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Expert Advice

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 your agent 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 I 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 a Real Estate Agent

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

Passion & Expertise

My goal is to provide you with the most personalized service possible, meticulously designed to help you navigate the process of buying your dream home. I am 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!). I 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. I 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. I 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. 

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Testimonials

"Claudia is all around an amazing realtor who gives 110% to all her clients. She goes above and beyond to make sure her clients are happy from the start to finish."
Brenda R.
"Claudia’s passion for her work shines through in her exceptional work ethic! She guided me through the process of purchasing my first home with ease. Claudia maintained open communication with me and the lender to ensure that nothing was overlooked. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to work with Claudia again in the future. I highly recommend her services!"
Alberto A.
"I had the pleasure of working with Claudia Priess as our realtor, and I must say, she exceeded all our expectations. From the initial consultation to closing, Claudia demonstrated unparalleled dedication and professionalism. One of the standout qualities of Claudia is her ability to truly listen to her clients' needs. She took the time to understand our family's requirements and preferences, ensuring that every property she presented aligned perfectly with our criteria. Her attention to detail and proactive approach made the entire process seamless and stress-free. Moreover, Claudia's expertise in securing financing was invaluable. She guided us through the complex financial aspects of purchasing a property, providing clear explanations and valuable insights every step of the way. Thanks to her guidance, we were able to secure favorable financing terms that suited our budget and preferences. Throughout the entire home-buying journey, Claudia demonstrated a genuine passion for her work and a commitment to delivering exceptional service. Her professionalism, expertise, and personalized approach make her an outstanding realtor, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to anyone in search of their dream home. Claudia Priess truly goes above and beyond for her clients, and we are incredibly grateful for her assistance in finding our perfect property."
Mary Joe M.
"Claudia was amazing!we got in contact with her and told her our needs and how it needed to happen as soon as possible and she did not disappoint! Everything happened quick and with ease. Thank you so much!"
Francisco M.
"I wanted to let everyone know that Claudia is the best realtor there is in the area. As a Latina it’s inspiring to find such a hard working motivating bilingual realtor that you can trust to have your best interest at heart. She helped my husband and I buy our first home and went above and beyond to make our dream of being homeowners come true."
Denisse C.
"We had the most incredible experience working with Ms. Claudia! She helped us buy a house in Texas while we were living in Arizona, and she made the entire process seamless and stress-free. Everything was done virtually, and her dedication and expertise were evident every step of the way. Even when we were feeling discouraged and ready to give up, she didn't stop. Ms. Claudia kept pushing forward, still searching for the perfect home for our family. Thanks to her persistence and commitment, we found our dream home! If you're looking for a realtor who will go above and beyond, especially in challenging circumstances, we highly recommend Ms. Claudia. She's truly amazing!"
Taylor K.
"Claudia Priess is an exceptional realtor who provided an outstanding experience. Her bilingual proficiency was a perfect fit for my husband and me. She adeptly guided us through every step of the process, patiently explaining all available options, alleviating any concerns, which was especially comforting for us as first-time homebuyers. Her enthusiasm for her job and her dedication to assisting people are evident in her rapid responses and unwavering support. Without a doubt, we wholeheartedly recommend Claudia to everyone, particularly those new to homeownership. She sets an exemplary standard for all real estate professionals to aspire to."
Britany E.
"Working with Claudia Priess was an absolute game-changer for us in the daunting process of buying our first home during the chaotic times of the pandemic. Her exceptional knowledge and unwavering dedication were remarkable, especially considering we initially started unrepresented and faced challenges with a builder. Claudia’s commitment to her clients is unmatched, and her hard work ensured we found the perfect home despite the initial setbacks. She’s simply amazing, and we couldn’t have navigated this without her expertise and support."
William L.
"My experience with Claudia was excellent! She is very professional and was always happy to answer all my questions. She made me feel like family. She also made buying a home for the first time very easy. I will always recommend her as the best trustworthy realtor around."
Buyer
"Claudia was an amazing realtor. My wife and I are first-time home buyers who had no idea what we were doing. Claudia helped us out with all of the financing and paperwork. I am also military and was unfamiliar with the VA loan and how to use it. She took over immediately and did everything for me. Without her, I wouldn't have been able to get anything done on time. She was involved every step of the way. Any meetings we had, she always knew about them when we did and was there. She also constantly checked up on us, making sure we understood every part of the process. She always kept in contact with me and my wife, giving us constant updates or talking to the other people involved. During our walk through of the home, she pointed out things that either needed to be touched up or fixed by the company before we purchased. Without her present, I would not have noticed these things and been stuck with the fix myself. From me and my family, we can't thank you enough for your hard work and dedication to us becoming homeowners. I would recommend Claudia to anyone. She will get the job done and make your life 1000 times easier!"
Ross S.

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