Buying a house in Spokane
Buying a house is a big deal, and most of what makes it stressful is not knowing what happens next. Here's what the process actually looks like from the first showing to the day you get the keys, so nothing catches you off guard.
How buying a house works
Get preapproved
Before you look at houses, talk to a lender and get a preapproval letter. This tells you what you can actually afford, what your monthly payment will look like at today's rates, and gives sellers proof you're serious when you write an offer. I can recommend a few local lenders if you don't have one.
Figure out what you're looking for
Price range, neighborhoods, size, condition, timeline. I'll tell you what's realistic in the current Spokane market and where you might need to compromise. Sometimes the house you want exists in a different neighborhood than the one you started with.
See houses
Once we know what we're looking for, I set up showings on days that work for you. I'll point out things you can't see in listing photos, like foundation issues, roof age, drainage problems, or a floor plan that doesn't actually work for how you'd live in it.
Write an offer that gets accepted
Price is one part of an offer. The rest is terms: earnest money, financing timeline, inspection contingencies, closing date. In a competitive market the offer that wins is usually not the highest one, it's the cleanest one. I'll walk you through what actually matters to the seller.
Inspection and negotiation
Once your offer is accepted, you have a set number of days to hire a licensed inspector and go through the house top to bottom. If problems come up, we negotiate repairs or a price reduction. If something serious comes up, you can walk away.
Appraisal and final approval
Your lender orders an appraisal to confirm the house is worth what you're paying. Underwriting does its final review of your loan. This is where most deals hit small snags, and where having someone who's done this before matters.
Closing
Final walkthrough, sign paperwork, get the keys. Most closings take an hour. Then the house is yours.
Questions I get from buyers
Ready to start looking?
Call or text me at (509) 418-8817, or book a time and I'll call you.