About Us
At Pathways Home Group, we believe buying a home should be an exciting, stress-free experience. Led by award-winning Realtor Paula Swirtz, our team is dedicated to guiding you every step of the way—on your timeline, with no pressure.
Over the last two years, we have helped hundreds of buyers find their perfect homes. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned investor, we provide expert advice, seamless transactions, and personalized service tailored to your needs. Our commitment to mentorship, professional growth, and client success sets us apart in the real estate industry.
Let us help you make a smart investment or transition smoothly into your next chapter. We're on your path, your timeline—no pressure.
Buying a home is one of the biggest, most important investments you'll make in your life. It could also be stressful, especially if you're a first time home buyer or if you don't quite understand the process. Before you start anxiously shopping for properties, make sure you're ready and that you have at least the basic understanding to make it as smooth as possible.
The first step is to fully understand your finances. It is important and necessary to help you determine your budget or how much home you can afford.
A pre-approval letter will prove that you are a serious buyer with the means of purchasing property.
Your agent will dedicate their time and experience to finding and helping you get into your new home.
Preview homes that meet your search criteria.
Put an offer in, negotiate the offer and get the home under contract.
Get a home inspection done on the property.
Have your lender order an appraisal on the home.
Walk through the home a final time before closing to ensure any repairs are completed and the home is in order.
Your Credit Report
A pre-approval is not a commitment to lend; it is simply how much your lender is willing to lend to you - pending forthcoming details, such as the value of the home and the specifics of your loan. It allows you to look for a home with greater confidence and demonstrates to the seller that you are a serious buyer.
Pre-approval letters have an expiration date so be sure to ask your lender how long your letter will remain valid.
To get pre-approved, you'll complete your lender's loan application, providing them with important information about your credit, debts, work history, residential history, and down payment. This information helps your lender evaluate your “4 Cs” to determine how much you may be qualified to borrow.
The “4 Cs” refers to the four lending criteria lenders use to evaluate the strength of a loan:
- Capacity - Your current and future ability to make your payments. (Income)
- Capital - The money, savings and investments you have that can be sold quickly for cash. (Down payment and closing costs)
- Collateral - The home that you would like purchase and use as security for the loan
- Credit - Your history of paying bills and other debts on time
If your lender determines you qualify for a loan, you'll receive a pre-approval in writing that outlines the maximum amount you can borrow. Remember, it's a maximum, and not necessarily the amount you should borrow. You'll want to stay within your budget and comfort level.
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Now that you understand the steps to buying your home from beginning to end, you’re well on your way to homeownership. Let’s add to this by also understanding best practices during the process. Learning from other people’s experiences will help you make wise decisions and will ensure you’re doing everything in your power to see it through closing.
Do’s
Don’ts
Real estate is full of jargon and chances are that you will come across terminology that is unfamiliar to you. This is understandable especially if you’re a first time homebuyer. Nevertheless, a list of common real estate terms and easy to understand definitions have been outlined here for your reference as you move forward with your home purchase.
The cost of a loan or other financing as an annual rate. The APR includes the interest rate, points, broker fees, and certain other credit charges a borrower is required to pay.
For an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), a limitation on the amount the interest rate or mortgage payments may increase or decrease.
The process of completing a financial transaction. For mortgage loans, the process of signing mortgage documents, disbursing funds and transferring ownership of the property. In some jurisdictions, closing is referred to as "escrow," a process by which a buyer and seller deliver legal documents to a third party who completes the transaction in accordance with their instructions. See also Settlement.
A binding offer from your lender that includes the amount of the mortgage, the interest rate and repayment terms.
Something given up or agreed to in negotiating the sale of a house. For example, the sellers may agree to help pay for closing costs.
A condition that must be met before a contract is legally binding. For example, home purchasers often include a home inspection contingency; the sales contract is not binding unless and until the purchaser has the home inspected.
An offer made in response to a previous offer. For example, after the buyer presents their first offer, the seller may make a counter-offer with a slightly higher sale price.
The percentage of gross monthly income that goes toward paying your monthly housing expense, alimony, child support, car payments, and other debts.
The legal document transferring ownership or title to a property.
A fee paid by the borrower at closing to reduce the interest rate. A point equals one percent of the loan amount.
A portion of the purchase price, usually between 3-20%, not borrowed and paid up front in cash. Some loans are offered with zero down-payment.
The deposit to show that you are committed to buying the home. The deposit usually will not be refunded to you after the seller accepts your offer, unless one of the sales contract contingencies is not fulfilled.
An item of value, money, or documents deposited with a third party to be delivered upon the fulfillment of a condition. For example, the deposit of funds by a borrower to pay taxes and insurance premiums when they become due.
Your real estate agent will be your "wingman," helping you navigate each step of the homebuying process while being readily available to answer your questions. Your agent's job is to help you find a home that meets your needs and budget requirement. Your agent can also provide information on neighborhoods, schools, property tax rates and more and will handle negotiations with the seller when you're ready to put an offer on a home.