buying a home
Reeling In Your Real Estate Adventure
My real estate business is dedicated to serving my clients with a concierge-style approach that removes the stress from the home buying process, allowing you to focus on the excitement of finding your new home. I love helping clients discover their dream homes—places that truly fit their unique needs and lifestyles.
I work with each client individually, taking the time to understand your specific lifestyle, needs, wants, and dreams for your new home. This process goes beyond just the number of bedrooms or a particular zip code; it's about a significant change in your life. I’m committed to making this transition smooth and enjoyable for you.
I’m here to walk beside you as you step into your next adventure, providing guidance and support every step of the way.
Things to Consider Before Buying
A Changing Household
Shop for a place that meets your current needs but also consider one that can adapt to a changing household. While you may have a five-year plan, unexpected changes—like those seen in 2020—can affect your requirements for bedrooms, bathrooms, and overall square footage. Plan ahead by considering how potential life changes might impact your space needs.
Fitting your Budget
When you buy a home, you take on recurring costs that you don't have to worry about as a renter. Look for a home that fits your budget, considering all living expenses—mortgage, utilities, trash pick-up, sewage fees, and homeowner's association dues. Your lender won't consider these costs when approving your home loan, so obtaining estimates for these expenses can help you feel more confident in your home-buying decision.
notice the details
Your new home may not come with many frills or luxury features - but all the basics should be in good condition. Thoroughly inspect prospective properties. Before any purchase is made, hiring a professional inspector can alleviate problems down the road. I’m here to guide you through this key step, with a list of qualified inspectors to assist.
Future Costs
Beyond identifying cosmetic and structural flaws before you buy, it's essential to understand the lifespan of the home's components. How long until you need to replace the roof, appliances, furnace, or carpet? While everything may be in working order now, all homes eventually require these types of repairs. Researching the expected remaining life of major items can help you plan for future expenses.
A Perfect Fit
Your new home may not be perfect, but it can still be the right one. Finding the right home is about prioritizing. Together, we'll create a list of "must-haves," "nice-to-haves," and "not necessary to haves." Only you can determine the importance of each amenity, but together, we can find the perfect fit!
The Changing Seasons
Whether you're shopping for a home on a sunny summer day with an iced coffee in hand or trudging through the rain in boots and an umbrella, consider every season, especially in Wisconsin. How does the yard look during the snowy/rainy season? If you have to stay inside for weeks, will the view bring you joy? Will there be enough natural light during the shorter winter days? While it's easy to see a home in its current season, imagining it throughout the year is key to long-lasting enjoyment.
What’s Your Top 10?
This is just to get you thinking about what you really need in a home, and what you really want, as well.
Let’s start with the basics:
The Lifestyle
• Who will be living in the home that we are looking for?
• Will you have regular guests to consider? (e.g., parents, step-kids, etc;)
• Are there special needs to take into account? Pets?
• When you look out of your window, what would be your ideal view?
• What do you do for fun that you would like to be closer to?
The Great Outdoors
• What size lot would you like?
• What kind of terrain? Do you need/want a garden area? Sheds or outdoor storage buildings?
• Are you looking for an outdoor entertaining space?
• What about an outdoor kitchen?
• Will you need an established shed or greenhouse?
• Do you want a firepit?
• Will you need a fenced yard?
• What is your landscaping style?
• Do you want a deck? Patio? Covered or open?
The Actual Home
• How many bedrooms do you want/need?
• Will you need more beds/baths in the future?
• Is the date that the home was built important to you?
• Are you looking for a dream home, or something to put some of your own heart and elbow grease into?
• What type of home? (e.g., single-family, condo, town house, etc.)
• What size house are you looking for (square footage)?
• How many stories do you want (if any)?
• What architectural styles do you prefer?
• Do you have an exterior siding preference?
• Is your style Modern? Classic? Contemporary? Cozy?
• Where do you want to live? Do you have a neighborhood in mind?
• What’s the farthest that you are willing to travel on a daily commute?
• Are local schools an important part of your decision?
• What kind of local community are you looking for?
• Is convenience to public transportation a high priority?
Living Spaces
• Do you want a formal living room? A great room? Bonus room? Do you want an open floor plan? (e.g., do you need a place for the kids to have their own space? Do you want a space for entertaining guests?)
• How much space do you need in the living room?
• Do you want a view from the living room? Access to the backyard, deck or patio from this space?
• Does an open floor plan include the kitchen/dining area?
• Do you want built-in cabinetry in the living space?
• What kind of laundry room/space do you need?
• Do you want a fireplace?
Kitchen, Dining & Entertaining
• Do you have any “dream appliances” that you would like to have? (e.g., stainless steel appliances, Wolf Double Oven, etc)
• Do you want a breakfast nook?
• What about a formal dining room?
• What size kitchen would you like?
• Do you want a galley kitchen? An “L” shape? Open floor plan?
• Do you want a peninsula or an island?
• Do you want a pantry?
• What are your ideal finishes? (e.g.; “I would love a farmhouse sink!” or “I adore tile backsplashes...”)
Relax & Rejuvenate
• How many bedrooms should the home have?
• What is the size requirement of each bedroom?
• Do you want the bedrooms located on the same floor or spread across multiple levels?
• Do you want the primary bedroom to have an en-suite bathroom?
• What kind of closet space do you want in each bedroom?
• What kind of floor coverings are you hoping for (carpet, hardwood, laminate, etc.)?
• Do you want any unique features in the bedrooms, such as built-in shelves or room for an office space?
• Do you want a private entrance or balcony?
Finding Your New Home
getting into the details
We’ll discuss all the wonderful aspects of what you envision for your new home, along with practical considerations like size, price, number of bedrooms, and bathrooms. We’ll establish your search criteria, and once you have your pre-approval from your lender, we’ll start shopping! Don’t have a lender in mind? No worries! I have long-standing relationships with some of the best in the industry and can provide excellent recommendations based on your needs.
When you’ve found the home you want to buy, I’ll guide you through completing the Offer to Purchase. This contract outlines the details of the property transfer between you and the seller. If the market is competitive, we’ll discuss strategies to make your offer stand out. I will explain the current situation and how we can optimize your chances of success.
Next, we’ll bring in a home inspector to look beyond the cosmetics and ensure that the home’s systems are in proper working order. The inspector will identify any significant repairs needed and report on the overall condition of the home.
Once we’re through inspections and your loan is finalized, it’s on to closing, handing you the keys, and moving in! I’ll be there to guide you each step of the way—even after closing, when you have questions or need a vendor recommendation. You’re not just a client, you’re a friend for life!