Buy

Step 1: Research

Do you already know where you want to buy? If you want a condo, townhome, or single-family home? Which features do you like and dislike? What’s available on the market now? If you answered no to any of these questions, now is the time to start researching. In addition to looking for homes that interest you, also take note of any changes in asking prices. This could give you valuable insight into housing trends in specific neighborhoods and help you when the time comes to make an offer.

Step 2: Decide on Your Budget

Notice I said to decide on your budget—not determine how much the mortgage company will give you. In many cases, a mortgage company will pre-approve you for more than you’re comfortable spending, which is why you need to determine the monthly payment you feel comfortable with before talking to a lender. This likely includes doing a full household budget and taking into consideration what changes other than a mortgage payment will occur once you move into your new home. If you’ve lived in an apartment or with roommates, you may overlook new expenses like garbage, water, or HOA fees that could easily blow your budget.

Step 3: Get Prequalified

Just because you think you can afford a certain payment every month doesn’t mean the mortgage company will agree. Just as they may approve you for too large of an amount, they may also approve you for a lesser amount or deny you a mortgage altogether. Lack of time at a job, insufficient credit, past bankruptcies, or other financial issues can cause major problems when trying to secure a mortgage. Before you get your heart set on a home, talk to a mortgage professional to find out what amount you can qualify for. This will also be an advantage when you make an offer on a home, as some sellers won’t entertain offers from those who aren’t already prequalified for a loan.

Step 4: Choose a Real Estate Agent

Can you shop for, look at, and ultimately make an offer on a home without a real estate agent? Technically yes, but why would you when it costs you nothing for an agent like me to take much of the stress off your shoulders? Not only will I help identify properties you might be interested in, arrange showings, and ultimately handle the offer process, but I also have a knowledge of the market that you don’t possess. Finding the perfect home can be a daunting task, this is where my expertise and wealth of knowledge come into play. Let me show you around some homes that meet your dream home criteria so you can find the one that's right for you.

Step 5: Find the Right Home

This should be the most enjoyable step of the entire process (other than moving in!). I will arrange showings of homes you’re interested in that are within your price range. Take notes about what you like and don’t like, and make sure to pay attention to details. Turn light switches on and off, open and close doors, and run the faucets in various rooms. Don’t limit your inspection to the home itself. Make sure to take time to explore the neighborhood and keep an eye on traffic at certain times of the day, the parking situation, and how close it is to necessities like schools and grocery stores.

Step 6: Make an Offer

Once you have selected the perfect home, work with your agent to craft a fair offer based on the value of comparable homes on the market. Depending on what the home is listed at and whether the current environment is a buyer’s or seller’s market, your offer may be below, at, or even above the asking price. I will be able to help you negotiate if you receive a counteroffer and reach an agreement. At this point, the house will go into escrow.

Step 7: Have the Home Inspected

In most cases, your offer will be contingent on having the home inspected to ensure there is no major structural damage or large repairs needed. I can help you arrange this, and you can schedule it within days of making an offer. If there are no major issues, the process goes to step eight. If there is, you can renegotiate your offer based on what needs to be fixed, or you can withdraw it.

Step 8: Select Your Loan

Now is the time to go back to the mortgage lender who pre-approved or pre-qualified you and choose your mortgage. You will be presented with various options based on your unique financial situation, including fixed-rate, variable-rate, 15-year, 30-year, or special programs such as VA loans or FHA loans. Work with your mortgage lender to select the option you feel the most comfortable with.

Step 9: Get a Home Appraisal

Your lender will have your new home appraised so they have their independent value of it. The appraisal is to ensure that all parties involved are paying a fair price for the house.

Step 10: Finish Paperwork

No one looks forward to all the paperwork involved in buying a home, but it’s a necessary part of the process. Fortunately, everything will be arranged by your lender and title company and, when you’re finished, you’ll know you are the legal owner of your new home.

My Testimonials

See why my clients love working with me.

Ella N.

I have worked with Julie on three other homes I have owned in Denver. Her knowledge, professionalism and expertise combined with a wonderful giving helpful personality makes her one of the most incredible people I have worked w...

Bryan F.

From initial consultation through the sale of my home, Julie was instrumental in the success of the sale, ending with a happy buyer & seller. Her long-established experience, in-depth knowledge and guidance proved to be pivotal...

Marc S.

Julie helped me with purchasing as well as selling my first home. She was extremely knowledgeable and was just amazing to work with every step of the way. I can’t say enough good things about her and would recommend her to anyo...

John

Julie Winger and the entire Kentwood team did a fantastic job from first contact, through the listing, sale and closing processes. Attention to detail was present through the entire process. We simply could not be more pleased....

Shawn Hann

Julie Winger is the best of the best. Passionate about the work, compassionate to everyone looking/buying/selling, she truly goes the extra mile. Exceptionally knowledgeable about fair market price, all the different aspects of...

Buyer

Julie Winger is the best! Julie worked with us for over a year searching for our dream home and last month she helped us close on that house! Julie was an excellent communicator, always quick to respond to our endless questions...

Paul H.

Julie sold my home for 23% more than the next highest broker valuation. In the summer of 2017, my childhood home in the Montclair section of East Denver needed to be let go. Was losing confidence that this was going to be easy ...

Erin M.

Julie helped us with purchasing our home in Denver. We really enjoyed working with Julie. She was very professional, knowledgeable, proactive, and had great follow-ups. Everything you hope for in a Realtor®. We liked working wi...

Jim D.

We enjoyed working with Julie. She is so thorough and detailed making sure that all our questions were answered as we started to look for a new house. She knows the Denver Metro home market and helped direct us as we looked for...

Cathy & Ray V.

Julie came highly recommended to us over fifteen years ago, rightfully so! She helped us sell and buy three homes during that period of time, getting top dollar for each home we sold. Julie is extremely diplomatic, smart, thoro...

Emily S.

From start to finish, Julie did a terrific job with our house. She was thoughtful about pricing and marketing the house and always available for questions. During negotiations, Julie was a steady presence and a clear communicat...

John M.

Julie combines Denver market expertise with friendly and engaging support from search through close. She's a tenacious problem solver and has the experience and trustworthiness to overcome surprises and challenges in the buying...

Donna M.

We have had the pleasure of working with Julie Winger on several occasions. We cannot express enough how happy we have been with her service. She is thorough, helpful, and always ready to offer advice in a timely manner.

Martha A.

I have worked with Julie on both the buy and sell sides for four transactions in the past five or six years. She is savvy about the Denver market and very professional, ethical, and kind!

Robert K.

Julie represented the seller, not us, but she was nevertheless extremely forthright and helpful throughout the process.

Work With Julie

Julie is well known for her integrity, skill, and competence in guiding clients through transactions, both home sales and purchases, and especially her ability to make the process pleasant for her clients.

Let’s Connect

Follow Me on Instagram

Follow Me

Search for

Popular areas

Neighborhood guides

A Step-by-Step First Time Buyer's Guide