🏡 Ultimate Home Buyer’s Guide for Northwest Indiana
By Holly Brumm Furdo, Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Connections
✨ Honest negotiations with the service you deserve — from someone you can trust. ✨
🌟 Introduction: Your Roadmap to Buying a Home with Confidence
Buying a home is one of the most exciting milestones in life. However, it can also feel overwhelming without the right guidance. That’s why I created this step-by-step Buyer’s Guide—to walk you through the process, simplify each stage, and help you make confident decisions from start to finish. Ultimate Home Buyer’s Guide for Northwest Indiana with step-by-step instructions by Holly Brumm Furdo. Your local real estate expert!
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or moving into your next chapter, this guide makes your journey easier, clearer, and more enjoyable.
💳 1. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
Your first step should be getting pre-approved. A pre-approval shows sellers you’re serious, helps you understand your budget, and gives us a competitive edge when making offers.
📌 Why Pre-Approval Matters
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💲 Know exactly how much you can afford
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💬 Strengthens your offer
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🔍 Helps narrow your search
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⏳ Speeds up the buying process
I can connect you with trusted local lenders who provide quick, accurate pre-approvals.
🏘️ 2. Define Your Home Must-Haves
Next, it’s important to determine what features matter most. By clarifying your priorities, we can focus your search and avoid wasting time on homes that don’t fit your needs.
📝 Consider These Factors
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🏡 Size, layout, and number of bedrooms
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🚗 Garage, yard, and outdoor space
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📍 Location: Crown Point, Lowell, Cedar Lake, Schererville, St. John, or surrounding areas
Together, we organize your wants and needs so you feel confident in your direction.
🔍 3. Start Your Home Search
Once your criteria are clear, I set up a personalized home search so you never miss a listing. You’ll receive instant alerts the moment something matches your needs.
🌐 Your Home Search Includes
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Real-time MLS updates
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Off-market and coming-soon opportunities
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Neighborhood insights
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AI-enhanced property matching
You’ll always be ahead of the competition.
🚗 4. Tour Homes and Explore Neighborhoods
Seeing homes in person is an important part of the process. During tours, I help you understand the home’s condition, layout, and potential. Additionally, I’ll point out things that can help us negotiate in your favor.
🌳 Look for These During Your Visit
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Natural light and flow
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Age of major systems
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Storage
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Neighborhood amenities
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Commute and convenience
Buying a home should feel exciting—and I make sure it stays that way.
💼 5. Make a Competitive Offer
When you find “the one,” it’s time to write a strong offer. Because the Northwest Indiana market can move quickly, I help you structure an offer that aligns with your budget while standing out to sellers.
🤝 Your Offer May Include
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Purchase price
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Closing timeline
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Personal terms to strengthen your position
I walk you through each piece so you feel confident and informed.
🛠️ 6. Inspection and Negotiations
After your offer is accepted, the inspection ensures your new home is safe, functioning properly, and free of major issues. I coordinate the inspection, review the report, and help negotiate repairs or credits when appropriate.
🔧 Inspection Benefits
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Protects your investment
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Identifies hidden issues
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Helps us negotiate fairly
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Gives you peace of mind
You never go through this stage alone—I’m with you every step.
💰 7. Appraisal and Final Loan Approval
Your lender orders an appraisal to confirm the home’s value. Meanwhile, the mortgage process continues behind the scenes. Because paperwork can feel overwhelming, I help keep everything on track and make sure you’re meeting important deadlines.
📄 You Will Complete
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Final document updates
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Income verification
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Loan disclosures
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Final walkthrough scheduling
We stay in close communication to avoid surprises.
🔑 8. Closing Day: Getting the Keys to Your New Home
On closing day, you’ll sign your final documents, receive your keys, and officially become a homeowner. 🎉
I coordinate with the title company, lender, and seller’s agent to ensure everything goes smoothly.
🥳 What to Expect
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Review and sign documents
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Bring your valid ID
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Get your final closing disclosure
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Celebrate your new beginning!
This is the moment you’ve worked so hard for—and I’m honored to share it with you.
🏠 9. After You Move In
Even after closing, I’m here to help. Whether you need contractor recommendations, home maintenance tips, or market updates, I continue supporting you long after you settle in.
🤗 My Post-Closing Support Includes
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Local contractor referrals
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Home improvement ideas
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Market updates
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Neighborhood insights
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Ongoing real estate guidance
I’m your REALTOR® for life—not just during the transaction.
💚 Why Work With Me
Buying a home should feel exciting, not stressful. When you work with me, you receive:
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🤝 Personalized service
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💬 Honest communication
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🧭 Local Northwest Indiana market knowledge
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📝 Strong negotiation skills
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🎯 Guidance from the first showing to long after closing
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🏡 A dedicated advocate who truly cares
You deserve a trusted partner throughout your entire home-buying journey.
📞 Ready to Start Your Home Search in Northwest Indiana?
Let’s make your dream home a reality.
📞 219-313-0692
📧 hollyfurdo@gmail.com
🌐 HollyBrummFurdo.com
I can’t wait to guide you home. ✨
Ultimate Home Buyer’s Guide for Northwest Indiana, with step-by-step instructions by Holly Brumm Furdo. Your local real estate expert!
