daughter and son-in-law several years ago. We were impressed then with her thorough knowledge of real estate and her professionalism. Our daughter has recommended Rachael to every friend she has who has bought a house, and everyone has been delighted. We decided to move to Madison to be closer to our kids and never considered anyone but Rachael. As always happens with buying a house, there were a few bumps in the road that Rachael smoothed out many times before I could. Rachael’s expertise, helpfulness, and professionalism, not to mention that she knows other professionals involved in every part of buying and closing on a house, made her the premier agent that we have ever worked with, and we have been buying, investing in, and selling houses for over 45 years. I can’t recommend her enough!"
Lindy W.
"LaDonna made the first time homebuying experience a breeze, I would highly recommend her."
"LaDonna made the first time homebuying experience a breeze, I would highly recommend her."
Beau F.
"LaDonna went above and beyond when helping us find our home. She was always available and made it clear that our happiness was a priority for her. Having her there for our walkthroughs was a life saver — she pointed out things we wouldn’t have even thought to look at. She is wonderful to work with, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone."
"LaDonna went above and beyond when helping us find our home. She was always available and made it clear that our happiness was a priority for her. Having her there for our walkthroughs was a life saver — she pointed out things we wouldn’t have even thought to look at. She is wonderful to work with, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone."
Nathan I.
"LaDonna was extremely helpful, involved, and responsive in our purchase of a new home in Madison. She was especially diligent in communication and research, and helped us through the many complications of financing, inspections, and negotiating. A variety of surprises came up during the process, but she helped us stay on top of them, and ultimately get a great home!"
"LaDonna was extremely helpful, involved, and responsive in our purchase of a new home in Madison. She was especially diligent in communication and research, and helped us through the many complications of financing, inspections, and negotiating. A variety of surprises came up during the process, but she helped us stay on top of them, and ultimately get a great home!"
Kyle H.
"I've known Jacci for years and her level of commitment, industry knowledge, and genuine care and compassion for her clientele makes her the Best Realtor of choice! I have, and will continue to highly recommend!"
"I've known Jacci for years and her level of commitment, industry knowledge, and genuine care and compassion for her clientele makes her the Best Realtor of choice! I have, and will continue to highly recommend!"
Cheryl
"Jacci See is an outstanding Realtor! Her extensive knowledge in le real estate industry is second to none. She made the entire process stress free from beginning to end in our selling process. Pure in good hands with Jacci and she treats you like you're a art of her family. Give her a call, you'll be glad you did."
"Jacci See is an outstanding Realtor! Her extensive knowledge in le real estate industry is second to none. She made the entire process stress free from beginning to end in our selling process. Pure in good hands with Jacci and she treats you like you're a art of her family. Give her a call, you'll be glad you did."
David & Lisa S.
"Recommended going to another Bank which was quick and easy. She really worked hard to close the sale of my home and help with my search for a new one - I was thankful to have such a professional, resourceful, and thoughtful agent - she and her staff really took good care of me."
"Recommended going to another Bank which was quick and easy. She really worked hard to close the sale of my home and help with my search for a new one - I was thankful to have such a professional, resourceful, and thoughtful agent - she and her staff really took good care of me."
Kimberly C.
"Jacci is the consummate professional with years of knowledge and expertise. In this kind of market you want nothing less."
"Jacci is the consummate professional with years of knowledge and expertise. In this kind of market you want nothing less."
Tim & Patricia O.
"We were very impressed with the knowledge and experience of our realtor. Jacci is detail oriented and understands what key information is needed for us to make good decisions."
"We were very impressed with the knowledge and experience of our realtor. Jacci is detail oriented and understands what key information is needed for us to make good decisions."
Mary Lou & Christopher D.
"Jacci guided me through the whole process of selling a home from getting the house ready to sell (repairs, painting, and staging) to the closing. She also helped me look for a new place to live. I saw many great homes. Jacci is professional, knowledgeable and ready to help. I appreciate everything she did to help me."
"Jacci guided me through the whole process of selling a home from getting the house ready to sell (repairs, painting, and staging) to the closing. She also helped me look for a new place to live. I saw many great homes. Jacci is professional, knowledgeable and ready to help. I appreciate everything she did to help me."
Trisha L.
"It was a pleasure working with Jacci. I went through a very difficult personal loss during the sale of my home and the purchase of my new home. I was thinking of just renting an apartment for a while but Jacci had a great idea to recommend we see the Harbor House condos - it was just right for me - smaller size and cheaper than rent and ideal location. And when my lender had difficulty with the loan, she quickly."
"It was a pleasure working with Jacci. I went through a very difficult personal loss during the sale of my home and the purchase of my new home. I was thinking of just renting an apartment for a while but Jacci had a great idea to recommend we see the Harbor House condos - it was just right for me - smaller size and cheaper than rent and ideal location. And when my lender had difficulty with the loan, she quickly."
Buyer

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