9 Steps to Buying a Home
If you’ve ever Googled “how to buy a house,” you’ve probably seen a million checklists, timelines, and acronyms. It’s enough to make anyone feel stuck before they even start. That’s why I created this episode—and a graphic to go with it—to walk you through the 9 essential steps of the home buying process in a way that’s actually helpful.
Whether you’re buying in Pierce County, Tacoma, Puyallup, or anywhere nearby, these steps will help you feel more confident and less overwhelmed.
🧭 Step 1: Get Clear on Your Goals and talk to a Real Estate Agent - ME!
Before you look at listings, get honest about what you need, want, and can afford. Are you buying solo or with a partner? Do you need space to grow or something cozy and low-maintenance? Talking with a real estate agent can help tease out what is really going on, we are good at asking the right questions!
💰 Step 2: Talk to a Lender
This is where you find out what you can borrow—and what that means for your monthly payment. A good lender will explain your options, not just throw numbers at you.
📄 Step 3: Get Pre-Approved
This is your ticket to serious buyer status. Sellers want to know you’re ready, and pre-approval shows you’ve done your homework.
🏡 Step 4: Start the Search
Now the fun begins! I’ll help you narrow down neighborhoods, prioritize features, and stay focused on what matters most.
📦 Step 5: Make an Offer
When you find “the one,” we’ll craft a strong, strategic offer that reflects your goals and the market conditions.
🔍 Step 6: Inspection Time
This is where we learn what’s really going on behind the walls. I’ll guide you through the inspection report and help you decide what’s worth negotiating. There may be repairs needed for your loan type. I will negotiate for those to occur and keep us on track and on time for the next step.
🧾 Step 7: Appraisal & Final Loan Approval
Your lender will confirm the home’s value and finalize your loan. It’s a behind-the-scenes step, but I’ll keep you updated.
🖊️ Step 8: Sign & Close
You’ll sign a stack of papers (don’t worry—I’ll explain them), and the home officially becomes yours!
🏠 Step 9: Move In & Celebrate
You did it! Time to unpack, settle in, and start making memories.
Buying a home doesn’t have to be scary—it just needs a roadmap. Subscribe to Real Life and Real Estate for more episodes that turn big decisions into manageable steps, with plenty of support along the way.
