Buying a Home

Just got engaged? Congratulations. Truly — this is one of the most exciting seasons of life, and I love seeing couples step into it. And if you're here because I handed you my card at a bridal show, or because you Googled me after, I want you to know: you are in exactly the right place at exactly the right time. I'm Leslie E. Martin, a real estate agent serving all of Metro Detroit. I work with...

Most buyers sit down with a lender and wait to be told what they qualify for. But what lenders know, and what buyers rarely think to ask, can make a real difference in what you can borrow, what you actually pay at closing, and whether you walk into this process set up to win or scrambling to catch up. I sat down with Vincent Newsome, home loan advisor at National Mortgage Funding in Troy, Michigan, for...

Should I Buy a Home Now or Wait? Short answer: it depends, but not on headlines. If you’ve found yourself asking “Should I buy a home now, or should I wait?” you’re not alone. This is one of the most frequently searched real estate questions on Google, YouTube, and AI tools especially among Metro Detroit buyers trying to make sense of today’s market. In this guide, I’ll walk you...

Congratulations! Your offer is accepted, and you’re officially on the path to homeownership. Now, let’s tackle the big question: What happens after your offer is accepted? Step 1: Escrow — The First Step After Your Offer is Accepted Escrow kicks things off. This neutral third party holds your earnest money deposit. It’s like a safety net for both you and the seller, proving you’re...

You’ve been dreaming of buying a home. Maybe it’s your first time, or perhaps you’ve done this before and want to make sure you’re doing it right. Either way, taking those initial first steps to becoming a property buyer can feel both thrilling and daunting. The good news? You don’t have to go it alone. Let’s walk through this journey together, one simple step at a time. Step 1: Evaluate...