learn about the process

Buyers Guide

Buying a home can often be seen as both complex and intimidating, with confusing jargon and a multitude of intricate stages that might seem overwhelming even to the most seasoned of buyers. Nevertheless, the longing to settle into a home and transform it into your personal haven is an immensely powerful motivator.

You deserve a transparent and effective process. By simplifying the home buying journey into easily digestible steps, I can ensure that your home buying experience will be marked by smooth transitions, minimal stress, and an experience you can genuinely enjoy!

The key to success is to partner with the right professional for the job.

Learn more about the Process

Victoria Stoughton Real Estate | Buy a house in Pierce County Realtor | Tacoma realtor | Sound Sound Realtor

step one

Intake

In our initial meeting, whether it's face-to-face or conducted virtually, I will dedicate the time to get to know you and what your ideal home looks like. If you find it challenging to visualize, don’t worry – my approach encompasses a comprehensive brainstorming session where I will dive deep into your wants, needs, must-haves, and non-negotiables. Armed with a crystal-clear picture of your ideal home may look like, I will craft a personalized action plan to guide you on the path to achieving your goals.

step two

Financing

Reviewing your loan options and securing a loan prior to touring homes is critical. This not only helps define your search criteria, but it also sends a strong signal to sellers that you're committed and well-prepared to embark on your home-buying journey. If you're still in the process of finding a lender, I’d be delighted to connect you with a group of trusted lenders we have a strong working relationship with. In any case, I recommend selecting a local mortgage lender who comes highly recommended by someone you trust. Having an experienced financial advocate by your side

step three

Education Session

Once you are pre-approved, and before we start touring homes – ideally we have time to have an education session. During this meeting I’ll go over the purchase and sale agreement aka our contract. I will also go over the different contingencies that protect you in the transaction, or different ways we can be more competitive. Depending on how quickly this goes, sometimes we may tour a couple homes to get a feel for your tastes, likes and dislikes. We use this as a time to also set up our search, talk about final communication preferences and really get set up for success for this journey!

step four

The Offer

Once we've found "the one," we'll work closely together to craft a compelling offer. Depending on the situation, I may provide you with a comprehensive market analysis of the property, helping you arrive at an offer price. Then we will further go through the contract, discussing the different contingencies and addenda available to you. Our primary objectives during the offer writing process are to ensure you have a thorough grasp of the contract language and your responsibilities as a buyer, strategize for the most favorable price and terms, and put in place safeguards to protect your earnest money.

step five

Mutual Acceptance

Our ultimate goal is to achieve mutual acceptance, the point at which all terms are not only agreed upon but also formally documented. After submitting your offer, I’ll handle negotiations and strive to secure an agreement that satisfies both parties. Upon reaching this mutual acceptance milestone, we'll furnish you with a detailed Buyer Transaction Summary. This summary will map out our closing timeline as well as tasks and deadlines that must be completed before each contingency expiration. If this sounds overwhelming, rest assured – I am here to help support and guide you through every step of the process.

step six

The Offer

To carry out the home inspection, you'll enlist the services of a skilled home inspector who will meticulously assess the property, uncovering any potential concerns. The resulting report will categorize findings into different levels of importance, spanning from items requiring immediate attention to those necessitating ongoing monitoring. Armed with this valuable information, we can explore the possibility of revisiting the seller to discuss funding for essential repairs or, in some cases, consider bringing in specialists to dive deeper into specific issues. This step ensures that you make informed decisions and feel confident in the condition of your future home.

step seven

Escrow

An escrow officer serves as a neutral third-party with a pivotal role in overseeing your transaction. Their primary responsibility is to ensure that all parties involved adhere to their financial commitments as specified in the contract. They also play a central role in receiving and disbursing funds, as well as handling the essential documents required to transfer ownership of your new home.

Once your loan documents are sent to escrow, you can anticipate a meeting with the escrow officer roughly 1-3 days before the closing date to complete the necessary signings. Then, on the actual day of closing, we will receive confirmation that the ownership documents, notably the deed, have been officially recorded. This significant milestone marks the moment when I can joyfully hand over the keys to your new home, completing the exciting journey to homeownership.

step eight

Moving Day

When the day you've been waiting for finally arrives, I’m here to assist you in orchestrating a successful transition. Typically, you can move begin moving into your new home the day after closing. Whether you're considering some updates before settling in or simply need a reliable mover recommendation, I am well-equipped with valuable resources to support you throughout the entire process. Your seamless move and the enjoyment of your new home are my top priorities.

bonus step

Resource for life

It's important to know that our journey together doesn't conclude when you receive the keys to your new home. As a dedicated real estate professional, I recognize that home ownership is a continuous endeavor. That's why I place great importance on remaining well-informed about all aspects of home ownership. Within my network I maintain a handpicked roster of talented professionals who are readily accessible to support you. Whether you need help switching out a fan, or more extensive such as refining your floors, you can rely on me to connect you with the best resources.

  • "Victoria helped us buy our first-home and she was our rock. She kept a cool head through all the headaches and roadblocks in the closing process and she was extremely generous with her time in answering our deluge of questions. She literally got her hands dirty and fixed the chipped paint that was flagged as an FHA risk. She kept our spirits up when negotiations got tough and through it all she did it with a great attitude and a smile. What a rock star! If you're looking to sell or buy go with Victoria. She'll get you home!"

  • "Victoria is amazing. We were referred by a friend and so thankful that we chose her to help us in our home buying journey. Victoria is patient knowledgeable professional and kind. Moving to a new city can be stressful but Victoria guided our family through the entire process and helped us close on a wonderful home. When buying a home you want someone who is there with you every step of the way knows the neighborhoods and can answer all of your questions. Victoria is that person. We will be recommending her to all of our friends and will go to her again if we ever decide to move."

    Brandon

  • "Working with Victoria to find our new home was an absolute delight. She was on top of everything and smoothly guided us through the complexities of buying a house. She was very responsive quick to get answers for any questions we had friendly and full of tips for making a competitive offer without putting any pressure on us to go beyond what we were comfortable with. We recommend her to anyone looking to buy or sell in Tacoma - thank you Victoria!"

  • "We absolutely loved working with Victoria! We were new to home buying and Victoria made it fun while also being professional! She was always available to answer our questions and to show us houses any time we asked for..which was super important in such a competitive market! Her advice kept us competitive and always kept us informed on next steps! We would absolutely recommend Victoria to anyone looking to buy or sell a home!!"

Victoria Stoughton Real Estate | Buy a house in Pierce County Realtor | Tacoma realtor | Sound Sound Realtor
Victoria Stoughton Real Estate | Buy a house in Pierce County Realtor | Tacoma realtor | Sound Sound Realtor

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