The buyer's guide
Opening Doors.
Chris's step by step guide to finding where you belong: five stages, what each one involves, why it matters and the tip he gives every client. Read it here or take the PDF with you.
The roadmap, from search to keys.
Click through the five stages. Each one shows what happens, why it matters and what Chris does about it.
Step 1 of 5
Pre-approval
Pre-approval sets the budget and tells sellers you are a serious buyer. It is the foundation for everything that follows.
What it involves
- Connect with a lender to find out how much home you can afford
- Gather pay stubs, tax returns and bank statements
- Receive a pre-approval letter to use during the home search
Why it matters
It narrows the search to homes you can actually buy and gives your offer an edge the moment you find the one.
Step 2 of 5
The home search
Now for the fun part. Chris sends listings that match your budget, size, style and location, then books the showings.
What it involves
- Listings by text or email, your choice, as they hit the market
- Showings scheduled around your work hours, with a calendar invite and a route map
- A quick recap after every tour to refine the search
Why it matters
Every showing is a chance to picture your life in a home. Chris points out the features worth paying for and the red flags worth walking away from.
Step 3 of 5
Making an offer
Found it? Chris crafts an offer built on comparable sales, the seller's motivations and the contingencies that protect you.
What it involves
- A price grounded in comps, not guesswork
- Inspection, financing and appraisal contingencies that keep your earnest money safe
- A closing timeline that works for you and stands out to the seller
Why it matters
A good offer wins the home without overpaying and without giving up the protections you will want later.
Step 4 of 5
Inspections
Once your offer is accepted, a licensed inspector checks the roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and more, usually within 7 to 10 days.
What it involves
- Chris coordinates the inspector and a time you can attend
- You get a detailed report and a plain-language walkthrough of what matters
- Repairs, credits or a price adjustment get negotiated with the seller
Why it matters
No home is perfect. Inspections turn surprises into decisions you make on purpose.
Step 5 of 5
Closing
The lender issues a clear to close, you wire the down payment to the title company and sign the paperwork. Then the home is officially yours.
What it involves
- Final loan approval and a last review of the appraisal
- Down payment wired a day or two before closing, with instructions you can verify by phone
- Signing at the title company, usually 30 to 45 days after your offer is accepted
Why it matters
Closing day is the finish line. Chris is there to make sure every document says what it should before you sign.
What to gather for pre-approval.
Check them off as you collect them. The list stays on this device, so come back anytime.
Documents your lender will ask for
Who pays for what.
The buyer
- Down payment: typically 3% to 20% of the purchase price depending on your loan
- Closing costs: lender fees, title insurance and escrow, usually 2% to 5% of the price
- Prepaid items: property taxes, homeowners insurance and interest for the rest of the month
- Earnest money: about 1% of the price, paid within 1 to 3 days of acceptance and credited back at closing
The seller
- Agent commissions, which are negotiable and set in the listing agreement
- Repairs or credits agreed to after the inspection
- Title transfer fees and any HOA transfer costs
Feeling the closing costs? Chris often negotiates seller concessions to cover part of them. Ask him on the first call.
Jeff Theisen
Employing broker and residential lending expert, Harmony Brokers
Jeff started as a bank teller in 1991, worked in commercial, private and personal banking, earned his real estate license in 2003 and founded Harmony Brokers in 2011 as a one-stop shop for real estate and lending.
(970) 430-9067 ยท jeff@harmonybrokers.com
NMLS 300205, company NMLS 397446, license LMB100023008
Already have a lender? Great. Chris works with whoever you trust.
Questions buyers ask.
No question is too small. If yours is not here, text Chris.
Can I shop for homes before I am pre-approved?
How do I decide how much to offer?
What happens if someone outbids me?
Who pays for the inspection?
What if the inspection finds problems?
Who pays closing costs?
When do I pay the down payment?
Can I back out after making an offer?
What if I lose my job before closing?
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