Finding Your Home: A Guide to Purchasing Your Next Property
Buying a home is one of life’s most meaningful decisions, and having a clear sense of what to look for can make the experience far less overwhelming. This guide walks you through the key considerations to help you find the next place you call home.
Finding your dream home is one of the most major milestones of your life, and the process works best when it starts with getting to know you. Before touring any property, Janet takes the time to understand your questions, concerns, lifestyle, timeline, budget, and long-term goals. A proper home search is about more than bedrooms and bathrooms — it’s about the way you want to live.
When you work with Janet, you gain an experienced REALTOR® who advocates for you at every turn, backed by the trusted expertise of Greenridge Realty. Her approach is designed to make your search smooth and well-supported from the very beginning.
Behind the scenes, Janet is constantly working to shorten your timeline and strengthen your options. She monitors new and upcoming listings, previews homes when needed, shares neighborhood insight, and provides precise data on comparable sales so you can make confident decisions. She will walk with you through each home and every stage of the journey until you find the place that feels right — and guide you confidently through the entire transaction, all the way to move-in day.
The Search
Purchasing real estate is a major financial and personal decision, and you deserve a representative committed to your best interests throughout the process. Years ago, real estate agents were legally obligated to represent the seller—even when showing homes to buyers. That meant buyers often toured properties, asked questions, and wrote offers without anyone truly advocating for them.
Today, the industry has evolved, and companies like Greenridge Realty offer dedicated Buyer Agency. This allows you to work with an agent who is fully committed to you as the buyer — from the first conversation, through negotiations, and all the way to closing.
While more than a million agents are licensed in the U.S., only a portion specialize in buyer representation. Consumer advocates strongly support this model because it ensures buyers receive unbiased, informed guidance aligned with their goals.
Whether you're purchasing your first home or your fifth, having an experienced agent like Janet at your side ensures every decision is supported by someone who understands the market, protects your interests, and helps you move through the process with clarity and confidence.
What Is Buyer Agency?
What Buyer Agents Do for Their Clients:
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A buyer’s agent helps you define what you’re looking for in both a home and a neighborhood, then creates a tailored search based on your criteria. Janet monitors the market daily and keeps you informed about new listings — including some that surface before they’re publicly available — and schedules showings that fit your timeline.
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Understanding value is essential when you’re considering a home. Janet reviews comparable sales, location factors, and current market conditions to help you interpret price and make informed decisions. You’ll have a clear picture of what a home is truly worth, not just what it’s listed for.
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There’s more to a strong offer than the purchase price. Timing, terms, deposits, and possession details can all influence how a seller responds. Janet walks you through the best approach for your goals, helping you present an offer that stands out and reflects your comfort level.
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Once your offer is submitted, negotiations may follow. Sellers consider many details beyond price, and a strategic approach can make all the difference. Janet manages this process on your behalf, guiding you through counteroffers and advising you on next steps so you can move forward confidently.
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A lot happens between an accepted offer and moving into your new home. Janet coordinates the key steps — inspections, lender communication, title work, and required documentation — while keeping you informed so you always know what’s ahead. Her role is to make the path to closing smooth, clear, and well-organized.
Once you’ve found a home you’re excited about, Janet will help you determine a thoughtful and competitive offer based on recent sales data, the home’s condition, and what’s happening in the market. She’ll walk you through strategies to strengthen your position—such as escalation language, appraisal considerations, or adjusted timelines—so your offer reflects both your goals and the realities of current demand.
Your move-in timing can also influence how the seller views your offer. Janet will help you navigate possession terms that support your needs while, when possible, creating flexibility for the seller. She’ll also review what stays with the home and help negotiate the terms for any appliances, fixtures, or furnishings that matter to you.
When your offer is ready, Janet presents it with a clear response window and manages communication with the listing agent or seller. They may accept, decline, or counter. Throughout the process, Janet keeps you informed, explains each step, and ensures your offer is handled with care and professionalism from start to finish.
Make An Offer
Closing day marks the finish line of your home-buying journey and the moment everything becomes official. To keep the process smooth and stress-free, you'll want to have a few items ready in advance: a cashier’s check or wired funds for your closing costs and down payment (your lender will confirm the amount), proof of homeowners insurance, valid photo IDs, your Social Security numbers, and a 10-year address history.
Once all documents are signed and funds are delivered, ownership transfers from the seller to you. This happens through the deed—a legal document that names the buyer and seller, includes the property’s legal description, and contains notarized signatures. After closing, the deed is recorded at the county clerk’s office and mailed to you once processing is complete.
Your keys, your home, your next chapter—this is where it all officially begins.
Closing
What Buyer Agents Do for Their Clients:
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You’ll receive instant email alerts the moment a property that matches your criteria is listed on the MLS. Janet also actively tracks new and upcoming listings — including pre-market opportunities shared within the Greenridge network — so you never miss a home with potential.
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No. Your search will include every property available on the MLS as well as select off-market opportunities — not just Greenridge listings.
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If a FSBO home fits what you’re looking for, Janet will reach out to the owner, arrange the showing, and guide you through the process. Even when sellers choose not to use an agent, you still deserve representation — especially when negotiations and legal paperwork come into play.
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Janet works directly with many local builders and will help you evaluate options, attend builder meetings, and review contracts. You’ll receive full buyer representation and guidance throughout the new-construction process, without paying anything additional for that support.
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Celebrate — you’re close to move-in day! From inspections to financing and paperwork, Janet will help you manage each next step. You can start planning your move while she handles the details behind the scenes.
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Yes. A professional inspection typically happens within the first 10 days after your offer is accepted, and additional walkthroughs can be scheduled through the seller or listing agent as needed.
Choosing a real estate company is about more than market knowledge or name recognition. It’s about partnering with a team that understands the communities they serve and the lives shaped within them. Greenridge began in Grand Rapids in 1980 and has remained locally owned and locally committed ever since. As a second-generation company, we’ve grown alongside West Michigan’s neighborhoods, schools, and businesses — not just by helping people buy and sell homes, but by investing in the places they live, work, and build their futures.
Our mission is simple: We care. That belief guides how we support our agents, serve our clients, and show up in our communities. In an industry often focused on speed and profit, we choose a different path. We prioritize honesty over pressure, service over sales, and relationships that last far beyond the closing table. We believe real estate done right should feel thoughtful, personal, and rooted in trust.
With 22+ branches and nearly 450+ local agents, Greenridge offers unparalleled reach across West Michigan — from the lakeshore to the greater Grand Rapids area and beyond. That network brings buyers access to more opportunities and gives sellers unmatched exposure. For every client, it means access to collective knowledge, local insight, and support from a team that genuinely wants the best for the people they serve.
At the end of the day, real estate isn’t just about properties. It’s about protecting the most meaningful investments in people’s lives. Greenridge’s legacy and mission allow agents like Janet to provide that level of care — helping individuals and families transition into new chapters with confidence, knowledge, and a trusted partner by their side.