Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make. This guide walks you through each step of the process -- from figuring out your budget to getting the keys -- so you know exactly what to expect.
And with Val Teplyuk as your agent, you get something most buyers don't: a realtor with 30 years of construction experience who can evaluate every home's true condition before you make an offer.
Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
Before you start looking at homes, talk to a lender. Pre-approval tells you exactly how much you can afford and shows sellers you're a serious buyer. It's based on your income, credit, debts, and down payment.
A pre-approval letter typically lasts 60 to 90 days. Val works with several trusted local lenders and can connect you if you need a recommendation.
What you'll need:
Pay stubs (last 30 days), W-2s or tax returns (last 2 years), bank statements (last 2 months), a valid ID, and your Social Security number. Self-employed buyers should also have profit-and-loss statements ready.
Define Your Priorities
Make a list of what matters most: location, school district, commute time, home size, yard space, single-story vs. two-story, garage size, and any deal-breakers. Knowing your priorities upfront saves time and prevents decision fatigue later.
Val will help you refine this list based on what's realistic in your price range and target neighborhoods across Greater Sacramento -- from Roseville and Rocklin to Folsom, Granite Bay, and beyond.
Ready to start your search?
Val can help you define your criteria and start looking at homes -- with a builder's eye on every property.
Talk to ValSearch for Homes and Tour Properties
This is the exciting part. Val will set you up with listings that match your criteria and schedule tours at your convenience. As you walk through homes, Val evaluates them with a builder's perspective -- checking the roof condition, HVAC age, foundation, plumbing, electrical, and overall structural integrity.
Most agents notice finishes. Val notices what's behind the walls. This insight helps you avoid costly surprises and gives you real leverage during negotiations.
Make an Offer and Negotiate
When you find the right home, Val helps you craft a competitive offer based on comparable sales, market conditions, and the home's true condition. If repairs are needed, Val can estimate costs accurately -- giving you real numbers to negotiate with, not guesses.
Once your offer is accepted, you'll enter escrow. This is typically a 30-day period where inspections, appraisals, and final loan approval happen.
Inspections and Due Diligence
A professional home inspection is critical. The inspector examines the home's major systems and structure. Val attends every inspection and adds his own construction-informed perspective -- often catching things that general inspectors miss or downplay.
Based on the inspection, you can request repairs, ask for credits, or renegotiate the price. Val's construction background means your repair requests are backed by accurate cost data, which carries more weight with sellers.
Have questions about the process?
Every buyer's situation is different. Val is happy to walk you through your specific scenario -- no obligation.
Appraisal and Final Loan Approval
Your lender will order an appraisal to confirm the home's value supports the loan amount. If the appraisal comes in low, Val helps you navigate your options -- whether that's renegotiating the price, making up the difference, or walking away.
Once the appraisal clears, your lender issues final loan approval. You'll review and sign your loan documents, typically a few days before closing.
Close and Get Your Keys
On closing day, you'll sign the final paperwork, funds are transferred, and the title is recorded. Val does a final walkthrough with you beforehand to make sure everything is in the agreed-upon condition.
Then you get the keys. Welcome home.
The Builder's Edge
Most agents can walk you through the buying process. Val does something different -- he evaluates every property like a builder. That means you'll know the true condition of a home before you commit, you'll have accurate renovation cost estimates if you're considering a fixer, and you'll negotiate from a position of knowledge, not guesswork.
That's the advantage of working with a builder-turned-realtor.