BUYER Education

Home financing is very different from financing a car.

When you purchase a car, you typically choose the vehicle first and secure financing afterward. The process is usually quick and straightforward.

With real estate, financing comes first. Buyers must be pre-approved before shopping for a home. Mortgage financing is more detailed and can take several days to weeks, depending on your financial situation.

Most sellers will not consider an offer without proof of financing, and many will not allow showings without a pre-approval letter. In addition, some sellers may not accept certain loan types, so it’s important for me to know your financing details before we schedule showings. This ensures we focus only on homes that match your approval and loan program—saving you time and frustration.

If you’re unsure where to begin, I can provide a list of reputable lenders who offer a variety of loan programs for different financial situations. You are welcome to compare options and choose the lender that best fits your needs.

My goal is simple: to make sure you are positioned strongly—and getting the best possible deal.

I will email you active property listings directly from the First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS) and the Georgia Multiple Listing Service (GaMLS) based on your specific search criteria.

You can review these homes online at your convenience and select the ones you would like to see in person. Once you’ve chosen your favorites, I will schedule the appointments and meet you at each property for your private showings.

This ensures you only tour homes that match your needs and financing—saving you time and keeping the process efficient.

When you find the house you want, I will prepare your offer using official Georgia Association of REALTORS® (GAR) contract documents and send it to you for electronic signature.

You will not communicate directly with the seller or their agent. I will handle all negotiations on your behalf—presenting your offer strategically and working to secure the best possible price and terms for you.

If the seller accepts your offer:

• Earnest Money – Within 3–5 days, you will submit your earnest money deposit (typically 1% of the purchase price).
• Due Diligence Period – This period usually lasts 5–7 days. During this time, you will schedule a professional home inspection to evaluate the property’s overall condition.
• Your Protection – During the due diligence period, you may terminate the contract for any reason and receive your earnest money back.

This structure protects you while giving you time to fully evaluate the home before moving forward.

Escrow is the period of time between contract acceptance and closing. During this timeframe, your lender completes underwriting, verifies documentation, and issues final loan approval so you can purchase the property.

The length of escrow depends on how the home is being purchased:

• Cash transactions typically close in about 15 days.
• Financed purchases generally close within 30–40 days, depending on the loan program and lender requirements.

During escrow, inspections, appraisal, title work, and final loan processing all take place to ensure everything is properly completed before closing day.

We will meet at the closing attorney’s office for you to sign the final legal documents in person.

Please bring a valid government-issued photo ID.

Once all documents are signed and the lender gives final authorization to fund, your loan will be officially “Ready to Close.” At that point, the transaction is complete, and you will receive the keys to your new home.

I will be there to guide you through the process and ensure everything goes smoothly from start to finish.