You'll want to get pre-approved for a mortgage loan before you begin your home search, which means a mortgage professional will review your financial situation and verified your income and debt status. Once you've completed the pre-approval process, the mortgage professional will let you know how much house you can afford to buy based on the loan amount for which you qualify.

Establish your specific wants and needs, such as number of bedrooms and bathrooms, style, location, and amenities, and share them with your agent. Your agent will set up a search for available properties that match your criteria and can schedule showings to tour homes in person.

Once you find the perfect home, you may decide to move forward with making an offer. You will then work with your agent to determine a fair offer price, how much earnest money to put down, and establish any conditions or terms of the purchase, such as who is responsible for closing costs or whether you are paying for the home with cash or taking out a mortgage loan. Other terms may include contingencies, the target closing date, and other requirements. Your agent will submit your offer to the seller and hopefully, it will be accepted! The seller may decide to respond with a counteroffer, and you have the option to counter this offer as well.

How exciting! Your offer was accepted and you are now under contract. During this time, you will need to get documentation to your lender (if you have applied for a loan), choose a property inspector, and obtain title and home insurance. However, your agent will walk you through each of these steps and answer any questions that may arise. Their job is to make this process as seamless as possible and help you meet all your deadlines. All parties will sign paperwork and you'll walk away with the keys and a brand new home!