Buyer's Guide
Whether you’re a first time home buyer or an experienced buyer, you’re bound to have some questions. Here are a few commonly asked questions. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Let me know and I’d be happy to answer any specific questions you may have.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Can I Afford?
To determine how much house you can afford, a lender will take into account items such as your household income, monthly debts (car loans for example) and the amount of AVAILABLE savings you have for a down payment. Your lender will use this information to determine what you can pre-qualify. That is why it is so important to pre-qualify early in the home buying process.
What is the First Step in the Home Buying Process?
The first step in the home buying process is to begin working with a lender to determine what you can pre-qualify for. Otherwise you may find yourself looking at homes that are not in your price range or make the mistake of NOT looking at homes you could actually afford.
Do I Need to Hire an Agent to Buy a Home?
No. However, there is a reason why real estate agents are professionals. Real estate agents have the knowledge, qualifications and access to local information that wouldn't be available otherwise. While the seller's agent will uphold legal obligations, it's also important to remember their primary responsibility is to ensure their client's (the seller) best interests come first. Having your own representation means someone is looking out for your best interests as well.
How Does My Agent Get Paid?
While there may be exceptions, traditionally it is actually the SELLER who pays the agent's commission at closing.
Testimonials
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Very professional, and helpful, he knows what his job and the more important is available any time went you need him.
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- Ofelia Walker
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Mike did an outstanding job helping us buy an investment property in Wake Forest. We saw a lot of properties and he walked through each of them from a property management standpoint, helping us to make the best financial investment possible. We submitted several offers in a very competitive market and ended up with the perfect property. Then he helped us find a wonderful tenant. We'd recommend Mike to anyone looking for a real estate agent or property manager.
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- Buyer
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I have used Mike for over 10 years to help me purchase and sell multiple properties. It has been a pleasure to work with him and has made the process so easy. His communication is unbelievable as there’s many times where I can pick up the phone and just ask questions and get answers right away. My wife and I will continue to use Mike and I can easily say that he has become a great friend as well.
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- Seller
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Mike and his team were very communicative throughout the entire home buying experience. As first time home buyers, he made us feel very comfortable with all of the decisions that needed to be made with location, community, pricing, and lending.
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- Buyer
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This is our 3rd time using Mike. First time with the sell of our first home then the purchase of our new home and then most recently with the purchase of a home for my mother-in-law. Mike is highly knowledgeable and always responsive to any questions. He makes the whole process as seamless and painless as possible. Great to have such a connected and informed asset when making such an important decision.
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- Buyer
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Great first home-buying experience. We were referred to Mike through a family friend. From the beginning, Mike was easy to talk to and walked us through the expectations for the home-buying process. When we started looking at homes, Mike was able to arrange tours quickly and work around our schedule. From the time we made an offer until closing, he offered expertise and negotiated on our behalf to get us a great deal on our dream home. We’re very appreciative of his help throughout the process!
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- Buyer
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Mike was always available. Did a great job with the listing and helped me price the home right for the market. I highly recommend him.
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- Seller
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Mike made our house sale so easy!
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- Amy Wolfe
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My experience was awesome, had not brought or sold a house in 25 years. Tefft and his team made it seamless and I appreciated thank you
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- Joyce Gillespie
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I have used Mike for over 10 years to help me purchase and sell multiple properties. It has been a pleasure to work with him and has made the process so easy. His communication is unbelievable as there’s many times where I can pick up the phone and just ask questions and get answers right awayMy wife and I will continue to use Mike and I can easily say that he has become a great friend as well.
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- Slamarre1
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Mike and his team were outstanding to work with, we got full ask for our house within 12 hours! We could not have asked for a smoother process. I would highly recommend!
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- Michael Cannella
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Upmost professional and attentive agent I have ever worked with. Mike recently completed a transition for me on my 4th home. Despite market climate, a tough off season, Mike managed to keep the flow of buyers coming in steady. Sold home w/o issue rapidly after offers began to trickle in! All I can say is wow! Hire this guy ASAP!
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- Robert Bolbotowski
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Mike was amazing! He was super knowledgeable about what to look for in a structurally sound home and he was patient with us as we were first time homebuyers. His negotiation got us a great deal on the house!
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- Shannon Carney
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I have used Mike for over 10 years to help me purchase and sell multiple properties. It has been a pleasure to work with him and has made the process so easy. His communication is unbelievable as there’s many times where I can pick up the phone and just ask questions and get answers right awayMy wife and I will continue to use Mike and I can easily say that he has become a great friend as well.
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- Slamarre1
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I have worked with Mike on a few different property sales and he has always delivered. He has consistently navigated us to the closing table no matter what has occurred or come up. I would highly recommend reaching out to Mike for your next purchase of sale!
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- Seller
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Mike Tefft was a true asset in my decision to sell my home. He offered valuable advise and resources to make the process as efficient and cost effective as possible. He explained everything thoroughly and responded promptly to any and all inquiries along the way and his and Emily's assistance got my place listed and sold in 30 days! Many thanks to him and his team and I highly recommend his services.
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- Maureen Kinney
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Great to work with. Very down to earth, and takes care of business. Will always return email/text/call in a quick manner. He was property manager for condo first, and then listed and sold condo within 2 months.
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- Seller
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I am extremely thankful for having Mike Tefft and his team help me with purchase of my new home. His expertise, knowledge, and assistance throughout the process have been awesome. I would definitely recommend buying/selling a home with him.
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- Julie Crosby
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Very professional, and helpful, he knows what his job and the more important is available any time went you need him.
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- Ofelia Walker
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I am extremely thankful for having Mike Tefft and his team help me with purchase of my new home. His expertise, knowledge, and assistance throughout the process have been awesome. I would definitely recommend buying/selling a home with him.
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- Julie Crosby
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Mike Tefft was a true asset in my decision to sell my home. He offered valuable advise and resources to make the process as efficient and cost effective as possible. He explained everything thoroughly and responded promptly to any and all inquiries along the way and his and Emily's assistance got my place listed and sold in 30 days! Many thanks to him and his team and I highly recommend his services.
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- Maureen Kinney
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Best experience ever with selling my house. Mike Tefft made the process incredibly easy and took extra steps many other Realtors don't (but should), like having professional photographs taken, and a lot more. When we saw our listing we were blown away. His hard work and knowledge of what it takes to sell a home really paid off - our listing looked amazing and knocked out the competition. The first buyer that saw the property put in an offer. Our house went under contract 1 day after we put it on the market for the asking price. We accepted and Mike walked us through every step of the closing process. It couldn't have been a more pleasant experience. I've recommended Mike Tefft to everyone I know. He's a true professional and a genuinely nice guy. I realize it won't always be this easy to sell your home, but I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better Realtor. Thank you
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- Seller
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My experience was awesome, had not brought or sold a house in 25 years. Tefft and his team made it seamless and I appreciated thank you
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- Joyce Gillespie
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Mike did an amazing job as our realtor. He listened to us, gave suggestions, and provided resources to help us while we were trying to pack and after we moved out. We needed a yard guy to trim bushes and clean up the backyard, house cleaners, and small maintenance from the inspection after we moved out. Mike helped us out a ton! We highly recommend Mike as a great, responsive realtor.
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- Michelle
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Mike made our house sale so easy!
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- Amy Wolfe
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Mike Tefft is a superb realtor. He helped us find a house to rent and then helped us to find the perfect home to buy. He knows the Raleigh and surrounding area very well and was able to answer our questions regarding home locations. He noted the pros and cons of the houses we visited. The home inspection and closing processes were very smooth with Mike’s expertise. After closing on the home, Mike was a great resource for finding reputable and reliable contractors for the upgrades needed at our new home. We highly recommend Mike Tefft as a realtor!
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- Buyer
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Mike knows the market, he is very professional and helpful. Being out-of-town buyers we feel very lucky to have found Mike as he is very knowledgeable about the market. His professionalism excelled and made us feel very comfortable during the whole process as he always kept on top of every detail
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- Buyer
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Mike and Emily were great. Knowledgeable of the market, attentive and extremely on the ball. Nothing skipped by him. Made us comfortable and confident that we would be on and off the market in less than 30 days and sold in two weeks. We would not only use Mike for any other real estate transaction again. I can’t implore strongly enough that using Mike and his team from start to finish is the only way to go in North Carolina. Thank you for such an easy and smooth sale
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- Jeff and Flora Factor
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Mike Tefft is the best real estate agent! Mike Tefft was excellent throughout the whole process. We listed at slightly above the comps and then we received 2 serious bids that Mike was able to navigate through the negotiation to the point where we ended up selling at quite a bit above asking price. He also helped us find our next house and coordinate all of this to where we closed on selling our house and buying the next house the very next day. This was not an easy task to pull of that sort of timing, but Mike handled it all perfectly. We paid a fair price for the house we moved to and we could not be happier as we reflect on this selling/buying situation. Mike's listing & closing coordinator Emily Johnson was also awesome throughout this process. I strongly recommend that if you are trying to sell your home and/or buy a home, you should use Mike Tefft as your Realtor.
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- Seller
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Mike had sold other homes in our neighborhood and we chose him to sell ours as well. We ended up getting close to our asking price thanks to his negotiating skills. He and his associate are very responsive and professional. We highly recommend Mike Tefft.
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- Seller
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Great Experience! Mike was wonderful from start to finish! He made the home buying experience easy. Mike was able to negotiate a same day close for selling my townhouse and buying the new house without stress.
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- Seller
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For years, Mike Tefft has provided phenomenal value to my family from purchasing, to selling. HIGHLY recommend considering him for all of your real estate needs. Extremely professional and always on time with everything.
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- David Howard
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Seamless and professional. Mike was able to lend a hand on getting us over the goaline. He was able to take care of a couple items that would have been very difficult as an out of town seller.
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- Seller
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Mike was very helpful in helping find our next home. He was super knowledgeable about different builders in the Wake Forest area. And most important, he was very responsibe and available throughout the entire process. I highly recommend using Mike!
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- Buyer
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Clear, concise, knowledgeable, and friendly. Working with Mike was great. From the jump he listened and was always helpful despite us going back and forth through the process. He was readily available and answered any and all questions we have and feel like we really learned through him. Would highly recommend.
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- Buyer
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Mike is a real estate professional who not only knows what he is doing but is ethical, kind, and a stellar human being. I would highly recommend contacting Mike if you are selling or buying a home.
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- Karen Ann Leier Kuhns
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We have used Mike for dozens of transactions over the years. Always thankful for his guidance and help to get us closed.
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Mike did an amazing job as our realtor. He listened to us, gave suggestions, and provided resources to help us while we were trying to pack and after we moved out. We needed a yard guy to trim bushes and clean up the backyard, house cleaners, and small maintenance from the inspection after we moved out. Mike helped us out a ton! We highly recommend Mike as a great, responsive realtor.
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- Michelle
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Mike once again helped navigate us through multiple closings. Ours was the last in a domino of 4 closings. Everything was just about flawless which is generally impossible.
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- Seller
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Mike is a real estate professional who not only knows what he is doing but is ethical, kind, and a stellar human being. I would highly recommend contacting Mike if you are selling or buying a home.
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- Karen Ann Leier Kuhns
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Upmost professional and attentive agent I have ever worked with. Mike recently completed a transition for me on my 4th home. Despite market climate, a tough off season, Mike managed to keep the flow of buyers coming in steady. Sold home w/o issue rapidly after offers began to trickle in! All I can say is wow! Hire this guy ASAP!
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- Robert Bolbotowski
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We have used Mike for dozens of transactions over the years. Always thankful for his guidance and help to get us closed.
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This was the third time we used Mike Tefft as our realtor in the Wake Forest area. He is so easy to work with, communicates so well, and has many resources at his disposal to help you through the whole process. The sale of our home went very quickly and the closing process was stress-free! Mike is a joy to work with!
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- Seller
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Mike was amazing! He was super knowledgeable about what to look for in a structurally sound home and he was patient with us as we were first time homebuyers. His negotiation got us a great deal on the house!
"
- Shannon Carney
"
Mike and Emily were great. Knowledgeable of the market, attentive and extremely on the ball. Nothing skipped by him. Made us comfortable and confident that we would be on and off the market in less than 30 days and sold in two weeks. We would not only use Mike for any other real estate transaction again. I can’t implore strongly enough that using Mike and his team from start to finish is the only way to go in North Carolina. Thank you for such an easy and smooth sale
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- Jeff and Flora Factor
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I've worked with Mike Tefft since July 2013. In that time, I've bought 2 homes, bought 3 rental properties and sold 1 home all with Mike. Mike has the knowledge of the real estate market, he's an expert in the process of buying/selling, he's so responsive to calls/text/emails that you will think you're his only client and he will negotiate to save you money.Mike has impressed me so many times these past 5 years during business and continues way after closing. He goes above and beyond. I've used other realtors in past but none compare. Mike is in a class of is own. Mike Tefft is my realtor and id like to think a friend to.
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- Buyer
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Above & beyond expectations! Mike , you took care of me through a difficult time. With a love one at home you worked with us & succeeded in making it as easy as you could . Grateful that you got us extra time to pack & recommended the best mover. Thank you & I will recommend you to everyone !
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- Seller
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For years, Mike Tefft has provided phenomenal value to my family from purchasing, to selling. HIGHLY recommend considering him for all of your real estate needs. Extremely professional and always on time with everything.
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- David Howard
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Mike did an amazing job as our realtor. He listened to us, gave suggestions, and provided resources to help us while we were trying to pack and after we moved out. We needed a yard guy to trim bushes and clean up the backyard, house cleaners, and small maintenance from the inspection after we moved out. Mike helped us out a ton!
We highly recommend Mike as a great, responsive realtor.
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- Seller
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Mike and his team were outstanding to work with, we got full ask for our house within 12 hours! We could not have asked for a smoother process. I would highly recommend!
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- Michael Cannella
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