--- title: "Buyer's Guide | Arneson Homeselling Team" description: "Use our mortgage calculator and 10-step buyer's guide to find your dream home in Northeast Wisconsin with the Arneson Homeselling Team." lang: en json-ld: | { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://arnesonrealty.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Buyers", "item": "https://arnesonrealty.com/buyers" } ] } --- [![Arneson Homeselling Team logo](/assets/arneson-logo-3V2lDuCx.png)](/) - [Home](/) - Search - Communities - Buyers - Sellers - Resources - [About](/about) - [Contact](/contact) ![](/assets/hero-buyers-Cy5BV2yQ.jpg) # Homebuying Is Easier Than You Think. ## Mortgage Calculator $3,424 per month 30 Year Fixed. 6.50% Interest Rate. Principal + Interest $2,528 Monthly Tax $750 Monthly Insurance $146 List Price $ Down Payment $ Interest Rate % Term yrs Based on a fully amortized fixed rate loan. Ask your agent for the tax rates in your area. Insurance estimate is based on an average cost; your final premium will be determined by the type of coverage you select. This program only provides an estimate. Your Roadmap ## A Step-by-Step Buyer's Guide Buying a home is one of the most exciting milestones of your life. To prepare yourself for this moment, you need to know what to expect during the process. This step-by-step guide will help reduce the stress and help you enjoy the journey. ![Step 1: Research](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/WKKMwl7zZNeTpLd5r61v/media/697cd1471311f6c392eebb54.png) Step 1 ### Research Do you already know where you want to buy? If you want a condo, townhome, or single-family home? Which features do you like and dislike? What's available on the market now? If you answered no to any of these questions, now is the time to start researching. In addition to looking for homes that interest you, also take note of any changes in asking prices. This could give you valuable insight into housing trends in specific neighborhoods and help you when the time comes to make an offer. ![Step 2: Decide on Your Budget](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/WKKMwl7zZNeTpLd5r61v/media/697cd147d6f497ba770faed9.png) Step 2 ### Decide on Your Budget Notice we said to decide on your budget—not determine how much the mortgage company will give you. In many cases, a mortgage company will pre-approve you for more than you're comfortable spending, which is why you need to determine the monthly payment you feel comfortable with before talking to a lender. This likely includes doing a full household budget and taking into consideration what changes other than a mortgage payment will occur once you move into your new home. If you've lived in an apartment or with roommates, you may overlook new expenses like garbage, water, or HOA fees that could easily blow your budget. ![Step 3: Get Prequalified](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/WKKMwl7zZNeTpLd5r61v/media/697cf96b66e7ca3e7e34da71.png) Step 3 ### Get Prequalified Just because you think you can afford a certain payment every month doesn't mean the mortgage company will agree. Just as they may approve you for too large of an amount, they may also approve you for a lesser amount or deny you a mortgage altogether. Lack of time at a job, insufficient credit, past bankruptcies, or other financial issues can cause major problems when trying to secure a mortgage. Before you get your heart set on a home, talk to a mortgage professional to find out what amount you can qualify for. This will also be an advantage when you make an offer on a home, as some sellers won't entertain offers from those who aren't already prequalified for a loan. ![Step 4: Choose a Real Estate Agent](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/WKKMwl7zZNeTpLd5r61v/media/697cd1478b2c070a4bbdb0d2.jpg) Step 4 ### Choose a Real Estate Agent Can you shop for, look at, and ultimately make an offer on a home without a real estate agent? Technically yes, but why would you when it costs you nothing for agents like us to take much of the stress off your shoulders? Not only will we help identify properties you might be interested in, arrange showings, and ultimately handle the offer process, but we also have a knowledge of the market that you don't possess. Finding the perfect home can be a daunting task, this is where our expertise and wealth of knowledge come into play. Let us show you around some homes that meet your dream home criteria so you can find the one that's right for you. ![Step 5: Find the Right Home](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/WKKMwl7zZNeTpLd5r61v/media/697cd147a413e83673e36485.png) Step 5 ### Find the Right Home This should be the most enjoyable step of the entire process (other than moving in!). We will arrange showings of homes you're interested in that are within your price range. Take notes about what you like and don't like, and make sure to pay attention to details. Turn light switches on and off, open and close doors, and run the faucets in various rooms. Don't limit your inspection to the home itself. Make sure to take time to explore the neighborhood and keep an eye on traffic at certain times of the day, the parking situation, and how close it is to necessities like schools and grocery stores. ![Step 6: Make an Offer](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/WKKMwl7zZNeTpLd5r61v/media/697cd5d466e7ca0ee82da737.png) Step 6 ### Make an Offer Once you have selected the perfect home, work with your agent to craft a fair offer based on the value of comparable homes on the market. Depending on what the home is listed at and whether the current environment is a buyer's or seller's market, your offer may be below, at, or even above the asking price. We will be able to help you negotiate if you receive a counteroffer and reach an agreement. At this point, the house will go into escrow. ![Step 7: Have the Home Inspected](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/WKKMwl7zZNeTpLd5r61v/media/697cd147f7a8772be6791f4d.png) Step 7 ### Have the Home Inspected In most cases, your offer will be contingent on having the home inspected to ensure there is no major structural damage or large repairs needed. We can help you arrange this, and you can schedule it within days of making an offer. If there are no major issues, the process goes to step eight. If there is, you can renegotiate your offer based on what needs to be fixed, or you can withdraw it. ![Step 8: Select Your Loan](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/WKKMwl7zZNeTpLd5r61v/media/697cd147a413e8c28de36486.jpg) Step 8 ### Select Your Loan Now is the time to go back to the mortgage lender who pre-approved or pre-qualified you and choose your mortgage. You will be presented with various options based on your unique financial situation, including fixed-rate, variable-rate, 15-year, 30-year, or special programs such as VA loans or FHA loans. Work with your mortgage lender to select the option you feel the most comfortable with. ![Step 9: Get a Home Appraisal](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/WKKMwl7zZNeTpLd5r61v/media/697cd1478b2c07141dbdb0d1.png) Step 9 ### Get a Home Appraisal Your lender will have your new home appraised so they have their independent value of it. The appraisal is to ensure that all parties involved are paying a fair price for the house. ![Step 10: Finish Paperwork](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/WKKMwl7zZNeTpLd5r61v/media/697cd14750158be80dbf3de6.png) Step 10 ### Finish Paperwork No one looks forward to all the paperwork involved in buying a home, but it's a necessary part of the process. Fortunately, everything will be arranged by your lender and title company and, when you're finished, you'll know you are the legal owner of your new home. You Did It ## Congratulations! After signing the final paperwork to complete the purchase, you are now the owner of a new house. It may take a few days for your loan to be funded once the paperwork has been returned to the lender, but once that check is delivered to the seller, you'll be all set to move into the home of your dreams. [![Arneson Homeselling Team logo](/assets/arneson-logo-3V2lDuCx.png)](/) Your trusted Northeast Wisconsin real estate experts. Helping families buy and sell across Brown, Oconto, Marinette, Shawano, Outagamie, and Calumet Counties. Brokered by **eXp Realty** #### Explore - [Home](/) - [Search Listings](/search) - [Buyer's Guide](/buyers) - [Seller's Guide](/sellers) - [About Justin](/about) - [Contact](/contact) #### Contact [920-604-0031](tel:+19206040031) [justin@teamarneson.com](mailto:justin@teamarneson.com) 9594 Janik Rd Oconto Falls, WI 54154 #### Follow - [](https://www.facebook.com/arnesonrealty) - [](https://www.instagram.com/arneson.homeselling/) - [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-arneson-008b2a156) **SMS & Communication Consent:** By providing your phone number and submitting any form on this website, you consent to receive transactional messages related to your account, services you have requested, and appointment reminders. You also consent to receive marketing messages including new listings, market updates, and promotional offers from **Arneson Homeselling Team LLC DBA Team Arneson, brokered by eXp Realty**. Message frequency may vary. Message & Data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help or STOP to opt-out at any time. You can also click the unsubscribe link in any email to opt-out of email communications. Equal Housing Opportunity • Arneson Homeselling Team LLC DBA Team Arneson | eXp Realty • Principal Broker: Dave Corban • RANW MLS Member The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Realtors Association of Northeast Wisconsin (RANW) Multiple Listing Service. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Arneson Homeselling Team | eXp Realty are marked with the IDX logo. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Property information is provided for the personal, non-commercial use of consumers and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. © 2026 RANW MLS. All rights reserved. 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