🏡 Home Buyer’s Guide 2025

Home BuyingFirst Time Home BuyerGet Pre-ApprovedHomeownership
Written By Joshua Vigil

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial and personal decisions you’ll ever make. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or moving up to your forever home, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the process with confidence.

1. Get Pre-Approved

Before you start house hunting, connect with a trusted lender.

  • Learn what you qualify for

  • Understand your monthly payment

  • Strengthen your offer when you find the right home

👉 Tip: Pre-approval is stronger than pre-qualification. Sellers take you more seriously.

2. Choose Your Agent

Work with a local expert who knows your market inside and out.

  • Access to off-market listings

  • Negotiation skills to protect your interests

  • Guidance through contracts, inspections, and escrow

3. Define Your Needs vs. Wants

Make a list before you shop.

  • Needs: Bedrooms, bathrooms, school district, commute

  • Wants: Pool, upgraded kitchen, large lot
    This helps you focus and avoid falling in love with a house outside your budget.

4. Start Your Home Search

Use online tools (like my Home Search Page) to browse available listings.

  • Save searches by city (Palmdale, Lancaster, Santa Clarita, etc.)

  • Set alerts so you never miss new homes

  • Tour homes virtually and in person

5. Make an Offer

When you find “the one,” we’ll draft an offer.

  • Offer price based on market data (comps)

  • Negotiation on repairs, credits, or seller concessions

  • Clear timelines for contingencies

6. Escrow & Inspections

Once your offer is accepted, escrow begins (usually 30 days).

  • Home inspection

  • Appraisal

  • Loan approval

  • Contingency removals

👉 Tip: Use inspections to uncover issues. We’ll negotiate repairs or credits if needed.

7. Closing Day

Sign final loan documents, wire funds, and get your keys!

  • Schedule your final walkthrough

  • Transfer utilities into your name

  • Celebrate your new home 🎉

8. After Closing

My role doesn’t stop at closing.

  • Referrals for local contractors

  • Homeownership tips & market updates

  • Staying connected for your future real estate needs

✅ Free Buyer Tools

Ready to Buy?

Whether you’re just starting out or ready to write an offer, I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

👉 Schedule a free buyer consultation today.

Contact Josh →

Please feel free to share with anyone you know who can benefit from this! Have a great weekend! 🏡👨‍👩‍👧‍👦😊

Realtor Joshua Vigil
DRE# 01989117
The Hier Advantage Real Estate Sales & Service

Joshua Vigil

Voted Antelope Valley's Best Realtor in 2020, 2022, 2024, and 2025!

I'm a Realtor servicing all of California with specialty areas in Santa Clarita Valley, Palmdale, Lancaster, and San Fernando Valley. As a Realtor, my goal is to deliver the best service to my clients and for each client to know they are a valued customer and not a number. I complete these goals by staying educated in Real Estate Laws, Real Estate Data, and overall Market Trends. I keep close contact with all of my clients, provide updates as they are received, explain processes in-depth to ensure client understanding, and most importantly, I treat every customer the way I would like to be treated if the roles were reversed. Put your trust in me and you will be rewarded with excellent results!

https://www.JoshuaVigil.com
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