The first step to buying a home in Denver is getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Browsing listings online comes after that. A pre-approval tells you what you can actually afford and what your monthly payment will look like, so you’re searching with real numbers instead of guesswork.
Once that’s in place, the rest of the process follows a predictable sequence. Here’s what to expect at each stage.
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Read my complete Denver home buyer’s guide
This post is the quick overview. My guide walks through all 10 steps in depth, with a cash-to-close estimator, a loan program comparison, an inspection checklist and a moving countdown.
Open the buyer’s guideStep 1: Get pre-approved with a trusted lender
It’s worth interviewing mortgage lenders as soon as you start seriously considering homeownership. A good lender will help you determine a comfortable budget, tell you how much you need to save, suggest ways to improve your credit score if needed, and walk you through loan options suited to your situation. To get started:
- Contact me and I’ll send over a list of lenders I know and trust.
- Review the list, check reviews, and ask friends or family who’ve recently bought a home who they liked working with.
- Reach out to two or three lenders directly, or let me introduce you over email.
Step 2: Build a needs list and a wants list
Before we start touring homes, I like clients to separate their must-haves from their nice-to-haves. Needs are the non-negotiable features your next home simply must have. Wants are things you’d like but can add or change later. You can’t change the lot or the location, so make sure you love both.
Step 3: Set up a custom home search
Once we know what you’re looking for, I’ll set you up on a search so you get notified the moment a home matching your criteria hits the market. When something catches your eye, send me the address and any questions. I’ll get answers and schedule a showing.
One gap your home search won’t cover: new construction
A saved search only surfaces what’s in the MLS, and many Denver-area builders list only some of their homes, or none at all. Entire communities can be actively selling without ever appearing in your alerts. If a newer home is on your list, it’s worth browsing the Denver Metro new construction guide alongside your search, and telling me before you visit a model home so I can register as your agent from the start.
See New Construction CommunitiesStep 4: Make an offer
After touring homes and finding the one you love, it’s time to write an offer. You’ll need your pre-approval letter or proof of funds, plus an earnest money deposit once your offer is accepted. Denver-area sellers typically ask for about 1% of the list price, and often more at luxury price points. Your earnest money is credited toward your cash to close, meaning your down payment and closing costs.
Every Denver buyer’s timeline looks a little different depending on the market and their financial picture. If you want a clearer sense of what your own path to closing might look like, reach out and let’s talk through it.
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Have questions about buying a home in Denver or what happens after your offer is accepted? Reach out to Marla directly.