Your guide from start to keys
Your Home Buying Journey
Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you'll make. Here's exactly how I'll guide you through it.
Nate Dahlin · Mortgage Advisor, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation · NMLS #2130803
The process
What to expect
01
Introduction
Whether your realtor or financial advisor connected us, or we met another way -- welcome. The first thing we'll do is get an initial loan consultation on the calendar. I recommend completing the pre-approval questionnaire beforehand to help us make the most of our time together.
02
Initial loan consultation
We'll sit down and dig into your needs, goals, and story. We'll cover your timeline, location, property type, price point, target monthly payment, and cash to close. I'll answer your questions and walk you through the full process so you leave feeling confident about your upcoming home search and knowing exactly what comes next.
03
Post-consultation recap and financial review
After our initial consultation, you'll receive a recap email outlining your next steps along with a document request. I'll review your financials, calculate your individual ratios based on your target price point, monthly payment, and cash to close, then verify and validate everything needed to get you to pre-approval.
04
Pre-approval and home search
You and your realtor will receive your pre-approval letter along with a pre-approval prescription to help guide your search and keep you within budget. Your realtor will begin showing you homes and I'll follow up with you periodically. I recommend sending me addresses of any homes you're interested in so I can run estimates on the monthly payment before you make any decisions.
05
Offer negotiation and strategy
Once you've found the right home, you, your realtor, and I will work together to write up an offer. I'll make sure the numbers align with your budget and we'll talk through any strategies, contingencies, and credits to ask for or offer. Once the offer is submitted, I personally call the listing agent to convey our confidence in your pre-approval and your ability to close.
06
Offer accepted and rate lock consultation
Once your offer is accepted, we'll review the contract together -- the terms, contingencies, and all important dates so nothing gets missed. I'll go over your loan terms, send your initial loan disclosures with an official loan estimate for your signature, and walk you through the strategy and timing around locking in your interest rate. We'll close out with a full overview of what comes next so you always know where you stand.
07
Appraisal, underwriting, and final loan approval
An appraisal is ordered to determine the value of the home. The underwriter then reviews your loan application and all supporting documentation, including the appraisal, to confirm everything is in order. If any additional information is needed, we'll reach out promptly. Once everything has been reviewed and approved, the underwriter issues final approval on your loan.
08
Closing
Your closing documents are sent to the title company and you'll receive a final closing disclosure to review your final numbers and loan terms. Any remaining cash to close is wired to the title company. You'll then sit down with a notary at the title company to sign all final documents. Once the loan funds -- the keys are yours.
09
Post-closing consultation and annual mortgage reviews
After closing, we'll meet to go over your first monthly payment, escrow details, and how to file for your homestead tax exemption. We'll talk through things you should know now that you're a homeowner and revisit your long-term financial goals. From there, I check in at least once a year to make sure your home loan is still optimized and all of your real estate needs are being met. This isn't a transaction -- it's a relationship.
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Nate Dahlin NMLS #2130803 is licensed to originate mortgage loans in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Pennsylvania.
Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee #21158
4107 N. Himes Avenue Suite 2B Tampa, FL 33607
This is not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting guidelines, and sufficient collateral. Not all applicants will qualify. Rates, terms, and programs are subject to change without notice. This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a loan offer or advertisement as defined under Regulation Z (Truth in Lending Act).
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