Buying a home can feel like a lot, especially if it is your first time or it has been a while since you last went through the process. Between lenders, attorneys, inspections, and closing paperwork, it is easy to feel like you are supposed to already know how everything works.
But underneath all the moving parts, the process follows a fairly predictable path. Once you know what is coming at each stage, much of that overwhelm starts to fade.
Here is how it breaks down, from start to finish.
1. Define Your Needs and Wants
Before looking at a single listing, we sit down and get clear on what you actually need versus what you want. We discuss bedrooms, location, commute, school district, must-haves, and nice-to-haves.
For most buyers, the criteria changes after they begin seeing homes, but we need to start somewhere.
From there, we set you up with Compass One so you can easily view properties that fit your criteria.
2. Line Up Your Lender
Getting pre-approved should happen early, not after you've already fallen in love with a house.
We can recommend a lender who fits your situation. We are also happy to connect you with an attorney if you need one, since attorneys typically play a central role in Connecticut real estate closings.
3. Get Out in the Field
This is where you start touring homes, and it is typically the longest part of the process.
Seeing properties above, below, and at your budget helps you understand what your money actually buys in the current market.
The more homes you see, the less guessing you will have to do later.
4. Found the Home? Time for Offer Strategy
Once you find the right home, we build an offer strategy together rather than simply picking a number out of thin air.
Price matters, but so do the terms, including contingencies, timelines, deposits, and how the entire offer is structured.
The goal is always the same: to give you the best possible chance of securing the home, whether it is your first purchase or your fifth.
5. Offer Accepted
Good news, the Seller accepted your offer!
Now it’s time to schedule your inspections. If anything significant comes up, we will help you evaluate the findings and negotiate any concerns with the seller.
6. Attorney Review and Contracts
After inspections are completed, your attorney will review and negotiate the contract. This stage is usually completed within five to ten days of an accepted offer, although every transaction is different.
This is also when you will need to be ready for your contract deposit, typically 10% of the purchase price, though exceptions may be negotiated depending on the deal.
7. Appraisal and Lender Documentation
Your lender will order the appraisal and will likely request additional documents from you along the way.
The faster you respond to those requests, the more smoothly this stage tends to move.
8. Complete the Pre-Closing Checklist
As closing approaches, there are several final items to complete:
- Obtain homeowner's insurance
- Complete the title review with your attorney
- Complete any necessary municipal searches with your attorney
- Transfer the utilities
- Schedule the final walkthrough
- Confirm that any agreed-upon repairs have been completed
9. Closing Day
On or shortly before closing day, you will complete the final walkthrough to confirm that the home is in the expected condition.
At closing, you will sign the remaining documents and, once the transaction is complete, receive your keys.
Most transactions close within 30 to 60 days of the accepted offer, although every timeline is a little different.
10. Congratulations, You Are a Homeowner
That's it. You made it through the roadmap, and now you get to enjoy the home you found.
Every deal has its own pace and its own wrinkles. Some move quickly, while others hit a snag or two along the way. That is completely normal.
That is why we build a custom timeline for every buyer we work with, so you always know what is coming next instead of having to guess.
If you're thinking about starting this process, let's talk. We will walk through where you are now and map out what the next step looks like for you.