Buying a Home: A How-To Guide
- Bailey Luthi
- Oct 22
- 3 min read
How to Buy a Home (Without a Panic Attack)
So, you’re thinking about buying a home (cue the happy dance🎉)... Whether you’ve been dreaming of a cozy antique new englander or a modern colonial with a yard for summer BBQs, the idea of owning something that’s truly yours is pretty amazing. But let’s be real: between scrolling listings, crunching numbers, and wondering what the heck “escrow” even means, it can also feel… a little overwhelming.
The good news? It doesn’t have to be. With the right game plan (and the right guide), buying a home can be smooth, empowering, and—dare I say it—actually fun.
Here’s the playbook I walk my clients through step by step...
Get Clear on What "Home" Means for You
Before you start touring, get real about what you actually want and need.
Ask yourself:
How do I want to live day-to-day? (Are you more “quiet mornings with coffee on the porch” or “walk to downtown for brunch”?)
What’s my must-have list vs. my nice-to-have list?
What can I comfortably afford each month, not just what I qualify for?
💡 Pro tip: Focus on the monthly payment, not just the sticker price. It’s about how the home fits into your life- not the other way around.
Talk to a Trusted Local Lender (Yes, Before You Look at Houses)
This is the step that sets serious buyers apart. Before you hit open houses or fall in love with a listing, get pre-approved with a local lender who knows the New Hampshire and Massachusetts markets.
A great lender will:
Help you understand your buying power
Walk you through first-time homebuyer programs (New Hampshire has some fantastic ones!)
Lock in competitive rates with a clear explanation of every number
Working with a local lender (not a big-box online one) means you’ll have someone who answers the phone, understands local taxes, and moves fast when it’s time to make an offer.
Team Up With the Right REALTOR®
This is where your dream team starts to come together. You deserve a Realtor® who doesn’t just unlock doors—but helps you unlock clarity.
Here’s what a great buyer’s agent brings to the table:
Deep knowledge of local neighborhoods and trends
Strong negotiation skills to help you win the right home
Guidance that keeps you informed, confident, and stress-free
My mission is simple: to educate, empower, and motivate you through every step. My job isn’t just to help you buy a house—it’s to help you make a smart, happy, long-term decision.
Go House Hunting - Strategically
This is where things get fun. Once we know your goals and budget, we’ll start touring homes that actually make sense for your lifestyle and long-term vision.
We’ll analyze each property for:
Condition and resale potential
Neighborhood vibes
Commute, schools, and community fit
And when that moment hits—the one where you step inside and think, “This is it”—I’ll help you move fast and strategically to make it yours.
Make and Offer & Navigate the Details
This is where having an experienced team really pays off. Once we’ve found “the one,” I’ll help you:
Craft a strong, competitive offer
Negotiate inspection results with confidence
Coordinate with your lender, attorney or title company, and home inspector so nothing falls through the cracks
It might look complicated from the outside—but when you have a guide who keeps everything on track, it feels surprisingly calm and manageable.
Close, Celebrate, and Settle In
Fast-forward a few weeks: keys in hand, boxes stacked, and maybe a bottle of bubbly chilling in the fridge. 🏡That’s not just a new address—it’s a new chapter.
My favorite part is seeing clients go from nervous first-time buyers to confident homeowners who can finally say, “We did it.”
Ready to Start Your Homebuying Journey?
If you’re ready to buy a home in New Hampshire or Massachusetts, let’s connect. I’ll walk you through the process step by step, introduce you to trusted local lenders and vendors, and help you make a move that feels right—financially and emotionally.
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