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Comprehensive Princeton Home Buyers Guide

Buying a home is a significant decision—one that benefits from clarity, preparation, and experienced representation. While no two purchases are the same, this overview outlines how I support buyers throughout the process. My role is to offer insight, strategy, and steady guidance at every stage—tailored to individual goals, timing, and the realities of the market.

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Step 1: Initial Buyer Consultation

  • Assess wants and needs.
  • Review general market conditions.
  • Discuss the budget and help obtain mortgage pre-approval.
  • Review Representation: Go over fiduciary duties and applicable paperwork, including compensation options.
  • Understand Wants and Needs: Identify and discuss wants and needs for the buyer’s new home.
  • Financial Review: Provide names of mortgage advisors for pre-approval and assist with understanding budget considerations, including down payment and closing costs.
  • Market Education: Provide an overview of market conditions and how they impact the purchase process.
  • Strategy Development: Custom-tailor a search strategy based on the buyer’s timeline, market conditions, and inventory.
  • Communication Plan: Establish preferred methods and frequency of communication to ensure the buyer is kept informed at every step.
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Step 2: Property Introductions

  • Research homes for sale.
  • View homes of interest.
  • Evaluate wants and needs in coordination with the budget.
  • Set the buyer up on an appropriate search platform with customized criteria (RealScout/MLS).
  • Alert buyer to company inventory as soon as it’s known (including pre-MLS/office exclusive opportunities)
  • Schedule tours: Coordinate with sellers’ agents to visit properties that match the buyer’s criteria
  • Feature Assessments: Help assess the condition of homes and discuss potential benefits or challenges in relation to wants and needs.
  • Local Information: Supply requested data about the neighborhood, including schools, communities, amenities, and local attractions.
  • Record Feedback: Identify and evaluate the buyer’s likes and dislikes to refine future searches.
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Step 3: Contracts & Negotiations

  • Prepare an offer based on comparative market research, personal budget, contingencies, if applicable, and any additional strategies.
  • Draft an offer to purchase in contract form.
  • Engage in negotiations in an attempt to reach mutually acceptable terms.
  • Upon agreement, execute the offer and forward it to the seller for attorney distribution.
  • Offer Strategy: Provide guidance on creating an appropriate offer that attempts to create a ‘win-win’ scenario that appeals to the interests of the seller, while satisfying the interests of the buyer.
  • Document Preparation: Draft and review offer documents to best ensure accuracy and protection of the buyer’s intentions.
  • Negotiation: Communicate with the listing agent to discuss price, conditions, and terms.
  • Contingency Planning: Discuss and include applicable contingencies like home inspections, appraisal, and financing, as appropriate.
  • Offer Submission: Submit the offer and manage any counteroffer scenarios in writing.

My goal is to provide highly personalized service, tailored to help you make an informed and confident home purchase.

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Step 4: Under Contract

  • Inspections, inspections, inspections!
  • Financing and appraisal.
  • Facilitate additional miscellaneous contractual elements if/when applicable.
  • Facilitate information gathering on items such as zoning, permits, title, etc.
  • Help arrange and attend home inspections.
  • Assist with inspection issues, logistics, and follow-up; provide names of applicable vendors as needed.
  • Assist with negotiations for repairs or credits for issues that may arise.
  • Assist with transaction coordination to ensure compliance with various contract timelines and terms.
  • Provide comparable properties for mortgage appraisal, if necessary.
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Step 5: Getting to the Closing Table

  • Clear to close.
  • Final walk-through.
  • Transfer of utilities.
  • Attend final walk-through: Facilitate ensuring the property’s condition is as agreed upon, including any post-inspection repairs or any new issues.
  • Closing Coordination: Liaise with the attorney, title company, lender, and listing agent.
  • Confirm that insurance has been obtained and utilities/other services are set to transfer upon closing.
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Step 6: Beyond the Transaction

Continue to serve as a resource and trusted advisor beyond the scope of the transaction.

Congratulations!

With closing complete and the keys in hand, your new chapter begins. Whether this is a long-anticipated move or the next step in your evolving journey, I’m honored to have guided you through the process. My commitment doesn’t end at the closing table—I remain a trusted resource for whatever comes next.

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Work With Maura

Recognized by RealTrends Verified as one of America's 2025 Best Real Estate Professionals and the top agent in sales volume at Callaway Henderson Sotheby's International Realty for 13 of the last 14 years, Maura Mills brings more than 30 years of trusted counsel to buyers and sellers throughout the Greater Princeton luxury market. Whether you are buying, selling, or simply exploring your options, Maura welcomes the conversation.
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Contact Details

Maura Mills

Phone

609.947.5757

Email

[email protected]

Address

4 Nassau St Princeton, NJ 08542

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