Buying Your Home
What to expect from first meeting to closing day
Welcome
Your next home starts with a conversation.
Buying a home is an exciting journey, and one that comes with important decisions along the way. My goal is to help you navigate the process with clarity and confidence, making sure every step moves you closer to finding the home that's right for you.
Your roadmap Four stages, from first meeting to closing day
Stage 1
Getting ready
First meeting
We'll talk through what you're looking for in a home, your goals and your ideal budget.
Your price range
I'll help you connect with a trusted local lender to determine the best price range and loan options.
Stage 2
Finding your home
Searching for homes
The sections below show the tools I recommend for keeping an eye on the market.
Touring homes
We'll tour homes that fit your vision and keep refining the search until we find the one.
The big picture
Start with what matters to you.
One of the most important parts of buying a home is figuring out what you're really looking for. It's worth taking some time to think through your priorities before we dive into the process.
Location
Sets the map
Do you have a specific area or school district in mind? Knowing where you'd like to live tells us where to start looking.
Type of home
Shapes the search
Are you leaning toward a detached home, townhouse or condo? Brand new or full of character? Move-in ready or something you can make your own?
Features
Sorts the list
Think about size, layout, must-have features and those "would-be-nice" extras.
You don't need to have all the answers right away. We can talk through it together. As we start seeing homes, I'll get a better sense of what you love (and what you don't), but a conversation up front helps us hit the ground running.
Financing your home
Know your price range first.
Most buyers don't pay cash for their home, so getting pre-approved for a mortgage is one of the first steps.
Pre-approval
Sets your range
It helps you understand what price range to focus on, and it catches any surprises on your credit report early.
Your budget
Keeps it comfortable
There's a difference between what you can borrow and what feels right for your budget. A quick conversation with a lender will give you a solid starting point.
A second lender
Compares your terms
Once we're further along, it's smart to check with a second lender to make sure you're getting the best terms.
Need a great lender? Just reach out. I'm happy to recommend someone who's a good fit for your situation.
Finding your home
Everywhere homes are listed.
My buyer clients use a variety of websites and apps to search for homes, and that's a great way to stay informed.
My mobile app
I recommend starting with my mobile app, which makes it easy to browse listings, save your favorites and message me directly with questions or showing requests.
New listings search
Search new listings to keep an eye on every home that hits the market in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. It's updated constantly and easy to navigate.
National sites
Realtor.com, Zillow and many more local and national real estate websites.
Wherever you're searching, if you see a home you'd like to check out, just reach out. I'll take it from there!
Working together
What I do as your buyer's agent.
I'm here to guide you through every step of the process, from the first showing to closing day.
Finding your home
Gives you a clear picture
I'll help you find the right home, provide key details about each property and dig into anything important before you move ahead.
Making your offer
Puts your best foot forward
When you're ready to make an offer, I'll handle the strategy, paperwork and negotiations.
Handling the details
Keeps you in the loop
From inspections and appraisals to walk-throughs and settlement prep, I'll coordinate all the pieces. Anytime questions come up, I'm just a call, text or email away.
Before we tour homes
A buyer representation agreement
Before we start touring homes together, we'll need to have a buyer representation agreement in place. It outlines how I'll represent you and your best interests throughout the process. I'm happy to walk you through exactly what it says, answer any questions and make sure you feel comfortable before we move forward.
Finding your home
Every showing teaches us something.
As we tour homes, we'll learn more about what you love (and what you don't), and we'll keep refining the search until we find the one.
Making an offer
A strong, clear offer.
You just toured a fantastic new listing and you're ready to make an offer. Exciting times! Here are the key decisions we'll talk through together.
Price
Sets your position
Your offer price, and whether to use an escalation clause to outshine competing offers.
Earnest money
Shows your commitment
How much you want to put down as an earnest money deposit, typically around 1%.
Personal property
Spells out what stays
What stays with the home, such as appliances.
Contingencies
Protects your result
Any contingencies you want to include, like financing, a home inspection, a radon test or an appraisal. If you're also selling a home, we'll talk about whether a home sale contingency is needed.
Timing
Sets the dates
A financing deadline and a closing date, ideally aligning with the seller's preferences.
This might all sound like a lot, but we'll go through each piece together. I'll make sure you're confident and well-prepared before submitting your offer.
Under contract
Contract to closing.
Once we're under contract, I'll be by your side through every step leading up to closing, from inspections and the appraisal to contract deadlines. I stay in close communication with the seller's agent and your lender to keep your financing moving forward, and if issues pop up, I'll help you understand your options. There are a lot of moving parts, but I'll handle the details so you can focus on getting ready to move into your new home!
A bit about me
Scott P. Rogers, Associate Broker
I've helped buyers and sellers in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County since 2003, and I'm an Associate Broker with Funkhouser Real Estate Group. Each year since 2010, I've been in the top 1% of area REALTORS® by volume of real estate sold.
I'm a James Madison University graduate (B.A. 2000, M.Ed. 2002), and my background in graphic design, web development, management and counseling shapes how I market homes and work with clients. In 2007 I began writing about our local market at HarrisonburgHousingToday.com, and I've been tracking it ever since.
I live in Rockingham County with my wife, Shaena, and our two children. When I'm not working, I'm usually hanging out with family, going for a run, cheering on the JMU Dukes, or tending to TakeThemAMeal.com and PerfectPotluck.com.
Questions? Just ask.
I'm happy to chat, answer questions, or meet to talk through the process, the market, and your timing and goals.