04/22/25

Congrats, your offer was accepted! You’re officially under contract and one step closer to homeownership. While it’s a moment to celebrate, the journey isn’t over yet. In fact, if you’ve chosen one of our talented teams to handle your title work, that’s when we start truly working for you.

You’ll make an Earnest Money Deposit. You’ll need to open an escrow account with a neutral third-party company. Yes, we can take care of that. The first thing that goes into that account? Your Earnest Money Deposit, which shows the seller you’re serious about buying the home. That money will eventually be applied toward your down payment or closing costs.

The home should be inspected. Now’s the time to really get to know the home. Hire a licensed home inspector to evaluate the property’s condition, from the roof to the foundation and everything in between. If issues come up, you, with your agent’s help, of course, might be able to negotiate repairs or a credit with the seller. Even if an inspector’s findings don’t change the finances or conditions of the sale, the peace of mind from a thorough report will be worth it.

Your mortgage terms will be finalized. Though most real estate professionals recommend pre-approval for all buyers, that doesn’t mean your mortgage is a done deal. You still need to apply using the property you’re aiming to buy. This is why it’s key to make sure your financial health doesn’t fluctuate while you’re in the homebuying process. Staying steady should help keep the loan process on track. Speaking of money, your new property will likely get appraised as well.

We’ll do a lot of work to make sure you’re clear to close. Once we get the file on your property, we’ll do what we do best. Confirm that the seller can actually legally sell the property to you and clear up any potential title issues the land has. Regardless of whether we discover any problems during the title search process, we’ll keep the process as smooth as possible. We’ll also help you obtain the applicable title insurance policies, so your ownership rights are protected as long as you or your heirs own your new home.

There will be a lot of reviewing to be done. Yes, we’re talking about the final walkthrough of your new home, but also so much more. A few days before closing, you’ll receive your Closing Disclosure (CD). This outlines your final loan terms, monthly payment and closing costs. Read through everything carefully and ask your lender or real estate agent if you have questions. When it comes to the final walkthrough, know that it’s your last chance to ensure the home is in the agreed-upon condition and that any requested repairs have been made, so make it count.

Buying a home is an exciting journey, and our teams take pride in making sure there’s a celebration at the end. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us, your real estate agent, or your lender. We’re all here to guide you into your next chapter.