Home Visit

We'll arrange to visit the homes you've selected, together and in-person, to determine the best fit for you.

How can I make the most of my time when visiting homes?

Get an accurate idea of your price range, an estimate of your monthly payments and a pre-approval letter, so sellers will take you seriously when you make an offer.
Work with your agent to hone your “wants” and “needs” list. Think about what’s most important to you: the location or the house itself.

What should I expect when visiting homes?

You and your agent typically visit homes together
Homeowners usually are not home, so you’re free to spend as little or as much time as you want.
Buyers often have a gut reaction to a home. First impressions count, but you can also consult your agent to learn more about home values and possibly to reevaluate your priorities in the context of what’s available in your price range.

How many homes should I visit?

Sometimes buyers find their future home the first time out and others look at 50 homes before they see one that checks all their boxes. It’s a good idea to see at least a few alternatives so you have some points of comparison, but sometimes you just know a place is where you want to live.

What should I look for when visiting homes?

Look beyond the staging and decorative items to see the features and fixtures that convey with the house.
Check the condition of the home.
Keep track with photos and notes.
Consider possible home improvements you might want to make so you can research costs later.
Don’t forget to check out the outside of the property and the neighborhood. Your Keller Williams agent has access to neighborhood insights and data to help inform your decision.
Locate your commuter route, schools, shops, restaurants, parks and other amenities.
If the property is a condo or located in a homeowners association, find out the fees and rules to see if you can live with them.

Making an Offer

Once you’ve narrowed down your list and have a clear favorite, collaborate with us to make an offer on a home.

What should I include with my offer?

The price
Terms – such as a request for closing cost help or that the offer is subject to your obtaining financing and a home inspection
Target date for closing
Earnest money deposit – your agent can advise you about how big your deposit should be based on local customs and current conditions
Request for final walk-through
Time limit for the offer

What are the most common contingencies?

Financing. Unless you’re paying cash, it’s typical to write your offer with a contingency clause that lets you off the hook if you can’t finalize your mortgage within a certain number of days. Even though you have a pre-approval for a loan, it’s smart to protect yourself.
Home inspection. Your offer can be made dependent on a satisfactory home inspection report within a certain number of days. This protects you if the inspection uncovers expensive necessary repairs.

What happens if I face multiple offers?

Sometimes buyers find their future home the first time out and others look at 50 homes before they see one that checks all their boxes. It’s a good idea to see at least a few alternatives so you have some points of comparison, but sometimes you just know a place is where you want to live.

What should I look for when visiting homes?

Look beyond the staging and decorative items to see the features and fixtures that convey with the house.
Check the condition of the home.
Keep track with photos and notes.
Consider possible home improvements you might want to make so you can research costs later.
Don’t forget to check out the outside of the property and the neighborhood. Your Keller Williams agent has access to neighborhood insights and data to help inform your decision.
Locate your commuter route, schools, shops, restaurants, parks and other amenities.
If the property is a condo or located in a homeowners association, find out the fees and rules to see if you can live with them.

Execute Contract

The crucial period between an offer and a final contract is an important time to stay in close contact with your Keller Williams agent so you’re equipped with all the information you need to make smart decisions.

What should I expect to see in the contract?

Accuracy of information, including the correct spelling of your name and the property address
The effective date of the contract – important because your contingencies have time limits.
A list of contingencies, such as that the sale depends on financing, an appraisal, a satisfactory home inspection and perhaps the sale of your current home.
Property disclosure information from the seller, depending on your state laws.
A complete list of what conveys with the property
A list of required inspections, such as a home inspection and a pest inspection
Information about when you can move in.
In some cases, such as if your offer is contingent on the sale of your home, the seller may add a “kick-out” clause, which means that the seller could accept another offer if one is made before your home is sold.

How do I know when to negotiate and when to let go?

A bidding war drives the price too high
The appraised value of the home is below your offer
A home inspection finds defects that would be expensive to repair
The sellers are unwilling to make reasonable repairs
You learn about homeowners association rules that won’t work for you

What are common contract pitfalls I should avoid?

Unrealistic deadlines: you’ll need time to arrange a home inspection and receive the report, as well as arrange financing
Missing deadlines means you lose your chance to end the contract and keep your deposit
Items that don’t convey with the property: if you’re not sure, ask your agent to confirm
Communications from your lender

Schedule Home Inspection

What is a home inspection?

Your home inspector will check a massive list (more than 1,000 items) of systems, appliances and structures in your home to evaluate its condition. You’ll get a written report that identifies potential problems and future maintenance issues. It’s up to you to decide whether the report means you want to walk away from a house or ask the sellers to make repairs. You can also have an “information only” inspection, which means you’re buying the house as is, but want to know its condition.

What’s included on a home inspection?

Structural conditions such as the foundation, beams and floors
Roof condition
Mechanical systems such as heat and air conditioning
Appliances – to make sure they’re working
Plumbing – for leaks, rust and water pressure
Electrical systems such as grounded outlets and code violations
Safety issues such as stairs, handrails, mold or chimney maintenance

What should I watch for during the home inspection?

You and your agent should attend the home inspection to learn about home maintenance and so you can see any potential problems yourself. The inspector can answer questions as you go, so if there’s anything you don’t understand or are worried could be a problem, just ask.

Questions Before Buying

Home Visit

How can I make the most of my time when visiting homes?

What should I expect when visiting homes?

How many homes should I visit?

What should I look for when visiting homes?

Making an Offer

What should I include with my offer?

What are the most common contingencies?

What happens if I face multiple offers?

What should I look for when visiting homes?

Execute Contract

What should I expect to see in the contract?

How do I know when to negotiate and when to let go?

What are common contract pitfalls I should avoid?

Schedule Home Inspection

What is a home inspection?

What’s included on a home inspection?

What should I watch for during the home inspection?