The Home Buying Process Your Guide to PurchasingProperty
PRESEN TED BY
GinaWalker
Why Work with aBuyer?s Agent? The decision to purchase a home is likely one of the largest financial and lifestyle decisions you will make. By aligning yourself with a trusted advisor, you will be well positioned to find the right property, negotiate fair terms and overcome any obstacles that occur along the way. Leveraging our vast local expertise, industry connections, and resourceful tools, your Gibson Sotheby?s International Realty advisor will not only assist in helping you find the right home, but guide you through the entire purchase process. Give your self every advantage.
Services Provided
Seller?s Agent
Buyer?s Agent
Facilitates Property Showings
YES
YES
Explains Home Buying Process
YES
YES
Facilitates Closing
YES
YES
Discloses Known Material Defects
YES
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
Maintains Personal Confidentiality
NO
YES
Researches Seller and Property
NO
YES
Prepares a Comparative Market Analysis Keeps Your Financial Situation Confidential Negotiates the Best Price on Your Behalf
Negotiates the Best Terms on Your Behalf
Discloses Adverse Factors Relating to Homes Viewed
Relays Information that Would Enhance Your Buying Position
Steps to Buying aHome
1
2
3
GET PRE-APPROVED
BEGIN THE SEARCH
OFFER STRATEGY MEETING
The first step of the home
Once you have determined
Prior to preparing an offer, your
buying process is getting
your budget, you and your
agent will show you comparable
pre-approved for a loan.
agent will meet to review your
properties and collaborate with
During this process, your
wish list, desired timing, and
you to clearly review different
mortgage lender will review
begin your search. Together
offer strategies. You have the
your income and credit history
you will review inventory and
right to a home inspection, a
to determine what size loan
visit properties.
mortgage contingency, and a
you are eligible to receive.
lead paint inspection. Discuss ways to make your offer more appealing or waive contingencies other than home inspection.
7
8
9
APPRAISAL
HOME INSURANCE
FINAL WALK-THROUGH
The property will be reviewed
You will need to review
Just prior to the closing, you will go
by a licensed professional to
various options and select
through a final walk-through of the
assess its value.
your homeowners
property. This will ensure that the
insurance policy.
property is in the same condition as when you visited previously.
4
5
6
SUBMIT AN OFFER
SIGN THE PURCHASE
FORMALLY APPLY FOR A
Once you find a property that
& SALE AGREEMENT
LOAN & LOCK IN YOUR RATE
you love, you will choose an
After the offer and terms
Your mortgage lender will
offer strategy and discuss with
are accepted, the seller?s
work with you to review all
your agent how to position your
attorney will draft a Purchase
final loan documents.
offer to get it accepted. Based
and Sale Agreement. It states
on the seller's response, your
the final sale price and all
agent will guide you through
terms of the purchase. This
next steps. Offer deposit due
binding contract needs to be
(typically $1,000).
reviewed by your attorney prior to you signing it. P&S deposit due (typically 5%).
10 CONGRATULATIONS! Once you sign the final paperwork, exchange the payment, and the transaction is recorded at the Registry of Deeds, you are officially a homeowner. Congratulations, you will now receive the keys to your new home.
People to Have on Your Team BUYER?S AGENT
INSURANCE AGENT
Take your time to select a buyer?s agent with
The insurance agent comes in after you have
whom you feel comfortable discussing your
signed the purchase and sale agreement. Most
goals and priorities in home buying. A good
lenders will not close the sale until the buyer
agent is knowledgeable in market prices,
has purchased insurance on the home.
neighborhood qualities, and the offer process. In addition to helping you shop for homes,
HOME INSPECTOR
using their experienced eye to point out
However similar they may seem, a home
features and flaws in the home that you might
inspector is different than an appraiser. The
otherwise miss, they will negotiate on your
home inspector can enter the home buying
behalf and will be your advocate from the
process either before or after the offer is
beginning of the process right through closing.
submitted. The inspector takes a deep dive into the home's condition and points out any
REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY
areas of concern. Armed with this information,
Ask friends, co-workers or your real estate
the buyer can ask the seller to complete some
agent for referrals to a good real estate
of these repairs themselves, lower the
attorney. Don?t be shy about interviewing
total purchase price, or terminate the
them, and finding one you are compatible with,
sale altogether.
who regularly represents home buyers and sellers. Your attorney should be reasonably
CONTRACTORS
affordable, accessible and not too busy for you.
You may need various contractors throughout the process to assess issues that came up at
LENDER
the home inspection, or provide estimates for
Your lender is the one who assists you with
work you would like to do once you purchase
borrowing the funds to purchase your home,
the home. Your real estate agent can usually
typically in the form of a mortgage. Your lender
help you with references for good contractors,
should have a variety of consistently
including plumbers, electricians, painters,
competitive lending programs. They should
contractors, movers and cleaners.
also be accessible as you may need them on weekends or at night especially during the offer process.
The Right Tools for Your Search DEPOSIT LINK
REALSCOUT
A simple, secure, and efficient way to send
A collaborative home search tool that
earnest money deposits electronically.
allows our clients and their buyer?s agent
Payments clear in less than 24 hours. You can
to share listings, compare properties and
safely send your deposits from anywhere.
spotlight market alerts throughout the
Track the status of transfers in real-time with
home buying process.
your phone.
OFF MARKET & COMING SOON Our powerful network has access to exclusive off market inventory as well as properties before they launch on the MLS.
SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY® WEBSITE AND APP Our enhanced website now in 16 languages engages millions of buyers via high-resolution photography, 3D virtual reality tours, and ultra-high-definition videos. Listings from around the globe can be accessed seamlessly on any device and mobile users can directly text their buyer's agent from any listing page.
Gina Walker Gina Walker joins Sotheby?s International Realty as a North Shore native with a global perspective and a deep-rooted understanding of real estate. With prior experience as a practicing agent in both Boston and Perth, Western Australia, Gina brings a unique international lens to the local market. After living abroad with her husband and two children, she returned to Marblehead from Amsterdam where she joined North Shore Shuttle in its infancy and became an instrumental partner in the growth of North Shore Shuttle and the BeDriven brand for the past 30 years. Known for her unwavering commitment to integrity and exceptional customer service, Gina has long been a trusted advisor to her clients. Her extensive background in competitive coastal markets gives her a strategic edge in understanding property trends, effective marketing, and negotiation. She combines her local knowledge with international insight to help buyers and sellers navigate the real estate process with clarity and confidence. Gina?s passion for real estate is complimented by her appreciation for architecture, interior design, and global travel. In her free time, she enjoys tennis, swimming, skiing, and entertaining. Whether working with first-time buyers or seasoned investors, Gina is dedicated to delivering outstanding results through personalized service, professionalism, and expertise. Global Real Estate Advisor 781.844.4915 Gina.Walker@GibsonSIR.com GibsonSIR.com 1 Essex Street, Marblehead MA 01945
© 2026 Sotheby?s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby?s International Realty® is a registered trademark and used with permission. Each Sotheby?s International Realty office is independently owned and operated, except those operated by Sotheby?s International Realty, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity. All services/ products are provided by independently owned and operated franchisees and are not provided by Sotheby?s International Realty Affiliates LLC. Listing information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Dimensions are approximate and unverified. Buyers should consult a qualified professional to confirm measurements.