Insights · Buying
Buying a home feels complicated until someone lays it out for you. Here is the whole process in six steps, the way Stephanie walks every client through it.
Most buyers think finding the home is step one. It is not. Approval is. The lender reviews 60 days of bank statements, 2 years of taxes, your credit report, and your ID to find the best loan program for you. Stephanie can connect you with one of her top-producing lenders, or you are welcome to use your own.
Once you know your approved amount, the search gets focused and fun. You tour homes you know you can win.
Found the one? Stephanie prepares the contract and negotiates the terms, setting the deal up for a smooth closing from day one.
During the due diligence period, an inspector checks the home for damage and issues, big or small. If something turns up, this is your window to request repairs or negotiate the price.
The appraisal is not the inspection. The inspector finds problems; the appraiser determines market value for the lender. If the appraised value comes in below your contract price, that opens another opportunity to renegotiate.
With inspection and appraisal behind you, the lender submits everything to underwriting for final approval. Then come the three best words in real estate: clear to close.
From approval to closing day, Stephanie reminds every client of two things: no cash deposits and no new cars or new credit. It sounds small, but something as simple as an unexplained cash deposit can create problems with your loan and put the entire deal at risk. When in doubt, ask before you move money.
Stephanie will connect you with a top lender, get your number, and guide you through all six steps to a successful closing. Call or text 786-872-5151 or start below. English y Espanol.
Not 20%. That myth stops more buyers than anything else. Many programs start at 3% to 3.5% down, and qualifying veterans can put zero down. Your lender will match you to the program that fits your situation.
Many loan programs work with scores in the 580 to 620 range, and a higher score simply earns you a better rate. Do not disqualify yourself before talking to a lender. Let a professional pull the numbers and tell you where you stand.
Pre-qualification is an estimate based on what you tell the lender. Pre-approval means the lender verified your documents, bank statements, taxes, and credit, and it carries real weight with sellers. In a competitive market, pre-approval is the one that wins offers.
Once you are under contract, most closings take roughly 30 to 45 days. The search before that depends on you and the market. Getting approved first is the single best way to shorten the whole timeline.
Closing costs cover lender fees, title, taxes, and insurance, and typically run about 2% to 5% of the purchase price on top of your down payment. In some deals Stephanie can negotiate a seller credit toward them.
Focus on the monthly payment, not the headline rate. Rent has a 100% interest rate, and if rates fall later you can refinance while your purchase price stays locked. Waiting often costs more than it saves in a rising market.
The inspector finds damage and issues, big or small, during your due diligence period. The appraiser determines the market value of the home for the lender. They are separate steps, and both can open the door to renegotiating.
It is not a dead deal. A low appraisal gives you the opportunity to renegotiate the price with the seller, and Stephanie handles that conversation. If terms cannot be reached, your contract typically protects your path forward.
Yes, and it is very common. The key is coordinating your closing date with your lease timeline so you are not paying double or left in between. Tell Stephanie your lease end date early and she will plan the calendar around it.
Two golden rules from approval to closing day: no cash deposits and no new cars or new credit. Also avoid changing jobs mid-process if possible. When in doubt, ask before you move money. One small mistake can put the entire loan at risk.