Welcome

We've built this guide as a resource for anyone looking to buy a home, with a special emphasis on the first-time buyer. It's filled with useful tips, checklists, sample forms, and interactive features that take the confusion out of the home-buying process.

What is an agent? What does an agent do? How do you find a good agent? What makes a Redfin agent different? Should you work with an attorney? We answer these questions, and more.

How do you start your home search? How can Redfin help you search for a home? How do you read the listing details for a home? How do you keep track of your favorite homes on Redfin? What free resources are available to help you in your home search?

When and how do you start viewing homes? How do you pick the right neighborhood? How do you view open houses? Can you tour homes with Redfin? What should you look for during your home tours?

Before you start looking for a home, it pays to think about financing. You'll get an accurate idea of your price range and the ability to act quickly when you find the right place.

This is a big topic, so we've divided it into three sections:

• Mortgage Basics: How do you sort out all the mortgage types, rates and options? Check out our Mortgage Basics.
• Mortgage Pre-Approval: What is mortgage pre-approval? Do you need it, and how do you get it? Find the answers in our Mortgage Pre-Approval section.
• Choose a Lender or Broker: Ready to talk about a mortgage, but not sure how to pick the right person for the job? Find the information you need in our Choose a Lender or Broker section.

What happens when you make an offer? How do you separate hype from reality when it comes to finding a great deal? What's a Comparative Market Analysis, and why is it so important? How does the offer process work in your part of the country? How do you handle negotiations? What happens if your offer is rejected?

How do you close the deal on a home? How do you handle inspections, appraisals, and getting a mortgage? How do you make sense of all that paperwork?

We're not happy unless you love our Home Buying Guide. If you have suggestions, comments, questions, or feedback on our guide, please send them directly to the author.