Home purchase basics
Buying a home is likely the largest financial transaction you'll make. Knowing what to expect from each player — your real estate agent, your loan officer, and yourself — makes the process efficient instead of overwhelming.
Real estate agent
Count on your agent to
- Filter listings — surfacing homes that fit your needs, dismissing the rest
- Spot the difference between a good buy and one that's hard to resell later
- Negotiate the deal on your behalf with the seller and their agent
- Use your pre-approval letter to make your offers competitive — sometimes the difference between a yes and a no
Loan officer
Count on your loan officer to
- Match you to the loan program that fits your situation and goals
- Keep you informed of loan status at every step
- Coordinate with your real estate agent on milestones (without sharing your private financial details)
- Find the right loan at the right rate — saving you money up front and over the life of the loan
Yourself
Count on yourself to
- Raise questions or concerns as soon as they come up — silence costs time
- Return documents and decisions quickly to keep the process moving
- Stay objective — buying a home is exciting but it's still a business decision
- Get pre-approved early so you can focus on choosing the home, not financing it
Start with pre-approval
The earlier you know what you can afford, the easier everything else gets.
Find a Loan Officer