When you find the perfect home, you envision your future as a homeowner. You see interior spaces transformed by your unique style. You imagine backyard cookouts and holiday gatherings. 

Armed with your mortgage approval letter, a shiny credit rating, and a strong employment history, you proudly stake your claim on one of our beautiful Brighton homes for sale . It's a time for celebrati  on indeed, but the journey isn't over yet.

If you've worked with our REALTORS® during your house-hunting quest, they've kept you apprised of the final steps to homeownership. For those who need more information, we've prepared this brief guide: After You Find The Perfect Home, What's Next?

1. Negotiate a Deal
   Before making an offer, you should know how your home-to-be compares with homes similar in size, condition, age, pricing, etc. Your REALTOR® can assist you with market value research and will also help you with these negotiation no-nos.
   
   • Dragging your feet - If other buyers are interested in your perfect home, you can't afford to wait. Do your market research, but do it fast. Get an offer on the table before someone else does.
   • Offering more than you can afford - Before your lender signed off on your pre-approval, they calculated the maximum you can afford based on your debt-to-income ratio. Keep that dollar limit in mind when negotiations get hot, heavy, and emotional.
   • Playing games - Don't bid too low, nickel-and-dime the seller, or ask for unreasonable concessions. These tactics are more gamesmanship than negotiating. A serious seller won't want to deal with you.
   • Respond quickly - If the seller counters your offer, respond quickly in writing.
   
   
2. Hire a Real Estate Attorney
   The activity and paperwork get complicated once you reach an agreement. You pay deposits, sign contracts, review disclosures and contingency agreements, and more. Michigan doesn't require you to hire an attorney, but it's a good idea to have the legal and financial protection.
   
   A real estate attorney reviews documents, informs you of inappropriate or contradictory provisions, initiates title searches, and outlines critical duties and deadlines. Once your attorney approves your sales agreement, you're "under contract" and on your way to homeownership.
   
   
3. Finalize Your Mortgage
   Your lender finalizes your mortgage in a process that usually takes 30 days or more. A mortgage underwriter verifies your financial and employment information. The company hires a state-licensed appraiser who inspects and evaluates your future home to determine if the value is in line with your agreed sale price. If the mortgage company fails to approve you by a contractual deadline, it can terminate your deal.
   
   
4. Hire a Home Inspector
   Your buyer's home inspection makes sure there are no overlooked problems. When you attend the inspection, you get advance notice of adverse conditions that might cause you to renegotiate the sale. You'll receive a written report a few days later.
   
   When choosing an inspector, ask about certification, experience, their inspection process, and reporting methods.
   
   
5. Do a Walkthrough
   You do a walkthrough just before closing to make sure everything is the way it should be.
   
   
6. The Closing
   When you're done with all of the above, you, the seller, your real estate agents, lender, attorneys, title company, and possibly others will meet to execute documents and finalize the financial details. You'll walk away with the keys to your new home.