The 8 steps to buying a home in Denver

Buying a home can be a daunting task, especially in the competitive Denver market, but fear not! With these simple steps, you'll be on your way to homeownership in no time.

When you work with Thomsen Real Estate, we walk you through this process step by step during our intro call. Schedule your intro call here.

‍

Let's dive into the steps here:

1. Connect with a real estate agent. This is probably the most important step, because let's be real - you can't do this alone. A good real estate agent will be like your own personal tour guide through the wild world of real estate.
2. Solidify your wants/needs. This list may change over time as you view more properties, but it's important to have a starting point for what are "nice ot haves" in a home, and what you definitely need. Have a dog and want to make sure it gets a yard? That's going in the needs column. A good realtor will remind you of this list as you discuss pricing and properties you like.
3. Get pre-approved for a mortgage by a loan officer. This is crucial because it will help you narrow down your search and give you an edge in the bidding process. Plus, it's always good to know exactly how much house you can actually afford before you fall in love with a mansion you can't afford (trust me, it happens).
4. Start looking at houses. This is the fun part! Your real estate agent will help you create a list of homes that meet your criteria and schedule showings for you to see them in person. Take your time and really think about each home before making a decision.
5. Make an offer. Once you've found the perfect home, it's time to make an offer. Your real estate agent will help you determine a fair price and present the offer to the seller. This is where working with an excellent real estate agent is essential. Getting a good deal on a home, and making sure you don't lose your dream home - comes down to having a great agent on your side that will negotiate you the best deal. If the seller accepts, congratulations! You're on your way to homeownership.
6. Go under contract. This means that you and the seller have agreed on the terms of the sale and are moving forward with the transaction. The contract will typically have a 30-day timeframe for you to complete your due diligence and get your financing in order.
7. Turn in your earnest money. This is typically 1-3% of the purchase price and will be held in escrow until closing. It's like a security deposit for the home, so make sure to have it ready to go.
8. Get all of your paperwork together for your lender. This will include things like W2s, bank statements, and pay stubs. Your loan officer will review this information to make sure you're eligible for the mortgage and will work with you to finalize your financing.

Buying a home can be a stressful process, but with the right steps and guidance, you can make it a breeze. So don't be afraid, take the plunge and start your journey to homeownership today!