Leave a Message

Thank you for your message. We will be in touch with you shortly.

Explore Our Properties
Step-By-Step

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.

main

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 communities and help you when the time comes to make an offer.

main

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.

main

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.

main

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.

main

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 communities 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.

main

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.

main

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.

main

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.

main

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.

main

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

"We are very pleased with the way April handled the sale of our house. The weekend before we had to move out we both got Covid April came right out and helped us pack. Please Call April if you're looking to buy or sell she will work just as hard for you."
"We are very pleased with the way April handled the sale of our house. The weekend before we had to move out we both got Covid April came right out and helped us pack. Please Call April if you're looking to buy or sell she will work just as hard for you."
Seller
"In his capacity as property manager for our non-profit’s sublet, Mark handled some sticky problems in a kind and highly professional way, was always available to meet with service providers and our Board, and clarified leasing issues in the most knowledgeable and reassuring manner."
"In his capacity as property manager for our non-profit’s sublet, Mark handled some sticky problems in a kind and highly professional way, was always available to meet with service providers and our Board, and clarified leasing issues in the most knowledgeable and reassuring manner."
Susan L.
"April is a very attentive agent with a thorough insight into the western North Carolina real estate market. She was very thorough and precise in every aspect of my recent purchase. I highly recommend April as a superb real estate agent!"
"April is a very attentive agent with a thorough insight into the western North Carolina real estate market. She was very thorough and precise in every aspect of my recent purchase. I highly recommend April as a superb real estate agent!"
Buyer
"I’ve bought multiple properties from Mark over the years, both residential and commercial and I can’t say enough about him and his team! Always attentive and knowledgeable. From a dream mountain home to investment properties Marky Mark get’s it done!!"
"I’ve bought multiple properties from Mark over the years, both residential and commercial and I can’t say enough about him and his team! Always attentive and knowledgeable. From a dream mountain home to investment properties Marky Mark get’s it done!!"
Jonathan G.
"April was great throughout the entire process of selling our home! She was always available and very responsive. When we're ready to purchase a home we will definitely be contacting her!"
"April was great throughout the entire process of selling our home! She was always available and very responsive. When we're ready to purchase a home we will definitely be contacting her!"
Eric A.
"April with NC Mountain Real Estate is very knowledgeable and has extensive and intricate knowledge of the area. She was attentive to the details, and very precise in my recent home purchase. Her sharp negotiation skills came to the rescue when it seemed like the deal was about to fall apart. She was always quick to return calls even on weekends. I highly recommend April as a superb real estate agent!"
"April with NC Mountain Real Estate is very knowledgeable and has extensive and intricate knowledge of the area. She was attentive to the details, and very precise in my recent home purchase. Her sharp negotiation skills came to the rescue when it seemed like the deal was about to fall apart. She was always quick to return calls even on weekends. I highly recommend April as a superb real estate agent!"
Buyer
"April was a joy to work with! She always responded quickly to all my questions! She was very helpful with everything. If you are out of state and can't be physically at meetings she is perfect for you!"
"April was a joy to work with! She always responded quickly to all my questions! She was very helpful with everything. If you are out of state and can't be physically at meetings she is perfect for you!"
Kathy J.
"My husband and I chose April as our realtor because she is such a genuinely kind, outgoing, friendly, and caring person while also being professional and knowledgeable. She treated us like family from day one always there when we called or texted her. She listened to what we wanted (we had some hard request that where specific) and made it her mission to find us our forever home that checked every box for our every request. When she found our home she made the almost 2-hour drive with us many times to support us every step of the way. She made the home buying process easy for us and kept us up to date with everything going on and making sure everything was running smoothly to get us in our home quickly. She went above and beyond and if we could give her 10 stars we would. Should we ever move again she would be our first call."
"My husband and I chose April as our realtor because she is such a genuinely kind, outgoing, friendly, and caring person while also being professional and knowledgeable. She treated us like family from day one always there when we called or texted her. She listened to what we wanted (we had some hard request that where specific) and made it her mission to find us our forever home that checked every box for our every request. When she found our home she made the almost 2-hour drive with us many times to support us every step of the way. She made the home buying process easy for us and kept us up to date with everything going on and making sure everything was running smoothly to get us in our home quickly. She went above and beyond and if we could give her 10 stars we would. Should we ever move again she would be our first call."
Christina R.
"My husband and I had a great experience working with April. She is professional, responsive, and works quickly. She is also kind and funny, truly a pleasure to work with. If we ever need the services of a realtor in this area again we will definitely call April!"
"My husband and I had a great experience working with April. She is professional, responsive, and works quickly. She is also kind and funny, truly a pleasure to work with. If we ever need the services of a realtor in this area again we will definitely call April!"
Kait T.
"April is an incredible real estate broker. She’s worked with my team and helped us with many transactions. She’s extremely knowledgeable about her market and investing. 5! Highly recommend."
"April is an incredible real estate broker. She’s worked with my team and helped us with many transactions. She’s extremely knowledgeable about her market and investing. 5! Highly recommend."
Larry M.
"April with NC Mountain Real Estate is very knowledgeable and has extensive and intricate knowledge of the area. She was attentive to the details, and very precise in my recent home purchase. Her sharp negotiation skills came to the rescue when it seemed like the deal was about to fall apart. She was always quick to return calls even on weekends. I highly recommend April as a superb real estate agent!"
"April with NC Mountain Real Estate is very knowledgeable and has extensive and intricate knowledge of the area. She was attentive to the details, and very precise in my recent home purchase. Her sharp negotiation skills came to the rescue when it seemed like the deal was about to fall apart. She was always quick to return calls even on weekends. I highly recommend April as a superb real estate agent!"
Jim G.
"April is truly one of a kind with an unbelievable work ethic and the knowledge to help her clients get to the closing table. She is a team player and problem solver. As a lender, I can tell you that is the asset and mentality you want supporting you when you buy or sell a property."
"April is truly one of a kind with an unbelievable work ethic and the knowledge to help her clients get to the closing table. She is a team player and problem solver. As a lender, I can tell you that is the asset and mentality you want supporting you when you buy or sell a property."
Erin H.
"Honest facts and figures, Realistic, Up to date on availabilities, etc., Punctuality, Easy to work with, Clarity, Up-front, and Knowledgeable."
"Honest facts and figures, Realistic, Up to date on availabilities, etc., Punctuality, Easy to work with, Clarity, Up-front, and Knowledgeable."
Mary Anne R.

Mortgage Calculator

Estimate your mortgage payment, including the principal and interest, taxes, insurance, HOA, and PMI. Add your location for more accurate estimates.

$0,000 Your Payment 20 15 65
$0,000 Your Payment

Follow Us On Instagram