Start before you start looking
Most people begin by browsing listings. That part is enjoyable, but it is not where a purchase is won or lost.
The buyers who get the home they want are the ones who arrive with their financing already arranged and a clear number they are comfortable with. When a good property appears, they can act the same day. Everyone else is still filling in forms.
So the first conversation we have with you is not about houses. It is about what you can borrow, what you actually want to spend, and what matters enough to compromise on.
The seven steps
Every purchase follows roughly this path. Timings vary, but the order rarely does.
- 1
Get pre-approved
A lender confirms in writing what they will lend you. This takes a few days and costs nothing. Without it, most sellers will not take an offer seriously.
- 2
Agree what you are looking for
Area, size, condition, and the things you will not bend on. We would rather show you four suitable homes than forty that waste your Saturday.
- 3
View properties
We arrange the viewings and come with you. Part of our job is to point out the problems, including the ones that would cost you money later.
- 4
Make an offer
We advise on the number, based on what comparable homes actually sold for rather than what they were listed at, and we handle the negotiation.
- 5
Inspection and appraisal
An independent inspector examines the property and a lender's appraiser values it. Either can change the deal, and sometimes should.
- 6
Final loan approval
Your lender completes underwriting. Keep your finances steady here — a new car loan at this stage can undo the whole thing.
- 7
Closing
You sign, the funds transfer, and the property is yours. We check the paperwork line by line before you sign anything.
What we do that you should not have to
Find what is not listed yet
Some homes sell before they are advertised. We hear about them because we spend all day talking to the people selling them.
Tell you what it is worth
We look at what similar homes actually closed at, not their asking prices. Asking prices are opinions; closing prices are facts.
Negotiate on your behalf
Having someone else make the argument keeps the conversation businesslike, and stops a deal falling apart over a sentence said in frustration.
Read the paperwork
Contracts, disclosures, title documents. We know which clauses matter and which are boilerplate.
Keep everyone moving
Lender, inspector, appraiser, title company, the other side. Chasing them is our work, not yours.
Tell you to walk away
Occasionally the right advice is to stop. We will give it, even though we only get paid if you buy.
Homes available now
Questions buyers ask us
How much deposit do I actually need?
Less than most people assume. Conventional loans can start around 3–5% down, and some government-backed programmes go lower. A larger deposit lowers your monthly payment and can remove mortgage insurance, so it is worth understanding the trade-off rather than guessing. Your lender will give you the exact figures for your situation.
Do I pay you, or does the seller?
We will tell you in writing, before you commit to anything, exactly how we are paid and by whom. Commission arrangements changed across the industry in 2024 and are now negotiated openly rather than assumed. Ask us directly — it is a fair question and it deserves a straight answer.
How long does it take?
From accepted offer to keys in hand, usually 30 to 45 days if your financing is arranged. Finding the right home is the unpredictable part: some buyers find it in a fortnight, others look for six months. We would rather you took the six months than settled.
Should I buy before I sell?
It depends entirely on whether you can carry both at once, and on how quickly homes are moving locally. There are ways to bridge the gap, each with a cost. This is a conversation to have with us early, not something to work out mid-move.
Is the inspection worth the money?
Yes. It is a few hundred dollars against a purchase of several hundred thousand, and it is the only stage where an independent professional looks at the property with no interest in whether you buy it. Read the report yourself, not just the summary.
What would it cost each month?
Move the sliders to see what a home would actually cost each month. The payment shown includes property tax, insurance and HOA dues — not just the loan, which is the number most calculators stop at.
Per year, as a percentage of the home value.
Per year.
Per month. Leave at zero if there are none.
Only charged while you owe more than 80% of the value.
Estimated monthly payment
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- Principal & interest
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- Property tax
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- Home insurance
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- Mortgage insurance
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- HOA dues
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- Amount borrowed
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- Down payment
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- Total interest over the life of the loan
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- Total of all payments
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The Legacy Estates Group
Mortgage Calculator
Datos ingresados
Desglose
(408) 824-4428 · info@thelegacyestatesgroup.com · thelegacyestatesgroup.com
These figures are estimates for planning only. They are not a loan offer, a quote, or advice. Interest rates, taxes, insurance, and closing costs vary by lender, property, and location. Confirm every number with your lender and a licensed professional before making a decision.
Start with a conversation, not a viewing
Half an hour on the phone will tell you more about what is possible than a month of browsing. There is no cost and no obligation.