The amount of money you'll need depends on the home you're buying, your loan type, and your financial situation. The biggest upfront costs are typically your down payment and closing costs.

Your down payment doesn't have to be 20%. While 20% is often talked about, many buyers put down much less. Some conventional loans allow as little as 3% down, and FHA loans require just 3.5% down. There are even loan programs that offer 0% down for qualified buyers.

You'll also need to budget for closing costs, which are the fees associated with finalizing your home purchase, such as lender fees, title insurance, and the appraisal. These typically range from 2%–5% of the purchase price. In some cases, however, we can negotiate for the seller to cover some or all of these costs, helping reduce the amount you need to bring to closing.

Every buyer's situation is different, so one of the first steps is getting pre-approved. Your lender can help determine exactly how much you'll need, and I'll be here to walk you through your options every step of the way.

I help buyers and sellers throughout West Michigan, including Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Ada, Rockford, Byron Center, Jenison, Hudsonville, Grandville, Holland, Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Muskegon, and surrounding areas.

While it's not required for an initial conversation, I highly recommend getting pre-approved before actively touring homes. It helps you understand your budget, gives you confidence in your home search, and strengthens your position when you're ready to make an offer. If you don't already have a lender, I have some amazing loan officer recommendations and would be happy to connect you with one!

The timeline varies, but most buyers spend anywhere from a few weeks to a few months searching for the right home. Once your offer is accepted, closing typically takes about 30 days.

It's never too early to start the conversation! Whether you're planning to move next month or next year, I'm always happy to answer questions, connect you with a lender, and help you create a plan—there's never any pressure or obligation.

That said, I typically recommend reaching out about six months before your ideal move. This gives us plenty of time to get all your ducks in a row, make sure you're financially prepared, and set you up for a smooth, stress-free buying experience.