Topic
Buying Process
- Pre-approval
- Touring homes
- Inspections
- Appraisals
- Closing process
Education Hub
Learn the process before your round
Use this page to understand the buying process, key loan options, and the strategies people usually want help with on the course or in an off-course session.
Topic
Loan Types
- FHA loans
- VA loans
- Conventional loans
- Jumbo loans
Topic
Financing Strategies
- 2-1 buydown
- Rate buydowns
- Seller credits
- Down payment options
- Closing costs
Topic
Additional Topics
- Pre-approval vs. pre-qualification
- Monthly payment breakdown
- When to buy
- When to sell
Buying Process
From pre-approval to keys
Get pre-approved
Talk to a lender before you search so you know your budget, rate options, and comfortable monthly payment range.
Define your search
Align neighborhoods, must-haves, and tradeoffs with local market conditions before you waste time on the wrong homes.
Write strong offers
Price, contingencies, earnest money, and timing all matter. Strategy is often as important as list price.
Move through contract
Inspection, appraisal, title, and underwriting all need to stay on track once a seller accepts.
Close and take keys
Final walkthrough, signing, funding, and handoff. Planning the full path up front usually makes this stage smoother.
Glossary
Key terms to know
Appraisal
A licensed appraiser's estimate of market value used by the lender to confirm the loan amount makes sense.
Contingency
A condition that must be met for the deal to proceed, such as inspection, financing, or appraisal.
Debt-to-income (DTI)
Monthly debt payments divided by gross monthly income. Lenders use this to evaluate affordability.
Earnest money
A good-faith deposit submitted with an offer and typically held in escrow until closing.
Escrow
A neutral third party that holds funds and documents until the conditions of the transaction are met.
Pre-approval
A lender's conditional commitment based on your income, assets, and credit profile. Stronger than pre-qualification.
Seller credit
Money negotiated from the seller that can help offset closing costs or other allowed transaction expenses.
Title
Legal ownership of the property. Title insurance protects against defects in the chain of ownership.
Checklists
What to gather before you start
Pre-approval checklist
- Recent pay stubs
- W-2s or tax returns
- Bank and investment statements
- Photo ID
- List of debts
Offer prep checklist
- Target monthly payment range
- Preferred neighborhoods
- Non-negotiables and tradeoffs
- Earnest money available
- Inspection strategy questions
Closing week checklist
- Final walkthrough
- Utilities and insurance confirmed
- Closing disclosure reviewed
- ID and wire instructions ready