CCR, RealtorsScott Parsons

Buying a home in Northwest Ohio

Money first, then the search. Most people start at step four; start at step one and the rest gets easier.

The eight steps
  1. Get pre-approvedA real pre-approval from a lender who answers the phone, not an online pre-qual. It sets your budget and makes your offer credible.
  2. Know your all-in numberDown payment plus closing costs plus a reserve. Closing costs run roughly 2–5% of price here; on $200,000 plan on $4,000–$8,000.
  3. Sign a buyer agreementRequired in Ohio before I show homes. It says who I represent (you) and what I'm paid, in writing, negotiable.
  4. Search with your eyes openNeeds, wants, dealbreakers. Roof age, basement water lines, furnace labels. Much of our housing is pre-1980; that's a checklist, not a problem.
  5. Make an offer that wins without overpayingPrice off closed comps. Earnest money, contingencies, and closing date matter as much as the number.
  6. InspectSeven to ten days. Go, walk with the inspector. Ask for safety, structure, and systems; let the cosmetic list go.
  7. The quiet weeksAppraisal, title, underwriting. Don't change jobs, open credit, or move money until you have keys.
  8. Close and move inRead the Closing Disclosure against your Loan Estimate. Change the locks. File for Ohio's owner-occupancy tax credit.
If you servedI spent 26 years in the Air National Guard. The VA loan is the best benefit most veterans never use: zero down, no monthly mortgage insurance, and Guard/Reserve members qualify with sufficient service. Ask me before you assume you don't.
First-time buyersYou do not need 20% down. Most first-timers here put down 3–5%. Ask about USDA (much of rural NW Ohio qualifies) and Ohio Housing Finance Agency down-payment help; most lenders won't mention it unless you ask.
Buying & Selling
Buying & Selling a Home in Ohio

The full buyer's guide, 16 pages, free. Start on the red side.

Read the guide (PDF)
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Even if you're a year out. Knowing the numbers now saves months later.

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