Buyer's Guide

Do you already know where you want to buy? If you want a condo, townhome, or single-family home? Which features do you like and dislike? What’s available on the market now? If you answered no to any of these questions, now is the time to reach out! In addition to looking for homes that interest you, we can also provide insight into any changes in the market.  This could give you valuable insight into housing trends in specific neighborhoods and help you when the time comes to make an offer.

As you search for a home, getting pre-approved for a mortgage can be an important step to take. Consulting with a lender and obtaining a pre-approval letter provides you with the opportunity to discuss loan options and budgeting with the lender; this step can serve to clarify your total house-hunting budget and the monthly mortgage payment that you can afford.

This also improves your chances of having an offer accepted, because sellers will be more confident in your ability to purchase the property if you have already started the process with your lender.

This should be the most enjoyable step of the entire process (other than moving in!). We will arrange showings of homes you’re interested in that are within your price range. While touring, take notes about your likes and dislikes and pay attention to additional things like the neighborhood, noises (or lack thereof) and location. Your agent will look out for “red flag” items that could affect the purchase or value of the property and share all of that information with you before you decide to make an offer!

Now is the time to finalize your lender, have your potential new home inspected, the property appraised, and to make any repair or credit negotiations.  Your Muse agent will make recommendations on how to proceed.

You and your agent will attend the settlement appointment at the attorney’s office where you will sign all necessary documents to complete the purchase.  Once your paperwork is recorded with the county’s register of deeds, you will officially be the owner of the new home and can move in!