Buying a home is likely the biggest financial decision you will ever make. Whether this is your first purchase or you are an experienced buyer, the process requires careful planning. Here is exactly what to expect, step by step.
Before even browsing Zillow, before touring homes, before falling in love with something you may not be able to afford, the first step is getting pre-approved. This is non-negotiable. A pre-approval tells you exactly what you can spend, strengthens any offer you make, and shows sellers you are a serious buyer. Skipping this step wastes everyone's time, including yours.
Courtney recommends Dakota Baisa, her wife and the co-owner of Powell Home Mortgage, who specializes in residential, construction, and investment real estate. Dakota, or your preferred lender, will review your credit, income, and assets and give you a clear number to work with. Once you have that, the search becomes a lot more focused and a lot less frustrating.
To get pre-approved, you will need to pull together your green file. Lenders will ask for:
• Financial statements (bank accounts, investments, credit cards, auto loans)
• Recent pay stubs
• Two years of tax returns
• Copies of leases for any investment properties
• 401K statements, life insurance, stocks, bonds, and mutual account information
Your credit score and DTI (debt to income ratio) are also a big part of this process. They both directly affect your interest rate and how much you can borrow. Your lender will research your ratings across all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). If your score needs work before applying, Courtney has a credit repair specialist she can refer you to.
Now that you know your budget, get clear on your goals. Are you tired of paying rent and ready to build equity? Have you outgrown your current home? Are you looking for an investment property or rental? A clear sense of your priorities helps Courtney find the right property, not just any property.
This is not the time for major career changes or large purchases. Approach your property purchase from a position of financial stability.
Buying a property involves complex financial decisions, a lot of paperwork, and time-sensitive negotiations. You need a full-time agent who knows this market inside and out, is available when you need her, and is genuinely invested in your outcome, not just the commission.
Courtney is deeply embedded in the Carmel, Westfield, Zionsville, Whitestown, Sheridan, Cicero, and greater Hamilton County market. She has built homes herself, so she understands construction quality, city codes, and what to look for that most agents would miss. She also gives her clients access to listings before they hit the general market. In a competitive area like Hamilton County, that edge makes a real difference.
Get to know the neighborhoods that interest you. Drive around. Get a feel for what it would be like to live there. Narrow your list to a few top picks, then Courtney will schedule private showings and help you evaluate each one carefully, including the long-term resale value.
Once you have found the right property, Courtney will help you put together a strong, strategic offer. She will research comparable sales, flag potential costs, and structure the offer in a way that gives you an advantage. In a competitive market, how an offer is written can be just as important as the price.
After your offer is accepted, a licensed inspector will review the property within the agreed-upon timeframe. Depending on the outcome, one of two things happens:
All contingencies are satisfied and you move forward to close
Issues are identified and you renegotiate the terms or price
If financing is involved, your lender will also arrange an appraisal to confirm the property's value. Stay in close contact with your lender as closing approaches to make sure everything is on track.
A title company or attorney will serve as the closing agent. They will verify that the title is clear and handle all final documents. Courtney will keep you on schedule every step of the way so there are no surprises on closing day.
Luxury real estate demands strategy, precision, and insight. With a data-driven approach, expert marketing, and a deep understanding of buyer behavior, every step is designed to maximize results and deliver a seamless, elevated experience.
