Home Buying Process

Buying a home can sometimes seem daunting. 

Keith has the experience and expertise necessary to help you through the purchase process – whether you are looking at a house in the North End, a sprawling estate in the Foothills, or something in between. Here’s what you can expect when you work with Keith Phillips: 

Deciding to buy a home is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. There are some amazing opportunities currently available in the Boise real estate market. One of the things that you need to think of is the area you buy in should not only match your budget but your lifestyle!

With Keith, he will take the time to get to know you and fully understand your unique needs when it comes to buying a home. This allows Keith to advocate on your behalf – from start to finish. His ultimate goal is to make your dream of home-ownership a reality.

• Educate you about the current real estate market.
• Understand your needs for your new home.
• Research homes currently for sale that fit your unique criteria and lifestyle.
• Coordinate with other industry professionals during the process (i.e. mortgage lenders, title insurance, etc.).
• Negotiate with the listing agent on your behalf.
• Intercept any issues before they arise.

Your mortgage lender will pre-approve you for a certain amount for your home loan; however, you will ultimately decide what you’re comfortable paying every month when it comes to your mortgage payment. Securing financing is a critical step of the home-buying process.

Once you are pre-approved for a home loan, you can begin your home search! This is the part where Keith will take into consideration your budget as well as your lifestyle to give you the absolute best fit!

In addition, Keith's knowledge of all neighborhoods and communities throughout the Boise area allows him to find you the perfect match when it comes to your needs and what you’re looking for in your new neighborhood.

• Location: What do I want my new home to be close to? Does this match the lifestyle I have?
• Size: How much space do I need?
• Which is more important: location or size?
• Am I interested in a fixer-upper or a home that may need some remodeling?
• Is home value appreciation important to me?
• Is neighborhood stability important to me?
• Would I be interested in a condo or townhouse?
• What features and amenities do I want? Which do I really need?

When you’ve found the home you love, the next step is to make an offer. Keith will carefully research similar homes in the same neighborhood and conduct a comparative market analysis (CMA) to establish the fair market value of the home you’re interested in. His comprehensive knowledge of the local Boise market allows him to develop an offer that not only appeals to the seller, but also takes into consideration your interests.

It is important to conduct a home inspection to expose any hidden issues within the home. This allows you to know what you’re getting into before you close on the home. Depending on the home’s age and location, there may be additional inspections that are recommended.

After you’ve made an offer on the home and the home inspection is complete, there a few, final pre-closing responsibilities to consider. These include:

• Continue to be mindful of your credit and finances. Speak with your lender before making any large purchases during this time.
• Stay in touch with your real estate agent, your lender and escrow officer.
• Return all correspondence and complete all paperwork in a timely manner. Confirm with all parties that you have the settlement statement, certified funds and evidence of insurance prior to closing.
• Conduct a final walk-through of the home. 

Congratulations on your new home! Even though the sale is complete, Keith's relationship with you is not. Even after closing, he is always available – should you need him to provide information for your tax returns or you need help find contractors and repair services. Keith's goal is to establish life-long relationships with all of his clients.