Buy a home

Buy your next home with a plan — not a guess.

First home, bigger home, new city — the process is the same, and so are the pitfalls. We give you a real budget, a strong preapproval, and one licensed advisor who answers the phone from the first question to closing day.

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  • First-time buyers
  • Repeat & move-up buyers
  • Relocating buyers
  • Not under contract yet? Perfect timing.

The journey

Six steps from “maybe” to move-in

Here’s the whole path, in order, with what actually happens at each step — so nothing about buying a home feels like a mystery.

  1. Get prequalified, then preapproved

    We start with a short conversation and a quick estimate of what you can borrow. When you’re ready to shop seriously, we verify credit, income, and assets and issue a preapproval letter sellers respect. The difference matters: a preapproval is evidence, not an opinion.

  2. Set a budget that feels right

    What a lender will approve and what fits your life are two different numbers. We work backwards from a monthly payment you’re comfortable with — including taxes, insurance, and HOA dues — so you shop with confidence instead of anxiety.

  3. Compare loan options and down payments

    As an independent brokerage we compare programs from 50+ lenders: conventional from 3% down, FHA, VA, jumbo, and down payment assistance where available. You’ll see the finalists side by side — payment, cash to close, and mortgage insurance trade-offs in writing.

    Program availability and qualification vary by lender, state, and borrower profile.

  4. Shop with your agent — we’ve got their back too

    A good real estate agent is your advocate in the search and the negotiation; we’re your advocate on the financing. We coordinate directly with your agent, run payment scenarios on homes you’re considering, and refresh your preapproval letter to match each offer. Don’t have an agent yet? We’re glad to introduce you to ones our clients have trusted.

  5. Offer accepted — now we go to work

    The contract starts the clock. We lock your rate strategy with you, order the appraisal, and shepherd your file through underwriting while you handle the inspection. You get updates at every milestone — no chasing, no silence.

  6. Plan closing costs, then get the keys

    Closing costs typically run 2–5% of the loan amount — we estimate them up front, in writing, so nothing at the closing table is a surprise. Review your final numbers with your advisor, sign, and move in. Most purchase loans close about three to four weeks after the contract.

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No obligation · Credit check only when you’re ready

Payment estimator

Try a monthly payment on for size

A quick estimate of what a home price really means per month. Your loan officer will confirm exact figures with live rates and real quotes for taxes and insurance.

The home
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Monthly extras
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Your estimated payment
Estimated total per month $0/mo
Principal & interest—
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Loan amount—
Down payment—
Check My Real Numbers — Free

Estimates only, for illustration — not a loan offer, rate quote, or qualification decision. Excludes mortgage insurance, which may apply below 20% down. Actual taxes and insurance vary by property.

Buyer questions, answered honestly

What homebuyers ask us most

Often less than you think. Some conventional programs start at 3% down for qualified buyers, FHA at 3.5%, and VA and USDA loans can allow 0% down for eligible borrowers. Putting less than 20% down usually adds mortgage insurance to the payment — your loan officer will show you the trade-offs side by side, including down payment assistance programs you may qualify for.

A prequalification is a quick estimate based on what you tell us — useful for early planning. A preapproval means we’ve verified your credit, income, and assets, so sellers can take your offer seriously. In a competitive market, a strong preapproval letter matters.

The initial conversation and planning never touch your credit. When you’re ready for preapproval, a credit check is required — and credit bureaus count multiple mortgage inquiries within a 45-day window as a single inquiry, so shopping lenders doesn’t penalize you.

Preapproval first. It tells you your real budget, surfaces any credit or documentation issues while there’s still time to fix them, and makes your offer stronger when the right home shows up. Most listing agents expect a preapproval letter with any offer.

Typically recent pay stubs, W-2s or tax returns, bank statements, and photo ID. Self-employed buyers usually add business tax returns or bank statements. Your loan officer will give you a short, specific checklist — and secure ways to send everything.

Most purchase loans close in roughly three to four weeks after the contract is signed, depending on the appraisal, the title work, and the terms of your contract. Your advisor tracks every deadline and keeps you updated at each milestone.

Ready when you are

The best first step is a conversation.

Twenty minutes, no credit pull, no obligation — just a clear picture of what buying looks like for you.

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  • 50+ lenders compared
  • One advisor, start to close
  • NMLS #1856457