A Clear Path From Pre-Approval to Closing
Buying a home involves important financial, property, and contract decisions. Our San Antonio home buying process gives you a clear step-by-step plan—from establishing your budget and searching for the right property to inspections, negotiations, financing, and closing. Keith & Sheila will guide you throughout the process while protecting your interests and keeping you informed.
Your goals, timeline, and long-term interests guide every step.
Your 11-Step Home Buying Process
1. Consultation and Financing Preparation
We begin by discussing your goals, timeline, preferred areas, property needs, and financing options. We can connect you with experienced lenders for a full pre-approval and help eligible military buyers understand VA loan benefits, including possible zero-down financing and no monthly private mortgage insurance.
2. Establish Your Budget and Priorities
We help you consider the complete cost of homeownership, including the mortgage payment, property taxes, insurance, HOA fees, utilities, maintenance, and possible repairs. Then we separate essential property needs from preferences to create a focused search plan.
3. Begin Your Home Search
We identify available properties that match your price range, location, commute, lifestyle, and long-term goals. Your search may include pre-owned homes, new construction, VA-assumable properties, acreage, or other specialized options.
4. Tour and Evaluate Properties
During showings, we help you look beyond finishes and décor. We consider the home’s condition, major systems, visible concerns, improvements, neighborhood, resale potential, and how well it supports your long-term needs.
5. Prepare and Submit Your Offer
Once you find the right home, we review comparable sales and discuss price, financing, earnest money, option period, closing date, seller concessions, and other contract terms. Then we prepare an offer designed to protect your interests while remaining competitive.
6. Complete the Option Period and Inspection
After the contract is accepted, we help coordinate inspections and evaluate the findings. Keith’s experience from completing more than 4,000 inspections as a former Texas Professional Home Inspector provides valuable perspective when reviewing concerns and negotiating repairs, credits, or other solutions.
7. Complete Financing and Appraisal
Your lender will verify financial documents, finalize underwriting, and order the appraisal. We will monitor the appraisal and financing deadlines, communicate with the lender and title company, and help address issues that could affect approval or closing.
8. Review Title, Survey, and Property Documents
The title company will research ownership and provide the title commitment. We help you track important documents and deadlines involving the title commitment, survey, HOA information, seller disclosures, and other property records.
9. Secure Insurance and Prepare for Closing
Finalize homeowners insurance, review lender requirements, arrange utilities, and prepare the funds needed for closing. Your lender must provide the Closing Disclosure at least three business days before consummation, giving you time to review the final loan terms and costs.
10. Complete the Final Walkthrough
Shortly before closing, we conduct a final walkthrough to confirm the property’s condition, verify that agreed repairs were completed, and make sure included fixtures and personal property remain in place. This is your opportunity to identify concerns before signing.
11. Closing Day and New Homeowner Reminders
We will help you review the final details and prepare for closing. Remember to:
10. Complete the Option Period and Inspection
After the contract is accepted, we help coordinate inspections and evaluate the findings. Keith’s experience from completing more than 4,000 inspections as a former Texas Professional Home Inspector provides valuable perspective when reviewing concerns and negotiating repairs, credits, or other solutions.
Ready to Begin Your Home Buying Journey?
Let Keith & Sheila create a personalized plan for your budget, timeline, preferred communities, and long-term real estate goals.