Buyer's Guide

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Step 1: Research

Have you decided where you want to buy? Are you leaning toward a condo, townhome, or single-family home? What features do you love or want to avoid? And do you know what’s currently available on the market? If you’re unsure about any of these, now’s the perfect time to start your research. Explore homes that catch your eye and pay attention to any shifts in asking prices. Tracking these changes can provide valuable insight into housing trends in specific neighborhoods, giving you an edge when it’s time to make an offer.

Step 2: Decide on Your Budget

Let’s focus on deciding our budget—not just figuring out how much the mortgage company is willing to lend us. Often, a lender may pre-approve us for more than we’re actually comfortable spending, which is why it’s important for us to set a monthly payment we’re comfortable with before talking to a lender. This will likely involve creating a complete household budget and considering the changes in expenses that will come with moving into our new home. If we’ve been living in an apartment or with roommates, we might overlook new costs like garbage, water, or HOA fees, which could easily push us over our budget.

Step 3: Get Prequalified

Just because you think you can afford a certain monthly payment doesn’t mean the mortgage company will agree. They may approve you for more or less than you expect, or deny you altogether due to job history, credit, or past financial issues. Before getting attached to a home, consult a mortgage professional to know what you can qualify for. This also gives you an advantage when making an offer, as some sellers require prequalification.

Step 4: Choose a Real Estate Agent

Can you shop for, view, and make an offer on a home without a real estate agent? Technically, yes—but why would you, when it costs you nothing to have an agent like me handle much of the stress for you? We’ll help identify properties that match your interests, arrange showings, and guide you through the offer process. Plus, we have valuable market knowledge that you might not have. Finding the perfect home can be overwhelming, but with our expertise, we can make it easier. Let us show you homes that fit your dream home criteria, so we can find the one that's right for you.

Step 5: Find the Right Home

This should be one of the most enjoyable steps of the entire process (besides moving in, of course!). We'll arrange showings of homes within your price range that catch your interest. As you explore, take notes on what you like and don’t like, and pay attention to the details. Test light switches, open and close doors, and check the faucets in different rooms. Don’t just focus on the house—make sure to explore the neighborhood too. Pay attention to traffic at different times of the day, the parking situation, and how close the home is to essentials like schools and grocery stores.

Step 6: Make an Offer

Once you've found the perfect home, we'll work together to craft a fair offer based on comparable properties. Depending on the market, your offer may be below, at, or above the asking price. We’ll handle the submission, ensuring all documents are accurate and timely. Our team will communicate with the seller’s agent, negotiate on your behalf, and keep you updated throughout the process.

Step 7: Have the Home Inspected

In most cases, your offer will be contingent upon having the home inspected to check for any major structural damage or necessary repairs. We can help arrange this, and you can schedule it soon after making an offer. If no significant issues are found, we move on to the next step. If there are problems, you can renegotiate the offer based on the repairs needed, or choose to withdraw.

Step 8: Select Your Loan

Now it's time to return to your mortgage lender and choose your mortgage. Based on your financial situation, you'll be offered options like fixed-rate, variable-rate, 15-year, 30-year, or special programs like VA or FHA loans. Work with your lender to select the option that suits you best.

Step 9: Get a Home Appraisal

Your lender will arrange for an appraisal of the home to determine its independent value. This ensures that everyone involved is paying a fair price for the property.

Step 10: Finish Paperwork

While no one enjoys the paperwork that comes with buying a home, it’s an essential step in the process. The good news is that your lender and title company will handle everything, and once it's all completed, you’ll have official ownership of your new home.

Testimonials

See what our clients have to say about us

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Kim C.

Caroline is “simply the best. Better than all the rest.” I have sold two homes and purchased two homes using Caroline as my realtor. It is an honor to work with her. Her knowledge of San Antonio neighborhoods is imperative when...

Meggan L.

Caroline was a treasure trove of knowledge in the process of selling our home. She made us feel like our house was on her mind all the time. She was very communicative, direct, and hard working. Caroline does whatever it takes ...

Julia M.

Caroline assisted us in purchasing our current home and once it was under contract selling our prior home in record time. Given our time constraints and dueling contracts, the process was extremely challenging. However, Carolin...

Jeff D.

When you use the word ‘Blessing’ to describe your Realtor, it’s a compliment that exceeds compliments. Caroline Decherd was such a surprise providing service that exceeded expectations. You will not find a realtor that can prof...

Mallory B.

Caroline Decherd is a rare combination of professionalism and insightful compassion. I have dealt with her on a number of transactions and have always been impressed by her unwavering commitment to excellence, honesty, hard wor...

Bryan D.

We currently live in California so communication was of the utmost importance with this process. There were a number of amendments, considerations, inspections, etc that were needed and Caroline was constantly there to ensure a...

Bob P.

This was my second transaction with Ms. Decherd in the last year. She is very knowledgeable, especially in the area we were looking, always on time, and communicated well. Ms. Decherd has a very pleasant demeanor and always smi...

Gerardo A.

Without a doubt, the best Realtor I have dealt with by far. Extremely knowledgeable, trustworthy, and efficient. A true pro. She guided me through a difficult process with ease. She was very organized and helpful. I have the ut...

Kristen M.

Caroline is amazing to work with. She is absolutely professional in every way. She is very quick to respond to phone calls, text and email. She is so knowledgable and has so many contacts, you just can’t go wrong. She goes abov...

Margie B.

Caroline Decherd helped me stage my home for a quick and lucrative sale. She has shown me many properties over the past several years. She has a keen sense of investment properties and also luxury homes. She is always professio...

Shannon G.

The best! So easy to work with, extremely knowledgable, professional, and just a great person. She gets my highest recommendation. She sold my house on the very first day it was on the market. She found me the beautiful house t...

Pierre O.

Caroline listened, communicated and understood my needs and concerns. My house sold quickly and above the asking price. She was present from beginning to end, including the showing of my home, the inspection process and closing.

Anne C.

I have been so amazed by Caroline Decherd. She’s incredibly attentive and always taking my calls and texts even at odd hours! She’s sweet and great to work with. I’d recommend her to a friend for sure, and in fact, I have!

Annie S.

Caroline is the hardest working, most positive, can-do agent I’ve ever dealt with, and we’ve bought and sold 6 houses. She made the process easy and problem-free. I will recommend her highly enough!

Brigitte W.

I highly recommend Caroline. She worked consistently to market my property in fresh and innovative ways. She was excellent counsel through the entire selling process.

Mary R.

Caroline Decherd worked tediously, applying her vast knowledge of the San Antonio real estate market, to find us a property that was perfect for our family!

Derek S.

Caroline was extremely helpful and made the process of buying our townhome easy. She was recommended by a family member and I can clearly see why.

Bob P.

Caroline was truly concerned about finding us the right house and persevered through many showings to do so. We would highly recommend her!

Moises C.

Caroline was great. Excellent communication on all aspects of my sale and very helpful with the multitude of details. Highly recommended.

Jim A.

Excellent, professional, efficient service, and a definite pleasure to work with.

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Please complete the following form to download the full Buyer's guide

Step 1: Research

Step 2: Decide on Your Budget

Step 3: Get Prequalified

Step 4: Choose a Real Estate Agent

Passion & Expertise

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!

Testimonials

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Kim C.

M

Meggan L.

J

Julia M.

J

Jeff D.

M

Mallory B.

B

Bryan D.

B

Bob P.

G

Gerardo A.

K

Kristen M.

M

Margie B.

S

Shannon G.

P

Pierre O.

A

Anne C.

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Annie S.

B

Brigitte W.

M

Mary R.

D

Derek S.

B

Bob P.

M

Moises C.

J

Jim A.

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Contact Details

Caroline Decherd

Susanne Marco

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