Making Sense of Home Buying

Steps to Buying your Home

1Finding Your Home

2Choosing a Realtor

3Getting Financed

4Making an Offer

5We Can Help

The search is on!

At TheMLSonline.com, home search is our specialty. Explore the tools available in the search section and configure a search criteria that meets your needs. Search by area, price, beds, baths and more. Creating a home search account allows you to save your favorites, rate homes and receive email notifications when homes that match your criteria hit the market.

Once you've found a home you like, just click the Request a Showing link! We have the ability to show most homes on our site, often in as little as two hours.

Work with an experienced agent

Having an experienced Realtor on your team can make the difference when it comes to finding the right home, getting the best price, and getting the contract terms that meet your home buying objectives. An experienced Realtor will draft the terms of your offer at your directive and explain your rights as a buyer. Taking the time to explain each page of the purchase agreement as well as disclosures and addendums are all part of your Realtor's responsibilities.

Getting pre-approved is key

Talking with a mortgage professional about how much home you can afford should be one of the first things on your home buying list of to-do's. Having a lender's pre-approval letter in hand means you'll be ready to act when you find the home that's right for you.

Your Realtor can recommend a mortgage lender to help you determine a monthly mortgage payment that fits your budget. That way, you can narrow your home search to homes that meet your financial parameters and eliminate any surprises as to how much home you can comfortably afford. Visit our mortgage section and watch our "On Real Estate" video segments to learn more about the pre-approval process, and other finance-related topics.

Here's the deal

Once you've found the home that's right for you, your Realtor will work with you to draft a purchase agreement. Your Realtor will explain your rights and obligations as a buyer. This is your chance to ask questions about things like earnest money and the home inspection process. Once your offer is accepted and all contingencies are removed, your Realtor will work with you, your title company and your lender to coordinate your closing.

We're on your side

At TheMLSonline.com, helping buyers is what we do! Every month, more than a quarter million active home buyers visit TheMLSonline.com to search for local MLS listings. But we're more than just an online real estate resource... we're a local, full service real estate company with more than one hundred Realtors serving the Twin Cities area! When you're ready to take your search from the website to the home site, we're here to help you every step of the way.

Understanding the Inspection Process

Home inspections are an integral part of the home buying process. Hiring an experienced professional home inspector is highly recommended and the best way to ensure that you're making an informed decision about the home you're purchasing. As the buyer, you have the right to inspect the property before you purchase. A professional home inspector will examine the roof, electrical, heating/cooling systems, plumbing, appliances and more. Once you've found a home you like, your Realtor will help you draft an offer and explain your right to conduct a home inspection.

Scheduling Your Inspection

Once your offer is accepted by the seller, a pre-determined amount of time is allowed to complete your home inspection (typically three to five days). The inspection process often takes two to three hours to complete. Some buyers may wish to be present during the entire inspection, while others choose to simply attend the last portion of the inspection, where the home inspector's findings can be discussed on site. Attending your inspection is the best way to know the true condition of the property you're purchasing. Once your home inspection is complete there are several common ways to proceed: accept the home in its current condition, ask the seller to make repairs, ask the seller to provide compensation in lieu of repairs or renegotiate your initial offer price. If the seller is not willing to make requested repairs or agree to a satisfactory resolution as proposed by the buyer, the buyer can then determine whether or not to proceed with the purchase. If not, the buyer should be entitled to receive a full refund of their earnest money.

Pre-Sale Inspections

It is important to note that several cities require home sellers to provide a pre-sale inspection, often called a Truth in Housing Inspection. If you're buying in a city that requires this type of inspection and you're an FHA borrower, your ability to get a loan may be affected. Ask your agent to explain how this can affect you as a buyer or seller. A home with a pre-sale inspection does not mean a buyer gives up their right to conduct their own independent inspection.', 'Watch the On Real Estate video segments on this page to learn more about home inspections.

Questions about Buying?

Terms of Use/Privacy Policy: I agree to TheMLSonline's Terms of Use & Privacy Policy. TCPA: By clicking "Submit" above, I agree that TheMLSonline may call or text me at any telephone number, including a mobile telephone number, that I provide or was queried on public, private, or marketing database(s), and may use an automated telephone dialing system or similar device, or a prerecorded message, to offer me products and services. Message and data rates may apply. I understand I may opt out of text messages at any time by replying "STOP". I agree that TheMLSonline may call or text me even if my telephone number is listed on the national and/or state do-not-call registry. I understand that I am not required to provide consent as a condition of receiving or purchasing goods or services from TheMLSonline. TheMLSonline website contains advertisements and endorsements of affiliated industry service providers including: mortgage lenders, staging services, home inspectors, title companies and moving services. TheMLSonline may receive compensation as a result of these advertising and marketing agreements. As a client of TheMLSonline you have the right to select a service provider of your choosing and are not required to seek the assistance from any advertiser or affiliate of TheMLSonline.

Thank You

We received your request! Someone will contact you soon.