Basecamp 3 - The Home Buying Process
"I’m going to coach you through every step of the pre-approval all the way to the closing table and beyond." - Nelson Barss
The Road to Homeownership: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Buying a Home in Utah
Buying a home is one of the most exciting journeys you can take—and it doesn’t have to be confusing. Once you understand the steps and have a solid plan, you’ll feel confident and in control every step of the way.
In this episode of Home Buyers Quest, we broke down the entire path from pre-approval to closing day. Here’s a quick recap of what every Utah homebuyer should know before and during the process.
Step 1: Start with a Real Pre-Approval
Before you start touring homes or falling in love with listings, the first step is getting pre-approved. A true pre-approval gives you clarity on what price range fits your budget and makes your offers stronger when you find the right home.
Some lenders promise quick 15-minute approvals, but those shortcuts can lead to surprises later. A real pre-approval means sitting down with your loan officer, reviewing your credit, income, and goals, and walking away with a detailed written letter that sellers can trust.
During this process, we also talk about your short-term and long-term plans—because your financing strategy should match your life goals. Whether you’re buying a starter home in Salt Lake or planning your forever home in Utah County, this first step sets the foundation for everything that follows.
Step 2: Connect with a Great Real Estate Agent
Once you’re pre-approved, it’s time to meet your real estate agent. This is your guide to the Utah housing market. A good agent will help you define your priorities, set realistic expectations, and show you listings that actually fit your needs and price range.
They’ll also set you up with real-time alerts for new Utah home listings—so you can see fresh opportunities as soon as they hit the market. The best homes move fast, and being prepared helps you move confidently.
Step 3: Tour Homes and Ask Questions
House hunting should be fun—but it’s also where an experienced eye makes a difference. Your agent will schedule tours, help you spot potential issues, and guide you toward homes that fit both your lifestyle and your budget.
You’ll have plenty of time later for inspections and appraisals, so focus on how each home feels and how it fits your goals.
Step 4: Making an Offer
When you find the right home, your agent will help you structure a competitive offer using Utah’s Real Estate Purchase Contract. Together, you’ll decide on your:
Purchase price
Earnest money deposit
Closing timeline
Requests for seller-paid costs or repairs
As a buyer, you can ask the seller to contribute to your closing costs—something that’s especially common for first-time homebuyers. Your agent will help you balance all the terms to make your offer appealing and still protect your interests with contingencies for inspection, appraisal, and financing.
Step 5: Locking in Your Mortgage Rate
Once your offer is accepted, it’s time to lock in your interest rate. This step ensures your payment won’t change if market rates move before you close.
We shop multiple lenders to find the best combination of rate, cost, and timeline for you. During your rate lock consultation, we’ll also talk about:
How long you plan to stay in the home
Whether buying down the rate with points makes sense
What to expect at closing
What your final monthly payment will be
The goal is simple: make sure your financing fits your future.
Step 6: Loan Processing & Down Payment Assistance
From here, our loan partner takes over to guide you through the details—ordering the appraisal, coordinating with title and underwriting, and keeping everything on schedule.
If you’re using Utah down payment assistance, we handle that too. Our team acts as your concierge for programs like Utah Housing or Chenoa Fund, making sure every dollar is in place at closing. You won’t have to juggle multiple applications or deadlines—we’ve got it covered.
Step 7: Due Diligence & Home Inspection
Your due diligence period is your time to do a deep dive on the home. You’ll review the seller’s disclosures and schedule a professional inspection, which typically costs around $400.
Inspectors will look at everything from the roof to the foundation and give you a detailed report. You can then negotiate repairs or walk away if something major comes up, as long as you’re within your contract deadlines.
Step 8: Appraisal & Final Loan Review
The appraisal confirms that the home’s value matches the purchase price. If any issues or required repairs are noted, the seller usually handles them before closing.
Once the appraisal is complete and the underwriter signs off, your loan moves to the “clear to close” stage—one of the most exciting milestones in the process.
Step 9: Preparing for Closing
You’ll receive a Closing Disclosure at least three business days before your signing appointment. This document confirms your final costs, loan terms, and payment amount.
Our goal is that there are no surprises at closing. Everything you see should match what we locked in earlier. You’ll also schedule a final walkthrough with your agent to make sure the home is move-in ready.
Step 10: Closing Day & Moving In
Closing day is the finish line—and the starting line. You’ll meet with a title officer to review and sign your loan documents (about 100 pages total). Once everything’s signed and the lender funds your loan, the title company records the sale with the county.
Then you’ll get the best email of all: “You’re on record.” That means the home is officially yours. Time to grab your keys, celebrate, and start the next chapter.
Step 11: After Closing—Stay Connected
Your first mortgage payment will usually be due on the first of the month after 30–60 days. But even after closing, we’ll keep working for you—sending rate alerts, refinance opportunities, and homeowner tips to help you keep building wealth through real estate.
Our mission isn’t just to close loans; it’s to build long-term relationships that empower Utah homeowners to succeed for years to come.
Buying a home in Utah can feel like a big mountain to climb—but with the right team, it’s absolutely within reach. If you’re ready to start your homeownership journey, schedule a free consultation with our team today. We’ll help you map out your goals, understand your options, and take the next step toward your new home.
If you haven’t started at the beginning, give Basecamp 1 a read, this 3 part basecamp series helps you understand WHY you should own a home, and the clear steps of making that a reality.