How does the home buying process start?

The buying process starts with a conversation, not a contract. We sit down in person or on a call and talk through what you are looking for, what your budget looks like, and what timeline you are working with. There is no pressure and no homework. You just tell me where you are in the process and what you are hoping for.

This first conversation is also where I learn what matters most to you. Are you looking for a quiet lake community, a walkable downtown, top schools, or a shorter commute? For buyers in the Twin Cities lake communities, the answer usually involves water, and knowing that early shapes everything we do next.

From there I connect you with a trusted lender so you can get pre-approved. A preapproval letter tells sellers you are a serious, qualified buyer, and it tells you exactly what price range to shop in. In competitive lake markets like Mahtomedi and White Bear Lake, being ready to move quickly matters.

You do not need to have every detail figured out at this stage. Pre-approval is about establishing a realistic range so we do not waste time looking at homes that do not fit your numbers.

Once you are pre-approved, we start looking at homes that fit your wish list. I know the neighborhoods, the school districts, the back roads, and the pockets of value across Mahtomedi, White Bear Lake, and the surrounding lake communities, so I can point you to areas you might not have considered.

We will also talk about the whole picture, not just the house: commute, lake access, maintenance, and what the property will be like in every season.

When we find the right home, I walk you through each offer, each inspection, and each step of the closing process. Earnest money, contingencies, the appraisal, the final walkthrough, I am there for all of it.

Think of me as your guide and your advocate the whole way through. You should never feel like you are figuring this out alone.