01. Find an Agent
Look for a licensed Compass real estate agent who is knowledgeable about the neighborhoods you’re considering and can help guide your search.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Buy a Home
Connecticut is one of the most diverse and competitive real estate markets in the world, and we understand that making the decision to buy a home here can be a particularly overwhelming experience. From mastering the difference between towns to planning for an inspection, there’s a lot to learn.
Look for a licensed Compass real estate agent who is knowledgeable about the neighborhoods you’re considering and can help guide your search.
Before beginning your search, your first step is to get pre-approved for a mortgage loan (unless you will be paying in cash for the full price of your home). Your Compass agent can connect you to a mortgage broker. Based on your income and credit history, the mortgage broker will determine how much the bank will lend you, helping you establish the price range for your search.
Attend viewings and open houses spanning a range of areas and property types. This is the time to consider your ideal home’s location and amenities.
Reach an agreement with the seller on price and terms. Once you have found a home you like, you can present an offer to purchase, or “binder,” along with your mortgage pre-approval and a copy of your binder check (1% of the purchase price). If your offer is lower than the list price, the seller may respond with a counter-offer, which you can accept, reject, or negotiate further. Your Compass agent will provide guidance on pricing throughout the process.
You are given a limited time period during which to conduct an engineer’s inspection and other desired and required inspections. During this period, the seller has only made a verbal, non-binding agreement to sell the property to the buyer.
The seller’s attorney will draft a contract of sale and deliver it, along with the seller’s title insurance policy and a copy of any existing survey, to your attorney. If any changes are requested, the seller must agree to them. Signed contracts are then returned to the seller’s attorney with a 10% contract deposit, also called a “down payment.”
Organize an appraisal with your bank. Your completed mortgage loan application, along with all supporting documentation, should be submitted to your chosen lender upon receipt of the fully signed contracts. The bank then issues clearance to close.
A final walk-through of the property is performed just prior to closing. The walk-through confirms that no damage has been done to the home since the time of the inspection and that the major systems and appliances are in working order.
Once all the conditions of the contract have been satisfied, the closing is held. The closing documents are signed, payment is exchanged, and the buyer receives the keys to their new home!
Total 2024 CT sales volume*
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At Compass, we empower our agents with data-driven technology, revolutionizing the home buying experience. Since launching in 2012, we’ve built a robust team of experts — engineers, analysts, strategists, and marketers — to simplify the process and guide buyers. Now the #1 independent real estate brokerage in the country, we deliver on our promise from coast to coast.
With Deirdre McGovern by your side, you have a trusted advocate bringing experience, local market knowledge, and strategic insight to every step of your journey. Whether you're buying or selling in Darien or the surrounding waterfront towns of Fairfield County, you’ll receive personalized service, expert negotiation, and results-driven marketing to help you achieve your goals with confidence.
