Find it, win it, close it.
Whether it's your first home, your next home or a cabin on the mountain, we'll explain every step, give you our honest opinion and advocate for you from the first showing to the keys.
Buying a home, step by step
Start with a conversation
We sit down together and talk through your wants, your needs and your timeline. Our Home Buyer Questionnaire is a great place to start. Before we tour homes together, we'll sign a buyer representation agreement that spells out how we work together, and we'll walk you through every line of it.
Get pre-approved
A pre-approval tells you what you can borrow and shows sellers you're ready. We can introduce you to trusted local lenders. Plan your budget around the full monthly payment, including property taxes, insurance and any HOA dues, not just the loan amount. If you're a first-time buyer, ask your lender about down payment assistance programs.
The hunt
Finding your perfect home can feel daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Once we know your must-haves, we set up a search that notifies us the moment a match hits the market, so you never miss an opportunity. We tour each home with your criteria in mind, so your next home checks all the right boxes. (While compromise is important, we'll make sure that jetted tub doesn't distract you from the tiny backyard you don't want.)
The offer
Once you've found a home you're thrilled about, we get to work on your offer strategy. Price matters, but seller motivation and contract terms can matter just as much. We research the home and the seller's situation so your offer has the best shot of being accepted, and we always keep your best interest at heart. We'll give you our honest opinion of what the home is worth and how to take your offer from good to unbeatable without putting yourself at risk.
Inspection and negotiation
After your offer is accepted, you'll typically have about ten business days to complete inspections, which often leads to repair negotiations. We guide you through the results, advise you on which items the seller should address and which you may want to handle yourself, and follow up to make sure agreed repairs are done right.
Inspections to consider in our areaBeyond a general home inspection, many Portland-area buyers order a sewer scope, an oil tank scan for older homes, and a radon test. On the mountain, we'll also look at wells, septic systems and access roads. We'll help you decide what makes sense for each home.Appraisal, loan approval and closing
Your lender orders the appraisal and finalizes your loan while we track every deadline with escrow. Before closing, you'll do a final walk-through to make sure everything is as agreed. Then you sign with the title and escrow company, the sale records with the county, and the keys are yours.
What we tell every buyer
- Hold off on new creditDon't open new cards, finance a car or change jobs until after closing without talking to your lender first.
- Keep your funds easy to traceLenders need to document your down payment. Avoid large, unexplained deposits or transfers.
- Budget for inspectionsSet aside money for a general inspection plus any specialty inspections the home needs.
- Look past paint and furnitureFocus on what's hard to change: location, layout, light and the lot.
- Visit at different timesDrive by on a weekday evening and a Saturday morning to get a feel for traffic, noise and the neighborhood.
- Be ready to move quicklyHave your pre-approval and schedule ready so you can see a great home the day it lists.
Ready to get more serious about your home search?
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll take it from there.