Virginia Home Buyers Guide | Darlene Gaines

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

Buying a home is one of the most exciting milestones of your life. To prepare yourself for this moment, you need to know what to expect during the process. This step-by-step first time buyer’s guide created by your agent will help reduce the stress of buying a home and help you enjoy the journey as much as possible.

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.

My goal is to provide you with the most personalized service that is designed to help you buy your dream home

Schedule A Consultation

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.

Congratulations!

After signing the final paperwork to complete the purchase, you are now the owner of a new house. It may take a few days for your loan to be funded once the paperwork has been returned to the lender, but once that check is delivered to the seller, you’ll be all set to move into the home of your dreams.

The Hollywood Experience

Star-Studded Client Experiences

Wanda B.

Darlene was a pleasure to work with during the entire process. She was very passionate, informative, and professional throughout. We were under a tight timeline, and she was able to make it happen. I really appreciate your effo...

James T.

Ms. Gaines has gone above and beyond in assisting the Virginia Housing and Community Development Corporation (VHCDC), playing a pivotal role in facilitating homeownership for a remarkable number of clients. Her results surpass ...

Eric N.

I am amazed that my house went on the market within 20 minutes. In just four days, we received four offers and chose the one that was most favorable. The house sold in 22 days, and Darlene was great throughout the process. She ...

Patrick T.

Wow! Just Wow! Hollywood," thank you so much for what you've done for me and my family. I remember talking with investors and listening to some of the offers, and I began to lose hope. Then, the clouds parted, the sun shined, a...

Iris S.

It has been a pleasure working with Mrs. Darlene Gaines, our realtor. We highly recommend anyone who is looking to buy or sell a house to go with Darlene Gaines; she's reliable, dependable, knowledgeable, and works really hard ...

Karita W.

Where do I began? Realtor Darlene Gaines went above and beyond to ensure my 1st time home buying experience was pleasant and memorable. She was attentive, professional, and very knowledgeable. She was able to negotiate and got ...

Sonja P.

Darlene was an absolute pleasure to work with. I highly recommend that her has a seller or buyer's agent. She was diligent in helping me find my dream home. On the fourth try (2nd with Darlene aka Hollywood), I was finally able...

Andrew M.

We are beyond grateful for Darlene “Hollywood” Gaines! She got our home sold in just 2 days and for $10,000 over asking! From start to finish, she went above and beyond guiding us, supporting us, and truly treating us like fami...

Alan R.

Thank God it's done, and wow, what a transformation! She's done a tremendous job getting our place ready to sell. It looks absolutely stunning, and I give her full credit for the magic she's worked. I know she'll sell it quickl...

Wanda B.

I couldn’t have asked for a better agent. She is very responsive and good at keeping you informed throughout the home-buying process. She has a great spirit and is easy to talk to you. If you need someone that has a sense of ur...

Matthew U.

If you're looking for a hard-working realtor, Darlene is who you need to call! Phenomenal negotiating skills. Call her to get it done now! You won’t be disappointed. We just closed on the transaction where she was able to get a...

Paxton B.

Darlene was very professional. She was patient and managed the listing like it was her own home. She carefully listened to our needs and presented an offer she received that exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend Darlene...

Buyer

Darlene is the best realtor I’ve had! She’s straightforward and makes sure you’re updated and know everything that’s going on. She also finds great houses on a budget, and she does it fast! I’m blessed to have had Darlene as my...

Amira B.

She was absolutely amazing. She ensured that everything I wanted was met. She provided me with the knowledge to make the best decision when it came to me and my children. Her willingness to help and her personality were top-notch!

Mary R.

Let me just say, Darlene Gaines is unreal! Speedy knows everyone and knows more info about different properties you and I cannot begin to know! We got our perfect place, at a perfect price, and we are smiling perfectly every day.

Lisa B.

She took her time with me and was dedicated to finding me a home. We would look at multiple homes in one day just to find the home I wanted. I was in a rush due to my lease ending, and she made sure I had a home in time.

Fran M.

Loved working with Darlene. She was extremely professional and knowledgeable. She made the home-buying process easy and stress-free. I highly recommend her if you are looking to be helped every step of the way.

Danny S.

Darlene has been an absolute professional towards executing on my property in Virginia Beach, VA. She was flawless when taking an executive approach and getting my beachfront property closed effectively.

Angela S.

It was. Pleasure to have Darlene as my realtor; she was knowledgeable and understood what we were looking for in a home. Anytime I called her, she was available. I would recommend her; she was awesome.

Destiny A.

The best realtor I have ever worked with! Really took in consideration where my preferred location was and my budget and got me just that! A beautiful house in my preferred location in my budget!

Let’s Find Your Dream Home

With several years of experience, top-tier credentials, and the heart of a military mom, I bring unmatched dedication, charisma, and care to every real estate experience. Whether you're relocating across the country or moving across town, I’ll guide you with clarity, confidence, and maybe a little Hollywood flair. Let’s make your next move unforgettable.

Let's Connect

Follow Me on Instagram

Follow Me

Leave a Message

Thank you for your message. I will be in touch with you shortly.

Buyer's Guide

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

Step 1: Research

Step 2: Decide on Your Budget

Step 3: Get Prequalified

Step 4: Choose a Real Estate Agent

My goal is to provide you with the most personalized service that is designed to help you buy your dream home

Step 5: Find the Right Home

Step 6: Make an Offer

Step 7: Have the Home Inspected

Step 8: Select Your Loan

Step 9: Get a Home Appraisal

Step 10: Finish Paperwork

Congratulations!

The Hollywood Experience

Wanda B.

James T.

Eric N.

Patrick T.

Iris S.

Karita W.

Sonja P.

Andrew M.

Alan R.

Wanda B.

Matthew U.

Paxton B.

Buyer

Amira B.

Mary R.

Lisa B.

Fran M.

Danny S.

Angela S.

Destiny A.

Home Search

Neighborhoods

Seller's Guide

Let’s Find Your Dream Home

Follow Me on Instagram

Contact Details

Darlene Gaines | Hollywood

Submit a Message