We’ve seen buyers fall in love fast, only to back out later due to payment shock. Avoid that by doing the math before you start your home search.

Most homebuyers start the process wrong, and it costs them big. A buyer calls or sends us a message online, excited to start looking at homes. They have a dream in mind and feel ready to go, but the problem is that they haven’t done the financial groundwork, and things start to fall apart.

In our eight years of helping people buy homes, we've seen this happen before. We’ve guided hundreds of buyers through the process and learned that getting pre-approved and knowing your numbers early is the most important step.

Why does financial prep matter? If you don’t know what you can truly afford, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. We had a buyer who fell in love with a $320,000 home. However, when we ran the numbers correctly, the monthly payment came out a few hundred dollars higher than expected. It was more than what the buyer could afford, and the home was suddenly out of reach. Everything else in their price range didn’t compare.

This is why we always begin with a solid lending plan. We connect you with a trusted lender who can give you accurate numbers based on actual loan terms, not estimates or guesses. So, when you find a home you love, you’ll already know what it’s going to cost.

Getting pre-approved and knowing how much home you can afford early is a critical step in buying a home.

We build the search around you. Once your budget is clear, we create a home search tailored to your goals. We ask about bedrooms, bathrooms, neighborhoods, and even your favorite room in the house. For some, it’s the kitchen. For others, it’s the backyard or garage. We focus on what matters most to you.

It’s about buying smart. Our priority is making sure you’re happy for the long haul. That’s why we check the basement, furnace, foundation, and other key areas before you spend money on an inspection. If something doesn’t look right, we’ll tell you upfront to ensure you won't have to deal with the problem and save a few hundred dollars. We also go over the entire offer process with you in advance. So when the right house comes along, you’re not rushing. You already know what to expect and how to respond quickly and confidently.

In today’s competitive market, timing and strategy matter. We communicate with listing agents, gather insights, and position your offer to stand out. Our goal isn’t just to help you buy a home—it’s to help you confidently buy the right one. If you’re thinking about buying your first home, feel free to call or text us at (616) 532-7200 or email us at larrymartin.com@gmail.com. We’ll handle the hard parts and help you avoid costly mistakes.