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Buyer's Guide

A Step-by-Step First Time Buyer's Guide

Buying a home is one of the most exciting milestones of your life. To prepare yourself for this moment, you need to know what to expect during the process. This step-by-step first time buyer’s guide created by your agent will help reduce the stress of buying a home and help you enjoy the journey as much as possible.

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Step 1: Research

Do you already know where you want to buy? If you want a condo, townhome, or single-family home? Which features do you like and dislike? What’s available on the market now? If you answered no to any of these questions, now is the time to start researching. In addition to looking for homes that interest you, also take note of any changes in asking prices. This could give you valuable insight into housing trends in specific neighborhoods and help you when the time comes to make an offer.

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Step 2: Decide on Your Budget

Notice I said to decide on your budget—not determine how much the mortgage company will give you. In many cases, a mortgage company will pre-approve you for more than you’re comfortable spending, which is why you need to determine the monthly payment you feel comfortable with before talking to a lender. This likely includes doing a full household budget and taking into consideration what changes other than a mortgage payment will occur once you move into your new home. If you’ve lived in an apartment or with roommates, you may overlook new expenses like garbage, water, or HOA fees that could easily blow your budget.

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Step 3: Get Prequalified

Just because you think you can afford a certain payment every month doesn’t mean the mortgage company will agree. Just as they may approve you for too large of an amount, they may also approve you for a lesser amount or deny you a mortgage altogether. Lack of time at a job, insufficient credit, past bankruptcies, or other financial issues can cause major problems when trying to secure a mortgage. Before you get your heart set on a home, talk to a mortgage professional to find out what amount you can qualify for. This will also be an advantage when you make an offer on a home, as some sellers won’t entertain offers from those who aren’t already prequalified for a loan.

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Step 4: Choose a Real Estate Agent

Can you shop for, look at, and ultimately make an offer on a home without a real estate agent? Technically yes, but why would you when it costs you nothing for an agent like me to take much of the stress off your shoulders? Not only will I help identify properties you might be interested in, arrange showings, and ultimately handle the offer process, but I also have a knowledge of the market that you don’t possess. Finding the perfect home can be a daunting task, this is where my expertise and wealth of knowledge come into play. Let me show you around some homes that meet your dream home criteria so you can find the one that's right for you.

Find Your Next Dream Home

Browse Homes
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Step 5: Find the Right Home

This should be the most enjoyable step of the entire process (other than moving in!). I will arrange showings of homes you’re interested in that are within your price range. Take notes about what you like and don’t like, and make sure to pay attention to details. Turn light switches on and off, open and close doors, and run the faucets in various rooms. Don’t limit your inspection to the home itself. Make sure to take time to explore the neighborhood and keep an eye on traffic at certain times of the day, the parking situation, and how close it is to necessities like schools and grocery stores.

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Step 6: Make an Offer

Once you have selected the perfect home, work with your agent to craft a fair offer based on the value of comparable homes on the market. Depending on what the home is listed at and whether the current environment is a buyer’s or seller’s market, your offer may be below, at, or even above the asking price. I will be able to help you negotiate if you receive a counteroffer and reach an agreement. At this point, the house will go into escrow.

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Step 7: Have the Home Inspected

In most cases, your offer will be contingent on having the home inspected to ensure there is no major structural damage or large repairs needed. I can help you arrange this, and you can schedule it within days of making an offer. If there are no major issues, the process goes to step eight. If there is, you can renegotiate your offer based on what needs to be fixed, or you can withdraw it.

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Step 8: Select Your Loan

Now is the time to go back to the mortgage lender who pre-approved or pre-qualified you and choose your mortgage. You will be presented with various options based on your unique financial situation, including fixed-rate, variable-rate, 15-year, 30-year, or special programs such as VA loans or FHA loans. Work with your mortgage lender to select the option you feel the most comfortable with.

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Step 9: Get a Home Appraisal

Your lender will have your new home appraised so they have their independent value of it. The appraisal is to ensure that all parties involved are paying a fair price for the house.

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Step 10: Finish Paperwork

No one looks forward to all the paperwork involved in buying a home, but it’s a necessary part of the process. Fortunately, everything will be arranged by your lender and title company and, when you’re finished, you’ll know you are the legal owner of your new home.

Congratulations!

After signing the final paperwork to complete the purchase, you are now the owner of a new house. It may take a few days for your loan to be funded once the paperwork has been returned to the lender, but once that check is delivered to the seller, you’ll be all set to move into the home of your dreams. 

Success Stories

Buyer | Seller

Buyer | Seller

Whether it’s a personal home or a commercial asset, Dominique treats every deal like it’s her own. Her team is responsive, professional, and completely aligned with your goals. She’s our go-to for everything real estate.
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From the first showing to the final walkthrough, Dominique was all in. She found us a condo with stunning views and negotiated a great price. Her attention to detail was impressive.
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I was looking for an investment property in LIC and was referred to Dominique. She analyzed the income potential, future appreciation and helped us make a smart long-term decision. A true expert.
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Dominique helped us lease our newly renovated retail space in Greenpoint. Her marketing was top-tier, and she brought in qualified tenants fast. We’ll be working with her again.
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Seller

After a difficult experience with another agent, Dominique restored our trust. She sold our apartment quickly and with such professionalism. Her calm confidence made all the difference.
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We were expanding our restaurant group and needed a turnkey space in Williamsburg. Dominique didn’t just find the space—she helped us visualize its full potential. She’s a true partner in the process.
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I’ve worked with many brokers, but Dominique is one of one. She brought an off-market commercial deal to us that turned into our most profitable investment yet.
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Dominique was instrumental in finding the perfect industrial space for our logistics operation. Her knowledge of zoning, permitting, and local regulations saved us time and money.
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What sets Dominique apart is her ability to make you feel like her only client. She helped us sell our co-op and purchase a townhouse, all while staying one step ahead of the market.
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I was relocating my creative agency and needed a space that reflected our brand. Dominique found the perfect loft space in Tribeca and negotiated amazing terms. Her connections made all the difference.
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Dominique helped reposition one of our underperforming commercial assets in Brooklyn. From strategy to execution, she added value at every stage. She’s sharp, reliable, and results-driven.
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Buyer

As a first-time homebuyer in Manhattan, I felt overwhelmed—until I met Dominique. She listened, guided me through every step, and found me a dream apartment. I couldn’t have done it without her.
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We worked with Dominique on both sides of our investment portfolio—leasing out our commercial space and buying a condo. She made the process seamless from start to finish. Truly a one-stop shop!
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Buyer | Seller

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I came to Dominique with a vision to expand my retail brand, and she delivered a storefront in SoHo that exceeded every expectation. Her negotiating skills and market intel are next level.
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Seller

Seller

Dominique helped us navigate the sale of our mixed-use building with ease. Her understanding of the commercial market and buyer dynamics was unmatched. We got multiple offers and closed above asking.
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Your future investment awaits

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