COLDWELL BANKER McMILLAN AND ASSOCIATES
Your Guide to Buying a Home
Illustrative stock photo. Photography by Max Vakhtbovych / Pexels.
Big possibilities. Important decisions. A team to help you
take the next step.
Whether you are buying your first home, moving to a nearby community,
or relocating to South Carolina, our team can help you plan your next
step. Based in Florence, Coldwell Banker McMillan and Associates
serves buyers throughout the Pee Dee, Grand Strand, and beyond.
Our agents work across a broad area of South Carolina, including
communities well outside Florence.
Looking somewhere different? Tell us where you want to call home.
We will connect you with an agent who serves your area or help
arrange a referral through our professional network.
Use this guide as your starting point, then connect with an
agent to create a plan around your goals.
1. Start With Your Priorities
Before you start touring, think about what you need from your
next home and what you are comfortable spending.
- Your preferred locations and everyday travel needs.
- Bedrooms, bathrooms, accessibility needs, and usable space.
- Your must-haves and the features you can compromise on.
- Your moving timeline and whether you have a home to sell.
- Your comfort level with repairs, maintenance, and renovations.
2. Understand Your Budget
If you plan to finance your purchase, speak with a lender early.
Discuss loan options, estimated payments, cash needed to close,
and the documentation required. A preapproval can help guide your
search, but final loan approval depends on the lender’s requirements.
Plan Beyond the Purchase Price
Consider your down payment, closing costs, inspections, moving
expenses, and reserves. Your ongoing budget should also account
for property taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance, and any
applicable association dues or flood insurance.
3. Choose Your Agent and Make a Plan
Talk with an agent about the areas you are considering, your
timeline, and the support you need. Ask how representation works,
what services are included, and how compensation is addressed.
Review the applicable agreements together so you understand the
terms before moving forward.
4. Search With Purpose
As you compare properties, look beyond the photos. Your agent
can help you evaluate available information, arrange showings,
and identify questions worth investigating.
- Compare layout, condition, location, and total ownership costs.
- Review available disclosures and property documents.
- Investigate association rules, fees, and property restrictions where applicable.
- Confirm important details with the appropriate professionals or public sources.
5. Prepare Your Offer
When you find a property you want to pursue, your agent will help
you consider comparable sales, the asking price, and current
competition. You will also discuss financing, earnest money,
contingencies, inspections, proposed dates, and any requested
seller contributions. Your agent will prepare and present your
offer and help you evaluate the seller’s response.
6. Review the Property and Track Deadlines
Once you are under contract, your agreement sets the next steps
and deadlines. Arrange the inspections and other evaluations
appropriate to the property, review the findings, and discuss
your options with your agent and relevant professionals.
Depending on the property, questions may involve the roof and
major systems, wood-destroying organisms, well or septic systems,
flood exposure, insurance availability, or association documents.
An appraisal and a home inspection serve different purposes;
one does not replace the other.
7. Get Ready for Closing
Stay in contact with your lender, agent, and closing attorney.
Provide requested documents promptly, arrange insurance and
utilities, review your closing documents, and confirm the final
walkthrough and closing arrangements.
Protect Your Closing Funds
Before sending money, independently verify wiring instructions
with your closing attorney using a trusted phone number you
have already confirmed. Treat unexpected changes to payment
instructions as a reason to stop and verify.
Your Getting-Started Checklist
- Write down your priorities and preferred timeline.
- Set a comfortable monthly housing budget.
- Speak with a lender if financing your purchase.
- Connect with an agent and review how you will work together.
- Plan for upfront expenses and ongoing ownership costs.
Let’s Turn Your Plans Into a Next Step
You do not need to have every answer before reaching out.
Tell us where you are in the process, and we will help you
connect with an agent.
Our family, helping your family find home.
This guide provides a general overview. Your purchase agreement,
property, financing, and individual circumstances determine the
specific steps and deadlines for your transaction.
