Do I need a pre-approval before I start looking?
No. You do not need a pre-approval letter to begin the conversation or start figuring out what you are looking for. That said, Steven Holliday strongly recommends starting the pre-approval process early. A good lender can help you understand what price range makes sense, what your estimated monthly payment may look like, how much cash you may need at closing, and which loan programs may fit your situation. That gives us a much more realistic search and helps prevent you from falling in love with a home before knowing whether the numbers work. If you are paying cash, we will talk about proof of funds when it becomes necessary for an offer.
Do I have to sign an agreement before touring homes with an agent?
Yes. When Steven Holliday is working with you as your buyer's agent, you will review a written buyer-agency agreement together before touring homes. The goal is not to hand you paperwork and tell you where to sign. Steven will walk through what the agreement means, what services you can expect, how long the agreement lasts, and how compensation works. These terms are negotiable. Ohio law requires a written agency agreement before an agent makes an offer on a purchaser's behalf, and the agreement must explain how the broker will be compensated. REALTOR® and MLS rules generally require the written buyer agreement even earlier — before touring a home together.
How is a buyer's agent paid?
This is something Steven Holliday wants to be completely transparent about from the beginning. The buyer-agency agreement states the compensation for Steven Holliday's brokerage, Choice Properties Real Estate. When we prepare an offer, we can negotiate with the seller for the seller to pay all or part of that compensation as a term of the purchase agreement. Ohio Revised Code § 4735.55 requires buyer-agency agreements to explain the broker's compensation and to state that broker fees and commissions are not set by law, are fully negotiable, and may be paid by the seller, the buyer, or another party. If there is ever an amount that would be the buyer's responsibility, it will not be something that suddenly appears at closing. Steven will explain it, document it, and make sure you understand and agree to it before moving forward. The same goes for other transaction expenses. The goal is no surprises.
What other expenses should I expect when buying a home?
Every transaction is a little different, but potential costs can include inspections, appraisal fees, lender costs, title and closing expenses, homeowners insurance, prepaid taxes and insurance, and your down payment. Depending on the loan and the property, Steven Holliday may also be able to negotiate seller-paid closing costs or other concessions as part of the offer. Before writing an offer, Steven will help you look at more than just the purchase price. The goal is to understand what the entire transaction may look like so you can make a decision that works for your family and your budget.
How does the home search work?
It starts with a conversation, not an automated MLS email. Steven Holliday will talk with you about the things you need, the things you would like to have, your preferred locations, price range, commute, property size, school-district considerations, and anything else that matters to you. From there, Steven can build an MLS search around those criteria and send new properties as they come on the market. But he is also watching the market with you. If something comes up that looks like an especially good fit or may move quickly, expect a text or phone call, not just another email sitting in your inbox. The search can also change as we go. Sometimes seeing a few homes helps you realize what really matters.
What inspections should I consider on a rural property in Logan County?
At a minimum, Steven Holliday generally recommends a professional whole-home inspection. With many rural properties around Logan County and the surrounding area, there may be a few additional things worth investigating. If the home has a private well or septic system, those deserve additional attention. Depending on the property, you may also want to consider radon testing, pest or wood-destroying-insect inspections, roof or structural evaluations, surveys, and other specialized inspections. Acreage, barns, outbuildings, private drives, easements, propane systems, and other features can create questions that simply do not come up with every house in town. Steven's job is not to pretend to be the inspector, engineer, or contractor. His job is to help you ask good questions, keep track of the contract deadlines, and bring in the right professionals when expert advice is needed.
What happens if the inspection finds a problem?
First, don't panic. Home inspections almost always find something. The important question is what the issue means to you and what options are available under the purchase contract. Depending on the contract and where we are in the inspection period, a buyer may be able to request repairs, negotiate a credit or other financial consideration, accept the property as-is, or exercise other rights provided by the contract. Steven Holliday will help you work through the findings, understand the deadlines, and put any agreed-upon requests or changes in writing. When something requires technical advice, we will lean on the inspector, contractor, or appropriate professional rather than guessing.
What if the appraisal comes in low or the appraiser requires repairs?
An appraisal is different from a home inspection. The lender orders the appraisal to help determine the property's value and, depending on your financing, whether the property meets certain lending requirements. If the appraisal comes in below the contract price, Steven Holliday will help you understand the options available under your contract. That could involve additional negotiations between the buyer and seller. With certain financing programs, including FHA, VA, or USDA loans, an appraisal may also identify property conditions that need to be addressed before the lender will approve the loan. When that happens, Steven helps communicate between the buyer, seller, lender, and other professionals so everyone understands what needs to happen and who has agreed to handle it. Any repairs, credits, or other negotiated changes should be clearly documented.
Can I ask the seller to help with closing costs?
Absolutely. Seller-paid closing costs or concessions can be part of an offer, depending on the property, financing program, and overall negotiation. Steven Holliday has worked with buyers using different types of financing, including conventional, FHA, and USDA loans, where closing-cost assistance can make a meaningful difference. That does not mean every seller will agree to it, and loan programs have their own rules and limits. Steven will work with your lender to determine what you are eligible to request and then help structure the offer accordingly.
What does Steven Holliday actually do once I am under contract?
Getting an accepted offer is really just the beginning. Steven Holliday helps keep track of inspections, lender and appraisal timelines, title work, requested repairs, financing requirements, closing documents, and the final walkthrough. He stays in communication with the lender, title company, listing agent, and the other people involved in the transaction so you are not left trying to figure out who you are supposed to call next. Most importantly, Steven keeps you informed. There are a lot of moving pieces between an accepted offer and getting the keys. His job is to help make those pieces easier to understand and keep the transaction moving toward closing.
