The Buyer's Guide

The best home searches start with two things: knowing your budget and knowing your priorities.

• Get pre-approved, not just pre-qualified. A pre-approval means a lender has reviewed your income, assets and credit. Sellers notice the difference.
• Make two lists: must-haves and nice-to-haves. Be honest about which is which.
• Think about your commute, your daily routine, and how long you plan to stay.

Your monthly payment is more than principal and interest. Plan for:

• Property taxes and homeowners insurance
• HOA dues, if the neighborhood has an association
• Utilities, and on rural properties, well and septic upkeep
• Ongoing maintenance (roof, furnace, water heater)
• Cash for down payment, closing costs, inspections and moving

In Michigan, property taxes can change after a home sells, so the seller's current tax bill isn't always what you'll pay. Ask me to walk you through it on any home you like.

Price matters, but it's rarely the only thing a seller looks at. A strong offer can also include:

• A clean, well-documented pre-approval
• Flexible timing on closing or possession
• Reasonable inspection terms
• Earnest money that shows you're serious

I'll talk with the listing agent before we write anything so we know what matters most to that seller.

Inspections protect you. A general home inspection looks at structure, roof, mechanicals, plumbing and electrical. Depending on the home, you may also want radon testing, a sewer scope, or a well and septic evaluation, which is common on country properties in Livingston County.

If something comes up, we can ask for repairs, a credit, a price change, or walk away within the inspection period.

If you're financing, your lender orders an appraisal to confirm the home's value. A title company checks that the property has a clean title and handles the closing.

A few days before closing you'll get your final numbers. Bring your ID and the funds as instructed, sign, and you get the keys.

There are loan programs with low down payments, and some offer help with down payment or closing costs. Which ones fit depends on your income, the home, and where it is. A good lender will lay out your options side by side.

My job is to make the process feel manageable. Ask me anything, there are no dumb questions.