Buying a home is a big deal, and it should feel exciting, not overwhelming. I'm Sonja Belfiore, a Realtor with Belfiore & Co and eXp Realty, helping buyers in Northern Colorado since 2014. This guide shows you the whole path before you take the first step, from how the process works to what happens after your offer is accepted, with the worksheets and checklists I use with my own clients in Greeley, Windsor and LaSalle.

What's inside

• The home buying process at a glance, from pre-approval to the closing table

• The mortgage process, plus a lender questionnaire to bring to your conversations

• Wants vs. needs and home search worksheets to get clear on what matters most

• A showing checklist and tips for writing an offer that stands out

• What happens once you're under contract: important dates, inspection and insurance cheat sheets, and a pre-closing checklist

• A moving checklist, first-time buyer FAQ and the real estate vocab you'll hear along the way