Ready to Buy? Here’s How This Works.
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial moves most people make — and also one of the most misunderstood processes out there. If you’ve been Googling “how to buy a house” and ending up more confused than when you started, you’re in exactly the right place. Here’s what actually happens, step by step. You can also read through the full buying guide on my JCRE page if you’d rather go at your own pace.
Step 1: The Buyer Consultation
Before we look at a single property, we talk. I want to understand your timeline, your budget, your must-haves, and the things you’d hate but could live with. This is also where I explain how buyer agency works in South Carolina, what you can expect from me, and what I need from you. No pressure. No pitch. Just a real conversation.
Step 2: Get Pre-Approved
Before we start touring homes, you’ll need a pre-approval from a lender — not a pre-qualification, an actual pre-approval. This tells us what you can realistically spend, strengthens your offer when you’re ready to make one, and saves everyone time. If you need a lender recommendation, I have a short list of people I trust. Not sure what range to expect? The affordability calculator is a good starting point before you talk to a lender.
Step 3: The Buyer Agency Agreement
South Carolina law requires that buyers sign a written buyer agency agreement before I can represent you in a transaction. I’ll walk you through exactly what this means, what you’re agreeing to, and what you’re not. It’s not complicated — it just needs to be clear upfront.
Step 4: The Search
We’ll use your criteria to identify properties, and I’ll alert you when new listings that match hit the market. This part goes faster for some buyers and slower for others. Either way, we don’t rush it — we find the right one.
Step 5: Showings
When something looks promising, we schedule showings. I’ll help you evaluate each property with fresh eyes — what’s cosmetic versus structural, what’s priced right versus optimistic, and what questions to ask before you get attached to the wrong house.
Step 6: Making an Offer
When you find the right home, we write an offer. I’ll walk you through the price, the terms, the contingencies, and what’s actually negotiable versus what isn’t. South Carolina contracts have more moving parts than most buyers expect — knowing them gives you leverage.
Step 7: Inspections and Due Diligence
After an offer is accepted, you’ll have a due diligence period to get the home inspected. I’ll help you understand what the inspector found, figure out which items actually matter, and put together a reasonable response to the seller on repairs or price adjustments.
Step 8: Appraisal and Financing
If you’re financing, the lender will order an appraisal. I’ll monitor the timeline and keep us on track. If the appraisal comes in below the contract price, we’ll talk through your options clearly — not in a panic.
Step 9: Closing
Once financing is cleared and all conditions are met, you go to closing. I’ll be there to make sure everything is in order and that you understand what you’re signing before the pen hits the paper. Then we celebrate — because you just bought a home!
I’m based in Lexington and work throughout the Midlands — Columbia, Irmo, Chapin, Elgin, Camden, Lake Murray — and in the CSRA, including Aiken, SC. Wherever you’re looking, I know the market.
Savannah Hill, REALTOR® | Jeff Cook Real Estate | LPT Realty | Licensed in SC