Steps to Buying a Home
Steps to Buying a Home
Everyone dreams of owning their own home. Searching for the perfect home for your family can be a very exciting, yet anxiety-filled experience. However, if you know what to expect during the home buying process you will be more relaxed and comfortable knowing that we will be by your side every step of the way guiding you through it and looking out for your best interests. Below are the steps to selling to help you visualize what this process looks like. Don’t hesitate to call us if you have any questions and remember we will be there for you every step of the way!
STEP 1: DETERMINE HOW MUCH YOU CAN AFFORD
Before the house hunting process begins, it is important to know how much you can afford. Expenses to consider include the down payment, monthly expenses, property taxes, and any home insurance costs. These will all have to be considered before the home buying process begins as they are typically included in your new monthly payment. Since a person’s credit score determines their interest rate, knowing your score ahead of time can help you decide if now is a good time to buy or not. An individual’s debt-to-income ratio must also fall within acceptable limits of the home’s cost. Once you have determined these things, and if you feel that your budget has enough room to afford a new home, then it’s time to look for the right loan.
STEP 2: GET PRE-APPROVED
Different banks and companies will offer different loan origination fees and by shopping around you can oftentimes save yourself a lot of money. Get multiple quotes so you can make sure you get the best rate and terms. Be sure to also check your loan officer’s website for testimonials and information. A good loan officer will offer you many online resources and tools. Before you lock in your rate, be sure to check the daily rate with the rate your loan officer gives you to ensure you are getting the lowest rate possible. Interest rates will determine how much a mortgage will cost each month and come in fixed or adjustable terms. Mortgage lengths can range from 15 years to 30 years. The longer the repayment term, the lower the payments will be. However, the interest accrued will also be higher on a longer loan. Don’t forget to ask for a pre-approval letter so you can include this with any offers you make.
STEP 3: FIND A REALTOR®
Before you start your home search, it is important to find a buyer’s agent that will be looking out for your best interests so you don’t fall into a money pit or end up paying too much for your new home. A good buyer’s agent will help guide you through the home buying process and can also save you TONS of time and money on the road to your new home. Buyer’s agents are legally bound to help buyers, whereas listing agents—the real estate agent representing the home listing—have a fiduciary duty to the home seller. Your buyer’s agent will also set up home tours, give you insight on any homes you like that you may not be aware of, have knowledge of upcoming listings not yet on the market, help you negotiate the best terms, protect your part in the deal, and give you invaluable advice throughout the process.
STEP 4: START SEARCHING
Start your home search by using your agent’s website (like this one!) to search the MLS for homes. Agents have a direct line to the MLS, so their websites often update with the newest properties faster than the ‘big name’ sites out there. It also has a My Listing Manager tool that keeps you both in the loop. You can start your search and begin saving your favorite properties to your account and even set up alerts to get new homes and price changes emailed to you. Your agent can then see the properties you have liked and can send potential new properties directly into your listing manager that they think you may be interested in. It’s a WIN-WIN!
STEP 5: MAKE AN OFFER & NEGOTIATE
There is an art to making an offer on a home. Your buyer’s agent will help you choose the right terms for your offer and will be watching for signs of problems in the home. Listen closely and be sure to ask questions. Be sure to ask for an inspection contingency so if there are major problems, you can back out of the deal without losing your earnest money. A home warranty is also a valuable part of your contract and is a sign of good faith on the seller’s part. You want to make sure all of your bases are covered. That’s where having a buyer’s agent is most valuable: so your rights and interests are protected. With their experience on your side, they will be able to help you negotiate a lower price that sometimes includes concessions or closing costs. Their job is to protect YOU in the contract.
STEP 6: HOME INSPECTIONS & APPRAISAL
Once your offer has been accepted, you will need a home appraisal. Banks require this so they can make sure the home is worth as much money as they are lending you. You may also need some inspections depending on your loan type. FHA and VA loans have more requirements than conventional loans. This is also the time to have a full home inspection, even if it is not required. A home inspector will go through the home and specifically look for problems and provide you with a full report on everything they find. This will give you the opportunity to avoid major problems and back out of the sale or negotiate repairs without losing your earnest money.
STEP 7: ASK FOR REPAIRS OR DISCOUNTS
Once the inspections are done, you will more than likely ask the seller to fix some of the issues you found. Keep in mind that they are only required to fix something if the loan terms require it. Be reasonable but firm in your requests. If your seller rejects your request, then it is up to you to decide how to proceed.
STEP 8: FINAL WALK-THROUGH
The final walk-through is an important last step, even if you are positive you are going to go through with the sale. Walk through and check the agreed upon repairs, make sure everything is in working order and new issues have not popped up. This is your last opportunity to back out. If everything looks good, then it’s time to go to closing!
STEP 9: CLOSING & ESCROW
Before the home is legally transferred to you, the closing process must occur. During this phase, you will sign all of the mortgage documents, pay closing costs, and sign various other legal documents. Your buyer’s agent will be at the closing with you to help you through it all. Once all of the papers are signed and monies are transferred, the keys to your new home are yours! The only thing left to do is move into your humble abode. This may occur immediately after the closing or at the date set in the closing documents.
STEP 10: MOVE IN
Depending on how far you’re moving or how much stuff you have, you may require a moving company or a moving truck. Professional movers may seem pricey at first, but when you look at the time and money to get similar results, you may re-consider. Call and set your moving date and start packing! Many places like U-HAUL sell moving boxes that are made to make your move easier. Label everything with what is inside it and what room it goes in. Recruit friends and family if needed.
Bonus Buyer Tips
See What Our Clients are Saying:
I truly appreciate Eddy, he is kind, honest and a great Realtor!
Eddy was fantastic in assisting me find a home I loved in the midst of a difficult life transition. He was dedicated and was able to help me be able to help me keep my son in the same school, and in fact within walking distance! I truly appreciate Eddy, he is kind, honest and a great realtor! I highly recommend him.
If you need someone to find you a home, Eddy’s your guy!
Eddy was great at finding us just what we wanted and at going along for the ride when our wants kept changing. He’s the epitome of calm and confident and did a great job keeping us focused in the crazy Boise market. His experience in construction and electrical was also a huge help as he always knew what to look for that we would’ve missed otherwise. We’ve been in our home a year and still know we can reach out to him If we need to! If you need someone to find you a home, Eddy’s your guy!
I would highly recommend Eddy for his effort, dedication, and follow up
We needed to relocate to the Boise area quickly due to employment. Eddy dedicated his time and effort to allow us to make the move. He located numerous candidates for us and was right on top of everything. When it came time to move, Eddy located the movers and was very involved in assisting us in many aspects aside from just making the home purchase. I would highly recommend Eddy for his effort, dedication, and follow up.
If you buy or sell a house with Eddy you’ll be in great hands!
Eddy is awesome! He is so caring, knowledgeable and helpful in the real estate industry. If you buy or sell a house with Eddy you’ll be in great hands!
Look no further than Eddy
I decided to purchase my first home here in Idaho amid conditions of record-low interest rates combined with extremely low supply and soaring demand. Not ideal conditions. However, Eddy was amazing to work with. He was patient with me as I asked question after question to learn the ins and outs of homebuying. I was also constantly amazed by his willingness, even eagerness to drop whatever he was doing to come meet us and look at prospective houses. At one point I became pretty discouraged as houses were getting snatched up faster than I even had the time to view them; but Eddy convinced me not to settle for less than, and a month later I finally had an offer accepted on an amazing home. If your looking for someone who will literally do everything in their power to get you what you want, look no further than Eddy.
Responsiveness, Quality, Professionalism
Positive: Responsiveness, Quality, Professionalism
Responsiveness, Quality, Professionalism, Value
Positive: Responsiveness, Quality, Professionalism, Value
The purchase of our house was a smooth and fast
The purchase of our house was a smooth and fast business due to our real state agent Eddy Udry. He was easy to communicate with and even assisted us with many other aspects besides the purchase of our house. I highly recommend Eddy to anyone who decides to buy a house.
Eddy was great when I bought my house, and even better when I sold it.
Selling a house: Eddy was great when I bought my house, and even better when I sold it. He went above and beyond multiple times and helped me get the best price with qualified buyers. Selling can be an even more daunting process than buying, but Eddy made it easy and seamless. I can’t recommend him enough!
Buying a house: Eddy is absolutely awesome. Easy to communicate with, definitely has your best interests at heart. Good at keeping you calm when circumstances get a little crazy. He was totally there for me during the whole process. I couldn’t recommend any one else if you need to buy or to sell – he is the best.
You can’t go wrong letting Eddy find you your next home
Eddy Udry truly went above and beyond for us and continues to this day! He has become a great and real friend since he became our realtor/friend going on five years now.
You can’t go wrong letting Eddy find you your next home.
Thanks Eddy!
Eddy is more than just a realtor, he is an honest man and I appreciate that
Eddy is concerned, caring, and a consummate professional. My dealings with him have been of the highest quality. I heartily recommend Eddy Udry to anyone looking for a home or ready to sell one. Eddy is more than just a realtor, he is an honest man and I appreciate that.
Everybody “knows” someone and I’m so very glad I know Eddy Udry!!
Eddy has a wonderful moral code for life and clients. His knowledge stems from experience, but the best part about working with him is that he will find out the correct answers for things he may not know. He has shown me the reason why he has great success in real estate business matters; because he knows the value of helping the person behind the deal. The fact that he is often found with hands working to help clean, move or deliver anything needed is way beyond customer support. Everybody “knows” someone and I’m so very glad I know Eddy Udry!!
Committed to delivering results and helping clients achieve their objectives
Eddy Udry is always happy to be in service. He is an honest, hardworking, motivated agent who is committed to delivering results and helping clients achieve their objectives, despite what might be the easier route. Eddy is responsive, responsible and kind. I highly recommend Eddy.
He really does step up and goes above and beyond
Just have to say I appreciate that Eddy has been doing this a long time and is a great guy to work with. He really does step up and goes above and beyond. Thanks Eddy!!
I could not recommend a better realtor to have in your corner!
I worked with Eddy to sell our home and purchase a new one. He was great to work with during the entire process. When listing our house he put together a detailed plan and was very thorough. Eddy went above and beyond to help us find our forever home. He spent many nights and weekends answering questions, researching properties, and showing us homes. He never rushed or pressured us to make a decision. Throughout selling and buying we always knew he had our best interest in mind! I could not recommend a better realtor to have in your corner! Eddy will be our go to for any future real estate transactions!
Eddy won’t let you down!
I recently worked with Eddy to sell my home and purchase the house my family will likely live in for the next 20+ years. It was evident that getting us into the right home was Eddy’s priority throughout the entire process. You are not just another client. I feel like my family had a partner in the process that went beyond mere business. If you’re looking for an agent who offers a personal experience, Eddy won’t let you down!
I would highly recommend Eddy if you are looking for a realtor…he is fabulous!
Eddy is a fantastic realtor who really cares about his clients. I have worked with him on numerous transactions and he is a prompt communicator and always willing to go the extra mile to provide a smooth buying experience. He understands the negotiation portion of the home buying experience and has good general construction knowledge that helps him be a true asset to his clients. I would highly recommend Eddy if you are looking for a realtor…he is fabulous!
If you ever have the chance, try one of his chocolate chip cookies
I walked into a random open house one day and was greeted with the delicious aroma of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. I wandered into the kitchen to try one (of course) and that’s when I met Eddy. Instantly I decided he was to be our realtor as my fiance and I were beginning the process of purchasing our first house. Turns out Eddy was the perfect fit for us! Not only did he work with our busy schedules but he taught us along the way. We knew nothing about home buying and he guiding us through the whole journey. I’d definitely work with Eddy again and recommend him to anyone looking to buy or sell their home. And if you ever have the chance, try one of his chocolate chip cookies ;)
He really cares about helping buyers find the right house
Eddy was helpful and very easy to work with. He really cares about helping buyers find the right house, not just a house.
If you want a real estate agent that has a heart and is kind and caring pick this guy!
This gentleman is amazing. He went above and beyond to help me find a home I could pay cash for (a fixer upper) on my budget. He wanted to make sure that I wasn’t getting in over my head and getting something that would cost me too much to fix up enough to live in. It was a hard request and he did an absolutely wonderful job of helping me. If you want a real estate agent that has a heart and is kind and caring pick this guy! 👏👏👏👏👋 thank you so much Eddy! He is going to even help me get my gas stove converted over to electric! Wow!!!
Eddy is an excellent choice
Eddy represented my wife and I for several weeks as a buyer’s agent. He is an effective researcher who confidently discusses the pros and cons of different properties with his clients. If you are looking for someone who makes himself available to talk, answer questions, and review all the options, Eddy is an excellent choice. He took the time to understand what we were looking for and connect us with the right properties.
Eddy was very friendly and professional
Eddy was very friendly and professional to deal with.
He’s been always available and helpful
My experience working with Eddy Udry in buying my new home in Boise is beyond excellence. I’ve been helped out, guided, advised… He’s been always available and helpful. I’d definitely recommend him.
He is very positive about life
Eddy is an awesome realtor and man. He made sure our needs were met. He is very positive about life. We feel like we have a friend for life. We would highly recommend him to sell or buy your next home.
Helped make it a wonderful experience
As a first time homebuyer, I really didn’t know what to expect. Eddy held my hand through the whole process and helped make it a wonderful experience. He showed us so many houses and never lost his patience. He gave us his expert opinion on different housing features that I never knew anything about. We really appreciated him going above and beyond to help us find the perfect house. I recommend Eddy to anyone looking for a reliable, trustworthy and all around wonderful realtor. Thank you, Eddy!
You will not be disappointed if you choose Eddy Udry
I highly recommend Eddy! He is extremely knowledgeable in all things real estate. Your transaction will be a smooth one due to his extensive knowledge and experience. He is driven, has great communication skills, extensive real estate experience, and marketing strategy’s to either sell your property or get you into your new home. You will not be disappointed if you choose Eddy Udry. Thank you Eddy!!
5 Stars!
Star Star Star Star Star!
He has gone above and beyond
I’d would work with this man he has gone above and beyond to help my wife and I get into a home. He keeps it real with what he thinks of a home and does his best to not let you get taken advantage of from a loan officer or a home seller. Working with this man has been a blessing. Thanks for all you have done.
Eddy pointed me in the right direction
Eddy was super sympathetic to the situation that I was in, and when no one else was able to help me, Eddy pointed me in the right direction and got me into a great situation and a beautiful house.
That kind of professionalism and genuine care for people is rare
Eddy went above and beyond for his clients when they were in a tough spot after other movers bailed last minute. He called us at Electric Monkey Moving and made sure everything was taken care of. Not only was he looking out for his clients, but he also treated our crew incredibly well — hooking us up with pizza and even tipping generously. That kind of professionalism and genuine care for people is rare. If you’re looking for a real estate agent who truly has your back, Eddy is the one!
He goes above and beyond
Eddy is the best! Eddy helped us buy our house in 2018 and sell our house this summer. He goes above and beyond. I would recommend him to any friend or family member.
Working with Eddy was truly amazing
Working with Eddy was truly amazing. From the very beginning, he took the time to really understand what we were looking for in a home and walked us through every step of the process with patience, knowledge, and genuine care. Buying a home can feel overwhelming, but Eddy made it smooth and stress-free.
What stood out the most was how much he truly cared—not just about the sale, but about is finding the right home. He was always quick to answer our questions, kept us updated, and went above and beyond to make sure we felt comfortable and confident in our decisions.
Thanks to Eddy, we are now in a home that we absolutely love. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide through this process. If you’re looking for a realtor who is professional, trustworthy, and truly invested in his clients, we wholeheartedly recommend Eddy.
Made a stressful process feel seamless and manageable
My husband and I had the pleasure of working with Eddy during the purchase of our home, and we couldn’t be more grateful for his guidance and expertise throughout the entire process. From the very beginning, Eddy took the time to understand our needs, answer all of our questions, and walk us through each step with patience and professionalism.
What we appreciated most was his clear communication and attention to detail. He was always quick to respond, kept us informed at every stage, and made what could have been a stressful process feel seamless and manageable. Eddy’s knowledge of the market and his genuine care for his clients gave us complete confidence in our decisions.
Thanks to Eddy, we are now in a home that is the perfect fit for our family. We highly recommend him to anyone looking for a realtor who is not only professional and knowledgeable but also truly invested in helping his clients find the right home.
Eddy went above and beyond
Eddy was a fantastic realtor for us. As first time home buyers Eddy went above and beyond to help us understand and navigate every step. Definitely recommend.
Eddy Urdy worked hard to meet all the requirements
Our property search was very specific and Eddy Urdy worked hard to meet all the requirements. He provided continuous listings for our review and when the perfect property became available, he acted quickly. He was always accessible, and provided useful feedback.
Eddy went beyond any expectations we had
Eddy went beyond any expectations we had. We felt listened to and could contact him anytime during the process.
He cares about families and helping fulfill their needs
We met Eddy by chance off of Zillow. I’m glad that happened because he is the perfect realtor for us. He cares about numbers but mostly he cares about families and helping fulfill their needs. I can see how people use the same realtor for all of their deals and recommendations after working with an excellent agent like him.
