Buyer's Guide
From developing your budget to signing your name on the dotted line, learn more about the home buying process.
From developing your budget to signing your name on the dotted line, learn more about the home buying process.
Buying a home can be one of the most exciting experiences of your life. This can be true whether you’ve purchased several homes or you’re preparing to buy for the first time. With the right support system and the help of a trusted RE/MAX® professional, you can make the most informed decisions. Our guide breaks down the steps of buying a home so you can start the process feeling confident and prepared. From developing your budget to signing your name on the dotted line, you’ll find helpful tips right here. Plus, we are here to help every step of the way.
Before you start looking, consider why you want to buy a home. Are you tired of renting? Do you want to buy an investment property? Figuring out why you want to purchase a home will help you make important decisions down the road. Considering what you want and need out of your home will help you narrow down your home search as well. What neighborhood do you want to live in? How many bedrooms do you need? Knowing your preferences can help with filtering out homes that don’t fit your criteria.
Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you may ever make. Whether you’re buying your first home, relocating, or just moving down the street — you want a trusted professional by your side. Working with a qualified RE/MAX agent can make this process easier, helping guide you through the home search, purchase agreements, inspections, closing matters, and more. Having an agent who has your best interests at heart can ease some of your stress and can help make it go as smoothly as possible.
Knowing your budget up front helps you focus your search and can save you both time and stress. Talking to a mortgage professional can help you to determine your buying power. They can help you to find out how much you can afford, how much you should put towards a down payment, and can walk you through loan options and other costs or fees associated with purchasing a home. Consider asking your agent for a referral; they understand your needs and can help find a professional for your situation.
Once you find a home you’re interested in, your agent can help negotiate a fair offer based on comparable homes in the area. If your offer is accepted, you’ll make a down payment and be officially under contract. During the due-diligence period between signing the purchase agreement and closing on your home, your agent can help you understand the conditions, provisions, and obligations of your contract. They can also help guide you through the appraisal and inspection processes.
This is the final step of your home buying journey. Closing is the official transfer of ownership from the seller to the buyer. At closing, you will sign your mortgage paperwork to solidify your purchase. From there, you officially become a homeowner and will be handed the keys to your new home so you can begin making memories.
We know that location plays an important role in the home buying process. Use the map search available on our website to view homes located in or near the area you love.
Feel confident and informed about your neighborhood choice! On any listing page, you can learn more about the communities you are interested in, including a breakdown of the local population, school ratings and more.
Sign up for an account on our website to save searches, favorite homes you love, receive real-time property alerts, and more!
Available for iOS and Android devices, our app brings the same experience found on our website to your smartphone or tablet. Save searches, favorite listings and schedule showings — all while on the go!
For Sale
1545 Fairway Acres Drive, Lenoir, NC 28645
For Sale
6156 Falls Ridge Trail, Sherrills Ford, NC 28673
For Sale
3453 6th Street Drive NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Pending
550 20th Avenue Court NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Active Under Contract
5962 Alexander Place, Granite Falls, NC 28630
For Sale
1246 Hillsboro Avenue, Hickory, NC 28602
For Sale
5929 & 5932 Mourglea Avenue, Connelly Springs, NC 28612
Active Under Contract
5627 NC 90 Highway E, Hiddenite, NC 28636
Pending
5076 NC Hwy 127 Highway, Taylorsville, NC 28681
Pending
2409 27th Avenue Circle, Hickory, NC 28601
For Sale
173 Eastview Street, Hudson, NC 28638
Active Under Contract
141 Anastasia Lane, Lincolnton, NC 28092
For Sale
1155 Counselor Drive, Newton, NC 28658
Pending
515 W Main Street, Maiden, NC 28650
For Sale
2711 Gold Rush Drive, Lincolnton, NC 28092
Active Under Contract
2182 Mintew Circle, Lincolnton, NC 28092
Pending
0 Catawba Valley Boulevard SE, Hickory, NC 28602
For Sale
1450 & 1452 4th Street Drive NE, Hickory, NC 28601
Pending
1974 NC HWY 127 Highway, Taylorsville, NC 28681
Active Under Contract
00 Bethel Road, Ronda, NC 28642
Active Under Contract
1980 8th Street Lane SE, Hickory, NC 28602
Pending
485 Catawba Valley Boulevard SE, Hickory, NC 28602
Active Under Contract
2098 Rocketts Way, Newton, NC 28658
For Sale
2186 W NC 10 Highway, Newton, NC 28658
Active Under Contract
117 E B Street, Newton, NC 28658
For Sale
2558 Claremont Road, Newton, NC 28658
Active Under Contract
3384 Mays Chapel Circle, Newton, NC 28658
For Sale
2845 Woodgate Drive, Lincolnton, NC 28092
Active Under Contract
2705 N Center Street Unit: 35, Hickory, NC 28601
For Sale
137 12th Street NW Unit: 12/13, Hickory, NC 28601
Pending
2705 N Center Street Unit: 60, Hickory, NC 28601
For Sale
3401 Stony Brook Circle, Newton, NC 28658
For Sale
2430 Tarlton Road, Conover, NC 28613
Pending
5995 Hollow Springs Circle, Boomer, NC 28606
For Sale
2222 15th Avenue NE Unit: 505, Hickory, NC 28601
Active Under Contract
3230 25th Street NE, Hickory, NC 28601
Active Under Contract
517 21st Street SE, Hickory, NC 28602
For Sale
7295 Hillview Road, Vale, NC 28168
For Sale
6401 Alley Road, Catawba, NC 28609
Active Under Contract
929 13th Street SE, Hickory, NC 28602
For Sale
1036 Tranquil Cove Court Unit: 26, Connelly Springs, NC 28612
For Sale
2062 Dockside Place Unit: 304, Connelly Springs, NC 28612
Pending
6435 Sheets Gap Road, Millers Creek, NC 28651
For Sale
63 14th Street SE, Hickory, NC 28602
For Sale
142 26th Street SW, Hickory, NC 28602
For Sale
2045 W Paradise Harbor Drive Unit: 35, Connelly Springs, NC 28612
For Sale
218 Ridge Top Drive Unit: 19, Connelly Springs, NC 28612
For Sale
000 Scenic Lane Unit: 169, Granite Falls, NC 28630
Active Under Contract
0 Carl Fox Road, Burnsville, NC 28714
For Sale
2052 Lighthouse Lane, Connelly Springs, NC 28612
Our agents will secure you a property in this seller's market OR call on one of our legendary agents to give you a free value of what your house is worth. You might be surprised what your house is worth in today's market.
