Your practical guide to preparing, shopping, making an offer, going under contract, and getting to closing day.
A team of talented agents with over 750 combined years of experience in real estate, sales and marketing, building and construction, project management, interior design and staging, historical rehabilitation, and lending.
Jim BaileyREALTOR®
Carol BasnightREALTOR®
Alicia A. NelsonREALTOR®
Billie SeymourREALTOR®
Kelly FrohboseREALTOR®
Heather KrohnREALTOR®
Stephanie RossREALTOR®
Sheri SatterwhiteREALTOR®
Ann TuckerREALTOR®
Patty SelbyREALTOR®
Woody MartinREALTOR®
With nearly a decade of experience in the mortgage industry, Amanda Lund brings a deep understanding of the lending process from every angle. She began her career in 2016 as a loan processor, advanced into underwriting, and today serves as a Loan Officer.
Her background helps her anticipate challenges, guide clients with confidence, and deliver a smooth, informed lending experience from start to finish.
Amanda Lund
Mortgage Loan Officer | NMLS #1704451
910-554-2654 call/text
Apply online to assess your income, credit, and assets for a potential financing amount.
Partner with a real estate agent to find your ideal home within your loan limits.
Work with your real estate agent to make an offer on your dream home.
Submit updated documents from pre-approval before finalizing the loan agreement.
Work with your attorney to review and sign the contract and provide down payment.
An appraisal is ordered after the mortgage application is submitted to processing.
Start shopping for your homeowner's insurance.
The processor completes updated verification for credit, employment, and assets.
You receive a copy of your appraisal report via email.
Your file is submitted to underwriters, who issue a conditional approval.
Submit outstanding conditions for lender clearance.
The seller's attorney provides the title report for underwriting review.
Attorneys schedule closing after clear-to-close notification.
Complete a final walkthrough to approve the home's condition before signing.
All parties sign closing documents with the title company's closing agent.
You are now a homeowner. Congratulations!
Determine the features you are looking for in your ideal home and prioritize which items are most important to you. No house is perfect, but this will help us find the best match for you. Ask us about the 85% rule.
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
Car Garage
Ideal Square Footage
Desired Location / Neighborhood / School District
Drive around neighborhoods that interest you to get a feel of the area, how the homes are cared for, what traffic is like, etc.
Talk to family, friends and co-workers to see if anyone might know of a house for sale in an area you're interested in. One of them may even know of someone thinking about selling before the home is listed.
Finding your dream home isn't always easy. Have a priorities list, but keep an open mind when viewing houses.
When you visit multiple houses, take photos and notes so you can reference specific details later when comparing properties.
When you find a home you want to buy, there may be others interested too. Be prepared to make a solid offer quickly.
When we have found a home that you're interested in buying, we will quickly and strategically place an offer.
We will decide on a reasonable offer price based on current market conditions, comparable properties recently sold in the area, the property's value, and the current condition of the house.
Paying in cash can offer a faster closing timeline and fewer financing-related issues, which may make an offer more appealing to sellers.
An offer that includes a larger due diligence deposit can present as a more serious and competitive offer.
A shorter closing timeframe is generally more attractive to sellers than an extended timeline with a house-sale contingency. A typical closing timeframe is 30-45 days.
Your earnest money deposit is held by a neutral third party, typically the closing attorney. The due diligence fee is paid directly to the seller and is non-refundable.
Finalize your loan application and lock in your interest rate if needed. Your lender may request additional documentation.
Your lender will require an appraisal to confirm that the home supports the loan amount.
Inspections are optional but highly recommended and are typically completed within 10-14 days after signing the sales agreement.
If an inspection reveals defects, you may have options to request repairs, negotiate price, or otherwise respond according to the contract. A short appraisal can also trigger further negotiation.
It's extremely important not to do any of the following until after the home buying process is complete:
Most lenders require both homeowner's insurance and title insurance. Policies vary, so it is recommended to get quotes from multiple companies to compare price, coverage, and limits.
At least 3 days before closing, lenders are required to provide a Closing Disclosure with your final loan terms and closing costs for review. The guide notes buyer closing costs typically range from 2-5% of the purchase price.
Within 24 hours of closing, complete a final walk through to verify the property's condition, agreed repairs, and items included in the purchase agreement.
Closing is the final step of the buying process. On closing day you will review and sign the final paperwork and submit the remaining down payment and closing costs by the agreed method.
