Buyer's Guide

Everything you need to know about buying a new home.

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.

Step 2: Decide on Your Budget

Notice I 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.

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.

Step 4: Choose a Real Estate Agent

Can you shop for, look at, and ultimately make an offer on a home without a real estate agent? Technically yes, but why would you when it costs you nothing for an agent like me to take much of the stress off your shoulders? Not only will I help identify properties you might be interested in, arrange showings, and ultimately handle the offer process, but I also have a knowledge of the market that you don’t possess. I may be able to steer you away from certain homes or neighborhoods, suggest hidden gems, or give you pointers that will help you find your dream home for the right price.

Step 5: Find the Right Home

This should be the most enjoyable step of the entire process (other than moving in!). I 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.

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. I 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.

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. I 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.

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.

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.

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.

Our Testimonials

See why our clients love working with us.

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Joe Tinsley

I've known and dealt with Jacqulyn for almost 10 yrs. She has helped me with 2 properties, I'm amazed at the ease of these deals! Her knowledge of the desert and beyond is incredible. She especially on the last home helped get ...

Steven-Kirk

Norman is a great agent already ready to help in everyway imaginable, he worked hard to get us our new home. We couldn't be happier.

Alli K.

Norman is not only an awesome person, but an awesome friend!!! He helped me find my dream home in a prime location in the wonderful Palm Springs, CA! I have nothing but good things to say about this young man and his ability to...

Mato T.

Norman Williams made my first home purchase extremely easy! His knowledge of the market, work ethic, “can do” attitude, and professionalism sets him apart from the rest. Any question I asked was answered with efficiency and was...

Tom H.

Jacqulyn is very knowledgeable and professional. We highly recommend her!!!

Nancy Perkins

Jacqulyn was thoroughly knowledgeable and enjoyable to work with. She made the purchase of our condo go smoothly and with few problems. Very happy to have had her help.

Bryan A.

Jacqulyn Stanton made our home buying process such a positive experience. Jacqulyn was very responsive, prompt, and gave amazing attention to detail. Right away Jacqulyn put us at ease and made us feel we could trust her to kee...

Kristie Young

We had the recent pleasure of working with Jacqulyn Stanton for the purchase of our new home in Painted Cove, La Quinta. Jacqulyn is extremely professional, knowledgeable and organized. She responded quickly to all our question...

John Bernard York

Jacqulyn Stanton was our realtor for the recent sale of our home in La Quinta Cove. She came to us highly recommended by friends— she did not disappoint us. On the contrary, she handled the transaction thoroughly and adeptly. S...

Dan H.

Jacqulyn Stanton is a phenomenal Realtor®. She has her finger on the pulse of up-to-the-minute Palm Springs real estate. She made the whole daunting task of searching for our forever home easy and fun. She actually listened to ...

Kelly Kester

My house had been in the market for 6 months with another Realtor® without a single offer. Within 33 days of listing with Jacqulyn I had an excellent offer that closed without a hitch. Her team was professional, detail-oriente...

Michael & Elaine

I am ecstatic with the service that my Realtor® gave to my wife and me for the purchase of our new home. I am calling Norman, the "best in the valley" as a Realtor®. The reason that I say this is that he gave us lots of informa...

Martin & Trish

The overall best thing that we say about Jacqulyn Stanton is that she is impressive in all aspects of her profession. From the first time we met her to our close of escrow, Jacqulyn exhibited herself as a very honest and knowle...

Dennis S.

My wife and I worked with Jacqulyn for over 4 years when we first expressed interest in moving to the Coachella Valley. During that time, we went through some health issues and kept starting and stopping our search for a home. ...

Connie & Tom

Professionalism is personified here in Norman Williams. Norm has multiple resources through his company and his own personal contacts established by living in the area for some 22 years. From responsiveness to problem-solving y...

Ross

Norman was able to get my property listed and sold very quickly. I was very impressed with his level of customer service as well as proficiency in the process. He always kept me in the loop of what was going on and just made th...

Don

My ratings are based on Jacqulyn Stanton. She was a great, no bs Realtor® that gave me her honest opinion. I needed her as my eyes due to living on the other side of CA needing a vacation place in Palm Springs. All I asked for ...

Jeremy S.

Norman Williams is simply the best. Responsive, diligent, and follows up proactively. We bought a house in Indio but finding the right one was hard because we are cheap but he saw it through and was amazing. 6 months later, we ...

Joanna L.

Norman helped us every step of the way. He understood the marketplace and was able to advise us on the best course of action. I was new to Real Estate, Norman was patient and understanding. I really felt like I understood what ...

Don C.

Jacqulyn patiently worked with us for over two years time until we found the right property. She is conscientious, professional, informed, and has a great sense of humor. She is dependable and always keeps her promises. We high...

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