Become a homeowner

🗝️ Your Journey to Homeownership, Simplified.

Elzie's Clear, Step-by-Step Guide to Central Texas Home Buying

Buying your first home in Central Texas can feel overwhelming. So many questions. So many steps. Where do you even begin? That’s where Elzie comes in.

Elzie believes the first step isn’t about properties; it’s about people. It’s about building a relationship. Getting to know you, your family, and your dreams for a home. Elzie wants to understand you before diving into the details of what a house looks like.

It starts with a conversation—maybe over breakfast or lunch. Elzie listens, asking about your work, your family life, and what your ideal home entails.

What does that dream home look like?
A place for everyone? A garden? A garage that protects your car? Elzie hears it all and translates those dreams into tangible possibilities.

STEP 1

The Foundation: Getting Qualified

(Before You Buy)

It all starts with understanding you and solidifying your financial standing. This is the most crucial first step that determines your buying power and strengthens your future offer.

Build a Relationship & Dream Big:
Elzie will ask about your specific needs, from square footage to features like an office or garden space, ensuring the search is tailored.
Understand Your Budget:
We’ll discuss your financial comfort level, aiming for a monthly payment that feels comfortable, not a burden.
Get Pre-Approved:
This is essential. Elzie guides you through gathering documents (like tax returns, pay stubs, and bank statements) to secure a pre-approval letter.
Lender Shopping:
Elzie can recommend three trusted lenders, allowing you to shop for the best rate without multiple hits to your credit score, or you can use your own lender.

STEP 2

The Journey: Finding Your Perfect Home

(During the Process)

With your pre-approval in hand and representation paperwork signed, the real fun begins. Elzie is your dedicated guide in finding and securing the right house.

Tailored Search & Showings:
Elzie refines the search based on your exact criteria. We focus on no more than three homes at a time to avoid confusion, scheduling viewings that are convenient for you.
Informed Decisions & Offer Power:
When you find "the one," Elzie conducts a Certified Market Analysis on comparable homes to ensure you offer based on true market value, guaranteeing you don't overpay.
Offer to Contract:
Elzie guides you through placing an offer, clearly explaining the required deposits:
Earnest Money (Good Faith): A deposit credited back to you at closing, showing commitment to buy.
Option Money (Protection): A non-refundable fee that buys you a 7-day option period to opt out of the contract for any reason after the inspection.
Inspection & Appraisal:
During the option period, Elzie connects you with trusted inspectors to review the home. Separately, the lender orders an Appraisal to confirm the home’s value is what you are paying for.
Broker Concession Clarity:
Elzie maintains full transparency regarding broker fees. While the seller's broker typically pays Elzie's broker's fee (3%), you will know upfront if the seller is offering less, allowing you to make an informed decision before seeing the home.

STEP 3

Success: Moving In and Beyond

(After You Buy)

The goal is simple: get you into your new home, happily and quickly. From contract to closing takes between 30 to 45 days, depending on the lender.

Elzie’s Commitment to You:

Accessibility: My time is your time. You can call, text, or email—ask as many questions as you need, as often as you need. Elzie is committed to empowering you with knowledge.
Privacy Assured: Elzie ensures your transaction remains private. Only the essential parties (lender, title company, and Elzie) will know until you or your family choose to share the good news.

🤝 Your Questions, Answered & A Friend for Life

Is buying truly better than renting?

Absolutely. While renting seems easier, homeownership allows you to build equity—wealth that accumulates as you pay down your mortgage. Renting only builds wealth for your landlord. We ensure your budget is comfortable so homeownership is a blessing, not a burden.

How do you narrow down what I want in a home?

This is Step 1: The Foundation. We start with a detailed conversation to define all your preferences (features, finishes, lifestyle, and even the “feel” of the home). We translate those dreams into a laser-focused search to filter out the noise and find properties that truly fit your family.

I'm overwhelmed by all the online information. Where do I start?

Start with Elzie. We filter out the confusing and sometimes conflicting information. We build trust first, and then follow this clear, simplified 3-step process together. Your job is to dream; my job is to make the process easy.

I don't know the first thing about the buying process or qualifications.

That’s why I’m here! This guide breaks down the entire journey into simple steps: Pre-approval, Tailored Search, Offer, Inspection, and Closing. I will explain everything in a simple way, ensuring you are empowered and confident at every turn.

How long does the entire process usually take?

Once you are under contract, closing typically takes between 30 to 45 days. Our speed depends on how quickly we complete Step 1 (Pre-Approval) and how fast you find the perfect home. We move quickly to meet your timeline goals!

How do I know what I can realistically afford?

We start by discussing your comfortable monthly payment first. Then, the pre-approval process (Step 1) gives you an exact figure of your buying power, ensuring we only look at homes that fit your finances perfectly.

I have a lot of questions. Will I bother you?

Absolutely not. My time is your time. You can call, text, or email as often as you need. I am here to get all your questions answered and ensure you feel confident and supported, not rushed or judged.

Who pays the buyer's agent compensation, and could I owe fees?

The seller’s broker is typically charged 6% compensation by the seller. The seller’s broker then pays 3% of that amount to the buyer’s broker for bringing a ready buyer. Elzie guarantees full transparency: I will notify you before viewing a home if the seller’s broker is offering less than the full 3%, and you would be responsible for the difference. It’s always your choice, with no surprise fees.

Is there a limit on how many houses we can view?

There is no limit! We view as many homes as needed until you are satisfied. I recommend viewing them in batches of three to keep your focus clear, but you will not be charged extra for needing to see more homes.

How do you ensure my home buying process remains private?

Privacy is paramount. Only essential parties (your lender, the title company, and Elzie) will know the details of your transaction. Your friends and family won’t know until you choose to share the good news—we protect your privacy until closing day.

Your dream home is within reach. Let Elzie guide you with confidence and expertise. We look forward to going on this journey with you and your family.