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The Step-by-Step Home Buying Journey

Your Kansas City home buying journey follows ten essential steps. As your trusted real estate agents, The Gamble Group will guide you through every stage, ensuring you feel confident and informed throughout the process.

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Step 1: Research

Are you sure where you want to buy your next home in Kansas City? Whether you’re interested in condos, townhomes, or single-family homes, it’s important to know which features you prefer and understand current market availability. If you’re unsure about any of these questions, now is the perfect time to start researching.

Tracking homes that catch your interest and monitoring changes in asking prices can provide valuable insights into Kansas City housing market trends. This knowledge will empower you to make informed offers when you’re ready to buy.

 

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Step 2: Decide on Your Budget

It’s important to decide on your home buying budget—not just rely on how much a mortgage lender will pre-approve you for. Many mortgage companies may approve you for more than you’re comfortable spending, which is why you should determine a monthly payment that fits your financial situation before speaking with a lender.

Creating a full household budget is essential, factoring in all expenses beyond the mortgage payment, such as utilities, garbage, water, and HOA fees. If you’re transitioning from an apartment or shared living situation, these additional costs can impact your budget and affordability when buying a home in Kansas City.

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Step 3: Get Prequalified

Just because you feel comfortable with a certain monthly payment doesn’t guarantee mortgage approval. While lenders may sometimes approve you for more than you expect, they can also approve a lower amount or deny your mortgage application due to factors like limited job history, low credit score, past bankruptcies, or other financial challenges.

Before falling in love with a home, consult a mortgage professional to understand how much you qualify for. Being prequalified or preapproved not only clarifies your budget but also strengthens your offer, as many Kansas City home sellers prefer buyers with verified loan approval.

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Step 4: Choose a Real Estate Agent

Can you shop for, tour, and make an offer on a home without a real estate agent? Technically yes—but why miss out on expert guidance at no extra cost? Working with a trusted Kansas City real estate agent like The Gamble Group reduces stress and simplifies the home buying process.

We help you identify properties that match your criteria, schedule showings, and expertly handle the offer and negotiation process. Our deep knowledge of the Kansas City market provides valuable insights into various homes and neighborhoods, helping you make informed decisions, uncover hidden gems, and provide valuable tips to help you find your dream home at the right price.

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Step 5: Find the Right Home

Home showings should be one of the most enjoyable parts of your Kansas City home buying journey (second only to moving in!). We’ll schedule showings for properties that fit your criteria and budget, allowing you to explore potential homes firsthand.

As you tour each home, take detailed notes on what you like and dislike. Test light switches, open and close doors, and run faucets to check functionality. Don’t forget to assess the surrounding neighborhood—observe traffic patterns, parking availability, and proximity to essential amenities like schools, grocery stores, and parks. These factors are key to finding the right home for you.

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Step 6: Make an Offer

Once you’ve found your ideal home, collaborate with your real estate agent to craft a competitive offer based on the market value of comparable properties. Depending on the listing price and current market conditions—whether it’s a buyer’s or seller’s market—your offer may be below, at, or above the asking price.

If you receive a counteroffer, The Gamble Group will assist in negotiations to help you reach a successful agreement. After acceptance, the property will enter escrow, moving you closer to homeownership.

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Step 7: Have the Home Inspected

Most home purchase offers include a contingency for a professional home inspection to identify any major structural damage or necessary repairs. The Gamble Group can assist in scheduling a home inspection within days of submitting your offer.

If the inspection reveals no significant issues, you’ll proceed to the next step in the buying process. If problems arise, you have the option to renegotiate the offer based on repair needs or withdraw your offer altogether.

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Step 8: Select Your Loan

Now is the time to reconnect with the mortgage lender who pre-approved or pre-qualified you and select the best mortgage option for your Kansas City home purchase. Based on your financial profile, you’ll review choices such as fixed-rate or variable-rate loans, 15-year or 30-year terms, and special programs like VA loans or FHA loans.

Work closely with your lender to choose the mortgage that best fits your budget and long-term goals.

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Step 9: Get a Home Appraisal

Your mortgage lender will order a professional appraisal of your new home to establish an independent market value. This appraisal ensures that all parties involved are paying a fair and accurate price for the property.

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Step 10: Finish Paperwork

While the paperwork involved in buying a home can be overwhelming, it’s a crucial step in the Kansas City home buying process. Your lender and title company will coordinate all necessary documents, ensuring a smooth closing. Once completed, you’ll officially be the legal owner of your new home.

Congratulations!

After signing the final paperwork, you become the proud owner of your new Kansas City home. Although it may take a few days for your loan to be funded after the paperwork is submitted to the lender, once the funds are transferred to the seller, you’ll be ready to move into your dream home.

Jim & Janie
Christian & Bailey
Scott & Amy
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

My husband and I have been searching for a home for almost two years! The Gamble Group helped us find our dream home and provided incredible service throughout the entire process! They were never too busy for us and always made us feel like a priority! In the future we will be referring everyone we know looking for a home to the Gamble Group!

— Jim & Janie

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Sarah, and Jim were nothing but helpful during our selling and buying process. Could not imagine using anyone else in the future, and will recommend the Gamble Group to anyone we know looking in the KC area!

— Christian & Bailey

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Jim, Sarah, and his wonderful team became more than just realtors for us. They truly became a part of our family in finding us the perfect home. After searching for close to 2 years, they came on board and helped us find something in a matter of a few months. We couldn't have done it without them!

— Scott & Amy

Our goal is to deliver personalized real estate services tailored to help you buy your dream home in Kansas City with confidence and ease.

Find Your Dream Home With Us

The Gamble Group delivers unmatched customer service to every client in the Kansas City real estate market. Our highest priority is protecting your best interests throughout the buying or selling process. Professionalism and exceptional customer care are core values that guide everything we do at The Gamble Group.