The first-time homebuyer checklist: where to start
A plain-language walk through the steps of buying your first home in Sioux Falls, from the first conversation to the keys.
Start with a conversation, not a spreadsheet
The most common thing I hear from first-time buyers is, “I don't even know where to start.” Good news: you don't have to. The first step isn't paperwork, it's a conversation about what's going on in your life and what you're hoping for. That conversation costs nothing and commits you to nothing.
By the time we hang up, you'll know what the actual first step is for you, whether that's getting pre-approved, saving a little more, or just keeping an eye on the market for a few months.
Know your numbers before you look
Before you fall in love with a house, it helps to know what a lender says you can afford. A pre-approval gives you a real number to anchor to, so you're looking at homes that genuinely fit instead of ones that just look nice in photos.
Your lender walks you through the big pieces: price range, down payment options, and monthly payment. I can recommend lenders I've seen do great work locally, but the choice is always yours.
Make your list: must-haves and nice-to-haves
Every home is a list of trade-offs. Write down the three or four things that genuinely matter, like the school district, the commute, or the garage, and then a second list of things that would be nice but aren't deal-breakers.
When we look at homes together, that list keeps us honest. It's remarkably easy to fall for a house that doesn't fit your life, and just as easy to pass on one that actually does.
Offer, inspection, closing, keys
When the right home shows up, I walk you through the offer, and you decide what to offer, never me. If it's accepted, the home inspection is your chance to learn the house inside out before you commit to it.
Then we work through any repairs or credits, the lender finishes the loan, and you get the keys. I'll go over every step before you take it, so the closing table isn't where you first hear a term.
You don't have to be ready to buy to call me
If you read this and thought, “I'm two years away from buying,” that's still a great reason to have the conversation. A lot of the preparation that saves you money and stress happens long before you're ready to make an offer.
Whenever you start, I'll be here. That's the whole approach: no pressure, just information.
Written by Mary Kay Stevens
Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Sioux Falls, SD license #18378. People first, real estate second, relationships always. Have a question this didn’t answer?
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