Buying a home is one of the most exciting milestones of your life. Working with The Reitz Group ensures less surprises and more results. Our team has created this step-by-step first time buyer’s guide to help you unlock the doors to your dream home.
Before you dive into listings, spend time understanding the process. Learn about different neighborhoods (such as Franklin Lakes, Hoboken or Bergen County), current market trends, and what you’re really looking for in a home. Do you want nightlife nearby? A big yard for the kids? Easy commuting options? Your lifestyle should guide your search.
💡 Pro Tip: Create a list of “must-haves” vs. “nice-to-haves.” It will help you stay focused.
Get real about your finances. How much can you afford? Factor in your savings, income, monthly expenses, and don’t forget about closing costs, property taxes, and potential HOA fees.
💡 Pro Tip: Speak to our trusted lending partners to get a rough idea of your monthly payment.
In addition to your new mortgage payment, factor in expenses like garbage, water, heating and cooling costs or HOA fees.
Before you tour homes, talk to a lender. Getting pre-qualified—or better yet, pre-approved—shows sellers you’re serious and gives you a clear budget range.
🧾 You’ll need: Recent pay stubs, W-2s, bank statements, and credit history.
This is where we come in. A great agent isn’t just a tour guide—they’re your advocate, consultant, and negotiator. We’ll help you find the right home, make a strong offer, and avoid common pitfalls.
💼 The Reitz Group brings decades of experience, hyper-local knowledge, and concierge-level service to guide you every step of the way.
Our goal is to provide you with the most personalized service, designed to help you buy your dream home
Now the fun begins! With your wishlist and budget in hand, we’ll help you tour homes that match your needs—and lifestyle.
🏙️ Whether you're drawn to Franklin Lakes' tree lined streets or Jersey City's skyline views, we’ll help you find the perfect fit.
Take notes about what you like and don’t like, and make sure to pay attention to details. Turn light switches on and off, open and close doors, and run the faucets in various rooms. Don’t limit your inspection to the home itself. Make sure to take time to explore the neighborhood and keep an eye on traffic at certain times of the day, the parking situation, and how close it is to necessities like schools and grocery stores.
Once you find the one, we’ll work together to submit a competitive offer based on local comparison homes and current market conditions.
💬 We handle all the back-and-forth with the seller and advocate for your best interest every step of the way.
Depending on what the home is listed for and whether the current environment is a buyer’s or seller’s market, your offer may be below, at, or even above the asking price. Once your offer is accepted, you will enter into attorney review and the house will go into escrow.
In most cases, your offer will be contingent on having the home inspected to ensure there is no major structural damage or large repairs needed.
🔍 Don’t skip this step—it protects you from costly surprises down the line.
We can help you arrange this, and you can schedule it within days of making an offer. If there are no major issues, the process goes to step eight. If there is, you can renegotiate your offer based on what needs to be fixed, or you can withdraw it.
There are several mortgage options available. We’ll help connect you with trusted lenders who can guide you toward the right loan program for your financial goals.
💰 From FHA to conventional to VA loans, choosing the right one can save you thousands.
You will be presented with various options based on your unique financial situation, including fixed-rate, variable-rate, 15-year, 30-year, or special programs such as VA loans or FHA loans. Work with your mortgage lender to select the option you feel the most comfortable with.
Your lender will order an appraisal to ensure the home’s value matches the sale price. This protects both you and the bank.
📉 If the appraisal does not meet expectations, don’t worry—we’ll help you renegotiate or reassess.
This is the final stretch. You’ll sign a lot of documents, transfer funds, and officially become a homeowner.
🖊️ We’ll work with your attorney and lender to walk you through every signature and detail so you know exactly what to expect.
After signing the final paperwork to complete the purchase, you are now the owner of your new home. It may take a few days for your loan to be funded once the paperwork has been returned to the lender, but once that check is delivered to the seller, you’ll be all set to move into the home of your dreams.
We pride ourselves on providing personalized solutions that bring our clients closer to their dream properties and enhance their long-term wealth.
