08/20/2026
My buyer is officially through due diligence and finishing up his financing! 🎉 He is one step closer to getting out of renting and owning his own home! 🏡🔑
If you’re thinking about buying your first home, here’s what the home-buying process can look like at a glance:
📄💵 STEP 1: Get preapproved with a mortgage lender
❓ Why: A preapproval helps you understand what you can realistically afford, explore loan and down payment options, and identify any credit or financial items that may need to be addressed. It also helps you make a strong offer when the right home comes along!
🏡💻 STEP 2: Start touring homes + watching the MLS
❓ Why: This is where you get to compare different homes and figure out what truly fits your wants, needs, budget, and financing. Your Realtor can help you evaluate your options and guide you toward a home that makes sense for your individual situation.
✍️👀 STEP 3: Write + submit an offer
❓ Why: This is where negotiations begin! Key terms in your offer can include the purchase price, earnest money, due diligence period, financing contingency, closing date, and closing attorney.
Depending on the situation, you can also include special requests, such as requesting a termite letter, warranty information, or asking for certain personal property to remain with the home.
🛠️🪜 STEP 4: Due diligence period
❓ Why: Due diligence gives the buyer a period of time to investigate the property and decide whether they want to move forward with the purchase. This is typically when the buyer hires a home inspector, reviews the inspection report, researches the property, and works with their Realtor to negotiate repairs or other terms when appropriate.
One of the most important things to understand about the Georgia due diligence period is that, during that period, the buyer generally has the contractual right to terminate the agreement and receive their earnest money back, subject to the terms of the contract.
💵📄 STEP 5: Financing + appraisal
❓ Why: Once you’re past due diligence, your lender continues working toward final loan approval and gathers any remaining documents needed to close. The lender will also order an appraisal to determine the value of the property.
If the appraisal comes in lower than the purchase price, it can create a financing issue and may lead to further negotiations between the buyer and seller.
⚠️ And remember: Keep your finances as stable as possible during this stage! Avoid making large purchases, opening new credit accounts, changing jobs unnecessarily, or doing anything else that could negatively affect your loan approval. That new car or furniture set can wait until after closing! 😉
✅📝 STEP 6: Clear to close! 🎉
❓ Why: “Clear to close” means the lender has approved the loan and all major requirements have been satisfied for closing.
After your final walkthrough, you’ll head to the closing attorney’s office to sign your documents. Once the closing process is complete and ownership transfers, you get the best part…
🔑 THE KEYS TO YOUR NEW HOME! 🏡🎉
Buying a home can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re doing it for the first time. That’s why having a Realtor who explains the process, communicates with you, and helps you understand what’s happening at each step can make such a difference.
If you’re currently renting and wondering if buying a home could be possible for you, let’s talk! 🏡☺️ Your dream of homeownership may be closer than you think. 🤍
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Disclaimer: This is a general overview of the home-buying process. Specific timelines, rights, and contract terms can vary depending on the purchase agreement, financing, and individual transaction.
