The home buying process, step by step.
Buying a home involves a lot of moving parts. Here’s what to expect from your first conversation with a lender to the day you get your keys, with our team guiding you at every step.
Your roadmap to homeownership.
- 1
Set your budget
Look at your income, monthly expenses and savings to land on a comfortable price range. In Southwest Florida, factor in homeowners and flood insurance, HOA or CDD fees, and property taxes, not just the mortgage payment.
- 2
Get pre-approved
A lender reviews your income, credit and assets and tells you how much you can borrow. A pre-approval letter shows sellers you are serious and lets you move quickly when the right home comes up.
- 3
Choose your agent
A local buyer’s agent knows the neighborhoods, flood zones, HOAs and pricing, and represents your interests from the first showing through closing.
- 4
Tour homes
We set up showings, send new listings that match your criteria, and help you compare each home’s condition, location and long-term value.
Search Listings → - 5
Make an offer
We prepare a written offer with your price, deposit, financing terms, inspection period and closing date, built on recent comparable sales.
- 6
Negotiate and go under contract
Once you and the seller agree on price and terms and both sign, you are under contract and your escrow deposit is due.
- 7
Inspections and due diligence
Your inspection period begins. This is when you find out exactly what you are buying, and it is your best chance to negotiate repairs or credits.
Home Inspection Guide ↓ - 8
Finalize financing and paperwork
Your lender orders the appraisal and completes underwriting, and the title company runs the title search. Lock in homeowners and flood insurance early. It is often required to close.
- 9
Final walk-through and closing
Walk the home one last time to confirm its condition and any agreed repairs, then sign the closing documents, fund the purchase and get your keys.
Home inspection basics.
A home inspection is a visual examination of the property, done on your behalf, to find safety, health and mechanical issues before you commit. It’s your best chance to learn about the home’s condition and negotiate repairs.
What inspectors look for
- Structure: foundation cracks or settling, warping, and gaps around windows and doors
- Roof: damaged or missing shingles or tiles, flashing, and signs of leaks in the attic
- Water damage: stains, mold, wood rot and past flooding
- Plumbing: leaks, water heater, drainage and pipe materials
- Electrical: panel, wiring, outlets and safety hazards
- HVAC: age, condition and performance of the A/C system
Florida inspections to know
- 4-Point Inspection: roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC. Insurers often require it on older homes.
- Wind Mitigation: documents hurricane-resistant features like roof straps and impact windows, and can lower your insurance premium.
- WDO (termite) Inspection: checks for wood-destroying organisms. Many lenders require it.
- Pool, seawall, dock or septic: specialty inspections for waterfront and pool homes.
How to prepare
- Book your inspector as soon as you go under contract; the clock is already running
- Plan to attend so you can ask questions as they go
- Add specialty inspections for the roof, pool, seawall or septic as needed
- Review the report with your agent before deciding how to respond
Inspection FAQs.
When does the inspection happen?
Who performs it?
Who pays for the inspection?
What is an inspection contingency?
Do VA loans require an inspection?
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Contract terms, timelines and requirements vary by transaction, lender and insurer.
Let’s find your Southwest Florida home.
From pre-approval to closing day, the Knowledge Base team is with you every step of the way.