Learning Center

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Start by reaching out to an experienced real estate agent. Most will schedule a call or meeting to learn what you’re hoping to do, walk you through the basics of buying, go over the current market, and explain buyer representation. Most importantly, they’ll help you understand your next steps.

It should simply be a comfortable conversation where you can ask questions and begin to understand what buying a home might look like for you. A good agent will guide you from there.

A buyer’s agent represents your interests and helps you make informed decisions throughout the purchase. Their experience can help you understand value, spot concerns, navigate a competitive market, and put together an offer with strong overall terms, not just a higher price. They’ll also manage logistics and important deadlines that can affect your purchase or deposit.

A good buyer’s agent shouldn’t be afraid to give you their opinion, point out concerns, or tell you when they think you should reconsider. Their job is to guide and advocate for you while respecting that the final decisions are yours.

Buyer agent fees are not set and can vary by agent. The amount and payment terms should be explained upfront and included in your Buyer Agency Agreement.

In most transactions, the buyer requests that the seller pay the buyer agent fee from the proceeds of the sale. That request becomes one of the terms of the offer for the seller to consider. It is extremely rare for a buyer to pay their agent outside the sale. A good agent should explain their fees, payment arrangements, and the different types of agency during your first conversation, without you having to ask.

A pre-approval isn’t technically required, but most agents will ask you to have one before looking at homes. It helps you understand your price range and can uncover credit or financing issues before you find a home.

A pre-approval should be free and can be renewed if your search takes longer than expected. You only need one solid pre-approval to start looking, and you’re not locked into that lender. There’s plenty of time to compare lenders and mortgage options once you’ve found the right home.

There isn’t one number that works for everyone. How much you’ll need depends on the price of the home, your qualifications, and the type of property you’re buying. You’ll need money for a down payment and closing costs, plus some savings for moving, repairs, or the unexpected.

You don’t have to be ready to buy before talking to a lender. A good lender can estimate costs based on your situation and, if you’re not quite ready, help you create a plan to get there.

No. While 20% is something of a magic number in real estate, there are many mortgage programs available with much smaller down payments. In a competitive market, putting less down may mean it takes a little longer to find the right opportunity, but it’s absolutely possible.

Don’t let a smaller down payment stop you from starting. A good lender can explain your options, and a good agent can help you understand where you’ll be most competitive.

Not at all. Starting a year out is very normal. It gives you time to learn the market and understand what your budget will actually buy.

As you see more homes, your agent gets a better sense of what matters most to you and can guide you toward communities or properties you may not have considered. A pre-approval can be extended if needed, and if the right home comes along sooner than expected, you’ll be ready to act.

Buying and selling at the same time is very common, but timing can be tricky. Working with an agent who has experience with these types of moves can make the process far easier and less stressful. They’ll most likely advise you to speak with a lender to understand your options and have your current home ready to list if the right new home comes along.

If your down payment is tied up in your current home, consider establishing a home equity line of credit (HELOC). It’s simply an open line of credit, so you don’t pay interest unless you use it. Careful planning can minimize the time you own two homes or spend between homes.

You don’t need to know everything about houses before you start looking. That’s part of what your buyer agent is there for. They’ll help you look beyond the furniture and finishes and notice things like the layout, overall condition, signs of deferred maintenance, and anything that could affect the home’s value or resale.

When looking at a house, remember that some things are easy to change and others are not. Paint can go. A dated bathroom can be redone. A busy street, nearby train tracks, or the auto mechanic next door are a different story.

No. A private showing is often the best way to see a home, but it isn’t always an option. Open houses can also make it easier to see several homes in the same area.

When it comes to open houses, your agent will want to go with you when you’re starting out and help you learn how to evaluate a house. As you get more comfortable, you may sometimes stop into one on your own. Let the open house agent know you’re working with someone, and direct any questions back through your agent rather than contacting the listing agent yourself.

Think about how the home will actually work for your everyday life. Does the layout make sense? Is there enough closet space, parking, or outdoor space? Where exactly is your giant TV going? These are the kinds of questions to seriously ask yourself instead of being swayed by the beautiful staging.

When it comes to the bigger things, your agent should help you identify issues that may be expensive to fix or affect value, like an aging roof, outdated systems, easements, or poorly maintained condo common areas.

If you find a house you like, call your agent right away. They’ll find out when offers are due, review any disclosures, see the property if they haven’t already, and research its market value.

If you want to move forward, you and your agent will decide on the offer amount and terms together. Once those details are settled, your agent will prepare the offer and send it to you to sign. Your lender can help you understand what that particular home will cost using current interest rates and the property’s taxes and/or condo fees.

Once your offer is accepted, most closings take about 30–60 days. The first week is usually the busiest, with inspections and the attorneys beginning work on the Purchase and Sale Agreement (P&S), the detailed contract that covers all the terms of the sale. From there, your lender works through the bank appraisal, mortgage commitment, and remaining paperwork needed to get you to closing.

If you have a firm moving deadline, give yourself plenty of time. Finding the right home and getting an offer accepted can take longer than the closing process itself, so starting early matters.