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Start living your dream with Coldwell Banker

We have the expertise, advice and agents to make buying the home of your dreams even easier. Get your journey started with the tips and tools below.

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Guidance for Buyers

Learn the best-practices of home buying with insights from our network of 100,000+ agents.

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Insider Tips to Buying a Home in Today’s Market

It’s always hard to predict the future, especially with the housing market. But one thing is for sure – real estate remains a sound investment.

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How Much House Can You Afford?

Here are the ABC’s of finding a dream house that you can reasonably afford.

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The Two-Month Moving Checklist

For those looking to plan ahead for a move, follow this two-month checklist to keep you on track.

Move Meter® logo

Our Move Meter® lets you compare locations based on living affordability, average home prices, and other important factors.

EXPLORE
0OVERALL MOVE SCORE

The Right Time to Buy

Review the trends and market indicators signaling why now is the ideal time to purchase a home.

26%

of home purchases were by first-time buyers⁴

100K Agents

in 40 Countries¹

TRUST

is what Consumers look for most when choosing a real estate company to work with²

#1

in Agent Trust³

26%

of home purchases were by first-time buyers⁴

100K Agents

in 40 Countries¹

1 Agent count of the entire Coldwell Banker global network, as reported by franchisees and company owned offices, as of 12/31/2022. 2 Quester Consumer Tracking June 2022. 3 Coldwell Banker/Quester Agent Research/Brand Personality Perceptions January 2023. 4 2022 National Association of Realtors 2022 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.

Global Presence. Local Power.

With a network extending across the world, our Coldwell Banker Commercial® professionals are prepared to guide you through every step of buying, selling, or leasing commercial properties, whether it be office or retail space, agricultural land, or something else entirely.

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Testimonials

Accuracy, knowledge, attention to detail, vital communications and above all integrity; what more could you ask for in someone handling something this critical in your life?

Guy R.

We couldn't have asked for a better experience! [Our agent] was respectful, professional, honest, and focused.

Jody and Curtis P.

Honestly, we were expecting the process to be stressful and to have to settle on a home due to our strict timeline, but we ended up with our dream home.

Kyle T.

Your Questions Answered

When you rent, you can generally expect your monthly payments to increase each year and upon leaving your rental property, you have no equity to show for it.
In comparison there are several aspects of homeownership that can make a meaningful difference with regards to your ability to grow wealth over time:

  • Lock in your monthly payment for 15 to 30 years
  • Grow equity as the value of your investment increases over time
  • Deduct mortgage interest on your income taxes
  • Stop making payments when the loan is paid off
  • Remortgage your property as interest rates drop and your credit improves, enabling you to lower your payments, pay your home off faster or tap equity for big expenses

Naturally there are situations when renting may make more sense, but for most, buying will be a better option in the long term.

For many people, buying a home is the largest financial decision they’ll make in their lifetime. When you choose a Coldwell Banker® affiliated agent to represent you, they’ll be by your side every step of the way, giving you the insights and information you need to have confidence in your decision. 

Your Coldwell Banker agent will:

  • Meet with you to discuss your needs and goals, and to plan your property search
  • Help you get pre-approved and establish your budget
  • Show you properties that meet your criteria
  • Keep you informed of new properties that come on the market
  • Work with you until you find the right home
  • Help you determine your offer
  • Negotiate the offer and contract in your best interests
  • Facilitate the home inspection and resolution process
  • Prepare you for closing and the associated costs
  • Keep you updated on the progress of your transaction every step of the way

Your buying agent will represent your needs as a buyer, whereas the seller’s agent represents the seller’s needs and is obligated to help secure them the best possible price. Working through the seller’s agent may undermine your ability to negotiate as any information you share with them (such as a willingness to pay a higher price) is likely to be passed along to the seller.

Use our Agent Search to find a Coldwell Banker agent near you. 

Buying a home can be a complex and daunting process — which is why 87% of buyers start with selecting an agent to be their guide*. 
Our Office Search is an invaluable first step in finding Coldwell Banker® affiliated agents and connecting with the perfect local agent for you.
Below is a basic outline of what you should expect when buying a home.

Obtaining Mortgage Pre-Approval

If necessary, your agent will lead you through qualifying for a home loan and put you in contact with a lender so you can be pre-approved for a mortgage. Although pre-approval is not a final loan commitment, the pre-approval letter will demonstrate your financial strength to sellers, so they are confident you have the ability and qualifications to purchase their home. This can be a crucial differentiator, especially in situations where there might be multiple offers on the same property.

Determining Your Wants and Needs

There are countless aspects to consider when looking at homes: location, amenities, commute times, number of rooms, floor plan, age, square footage, and more. It’s recommended that you identify the most important factors to you before you begin looking to avoid wasting time on properties that don’t meet your standards. You and your agent will discuss your wants and needs in detail, so they can understand exactly what you’re looking for, and the difference between what’s on your wish list and what are deal breakers. 

Selecting Properties to View

Your agent will provide a short list of properties that are most likely to fit your needs so you can determine which you would like to visit in person. They will tour these properties with you, discussing the pros and cons of each and listening carefully to your feedback, which will help them further narrow in on the right property for you.
Your agent can provide detailed information on almost any property currently listed for sale. This includes Coldwell Banker listings as well as other listings on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), homes that you see advertised for sale in the newspaper or online, and properties advertised as “For Sale by Owner.”

Making an Offer

Once you’ve found the home you want to buy, your agent will help you make an offer. The paperwork involved varies based on local requirements, so your agent will advise you on further specifics.
Typically, you will provide your agent with the following information to relay to the seller or their representative:

  • The amount you are willing to pay
  • Mortgage amount
  • Closing and occupancy dates
  • Personal property you want to be included or excluded (appliances, lighting fixtures, swing sets, etc.)
  • Contingencies, such as obtaining a mortgage, building inspections and pest inspections.

Negotiating with Sellers

If the initial offer is not accepted by the seller, further negotiations may be necessary to reach terms that are agreeable to both you and the seller. Counteroffers are common, so it’s important that you remain in close contact with your agent during the negotiation process to quickly review and respond to proposed changes.

Contract to Closing

Once your offer is accepted, your agent will help you write the contract and navigate any remaining details such as required down payments, building inspections and appraisals, contingency dates, obtaining homeowners insurance and more.
In some areas of the U.S., a lawyer may be required or advisable, so where applicable, the buyer will work through their lawyer to negotiate the sales contract once an offer has been accepted.
Ultimately, all parties sign the necessary paperwork to complete the transaction and transfer the property’s title to you. The seller receives payment and you receive the house.

*2022 National Association of REALTORS® Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends.

The more your Coldwell Banker® affiliated agent knows about the type of home you want, the better. Take a minute to think about the features your new home must have as well as what you would ideally like it to have, such as:

  • Exterior – View, architectural style, swimming pool, deck or patio, garage, lakefront, etc.
  • Interior – Floor plan, room size, number bedrooms and bathrooms, living or family room size and location, bonus or game room, kitchen style, dining room, etc.
  • Community/Location – Convenience of commute, transportation options, nearby schooling, retail, and restaurants, proximity to police and fire departments, in addition to appearance of properties in the neighborhood and the average house value related to the area. Use the Move Meter® as a part of your research.

There are many factors that influence the market value of a home and your Coldwell Banker® affiliated agent will give you the insights you need to make a compelling offer that works for you. A few components to consider include:

  • Length of time the home has been on the market
  • Any history of price reductions on the home
  • The estimated market value of the home – your agent will provide a comparable market analysis (CMA) showing the list and sale prices for similar homes in the area
  • Competing offers
  • Other items that might be included in the sale (furniture, hot tub, etc.)
  • The list to sale price ratio, an indication of how competitive the market is for homes in this area
  • The seller’s reasons for selling
  • Whether the seller is offering an assumable loan or financing

Once the offer is written, your agent will present it to the seller’s agent. At that point the seller can accept your offer, reject it, or counter it to start the negotiation process. Your agent will work with you to plan a strategy to ensure the most advantageous terms for you and your budget.

Once your offer has been accepted, the closing process begins. Below are a few of the most common elements that a closing entails.

Home Inspection

Most property sales are contingent on the results of a home inspection, which is paid for by the buyer. The inspection typically occurs within 10 days of offer acceptance and includes a review of the home’s exterior elements like the roof, siding, trim and windows, as well as kitchen and bathroom fixtures and appliances, and major systems like heating and cooling, plumbing and electrical. If defects are discovered during the inspection, you may exercise the remedy described in your offer or negotiate with the seller to determine what repairs will be made.

Title Search

This is a historical review of all legal documents relating to ownership of the property to ensure that there are no claims against the title of the property. It is generally recommended that you also purchase title insurance in case the records contain errors or there are mistakes in the review process.

Appraisal

As a standard part of the mortgage process, your lender will order an appraisal report to ensure that the loan will be guaranteed by the home’s value.

Final Walkthrough

If it’s requested in the contract, you’ll be given the chance to look at the home to make sure it’s in the same condition as when you signed the sales agreement.

Closing Costs

In addition to your deposit and down payment, there are a variety of other costs involved in closing including:

  • Loan origination fees, appraisals and reports
  • Surveys and inspections
  • Mortgage insurance
  • Hazard insurance
  • Taxes
  • Assessments
  • Title insurance, notary and escrow fees
  • Recording fees and stamps
Take the Next Step

Connect with a local Coldwell Banker® affiliated agent for a more personalized estimate and insights into your local market.