Buyer's Guide

Buyer's Guide

A man and a woman are standing in an empty room talking to a real estate agent.

Step 1

Our First Meeting

Having a clear understanding and vision of your goals, needs, and financial capacity when it comes to buying a home is a great way to start your journey. Whether you’re sick of paying rent or are in a place to settle down and have more control of your living space, homeownership is also a great investment that also allows you to build equity over time. In addition, the tax benefits of homeownership can provide a considerable advantage over renting. Choosing the right home starts with you, but your Chinai-Naples Team will be right by your side the entire process.

Step 1

Our First Meeting

Having a clear understanding and vision of your goals, needs, and financial capacity when it comes to buying a home is a great way to start your journey. Whether you’re sick of paying rent or are in a place to settle down and have more control of your living space, homeownership is also a great investment that also allows you to build equity over time. In addition, the tax benefits of homeownership can provide a considerable advantage over renting. Choosing the right home starts with you, but your Chinai-Naples Team will be right by your side the entire process.

A man in a suit is talking to two people in an empty room.
A woman and a little girl are sitting on a couch looking at a laptop.

Step 2

Financial Preparation

Build your ‘Green File’. A green file contains all your important financial documents. You’ll need it to secure financing for your home. It’s also important to know what your credit rating is and to be careful not to make any big purchases or hard credit checks during the home buying process. You want to present your best financial self in order to ensure maximum opportunity for the loan approval amount you need and want.


A woman and a little girl are sitting on a couch looking at a laptop.

Step 2

Financial Preparation

Build your ‘Green File’. A green file contains all your important financial documents. You’ll need it to secure financing for your home. It’s also important to know what your credit rating is and to be careful not to make any big purchases or hard credit checks during the home buying process. You want to present your best financial self in order to ensure maximum opportunity for the loan approval amount you need and want.

An aerial view of a residential area next to a body of water.

Step 3

Determining Where to Live

Let’s take a moment to start narrowing down the area you want to live in. Start voicing what’s important to you as far as proximity goes. Every neighborhood has its own vibe and personality that can help make the essence of your home complete. Your Chinai-Naples Team have both personal and professional experience with countless neighborhoods on the West Coast, giving you the best possible recommendations and matching your needs with the perfect community.

Step 3

Determining Where to Live

Let’s take a moment to start narrowing down the area you want to live in. Start voicing what’s important to you as far as proximity goes. Every neighborhood has its own vibe and personality that can help make the essence of your home complete. Your Chinai-Naples Team have both personal and professional experience with countless neighborhoods on the West Coast, giving you the best possible recommendations and matching your needs with the perfect community.

An aerial view of a residential area next to a body of water.
A family is walking a dog down a street in front of a house.

Step 4

Find the Perfect Home

For every home you tour, make sure to also pay attention to the neighborhood. Imagine yourself walking around the neighborhood and getting a sense of what it would be like to live there every day. Ensuring you are in close proximity to whatever is important for you to live a happy and healthy lifestyle.

A family is walking a dog down a street in front of a house.

Step 4

Find the Perfect Home

For every home you tour, make sure to also pay attention to the neighborhood. Imagine yourself walking around the neighborhood and getting a sense of what it would be like to live there every day. Ensuring you are in close proximity to whatever is important for you to live a happy and healthy lifestyle.

A group of people are sitting on a couch looking at a laptop computer.

Step 5

Making an Offer

Building a rapport and staying organized allowed our Chinai-Naples Team to create a reliable reputation with other agents who look forward to working with us. After reviewing and comparing home sales in the area, the next step of the process will be discussing enticing offer strategies. Being able to confidently present an offer in a competitive market may seem intimidating, however, giving yourself a bit of wiggle room opens up your opportunity to negotiate further and give you an advantage. Work closely with your Chinai-Naples Team to figure out how you can present the strongest offer to get your dream home.

Step 5

Making an Offer

Building a rapport and staying organized allowed our Chinai-Naples Team to create a reliable reputation with other agents who look forward to working with us. After reviewing and comparing home sales in the area, the next step of the process will be discussing enticing offer strategies. Being able to confidently present an offer in a competitive market may seem intimidating, however, giving yourself a bit of wiggle room opens up your opportunity to negotiate further and give you an advantage. Work closely with your Chinai-Naples Team to figure out how you can present the strongest offer to get your dream home.

A group of people are sitting on a couch looking at a laptop computer.
A group of people are sitting on a couch looking at a notebook.

Step 6

Title Company & Escrow Holder

The true waiting game. Opening an escrow account means you are putting down any deposits and fees necessary to purchase the home, showing you are serious about the purchase and have the funds. The funds stay in escrow and will not be transferred to the seller until all documents and negotiations have been settled and the transaction closes. This can be a lengthy and confusing process, but that’s what your Chinai-Naples Team is there for. They’ll be there to explain what’s happening on the back end as well as there to keep you accountable to maximize your chance of getting that approval.

A group of people are sitting on a couch looking at a notebook.

Step 6

Title Company & Escrow Holder

The true waiting game. Opening an escrow account means you are putting down any deposits and fees necessary to purchase the home, showing you are serious about the purchase and have the funds. The funds stay in escrow and will not be transferred to the seller until all documents and negotiations have been settled and the transaction closes. This can be a lengthy and confusing process, but that’s what your Chinai-Naples Team is there for. They’ll be there to explain what’s happening on the back end as well as there to keep you accountable to maximize your chance of getting that approval.

A family is standing in a living room looking at a staircase.

Step 7

Inspection of the Property

Building a rapport and staying organized allowed our Chinai-Naples Team to create a reliable reputation with other agents who look forward to working with us. After reviewing and comparing home sales in the area, the next step of the process will be discussing enticing offer strategies. Being able to confidently present an offer in a competitive market may seem intimidating, however, giving yourself a bit of wiggle room opens up your opportunity to negotiate further and give you an advantage. Work closely with your Chinai-Naples Team to figure out how you can present the strongest offer to get your dream home.

Step 7

Inspection of the Property

Building a rapport and staying organized allowed our Chinai-Naples Team to create a reliable reputation with other agents who look forward to working with us. After reviewing and comparing home sales in the area, the next step of the process will be discussing enticing offer strategies. Being able to confidently present an offer in a competitive market may seem intimidating, however, giving yourself a bit of wiggle room opens up your opportunity to negotiate further and give you an advantage. Work closely with your Chinai-Naples Team to figure out how you can present the strongest offer to get your dream home.

A family is standing in a living room looking at a staircase.
A man and a woman are sitting at a table with a man standing behind them.

Step 8

Closing-Almost There!

You’re at the finish line at this point and luckily you haven’t had to complete this process on your own. Your Chinai-Naples Team will continue to be there for the final inspection, to keep you accountable to pay all necessary fees and to understand what fees the seller is required to pay. Once you receive the closing statements and sign the final documents, including loan documents, the transaction is closed and the house is yours.

A family is sitting on a couch wrapped in plastic.

Step 9

Moving In

It doesn’t end there. Your Chinai-Naples Team can help you with any of the details of your move and settling in. We have a large network of trusted experts to provide everything from movers, home designers, painters, electricians, etc.


Have a checklist created to ensure all utilities are in your name and any necessary vendors are contacted. We can assist and provide phone numbers of preferred vendors for whatever is needed.

Step 9

Moving In

It doesn’t end there. Your Chinai-Naples Team can help you with any of the details of your move and settling in. We have a large network of trusted experts to provide everything from movers, home designers, painters, electricians, etc.


Have a checklist created to ensure all utilities are in your name and any necessary vendors are contacted. We can assist and provide phone numbers of preferred vendors for whatever is needed.

A family is sitting on a couch wrapped in plastic.