The Las Vegas home buying process, step by step
Buying a home is easier when you know what comes next. I am Fabion Medhanie, a Nevada licensed mortgage loan originator (NMLS #2002997) and retired U.S. Army Captain. My brand is MortgagePTSD, powered by Barrett Financial. Here is the path from the first call to the keys, with what you do, what I do and what can slow things down at each stage.
The eight steps
- Pre-approval conversation. You: share income, credit situation, savings and timeline. Me: explain programs and costs and update you on what a lender will need. Common delay: missing documents.
- House hunt. You: tour homes with your agent. Me: answer payment questions as you go. Common delay: shopping above the comfortable range.
- Offer. You: make an offer with your agent. Me: provide your pre-approval letter for your agent to use. Common delay: an offer that does not match your verified numbers.
- Under contract. You: complete your application and upload documents. Me: lock in the plan and order what is needed. Common delay: late or partial documents.
- Appraisal. You: nothing, beyond making sure the home is accessible. Me: track the order and the result. Common delay: appraiser availability, or a value that comes in below the price.
- Underwriting. You: answer requests quickly. Me: relay each request with a plain explanation and update you at every milestone. Common delay: new debt, unexplained deposits or a job change.
- Clear to close. You: review your Closing Disclosure and wire funds only after verifying instructions by phone. Me: coordinate with title and your agent. Common delay: title issues or seller-side items.
- Closing. You: sign and receive the keys. Me: confirm every final detail beforehand.
Keep your file steady
- Do not open new credit or change jobs without calling me first.
- Keep copies of every statement page.
- Verify wire instructions by phone with a number you know is real.
See also how to buy a home in Las Vegas, Nevada closing costs and first-time buyer help. Book a 15-minute call or start your application here. This is not a commitment to lend and all loans are subject to credit approval.
Questions people ask.
It varies with the contract terms, the appraisal, title and how quickly documents come in. I will map out the timeline for your specific contract.
It is strongly recommended. It helps you shop in a comfortable range and shows sellers you are serious. The first conversation does not require a credit pull.
The most common causes are missing documents, appraisal scheduling or value, new debt, title issues and seller-side items.
Closing costs are paid at closing. Your Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure show the amounts, and I walk you through them before you sign.
