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Tips on Buying a Home

Buyer's Guide

A Step-By-Step First Time Buyer's Guide

Buying a home is one of the most exciting milestones of your life. To prepare yourself for this moment, you need to know what to expect during the process. This step-by-step first time buyer’s guide created by our team will help reduce the stress of buying a home and help you enjoy the journey as much as possible.

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Step 1: Research

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 start researching. In addition to looking for homes that interest you, also take note of any changes in asking prices. This could give you valuable insight into housing trends in specific neighborhoods and help you when the time comes to make an offer.

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Step 2: Decide on Your Budget

Notice we said to decide on your budget—not determine how much the mortgage company will give you. In many cases, a mortgage company will pre-approve you for more than you’re comfortable spending, which is why you need to determine the monthly payment you feel comfortable with before talking to a lender. This likely includes doing a full household budget and taking into consideration what changes other than a mortgage payment will occur once you move into your new home. If you’ve lived in an apartment or with roommates, you may overlook new expenses like garbage, water, or HOA fees that could easily blow your budget.

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Step 3: Get Prequalified

Just because you think you can afford a certain payment every month doesn’t mean the mortgage company will agree. Just as they may approve you for too large of an amount, they may also approve you for a lesser amount or deny you a mortgage altogether. Lack of time at a job, insufficient credit, past bankruptcies, or other financial issues can cause major problems when trying to secure a mortgage. Before you get your heart set on a home, talk to a mortgage professional to find out what amount you can qualify for. This will also be an advantage when you make an offer on a home, as some sellers won’t entertain offers from those who aren’t already prequalified for a loan.

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Step 4: Choose Real Estate Experts

Can you shop for, look at, and ultimately make an offer on a home without real estate experts? Technically yes, but why would you when it costs you nothing for agents like us to take much of the stress off your shoulders? Not only will we help identify properties you might be interested in, arrange showings, and ultimately handle the offer process, but we also have knowledge of the market that you don’t possess. Finding the perfect home can be a daunting task, this is where our expertise and wealth of knowledge come into play. Let us show you around some homes that meet your dream home criteria so you can find the one that's right for you.

Passion & Expertise

Our goal is to provide you with the most personalized service possible, meticulously designed to help you navigate the process of buying your dream home. We are dedicated to understanding your unique needs and preferences, ensuring that every step of the journey is tailored to achieve your ultimate home-buying aspirations.

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Step 5: Find the Right Home

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. Take notes about what you like and don’t like, and make sure to pay attention to details. Turn light switches on and off, open and close doors, and run the faucets in various rooms. Don’t limit your inspection to the home itself. Make sure to take time to explore the neighborhood and keep an eye on traffic at certain times of the day, the parking situation, and how close it is to necessities like schools and grocery stores.

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Step 6: Make an Offer

Once you have selected the perfect home, work with your agent to craft a fair offer based on the value of comparable homes on the market. Depending on what the home is listed at and whether the current environment is a buyer’s or seller’s market, your offer may be below, at, or even above the asking price. We will be able to help you negotiate if you receive a counteroffer and reach an agreement. At this point, the house will go into escrow.

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Step 7: Have the Home Inspected

In most cases, your offer will be contingent on having the home inspected to ensure there is no major structural damage or large repairs needed. We can help you arrange this, and you can schedule it within days of making an offer. If there are no major issues, the process goes to step eight. If there is, you can renegotiate your offer based on what needs to be fixed, or you can withdraw it.

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Step 8: Select Your Loan

Now is the time to go back to the mortgage lender who pre-approved or pre-qualified you and choose your mortgage. You will be presented with various options based on your unique financial situation, including fixed-rate, variable-rate, 15-year, 30-year, or special programs such as VA loans or FHA loans. Work with your mortgage lender to select the option you feel the most comfortable with.

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Step 9: Get a Home Appraisal

Your lender will have your new home appraised so they have their independent value of it. The appraisal is to ensure that all parties involved are paying a fair price for the house.

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Step 10: Finish Paperwork

No one looks forward to all the paperwork involved in buying a home, but it’s a necessary part of the process. Fortunately, everything will be arranged by your lender and title company and, when you’re finished, you’ll know you are the legal owner of your new home.

Congratulations!

After signing the final paperwork to complete the purchase, you are now the owner of a new house. It may take a few days for your loan to be funded once the paperwork has been returned to the lender, but once that check is delivered to the seller, you’ll be all set to move into the home of your dreams. 

Success Stories

Testimonials

"Trying to make the biggest financial decision of my life while being 1,000 miles away was very intimidating. However, Matthew squashed all of my concerns. He was on top of it, finding the best homes for my very picky needs and in my budget during this unprecedented market. Matthew kept me up to date in real-time, I felt like I never had to call him because he notified me of every update! He is also quite the strategist and he secured me the golden goose of houses."
"Trying to make the biggest financial decision of my life while being 1,000 miles away was very intimidating. However, Matthew squashed all of my concerns. He was on top of it, finding the best homes for my very picky needs and in my budget during this unprecedented market. Matthew kept me up to date in real-time, I felt like I never had to call him because he notified me of every update! He is also quite the strategist and he secured me the golden goose of houses."
Alyssa B.
"Matthew came to our attention by some good friends of ours, very highly recommended, and reaching out to him was the right decision. Driving 100 miles to Spokane every weekend to look at houses was certainly an experience, but Matthew made it easy for us. He was quick to respond, always available, and answered all of our questions no matter how trivial. He was kind and patient with us, and his knowledge of the Spokane real estate market was invaluable. His energy kept us motivated, he represented us well as a buyers agent, and we couldn't have asked for more. When we decide to buy or sell another house, we're definitely contacting Matthew."
"Matthew came to our attention by some good friends of ours, very highly recommended, and reaching out to him was the right decision. Driving 100 miles to Spokane every weekend to look at houses was certainly an experience, but Matthew made it easy for us. He was quick to respond, always available, and answered all of our questions no matter how trivial. He was kind and patient with us, and his knowledge of the Spokane real estate market was invaluable. His energy kept us motivated, he represented us well as a buyers agent, and we couldn't have asked for more. When we decide to buy or sell another house, we're definitely contacting Matthew."
Marcy R.
"I recently worked with Matthew on purchasing a home in Idaho, relocating from Seattle, Washington. Matthew was always available by phone, text, e-mail, and in-person. Matthew assisted in so many ways during this process. I'm in Seattle and unable to jump in and handle things that need to be done in Idaho. Matthew met with various individuals during the process for inspections, reports, and contractors, and even connected directly with my mortgage loan officer to make sure everything that was needed in order to close got done. During my emotional trials due to things taking so long and not physically being in the area, I could reach out to Matthew and he was always there for me with the emotional support that was needed! In addition to Matthew's incredible professionalism, he is patient, kind, knowledgeable, and supportive, words cannot describe my experience! One of the best individuals I have ever had the opportunity to work with - I actually felt like I developed a close friendship with Matthew and told him I didn't want to lose touch!"
"I recently worked with Matthew on purchasing a home in Idaho, relocating from Seattle, Washington. Matthew was always available by phone, text, e-mail, and in-person. Matthew assisted in so many ways during this process. I'm in Seattle and unable to jump in and handle things that need to be done in Idaho. Matthew met with various individuals during the process for inspections, reports, and contractors, and even connected directly with my mortgage loan officer to make sure everything that was needed in order to close got done. During my emotional trials due to things taking so long and not physically being in the area, I could reach out to Matthew and he was always there for me with the emotional support that was needed! In addition to Matthew's incredible professionalism, he is patient, kind, knowledgeable, and supportive, words cannot describe my experience! One of the best individuals I have ever had the opportunity to work with - I actually felt like I developed a close friendship with Matthew and told him I didn't want to lose touch!"
Brenda S.
"The Konkel Group is simply the best realtor I've ever worked with. Matthew goes above and beyond to make sure you're comfortable with your home purchase and walks you through each step along the way. After selling my home in the Seattle area, I signed up for weekly home listings in the Northern Idaho area. With the market being as explosive as it is, I was able to find a great home and Matthew negotiated a reasonable price with a cantankerous seller. He made the buying process easy and painless. If you're looking for a realtor in the Spokane or Coeur d'Alene area, you'll be in great hands with Matthew!"
"The Konkel Group is simply the best realtor I've ever worked with. Matthew goes above and beyond to make sure you're comfortable with your home purchase and walks you through each step along the way. After selling my home in the Seattle area, I signed up for weekly home listings in the Northern Idaho area. With the market being as explosive as it is, I was able to find a great home and Matthew negotiated a reasonable price with a cantankerous seller. He made the buying process easy and painless. If you're looking for a realtor in the Spokane or Coeur d'Alene area, you'll be in great hands with Matthew!"
Aedyn B.
"If you want a realtor who actually feels like he's on your team, and not just looking for a commission, Matthew is the only choice. I was shocked at the lengths he went to get us into our first home. His availability and eagerness to help us out with anything was astounding. Our builders didn't accept offers above asking, the home was on a first-come-first-serve basis, so Matthew stayed at home the day the listing went live, refreshing the page every 2 minutes, just so we would be the first offer in. He continued to be a helpful presence, even well after the closing contracts were signed. Extremely grateful for all that he did to get us into our dream house and will be recommending him to anyone in the area that needs a realtor."
"If you want a realtor who actually feels like he's on your team, and not just looking for a commission, Matthew is the only choice. I was shocked at the lengths he went to get us into our first home. His availability and eagerness to help us out with anything was astounding. Our builders didn't accept offers above asking, the home was on a first-come-first-serve basis, so Matthew stayed at home the day the listing went live, refreshing the page every 2 minutes, just so we would be the first offer in. He continued to be a helpful presence, even well after the closing contracts were signed. Extremely grateful for all that he did to get us into our dream house and will be recommending him to anyone in the area that needs a realtor."
Kevin K.
"I can’t recommend Matthew enough! I had a long list of things I wanted in a house and Matthew worked tirelessly to help me find everything I was looking for. He helped me feel confident about the process and always answered any questions I had gladly. If you want to buy or sell I highly recommend working with Matthew."
"I can’t recommend Matthew enough! I had a long list of things I wanted in a house and Matthew worked tirelessly to help me find everything I was looking for. He helped me feel confident about the process and always answered any questions I had gladly. If you want to buy or sell I highly recommend working with Matthew."
Hali T.
"Matthew is the very best realtor we have ever had. He is super knowledgeable, always available, communicates well, and makes the whole experience easy for us. We will give out his name liberally to anyone who needs superlative guidance and help in this area. Thanks a million, Matthew!"
"Matthew is the very best realtor we have ever had. He is super knowledgeable, always available, communicates well, and makes the whole experience easy for us. We will give out his name liberally to anyone who needs superlative guidance and help in this area. Thanks a million, Matthew!"
Ames S.
"Matthew is a true professional. He made the sale of our home easy. He is always reachable. He goes above and beyond! Thank you, Matthew."
"Matthew is a true professional. He made the sale of our home easy. He is always reachable. He goes above and beyond! Thank you, Matthew."
Kelly P.
"Matthew, on multiple occasions, went above and beyond to help us find the perfect home for our family. We looked at everything from New builds to renos, and even some that were probably not worth looking at all. In all circumstances, Matthew showed up at any hour we requested with a smile on his face and ready to help us identify the value and potential shortfalls of each property. While he is the expert, he always places the most value in your opinion and what is best for the client. Meanwhile, in the background, Rachel was assisting with research-finding homes based on our interests and helping us get all the proper paperwork submitted to complete the homebuilt process. I can't recommend the Konkels enough!"
"Matthew, on multiple occasions, went above and beyond to help us find the perfect home for our family. We looked at everything from New builds to renos, and even some that were probably not worth looking at all. In all circumstances, Matthew showed up at any hour we requested with a smile on his face and ready to help us identify the value and potential shortfalls of each property. While he is the expert, he always places the most value in your opinion and what is best for the client. Meanwhile, in the background, Rachel was assisting with research-finding homes based on our interests and helping us get all the proper paperwork submitted to complete the homebuilt process. I can't recommend the Konkels enough!"
Brandon W.
"We've purchased 3 homes now, and have experienced realtors of all sorts. No experience has been as seamless as with Matthew Konkel. From start to finish, the process felt effortless, we felt supported and advocated for, and he took time to help us understand parts of the process that would have gone over our heads. We had a unique situation, and Matthew was extremely knowledgeable and helped us navigate everything. We've worked with realtors before who made us wonder what they actually got paid for. Matthew worked hard and earned his keep. We will absolutely use him again when we sell our home. 10 over 10."
"We've purchased 3 homes now, and have experienced realtors of all sorts. No experience has been as seamless as with Matthew Konkel. From start to finish, the process felt effortless, we felt supported and advocated for, and he took time to help us understand parts of the process that would have gone over our heads. We had a unique situation, and Matthew was extremely knowledgeable and helped us navigate everything. We've worked with realtors before who made us wonder what they actually got paid for. Matthew worked hard and earned his keep. We will absolutely use him again when we sell our home. 10 over 10."
Amanda M.

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