Where should I send your 12-page Roadmap? 

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This 6-step timeline combines your specific service offerings with the chronological milestones outlined in the 12-page guide:

1. 📊 Start Financial Preparation (6+ months before). Begin saving for your down payment (typically 20%, though options exist for as low as 3% or even 0% with certain loan types) and closing costs (2-5% of purchase price). Calculate your debt-to-income ratio, review your credit score, and gather employment documentation showing at least 2 years of work history. Prepare for additional homeownership costs like property taxes and insurance.


2. 🏡 Get to Know Your Market (4-5 months before) Research homes online, attend open houses, and create a list of must-haves regarding location, features, and home type. Find a qualified real estate agent to guide you through the process. Maintain good credit by avoiding new loans or major purchases that could affect your financing.


3. 💳 Get Pre-Approved and Start Searching (2-3 months before). Choose a lender and get pre-approved by providing bank statements, pay stubs, and tax returns. Explore loan options, including conventional loans (3% down), FHA loans (3.5% down), VA loans (0% down for eligible veterans), and USDA loans (0% down for rural areas). Set up home searches online and prioritize your criteria with your agent.


4. 🎯 Make an Offer (1-2 months before) Submit a written offer through your agent, including an earnest money deposit (typically 1-2% of purchase price). The seller can accept, reject, or counter your offer. Negotiate as needed with your agent's help, and be prepared to walk away if terms don't work.


5. 🔎 Complete Escrow Tasks (30-45 days) During escrow, schedule a home inspection to identify potential issues and request repairs or credits if needed. Get a home appraisal to confirm the property value matches your offer. Include inspection and appraisal contingencies in your offer to protect your earnest money. Begin preparing for your move and maintain communication with your lender about documentation and insurance.


6. 🔑 Close on Your Home (Final week) Conduct a final walkthrough to verify repairs and property condition. Sign closing paperwork at the title company and receive your keys. The entire process typically takes several hours on closing day.

Timelines, DTI Calculators, and Closing Secrets

·         Financial Readiness & The '20% Myth': Learn why a 20% down payment isn't always required and how you could qualify for as little as 3.5% or even 0% down.

·         The Debt-to-Income (DTI) Masterclass: A simple walkthrough on how lenders evaluate your debt and how to calculate your own ratio before you apply.

·         Mortgage Options Explained: A breakdown of Conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans to help you find the best fit for your budget.

·         The Power of Contingencies: How to use home inspections and appraisals as negotiation tools to protect your earnest money and lower your purchase price.

·         The 6-Month Chronological Timeline: A week-by-week checklist starting from 6 months out, all the way to getting your keys.

 

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By checking this box, I agree by electronic signature to the Electronic Disclosure Consent Agreement; to receive recurring marketing communication from Johnnie Benton, including auto-dialed calls, texts, and artificial/prerecorded voice messages (message frequency varies; data rates may apply; reply "STOP" to opt-out of texts or "HELP" for assistance); and to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy of this website. Consent not required to make a purchase. I understand that I can call to obtain direct assistance.

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