How To Buy a House

How To Buy a HouseYou might think buying a house is as simple as finding a home you want and putting in an offer. But it's really so much more than that. Homebuying starts far before the actual offer. It even starts before looking at homes. But, you've probably already started to look at homes and that's natural. It's exciting and sometimes that's where the entire prospect of moving into a new home starts. You might not even be thinking about moving until you find an amazing house and then the real work begins.

What is the first thing you should do before looking at homes (or even if you've already started)

One of the very first things you should do is think about financing. Are you buying a house with all cash? Financing it? Not sure? Need to sell a house before buying another? All of these questions need to be answered before settling on a home. It's important to know how you're going to pay for the house before you actually make an offer. Sellers want to know you are serious about buying and that means knowing your financial status and doing your financial homework ahead of time.

Get preapproved

Getting preapproved is the first step when financing a new house. This is not simply using a mortgage calculator to find out how much your monthly mortgage payment will be or the price range in which you should start looking. Getting preapproved is different than a simple prequalification. You might have great credit and can afford a certain amount each month, but without sitting down with the lender and getting numbers in writing, you may not qualify when the time comes.

Getting preapproved means finding a lender either a credit union, mortgage advisor, or your bank, and presenting all of your financial documents including proof of income, debts, liabilities, assets, and downpayments. From there, a lender will be able to determine how much of your income can be utilized for mortgage payment. This will be calculated to find out exactly how much home you can afford. This will give you the price range in which to start looking. Once you are preapproved, your lender can offer a letter of preapproval which can be submitted with the offer stating that you've already done the financial homework necessary and can actually afford the home you're making an offer on.

Use your own agent.

We cannot stress this enough. While you can buy a house from just about anyone including the seller, no one is representing you except for a buyer's agent. An agent that is solely on your side, working on your behalf, making sure your needs and terms are met, is crucial to the home buying process and really getting what you want. If you conduct a transaction with just the seller or even to the listing agent, you are not the priority… The seller is. A buyer's agent makes the buyer the priority. They work only for the buyer and make sure the buyer's needs and rights are protected and the best part about it, a buyer's agent costs a buyer nothing. It's completely free to use your own agent. The agent will receive part of a commission from whichever home you buy so it really benefits you to have your own agent and representation throughout the process.

Start looking at homes.

Yes, it really isn't till about now that you should look at homes. But we know, you've probably looked at them for a while now and have narrowed down a few that you like. Depending on the market, you may need to jump on a listing quickly, or you might have some time to think about it but your buyer's agent will be able to tell you the current market climate and how you should make an offer and win.

Make sure you know what you want.

One of the most frustrating things in agent hears from a buyer is "I'm not sure what I want but I'll know it when I see it". This could literally mean any house. Let's start with the basics:How To Buy a House

  • How Big?
  • How Many Bedrooms and Bathrooms?
  • Fenced?
  • Two Story or One?
  • Yard?
  • Acreage?
  • Condo?
  • Low Maintenance?
  • Schools?
  • Amenities?
  • Gated?

You can see that this list could be exhaustive but if we start here, we have a better idea of what it is that you're looking for and can start sending you properties that might meet your search criteria. From there, take a look at a few of them, drive by, see if you like the neighborhood or commutes, and then when you're ready, schedule a showing to see more.

Buying a house is really exciting and there are a lot of steps to buying a house but with a buyers agent, you can sail through these steps with ease and confidence. Buyer's remorse is a real thing and we don't want you regretting your decision so using an agent that is familiar with the market, understands the process, and can hold your hand and guide you throughout the entire transaction means that you won't have to worry about buyer's remorse. Welcome home!


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Browse the Area's Newest Listings - Less than 3 days on the market April 1, 2023
484
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$202.79
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Open 4/1
890 Miller Creek Ln Newport News,  VA 23602
$215,000
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2
Beds
2
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1,482
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2001
Year Built
1
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10480170
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This condo is offering 2 primary bedrooms both with full baths, one on the first floor. Large living room with fireplace leads to a formal dining area. Features a sitting area and a privately...
$624,900
Neighborhood: Forest Lakes
4
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3F11/2
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3,077
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1990
Year Built
1
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10480316
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Beautiful transitional home, full brink exterior. Formal living room, dining room. Bright open kitchen with new white cabinets/wet bar area & wine refrigerator, double ovens. French doors to deck...
$2,400,000
Neighborhood: Blackwater
4
Beds
4F11/2
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5,520
Sq.Ft.
2014
Year Built
1
Day on Site
10479281
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*STUNNING* Custom Built on Over 27 Acres w/ a Guest Home! Spectacular Lot on Blackwater Creek connects to Inter-Coastal Waterway. Leave by boat & enjoy a meal in Coinjock NC, Norfolk VA or beyond....
$219,500
Neighborhood: Brighton
3
Beds
1F11/2
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1,152
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2006
Year Built
1
Day on Site
10480496
MLS
Welcome home! This is a nice ready to move-in home with 3 bedrooms and 1 1/2 bathrooms built in 2006. Welcoming porch, large backyard with a storage shed and a new fence install to be completed in...
$375,000
Neighborhood: All Others Area 63
4
Beds
3
Baths
1,800
Sq.Ft.
2020
Year Built
1
Day on Site
10480498
MLS
Welcome to Whaleyville, a beautiful 4 bedroom, 1900 sqft dream. Near the garage sits a built in coat rack with shore holder or enjoy the gas fireplace in the living room. Relax on your back patio and...
$675,000
Neighborhood: Lochhaven
4
Beds
4
Baths
3,900
Sq.Ft.
1927
Year Built
1
Day on Site
10479751
MLS
Great house ready for new family to put its own touches on. It's in good condition. Large recent addition used an artist studio; pictures attached. Family room with gas fireplace, living room...
$335,000
Neighborhood: Lamper Place
4
Beds
2
Baths
2,072
Sq.Ft.
1961
Year Built
1
Day on Site
10479608
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Welcome to this lovely home with open concept on main level, stepping up to bedrooms and bath or down to the large family room or inlaw suite. Hardwood floors are original. Home has been freshly...
$175,000
Neighborhood: All Others Area 106
2
Beds
1
Baths
970
Sq.Ft.
1963
Year Built
1
Day on Site
10480245
MLS
Welcome to your cozy ranch-style oasis! This beautiful home offers the perfect blend of modern convenience and classic charm. Enjoy the gleaming hardwood floors throughout, as well as updated...
$399,000
Neighborhood: All Others Area 140
3
Beds
2
Baths
1,728
Sq.Ft.
2018
Year Built
2
Days on Site
10480261
MLS
Fantastic one-owner home in perfect condition with many upgrades and lifestyle comforts. The Beautiful Great Room has a cathedral ceiling and features a Gas fireplace, remote, stone surround, and...
$239,900
Neighborhood: Cradock
5
Beds
1F11/2
Baths
1,800
Sq.Ft.
1969
Year Built
2
Days on Site
10480275
MLS
WELCOME HOME! Nestled in the historic first planned community of Cradock, this home is deceptively large and waiting for you! SOLAR PANELS recently installed! Refinished & stained hardwood floors and...
$100,000
Neighborhood: Cradock
3
Beds
2
Baths
964
Sq.Ft.
1941
Year Built
2
Days on Site
10480279
MLS
***INVESTOR SPECIAL*** House and detached garage selling AS-IS / WHERE -IS. Perfect for either a "Fix & Flip" or "Buy & Hold!" Renovate this house into a home again! Hurry before it's SOLD!
$289,900
Neighborhood: Dunedin
3
Beds
2
Baths
1,428
Sq.Ft.
1960
Year Built
2
Days on Site
10480286
MLS
***LOOK NO FURTHER*** Welcome home to Western Branch and this charming, remodeled ranch style 3 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms home! Beautiful new LVP throughout, updated kitchen includes stainless...
Open 4/1
1005 Marquis Parkway Williamsburg,  VA 23185
$408,000
Neighborhood: Marquis Hills
4
Beds
2F11/2
Baths
1,900
Sq.Ft.
2019
Year Built
2
Days on Site
10479935
MLS
Previous Model Home...Be the first to live in this brand new 4 bedroom single family home in York County! Move in Ready. This is the Lily floorplan with a spacious great room that opens to the...
Open 4/2
25 Carriage Hill Dr Poquoson,  VA 23662
$585,000
Neighborhood: Westover Shores
4
Beds
3
Baths
2,418
Sq.Ft.
1976
Year Built
2
Days on Site
10479990
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THE WATERFRONT HOME YOU HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR TO ENJOY ALL OF THAT WATERFRONT LIVING HAS TO OFFER. BRING THE KAYAKS, JET SKIS AND BOAT. THIS 4 BEDROOM 3 FULL BATHROOM HOME IS SITUATED ON A LARGE...
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3
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2F11/2
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2,064
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2013
Year Built
2
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10480186
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Welcome to this spacious end-lot Townhome located on the south western tip of Chesapeake in sought-after neighborhood, Culpepper Landing! This three bedroom, two and a half bath home is full of...
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2564 Tree Garden Way Virginia Beach,  VA 23456
$675,000
Neighborhood: Three Oaks
4
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1989
Year Built
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Open house Sat 9-12, Sun 1-3 Natural light fills this home with the vaulted ceiling and skylights. The open floor plan and large kitchen are great for entertaining and spending time with family....
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