1.  Find the right representative

Hopefully you have already determined to call me to get started on your home search. Even if you’re not quite ready to buy, your buyer’s agent can be an absolute wealth of information, and can often offer ‘scoops’ on local developments and deals you might not know about otherwise.  Speak to your agent first and he or she can be helping to guide you right from the start. If this is your first home please click here and send me a quick note with the subject line "first home" and I will send you a free copy of the hardcover book "Your First Home - The Proven Path To Home Ownership."

2.  Find out what your price range is

Online mortgage calculators are a good place to start, and there is a great one right here on this page.  However, as you get closer to being ready to buy, there is no substitute for a written mortgage pre-approval.  Just speaking to a good lender is an extremely worthwhile venture – this is the only way to really get an in-depth picture of your overall financial situation, and to discover exactly what you can reasonably afford to spend on a home. There is still a huge range of loan products out there even with the recent "Mortgage Meltdown" as some are calling it, and a good lender can guide you to the loan that makes the most sense for your particular situation.   If you do not have a lender don't worry. I work with three GREAT lenders who are experienced and live up to the high standards that I set for my team, I would be happy to introduce you to one or all of them.

3.  Find out what your local market looks like

The internet can be incredibly valuable in doing preparatory research. You might already know the general area that you want to live in, so start with your agent. He or she can direct you to valuable resources and immediately start e-mailing you real estate listings that may interest you.  

4.  Find out what your true needs and wants are

Compose a needs/wants list that takes into consideration your local market conditions, your price range, and the advice of your real estate agent. I have found that by sitting down and exploring together "your perfect scenario" we are able to work as a team to come as close to that perfect situation as possible. If you would like my "Perfect Scenario" worksheet contact me and I will send it to you immediately.  

5.  Find your dream home!

Once you’re ready to act, you may be surprised by how quickly you can make a decision.  Armed with your pre-approval, some valuable market knowledge, and your needs/wants list, we will get to the really fun part - we get to go shopping! We generally will look at up to 10 houses per tour... and when you see "the one" you will know it... and we will be ready to make and submit an offer.

With the right team behind you, it really can be that easy!

Your Agent
A successful purchase starts with the right representative. The fact is, the best agent to represent you should be able to recommend other valuable professionals to join your team, taking more of the responsibility off of your shoulders. The resulting benefit to you is a stress free purchase being handled by experienced allies. 

Lender ( & Appraiser)
A bank is not just a bank. Having the right financial backer can be extremely important – it is your money we’re talking about after all! Make sure that your lender and financial representative is someone with whom you feel comfortable, and be wary of any lender who promises you more than you think you can reasonably afford. Your lenders may or may not require an independent appraisal, and in our Portland area market the lender typically makes the arrangements for the appraisal themselves.

Home Inspector
I cannot stress this enough. No home inspection is 100% guaranteed, but a Professional Home Inspector is trained to look at all the major systems in the house you are considering.  A few hundred dollars to catch a major problem now is certainly better than many thousands to correct that "surprise" down the road. I would recommend you use an inspecor that is a member of the "National Association of Home Inspectors." I have a list of these inspectors and can provide referrals to the ones that I have had good experiences with in the past.

Escrow Officer
When you buy your house, you want the assurance that no money or property changes hands until ALL of the instructions and conditions of the sale have been met. The Escrow officer safeguards all of the funds and documents, disburses the funds, pays authorized invoices, and conveys the title ("records" it with the county) when all of the provisions of the sales agreement and lenders conditions have been met. 

Contractor
Planning some renovations? Do we need to get some repairs done? You’re not the only one! Many good contractors are booked months in advance (that’s a long time to go without a kitchen or hold off the closing). Don’t let finding the right contractor slip through the cracks – planning ahead and having the right contacts will almost certainly make your renovation or repairs smoother, and they will get done in a timely manner.