Buyer's Guide

Step 1: Research

Do you already know where you want to buy? If you want a condo, townhome, or single-family home? Which features do you like and dislike? What’s available on the market now? If you answered no to any of these questions, now is the time to start researching. In addition to looking for homes that interest you, also take note of any changes in asking prices. This could give you valuable insight into housing trends in specific neighborhoods and help you when the time comes to make an offer.

A living room with a fireplace and a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall.

Step 2: Decide on Your Budget

Notice I said to decide on your budget—not determine how much the mortgage company will give you. In many cases, a mortgage company will pre-approve you for more than you’re comfortable spending, which is why you need to determine the monthly payment you feel comfortable with before talking to a lender. This likely includes doing a full household budget and taking into consideration what changes other than a mortgage payment will occur once you move into your new home. If you’ve lived in an apartment or with roommates, you may overlook new expenses like garbage, water, or HOA fees that could easily blow your budget.

Step 3: Get Prequalified

Just because you think you can afford a certain payment every month doesn’t mean the mortgage company will agree. Just as they may approve you for too large of an amount, they may also approve you for a lesser amount or deny you a mortgage altogether. Lack of time at a job, insufficient credit, past bankruptcies, or other financial issues can cause major problems when trying to secure a mortgage. Before you get your heart set on a home, talk to a mortgage professional to find out what amount you can qualify for. This will also be an advantage when you make an offer on a home, as some sellers won’t entertain offers from those who aren’t already prequalified for a loan.

A hallway featuring light walls, dark wood floors, a white bench, wooden stairs, and a lamp with a white shade on the left.

Step 4: Choose a Real Estate Agent

Can you shop for, look at, and ultimately make an offer on a home without a real estate agent? Technically yes, but why would you when you can work with an expert and remove an unburden stress or unforeseen complications? Not only will I help identify properties you might be interested in, arrange showings, and ultimately handle the offer process, but I also have a knowledge of the market that you don’t possess. Finding the perfect home can be a daunting task, this is where my expertise and wealth of knowledge come into play. Let me show you around some homes that meet your dream home criteria so you can find the one that's right for you.

Step 5: Find the Right Home

This should be the most enjoyable step of the entire process (other than moving in!). I will arrange showings of homes you’re interested in that are within your price range. Take notes about what you like and don’t like, and make sure to pay attention to details. Turn light switches on and off, open and close doors, and run the faucets in various rooms. Don’t limit your inspection to the home itself. Make sure to take time to explore the neighborhood and keep an eye on traffic at certain times of the day, the parking situation, and how close it is to necessities like schools and grocery stores.

Step 6: Make an Offer

Once you have selected your desired property, work with your agent to create a fair offer based on the value of comparable homes on the market. Depending on what the home is listed at and whether the current environment is a buyer’s or seller’s market, your offer may be below, at, or even above the asking price. I will be able to help you negotiate if you receive a counteroffer and reach an agreement. At this point, the house will go into escrow.

Step 7: Have the Home Inspected

In most cases, your offer will be contingent on having the home inspected to ensure there is no major structural damage or large repairs needed. I can help you arrange this, and you can schedule it within days of making an offer. If there are no major issues, the process goes to step eight. If there is, you can renegotiate your offer based on what needs to be fixed, or you can withdraw it.

Step 8: Select Your Loan

Now is the time to go back to the mortgage lender who pre-approved or pre-qualified you and choose your mortgage. You will be presented with various options based on your unique financial situation, including fixed-rate, variable-rate, 15-year, 30-year, or special programs such as VA loans or FHA loans. Work with your mortgage lender to select the option you feel the most comfortable with.

Step 9: Get a Home Appraisal

Your lender will have your new home appraised so they have their independent value of it. The appraisal is to ensure that all parties involved are paying a fair price for the house.

Step 10: Finish Paperwork

No one looks forward to all the paperwork involved in buying a home, but it’s a necessary part of the process. Fortunately, everything will be arranged by your lender and title company and, when you’re finished, you’ll know you are the legal owner of your new home.

My Testimonials

See why my clients love working with me.

All American Electric ~ Napa, California

Ms. Cessna Barrett is one of the most wonderful people to work with! You can tell by her attention to detail that she is passionate about every project she takes on. From the way she intricately describes her clients' desires, ...

Jerri and John P.

We had a complicated and sensitive private sale at the far end of the state, with so many moving parts it was akin to herding cats. Cessna did a terrific job of pulling together all the necessary outside resources and of keepin...

John and Susan D.

Cessna made a very overwhelming home buying process understandable and memorable. She exhibited a polished business acumen that resulted in excellent relations with the seller, worked in the best interests of our timeline with ...

Sean and Kristen K.

Cessna is a hardworking and dedicated Realtor®. Not only is she a great Realtor® who really knows the "ins and outs" of the business, she's also a very caring and genuine woman who strives for perfection. Cessna is wonderful to...

Anne W.

Cessna was an absolute pleasure to work with delivering on every aspect of the sale of my home from staging to repairs to negotiating the sale. She exceeded my expectations and broke a sales record in my neighborhood. She had a...

Agnes P.

Cessna Barrett is an amazing Realtor® who worked very hard to get us in to our new home every step of the way. She is professional, very experienced, detail-oriented, and a great advocate. Even when buying a new home from a dev...

Justin and Tiffany M.

I contacted Cessna after we lost our home in the 2020 Wildfires to help find a rental. She was not the point person on the property we were interested in but offered to help regardless. The property was no longer available but ...

Kimberly J. and Guy C.

Cessna worked with my husband and me to sell our unit at Calistoga Ranch. We had several helpful conversations with her in which she listened well, got to know our needs, and gave excellent advice in just the right way. Despite...

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Buyer's Guide

Step 1: Research

Step 2: Decide on Your Budget

Step 3: Get Prequalified

Step 4: Choose a Real Estate Agent

My goal is to provide you with the most personalized service that is designed to help you buy your dream home.

Step 5: Find the Right Home

Step 6: Make an Offer

Step 7: Have the Home Inspected

Step 8: Select Your Loan

Step 9: Get a Home Appraisal

Step 10: Finish Paperwork

Congratulations!