How I help you buy a home in the Ann Arbor area

Buying a home is a big decision, and it comes with a lot of steps you may never have seen before. My job is to make sure you understand each one before you get there, so you can make your decision with confidence instead of guesswork.

I help every buyer through the same four steps, in the same order. Ready is the groundwork: getting to know your situation, getting pre-approved, and setting up your search. Educated is learning the market, so you know what your budget buys and how quickly homes move. Aligned is choosing which homes are worth seeing, together. Locked is the offer, the inspection, and everything up to the moment you get your keys.

The steps build on each other. A buyer who is ready and knows the market can act quickly and calmly when the right home appears. That's the goal of this whole plan.

If you're moving from another state, start with how I help with relocating to Ann Arbor. If this is your first home, see my page for first-time buyers.

Buyers often tell me, "I don't even know what a fair price is here." That's the question this step answers, and the answer comes from the market itself.

I start by showing you recent sales in the areas you like. You see what homes actually sold for, not just what sellers are asking. That gives you a realistic sense of what your budget buys in each town and neighborhood.

Then I ask you to watch your home search for a while. Watch what comes on the market at your price. Watch how quickly homes go under contract in the areas you're considering. Over time, you'll get a feel for the market that no website can give you. You'll recognize a well-priced home when you see one, and you'll know when one is likely to move fast.

Learning the market is also an ongoing conversation between us. It starts the first time we talk, and it continues through your whole search. When something changes, like a run of quick sales in one neighborhood or a home that sits longer than expected, I'll tell you what I think it means.

For relocating buyers, this step also covers the area itself: which towns are close to campus, how long the drive is from Dexter or Saline, and what daily life is like in each place. Read more about learning the Ann Arbor area before you move.

When you find the right home, we decide on your offer together. I start by pulling the recent sales of similar homes nearby, so you can see what the home is worth. Then I call the listing agent to find out how much competition there is and what matters most to the seller. Price matters, but so do the other terms, like the closing date. What I learn on that call helps us shape every part of your offer, not just the number.

Once your offer is accepted, things move quickly. We talk about the inspection. If you have an inspector you like, we use them. If not, I can share inspectors I trust. At the same time, we send all of the paperwork to your lender so the loan process can start, and I tell you exactly what I'll need from you up front.

I'll also prepare you for the first few days. They can feel busy and a little hectic, because your lender and I will both be asking you for documents. That pace slows down after the first few days.

Next comes the inspection. Before it happens, I explain what matters most: safety, structural issues, and foundation issues. Every home has a list of small items, and the inspection report will usually include some. We focus on the major concerns and decide together how to handle anything significant that comes up.

As closing gets closer, we talk about where the closing will happen and how your earnest money is applied to your closing costs on closing day. You hear the next step from me before you need to ask.

On closing day, I like to do the final walkthrough right before closing and then go straight to the closing. That way, you've seen the house just before you sign, and you know nothing major has happened to it. In my experience, that's what makes buyers most comfortable.

If you're buying in Ann Arbor or anywhere nearby, call me or send a note. We'll start with your situation, and you can decide from there. If you also have a home to sell, see how I help with trading up and read how I sell a home. Make it a great home selling and buying day.

This page describes my general process. It is not legal, tax, or lending advice.