--- title: "Buyer's Guide | The Incorvaia Team" description: "Use our mortgage calculator and 10-step buyer's guide to find your dream home in Greater Cleveland with The Incorvaia Team." lang: en json-ld: | { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://greaterclevelandlife.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Buyers", "item": "https://greaterclevelandlife.com/buyers" } ] } --- [![The Incorvaia Team — When It Comes to Real Estate We're Not #1, You Are!](/assets/incorvaia-logo-white-DDiekB_K.png)](/) - Search - Neighborhoods - Buyers - Sellers - [About](/about) - Team - [Contact](/contact) - [(440) 879-7130](tel:+14408797130) - [Join the Team](https://partner.greaterclevelandlife.com/) ![Sunlit suburban home exterior with landscaped front yard in Greater Cleveland, Ohio](/assets/hero-buyers-Cy5BV2yQ.jpg) # Homebuying Is Easier Than You Think. ## Mortgage Calculator Loan Amount $500,000 $100,000 $5,000,000 Enter the total loan amount you want to borrow Interest Rate 6.50% 1.00% 15.00% Loan Period 30 years 5 years 40 years Monthly Payment $3,160 This is an approximate monthly repayment amount for your mortgage based on the given inputs. Total Interest Paid This is the total interest you would pay over the entire loan period. $637,722 Your Roadmap ## A Step-by-Step Buyer's Guide Buying a home is one of the most exciting milestones of your life. To prepare yourself for this moment, you need to know what to expect during the process. This step-by-step guide will help reduce the stress and help you enjoy the journey. ![Research — step 1 of the Incorvaia Team home buying process](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/WKKMwl7zZNeTpLd5r61v/media/697cd1471311f6c392eebb54.png) Step 1 ### Research Do you already know where you want to buy? If you want a condo, townhome, or single-family home? Which features do you like and dislike? What's available on the market now? If you answered no to any of these questions, now is the time to start researching. In addition to looking for homes that interest you, also take note of any changes in asking prices. This could give you valuable insight into housing trends in specific neighborhoods and help you when the time comes to make an offer. ![Decide on Your Budget — step 2 of the Incorvaia Team home buying process](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/WKKMwl7zZNeTpLd5r61v/media/697cd147d6f497ba770faed9.png) Step 2 ### Decide on Your Budget Notice we said to decide on your budget—not determine how much the mortgage company will give you. In many cases, a mortgage company will pre-approve you for more than you're comfortable spending, which is why you need to determine the monthly payment you feel comfortable with before talking to a lender. This likely includes doing a full household budget and taking into consideration what changes other than a mortgage payment will occur once you move into your new home. If you've lived in an apartment or with roommates, you may overlook new expenses like garbage, water, or HOA fees that could easily blow your budget. ![Get Prequalified — step 3 of the Incorvaia Team home buying process](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/WKKMwl7zZNeTpLd5r61v/media/697cf96b66e7ca3e7e34da71.png) Step 3 ### Get Prequalified Just because you think you can afford a certain payment every month doesn't mean the mortgage company will agree. Just as they may approve you for too large of an amount, they may also approve you for a lesser amount or deny you a mortgage altogether. Lack of time at a job, insufficient credit, past bankruptcies, or other financial issues can cause major problems when trying to secure a mortgage. Before you get your heart set on a home, talk to a mortgage professional to find out what amount you can qualify for. This will also be an advantage when you make an offer on a home, as some sellers won't entertain offers from those who aren't already prequalified for a loan. ![Choose a Real Estate Agent — step 4 of the Incorvaia Team home buying process](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/WKKMwl7zZNeTpLd5r61v/media/697cd1478b2c070a4bbdb0d2.jpg) Step 4 ### Choose a Real Estate Agent Can you shop for, look at, and ultimately make an offer on a home without a real estate agent? Technically yes, but why would you when it costs you nothing for agents like us to take much of the stress off your shoulders? Not only will we help identify properties you might be interested in, arrange showings, and ultimately handle the offer process, but we also have a knowledge of the market that you don't possess. Finding the perfect home can be a daunting task, this is where our expertise and wealth of knowledge come into play. Let us show you around some homes that meet your dream home criteria so you can find the one that's right for you. ![Find the Right Home — step 5 of the Incorvaia Team home buying process](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/WKKMwl7zZNeTpLd5r61v/media/697cd147a413e83673e36485.png) Step 5 ### Find the Right Home This should be the most enjoyable step of the entire process (other than moving in!). We will arrange showings of homes you're interested in that are within your price range. Take notes about what you like and don't like, and make sure to pay attention to details. Turn light switches on and off, open and close doors, and run the faucets in various rooms. Don't limit your inspection to the home itself. Make sure to take time to explore the neighborhood and keep an eye on traffic at certain times of the day, the parking situation, and how close it is to necessities like schools and grocery stores. ![Make an Offer — step 6 of the Incorvaia Team home buying process](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/WKKMwl7zZNeTpLd5r61v/media/697cd5d466e7ca0ee82da737.png) Step 6 ### Make an Offer Once you have selected the perfect home, work with your agent to craft a fair offer based on the value of comparable homes on the market. Depending on what the home is listed at and whether the current environment is a buyer's or seller's market, your offer may be below, at, or even above the asking price. We will be able to help you negotiate if you receive a counteroffer and reach an agreement. At this point, the house will go into escrow. ![Have the Home Inspected — step 7 of the Incorvaia Team home buying process](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/WKKMwl7zZNeTpLd5r61v/media/697cd147f7a8772be6791f4d.png) Step 7 ### Have the Home Inspected In most cases, your offer will be contingent on having the home inspected to ensure there is no major structural damage or large repairs needed. We can help you arrange this, and you can schedule it within days of making an offer. If there are no major issues, the process goes to step eight. If there is, you can renegotiate your offer based on what needs to be fixed, or you can withdraw it. ![Select Your Loan — step 8 of the Incorvaia Team home buying process](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/WKKMwl7zZNeTpLd5r61v/media/697cd147a413e8c28de36486.jpg) Step 8 ### Select Your Loan Now is the time to go back to the mortgage lender who pre-approved or pre-qualified you and choose your mortgage. You will be presented with various options based on your unique financial situation, including fixed-rate, variable-rate, 15-year, 30-year, or special programs such as VA loans or FHA loans. Work with your mortgage lender to select the option you feel the most comfortable with. ![Get a Home Appraisal — step 9 of the Incorvaia Team home buying process](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/WKKMwl7zZNeTpLd5r61v/media/697cd1478b2c07141dbdb0d1.png) Step 9 ### Get a Home Appraisal Your lender will have your new home appraised so they have their independent value of it. The appraisal is to ensure that all parties involved are paying a fair price for the house. ![Finish Paperwork — step 10 of the Incorvaia Team home buying process](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/WKKMwl7zZNeTpLd5r61v/media/697cd14750158be80dbf3de6.png) Step 10 ### Finish Paperwork No one looks forward to all the paperwork involved in buying a home, but it's a necessary part of the process. Fortunately, everything will be arranged by your lender and title company and, when you're finished, you'll know you are the legal owner of your new home. You Did It ## Congratulations! After signing the final paperwork to complete the purchase, you are now the owner of a new house. It may take a few days for your loan to be funded once the paperwork has been returned to the lender, but once that check is delivered to the seller, you'll be all set to move into the home of your dreams. [![The Incorvaia Team — When It Comes to Real Estate We're Not #1, You Are!](/assets/incorvaia-logo-white-DDiekB_K.png)](/) Greater Cleveland's trusted real estate team since 1995. Over $1 billion in transactions and a client-first approach to every transaction. Brokered by **eXp Realty, LLC** ## Quick Links - [Buy a Home](/buyers) - [Sell Your Home](/sellers) - [Our Team](/team) - [About Us](/about) - [Contact](/contact) - [Search Listings](/search) - [Join the Team](/join-the-team) ## Contact [(440) 879-7130](tel:+14408797130) Fax: 440-378-4092 [theincteam@gmail.com](mailto:theincteam@gmail.com) 16000 Pearl Rd Suite 206, Strongsville, Ohio 44136 ## Follow Us - [](https://www.facebook.com/ohiohomesforsale) - [](https://www.instagram.com/incorvaiateam/) - [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeincorvaiajr) - [](https://www.youtube.com/@theincorvaiateam1256) Equal Housing Opportunity EHO ## Homes for Sale by City - [Strongsville Homes for Sale](/listings/strongsville) - [North Royalton Homes for Sale](/listings/north-royalton) - [Broadview Heights Homes for Sale](/listings/broadview-heights) - [Brunswick Homes for Sale](/listings/brunswick) - [Medina Homes for Sale](/listings/medina) - [Hinckley Homes for Sale](/listings/hinckley) - [Parma Homes for Sale](/listings/parma) - [Parma Heights Homes for Sale](/listings/parma-heights) - [Columbia Station Homes for Sale](/listings/columbia-station) - [Westlake Homes for Sale](/listings/westlake) - [North Olmsted Homes for Sale](/listings/north-olmsted) - [Middleburg Heights Homes for Sale](/listings/middleburg-heights) - [Seven Hills Homes for Sale](/listings/seven-hills) - [Rocky River Homes for Sale](/listings/rocky-river) - [Bay Village Homes for Sale](/listings/bay-village) - [Avon Homes for Sale](/listings/avon) - [Avon Lake Homes for Sale](/listings/avon-lake) - [North Ridgeville Homes for Sale](/listings/north-ridgeville) - [Berea Homes for Sale](/listings/berea) **SMS / Text Messaging Consent:** By providing your phone number and submitting any form on this website, you consent to receive transactional text messages from **The Incorvaia Team, brokered by eXp Realty** related to your inquiry, including appointment confirmations, property updates, document signing reminders, and account notifications. 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