Your Roadmap to Buying a Home: A Step-by-Step Guide for Wisconsin & Minnesota Buyers

Buying a home is one of life’s biggest milestones. It’s exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. That’s why we’ve created a clear Roadmap for Buying a Home—a step-by-step guide designed to walk you through the entire process. Whether you’re purchasing your first home or upgrading to your forever home, this roadmap takes the guesswork out of the journey and helps you move forward with confidence.

The best part? You can access the full roadmap anytime. Click here to Download the Roadmap to Buying a Home

Step 1: Prepare Your Finances

The first step in the home buying process is getting your finances in order. This includes checking your credit score, creating a realistic budget, and saving for a down payment. Lenders will look at your financial profile to determine what loan options are available to you. Getting pre-approved early shows sellers that you’re a serious buyer.  For more information on the different financing options available, review our blog post "Understanding Your Mortgage Options".

Step 2: Assemble Your Team

Buying a home isn’t something you should do alone. Working with an experienced real estate agent ensures you have a professional on your side to guide you through negotiations, paperwork, and the local market. You’ll also want to line up a trusted lender, home inspector, and possibly an attorney depending on your situation.  For more information on the personnel involved in a real estate transaction, review our blog post "Who's Who in a Real Estate Transaction".

Step 3: Start Your Home Search

With your budget in place, it’s time for the fun part—looking for your dream home! Our online home search tool makes it easy to:

• Browse active listings in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

• Save your favorite homes.

• Set up custom alerts so new listings hit your inbox right away.

Click Here to Start Searching Homes Now

Step 4: Make an Offer

Once you’ve found the right home, your agent will help you put together a strong offer. This includes not just price, but also terms, contingencies, and timelines. A well-crafted offer can be the difference between landing your dream home and losing out to another buyer.  We've written a highly informative blog post about "How to Write a Competitive Offer", review it here!

Step 5: Inspections & Appraisal

After your offer is accepted, the home will go through inspections and an appraisal. The inspection ensures there are no hidden surprises, while the appraisal confirms the home’s value for your lender. If issues arise, this is the stage where repairs or credits may be negotiated.  For more information on Home Inspections, Click Here, or to read about the difference between a Home Appraisal and a Home Assessment, Click Here.

Step 6: Loan Approval & Paperwork

Your lender will finalize your mortgage, and you’ll work through the last pieces of documentation. This can include providing updated bank statements, verifying employment, and signing disclosures. Having an agent to keep you on track is invaluable here.

Step 7: Closing Day

The big day has arrived! At closing, you’ll sign the final paperwork, transfer funds, and officially become the new owner of your home. Congratulations—you’ve followed the roadmap and made it to the finish line!  We wrote a highly informative blog post about What to Expect at Your Closing Appointment.

Why This Roadmap Matters

The process of buying a home doesn’t have to be stressful. With a clear plan, the right team, and a trusted agent like Julie Delap by your side, you’ll be prepared every step of the way.

Download the full Roadmap for Buying a Home today and keep it handy as your personal guide through the process.

Buying a home is a journey—and like any journey, the right roadmap makes all the difference. Whether you’re just starting to think about homeownership or already attending open houses, this guide gives you the structure and confidence you need to move forward. Let Julie be your partner in this exciting chapter, and together we’ll find the place you’ll call home.