Buying a home is a big step. It should be exciting, not confusing. At Zuber Realty, we believe in making the process as clear and comfortable as possible, so you always know what’s next and who’s on your side.
Whether it’s your first home, your forever home, or your next move, we’re here to help you make smart decisions from start to finish. Richard A. Zuber Realty is the most experienced real estate organization in the six counties that it serves: Berks, Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Lancaster, and Lehigh.
What You Can Expect with Zuber Realty
- Friendly, full-time local agents who know your neighborhoods
- Step-by-step guidance from pre-approval through closing
- Offer strategies that work in today’s market
- Clear, up-front conversations about contracts and costs
- A smooth closing—and keys in your hand
We take pride in the experience and knowledge each of our agents has to offer. Most of our realtors grew up in the area and have a thorough knowledge of the immediate and surrounding areas and what each has to offer. Our experienced support staff offers knowledgeable assistance to our clients, customers, and agents. When you are ready for your home purchase, here are some guidelines to help you navigate the home buying process.
1. Choose the Right Agent
Buying a home is a personal process. You want an agent who understands your goals, communicates clearly, and helps you make smart decisions. Choosing the right real estate agent is important as you’ll be working closely with your agent throughout the home buying process. You may not want to choose the first agent you come in contact with whether through the internet or in person.
As of August 2024, all buyers working with a licensed real estate agent must sign a buyer representation agreement before touring homes. This change applies to all agents using MLS systems, not just Zuber Realty, and is part of updated national standards following the NAR settlement.
The buyer agreement outlines the services your agent provides and how they’ll be compensated. You’ll review and sign it before your home search begins. Some agents work under exclusive agreements, while others may offer non-exclusive options that give you flexibility as you get started. Learn more about buyer agreements ›
Compensation is fully negotiable. In some cases:
- You may agree to pay your agent directly.
- The seller may voluntarily offer to pay a portion of the buyer broker fee in their listing terms.
- You can request in your offer that the seller pay some or all of your agent’s fee. When buyer broker compensation is included in your offer it may be treated by your lender as a seller concession, which is subject to loan program limits. Your lender and agent should coordinate to make sure it’s structured appropriately for your financing.
No matter how it’s arranged, your agent will explain your options clearly so you feel confident moving forward.
Use a local agent who is familiar with the neighborhood you are searching. This is beneficial because they will know the ins and outs of that specific market. Through data exchange and multi-list cooperation, your agent typically shows you properties listed by other agencies as well as their own.
2. Get Pre-Approved with a Local Lender
Before you start touring homes, talk to a lender about getting pre-approved. This step helps you:
- Understand your price range and loan options
- Estimate your monthly payment
- Strengthen your offer when you’re ready to buy
Many sellers won’t consider offers without a pre-approval letter, especially in a competitive market. We recommend working with a local lender who knows the area, attends settlements, and communicates clearly with your agent. Local lenders often offer more personalized service and fewer last-minute surprises.
Be sure to ask for a Loan Estimate showing your interest rate, APR, down payment, and expected closing costs. And if you plan to ask the seller to help cover any of your fees, your lender needs to know as some loans have limits on seller-paid concessions.
3. Search with Confidence
Online listings are a great starting point, but not everything you see is accurate or up to date. That’s where your agent comes in.
We’ll make sure the details are accurate, set you up with alerts, show you homes that match what you want, and help you evaluate the pros and cons of each home. We’ll also flag things like unusual zoning, flood zones, or resale considerations that may not show up in a listing—but could matter to your future plans.
4. Make a Strong Offer
Once you find a home you love, we’ll help you make an offer that gives you the best shot at getting it. That includes:
- Reviewing recent comparable sales
- Structuring the right contingencies
- Strategizing any seller concessions you may need
- Navigating multiple-offer situations when they arise
We’ll also talk about whether to request inspections and what it means if you choose to waive them.
5. Navigate the Contract-to-Close Process
Once your offer is accepted, your agent will help manage all the moving parts:
- Home inspection
- Other inspections (like radon, wood insect, septic, water, etc.)
- Appraisal
- Loan underwriting
- Title coordination
- Insurance, utilities, and scheduling your settlement
We’ll keep everything on track and remind you of important dates, so your transaction moves forward smoothly. We’ll help you understand everything you need to know about closing costs.
6. Closing Day
A day or two before settlement, you’ll do a final walk-through of the home with your agent. This confirms everything is in the agreed condition. At closing, bring:
- Two forms of ID
- Your final payment (usually wired or via cashier’s check as personal checks are not accepted)
Once the documents are signed and funds are disbursed, you get the keys, and your new home!
7. After Closing
Watch for your recorded deed and title policy in the mail (typically within 30–60 days). If you don’t receive them, contact your title company or ask us. We’re happy to help. You do not have to pay an outside company for copy of deed (you will be solicited by real official ‘looking’ offers that ask you to pay).
If you ever have questions or are thinking about your next move, we’re just a call or email away.
Let’s Get You Home
Whether you’re just starting to explore or ready to make an offer, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Buying
As of August 2024, buyers must sign a buyer representation agreement before an agent can show them properties. This is an industry-wide change tied to the NAR settlement and applies to all licensed agents using the MLS, not just Zuber Realty. The agreement outlines what services your agent will provide and how they’re compensated. It’s designed to protect both you and your agent, and to ensure transparency about expectations and costs.
An exclusive agreement means you’re working only with one agent during your home search. A non-exclusive agreement lets you explore options or work with more than one agent under certain conditions. Not all agents offer both, so be sure to ask. Learn more about buyer agreements ›
Yes. This is something you can include as a request in your offer. It may be treated as a seller concession, which could affect your loan if it exceeds allowed limits. Your lender and agent will help you structure the request properly.
Not necessarily. If the seller voluntarily offers buyer broker compensation in their listing, it’s not always treated as a concession by lenders. Only when the buyer requests that compensation as part of the offer might it be subject to seller concession rules. Either way, your agent and lender will guide you through the correct structure.
Yes. It helps you understand what you can afford and shows sellers you’re serious. Many sellers won’t consider offers without a pre-approval letter, especially in a competitive market.
Closing costs typically include lender fees, title services, transfer taxes, homeowners insurance, prepaid taxes, and more. Expect them to run about 3–6% of the home’s price, on top of your down payment. Your lender will provide a full estimate early in the process.
You can, but it comes with risk. We’ll help you weigh your options and understand what protections you’re giving up. In some cases, limited or informational inspections might be allowed.
If the appraisal is lower than your offer, you may be able to renegotiate, pay the difference, or back out. It depends on the terms of your contract. Your agent will help you review your options.
Most purchases close within 30–45 days after offer acceptance. That gives time for inspections, appraisals, loan approval, and scheduling the closing.
Bring two valid forms of identification and your final funds in the correct format (wire transfer or cashier’s check). We’ll make sure you know exactly what’s required and when.
You can, but we encourage comparing a local lender as well. Local lenders usually offer more personalized service, better communication, and smoother coordination with your agent and title company.