HowTo Guide
How to evaluate a property before you make an offer
This step-by-step process helps buyers reduce pricing uncertainty, test affordability, and compare options with clear decision criteria.
Step 1: Define your buying guardrails
Set non-negotiables first: budget range, preferred neighborhoods, minimum layout, and commute expectations. This prevents emotional drift and keeps your shortlist realistic.
- Budget cap and preferred monthly payment
- Location priorities and deal-breakers
- Property type and space requirements
Step 2: Validate asking price with sold comparables
Assess the listing against recent nearby sold homes, not just active listing prices. If price context diverges, flag the property for deeper review before moving forward.
Goal: understand fair value range before offer strategy.
Step 3: Run affordability scenarios
Model monthly payment with different down payment and rate assumptions. Include taxes, fees, and potential repairs so your decision survives real-world costs.
Goal: avoid buying into payment stress.
Step 4: Compare finalists and decide
Score top homes side by side using fair value, payment fit, neighborhood trend, and long-term upside. Choose with criteria, not momentum.
Goal: make a confident go/no-go call per home.