First-Time Buyer Hub
Buying a home in Sioux Falls, one step at a time.
This page is for the person who keeps wondering, “Can I actually do this?” The answer is probably yes, and the path is a lot shorter than you think. Here’s exactly how it goes, and where you fit in it, whether you’re ready this year or just starting to wonder.
Someday these are yours. Let’s get there.
The path
Six steps. You already took the first one.
01
The conversation
We talk about your life, your timeline, and what you’re hoping for. No commitments, no pressure, just a clear picture of where you stand.
02
Get pre-approved
I’ll recommend lenders I trust and walk you through what pre-approval means, so you know your real number before you start looking.
03
Make your list
We build your must-haves and nice-to-haves: area, schools, commute, size, and the things only you would care about.
04
Look at homes
We tour with intention. I’ll point out what the photos hide, and we’ll keep coming back to your list so feelings don’t override fit.
05
Offer & inspection
You decide what to offer, I handle the paperwork and negotiation. Then the inspection teaches you the house before you commit.
06
Closing & keys
We go through every document so nothing surprises you, then you get the keys. And my help doesn’t stop at the closing table.
Honest answers
The questions every first-time buyer asks.
Straight answers, the same ones you’d get on the phone. No formulas that make no sense, no numbers pulled from thin air, and no push to move faster than you’re comfortable with.
Your home is where your life actually happens.
So it should fit the life you have, not a version someone else thinks you should want.
How much house can I afford in Sioux Falls?
The honest answer is that it depends on your full picture: income, debt, savings, and what you’re comfortable with each month. A lender’s pre-approval turns that into a real number. I’m happy to connect you with lenders who do great work locally, and I’ll help you understand what they tell you.
Do I need a big down payment?
Not necessarily. Buyers in South Dakota use several different loan types, and down payment expectations vary a lot between them. VA and USDA loans are options for those who qualify, and there are conventional and FHA paths too. We’ll talk through what fits your situation, no push either way.
What credit score do I need to buy a home?
There’s no single magic number, and different programs look at credit differently. The best first step is a conversation with a lender about your actual credit picture and what options exist for it. I can point you to people who’ll give you straight answers.
Should I get pre-approved before contacting a realtor?
You can call me before, during, or after getting pre-approved, honestly. Pre-approval simply helps you move fast when the right home shows up and keeps you looking at homes that genuinely fit. I’ll walk you through getting one if you haven’t.
How does a buyer’s agent get paid?
In a typical sale, the seller pays the commission that covers both the listing agent and the buyer’s agent, so buyer representation usually costs you nothing out of pocket. We’ll lay out exactly how it works on your specific deal before anything is signed.
What are closing costs?
Closing costs are the fees wrapped around your loan and the transfer of the home, things like lender fees, title work, appraisal, and prepaid taxes and insurance. The number varies with the loan and the price, and your lender gives you an itemized estimate early on so there are no surprises.
More of these live on the FAQ page.
Your checklist
The first-time buyer checklist
Print it, save it, ignore the order, whatever works. This is the shape of the road ahead.
- Start the conversation (you’re doing that right now, good)
- Check your credit and pull your reports
- Get pre-approved with a lender
- Build your must-have / nice-to-have list
- Research neighborhoods, schools, and commutes
- Save for closing costs and moving expenses
- Tour homes with intention, not just emotion
- Make an offer you’re confident in
- Home inspection, appraisal, and loan process
- Final walkthrough, then keys
“I want a realtor to talk to, not to push me.”
Then you want me. You don’t have to be ready to buy to have me as your realtor. Just curious counts, and so does “I have no idea.”
Ready when you are, curious is fine too.
A first conversation is thirty minutes and zero strings. We’ll figure out if now is your time, or what needs to happen before it is.