HOW TO BE A WINNER AT
Buying a Home
Your guide to a low-stress homebuying experience
THE HOME BUYING PROCESS
Buying a home is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make — and having a clear, step-by-step process makes everything easier. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, relocating to Metro Detroit, or planning a move within the Woodward Corridor, this guide walks you through exactly what to expect from start to finish.
At WINNER Detroit Realty Partners, we believe informed buyers make confident decisions. This resource breaks down every key step, from choosing the right financing to navigating closing day, with practical advice you can use right away.
YOUR GUIDE TO HOME FINANCING
Financing is just as important as finding the right house. This guide walks you through how to choose the right loan, why pre-approval matters, and how to compare program types and costs.
SELECTING THE RIGHT REAL ESTATE AGENT
Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make — your agent isn’t just setting up showings, they’re your strategist, negotiator, and guide from house-hunting through closing.
COSTS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A HOME
Buying a home involves more than the down payment. This guide breaks down every cost you may encounter so you can budget with confidence — and avoid surprises along the way.
BEFORE YOU START TOURING HOMES: WHAT TO KNOW
A few simple steps — like verifying your pre-approval and reviewing your agency agreement — help keep everyone safe and make your home search smooth and productive.
HOME TOURS: DO’S AND DON’TS
Touring homes is exciting, and knowing what to look for (and what to avoid) helps you make clearer decisions while protecting your negotiating position. This guide lays out all the do’s and don’ts.
HOW TO MAKE A WINNING OFFER
Crafting a strong offer is about more than price. This guide helps you understand terms, contingencies, and strategies that stand out in Metro Detroit’s competitive real estate market.
Inspections & Due Diligence
Home inspections reveal the true condition of a home and give you the information you need to negotiate repairs or move forward confidently. This guide walks you through it all.
Getting to the Closing Table
Once your offer is accepted, the lender, title company, and our team get to work behind the scenes—reviewing documents, ordering the appraisal, completing underwriting, and preparing your final disclosures
AFTER CLOSING: THINGS TO CONSIDER
After you get the keys, we’ll guide you through important next steps like filing your homestead exemption, reviewing warranties, and settling into homeownership with confidence.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
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BUYER CONSULTATION
A dedicated one-on-one session to explore your homebuying goals and options. We’ll walk you through the full home-buying process from start to finish — including understanding your budget, identifying what you’re looking for, touring potential neighborhoods, and reviewing next steps. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or experienced investor, you’ll leave the consultation with a clear plan tailored to your timeline, priorities, and financing needs. This is where the journey begins — and we’ll be with you every step of the way.
resources for homebuyers
During the home buying process, you will work with multiple service/settlement providers. We’ve curated a list of service/settlement providers you can choose from, or you can search for providers on your own.
The first step to buying a home, unless you’re paying cash, is to secure financing. I recommend starting with financial institutions where you already have a business relationship, like the bank where you have checking or savings accounts, or other companies where you’ve secured financing in the past.
You have the right to carefully examine your potential new home with a professional home inspector. Home inspections are not required by law, but WE strongly recommend them and will write all purchase offers giving you that option (and the option to get out of the deal if the inspection uncovers major defects in the property).
Title companies handle the closing process for real estate transactions, including a thorough public records search to make sure the title is free and clear, issuing title insurance, handling the transfer of funds between all parties, obtaining notarized signatures of all parties, and recording the transfer with the county registrar. You are free to choose your own title company, and once you do, please let me know so I can name them in the purchase agreement when you’re ready to make an offer on your next home.
Once you’ve selected a home, you should start working on getting homeowner’s insurance right away. The cost of homeowners insurance, in most scenarios, will impact the amount of your monthly mortgage payment if you’ve elected to escrow property taxes and insurance.
We recommend starting with insurance companies you already do business with – like your car, renters, or life insurance. Because the cost of insurance can vary greatly between companies, we also recommend comparing quotes from a few carriers – the easiest way to do that is through an independent insurance agent. Independent insurance agents work for you and have access to multiple carriers to find you the best coverage and rate.
Transferring, starting, or stopping utility services like gas, electric, water, cable, and internet, are part of every real estate transaction. With Utility Connect, you can simplify your move and save time using their integrated platform to compare providers, hear special offers and connect all your essential services in one place.
A home warranty can offer peace of mind during your first year of ownership by covering unexpected repairs to major systems and appliances. While it’s not required, many buyers find it helpful—especially with older homes or if you prefer predictable costs.
General home warranty coverage from plumbing to appliances.
Additional coverage for emergency home repairs.
You have the right to choose any service providers you prefer during your real estate transaction.
This may include lenders, title companies, inspectors, contractors, and other professionals who support the sale of your home. While we provide a curated list of local providers as a convenience, these recommendations are not endorsements, warranties, or guarantees of performance, pricing, or availability.
We strongly encourage all consumers to independently review and compare service providers, programs, and fees before making any selections. You are never required or obligated to use any provider we suggest.
A separate disclosure—including information about affiliated business relationships, if applicable—will be provided for your review and signature during the transaction.
