Looking to Become a Homeowner?

Milwaukee REALTORS® focused on

Elevating your First Time Home Owner Experience...

When buying your first Home, like in most processes, the more you know, the easier it will be. We provide a complementary planning session to help you decide on what you want out of your real estate purchase. Furthermore, the planning session will help you anticipate and prepare for challenges that we can possibly face during the process.

or download our homebuyer guide

I really want to buy a Home but
WHERE DO I START?

Our REALTORS® are trusted

First-Time Home Buyer Advisors

Obtaining a

Pre Approval

Before you begin to make offers on properties, it might be in your best interest to get pre-approved for a loan. Pre-approval means you have met with a loan officer, your credit files have been reviewed and the loan officer believes you can readily qualify for a given loan amount with one or more specific mortgage programs. Based on this information, the lender will provide a pre-approval letter, which shows your borrowing power.

Choosing your

REALTOR®

The need of every family is different, so it is important to formulate a list of the features and benefits you want in a home. Consider things such as pricing, location, size, amenities and design. Then, meet with one of our REALTORS® to discuss the Local Market, receive an Agency Disclosure, receive a homebuyer guide, discuss the Offer to Purchase Process, and coordinate the best times to see potential homes.

Monitoring and

Search

Once you make the decision to buy a particular house as the prospective buyer, you must sign a WB11 Residential Offer to Purchase, Lead Based Paint Disclosure (Addendum S), Seller Real Estate Condition Report, and possibly other Addendums. These are extremely important documents. Nevertheless, when the seller accepts an offer, it becomes a contract and you can be compelled to buy the property on the terms stated.

Offer and

Negotiations

Once your have a contract is time to make your lender aware of your accepted offer and start your formal mortgage application and processing. After you receive the Accepted Offer documents; you must provide a deposit also known as Earnest Money. Contingencies like proof of a merchantable title, inspections, testings, financing, and appraisal have deadlines. Your reThought REALTOR® will work closely with you and local service providers to ensure your best interest while deadlines are met. Contingency deadlines are extremely important!!!

Deadlines and

Contingencies

From the moment your loan officer receive the Accepted Offer documents by your reThough REALTOR® until 3 days before closing, there are many things that happen in the background to achieve a final approval. The loan officer will provide you with a Loan Estimate that showcases the money you will potentially need at closing. Verification of employment and tax returns will need to happen. It is vital that you do not get or use any credit cards/account. The Loan Officer will let you know through a Loan Commitment Letter once your loan has been APPROVED!

Walkthrough and

Closing

Once you have a FINAL APPROVAL, your loan officer will send or show you a FINAL DISCLOSURE. The final disclosure will show how much money you would need to bring to closing. Once the final disclosure are signed by the prospective homebuyer, closing can take place. Not without first waiting 3 business days per the TRID rules. At closing you will sign many documents including but not limiting to a promissory note, and more copies of disclosures. Once the seller receives the funds, you can officially receive YOUR HOUSE KEYS!

Real Simple. Real Skills. Real Results.

already pre-approved? View Homes for Sale

Download our own

Milwaukee First Time
Home Buyer Guide

Being a Milwaukee first-time home buyer is exciting! But I know it can also feel overwhelming—especially when you see homes flying off the market in just weeks.

With real estate trends like those in Milwaukee, you might be tempted to make an impulsive purchase!

No first-time home buyer wants that! Trust me, you guys, it’s worth buying your first home the right way. And that means buying a home that you love and doesn’t hurt your future money goals.

We’ve put together a guide for first-time home buyers in Milwaukee and surrounding counties. The guide tackles the home-buying process.

Follow this guide so your first home is a blessing, not a burden!

First Time Home Owner Guide

or view Homes for Sale

Happy First Time Homebuyer