The First-Time Buyer's Guide to the Greater Tulsa Area
Everything you need to buy your first home with confidence.
Who This Guide Is For
This first-time buyer's guide to the Greater Tulsa Area is for you if you're thinking about buying your first home and you'd like to understand the whole process before you start touring.
If you've been quietly scrolling listings for months, wondering "How does this work?" or "How much money do I actually need?", you're not behind. Most first-time buyers feel that way. You don't need to know everything before you begin. You need a trusted guide and a clear first step.
I'm Christina Shortsleeve, a REALTOR® with RE/MAX Results, and first-time buyers are one of the two groups I work with most.
Start With a Conversation
The Greater Tulsa Area Buying Process, Step by Step
1. Talk with a lender. A lender reviews your income, debts, credit and savings and tells you how much they're willing to lend. That's your pre-approval.
2. Know your full costs. Plan for your down payment, closing costs and earnest money, which is typically around 1% of the price in my market and is held by the title company or a brokerage. Then figure out the monthly payment you're comfortable with, including taxes and insurance.
3. Understand your agreement. With me, new buyers start with a touring agreement. After our first meeting, if you want to move forward, we sign a Buyer Broker Agreement that explains how I'm paid, how long we work together, and how you can end it.
4. Choose where to look. What your budget buys changes from town to town. Check the commute and the school district for each home you're serious about. A Broken Arrow address, for example, can fall within Broken Arrow, Union or Bixby Public Schools.
5. Tour with focus. Fewer homes, better ones, and a clear read on each.
6. Make an offer. Your offer sets the price, terms and timeline.
7. Investigations, inspections and reviews. Usually about 10 days, set by your contract. This is when you have the home inspected.
8. Appraisal and financing. Your lender orders the appraisal and finalizes your loan.
9. Closing. A final walkthrough, then you sign at the title company and get your keys.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Budgeting only for the down payment. Closing costs and earnest money matter too. Know your full number before you tour.
- Touring before you're pre-approved. It's easy to fall for a home you can't act on yet.
- Assuming the school district from the address. Check it for each home.
- Ignoring the commute. Drive it at the time you'd actually make it.
- Not asking questions. There are no silly questions. It's much better to ask than to quietly worry.
How I Help, and Your Next Step
I use my Purchasing Pathway, a document I created, to walk first-time buyers through every step above before we tour. I adapt the pace and detail to how you make decisions, and I have a 5.0 rating from 68 verified reviews on RateMyAgent. You can read more on my first-time buyers page and my page about how I help you buy a home.
Your next step: send me a message and let's start with a conversation. You don't have to be ready to move to start asking questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money do I need to buy my first home?
Plan for your down payment, closing costs and earnest money, typically around 1% of the price in my market. A lender can help you work out your full number.
What do I sign with a buyer's agent?
With me, new buyers start with a touring agreement. After our first meeting, if you want to move forward, we sign a Buyer Broker Agreement.
How long is the inspection period?
Oklahoma contracts call it investigations, inspections, and reviews. It's usually about 10 days, set by your contract.
Keep exploring
Ready to make your move with Christina Shortsleeve?