Income Documents

• Federal Tax Returns – Last 2 Years
• W-2s – Last 2 Years
• Pay Stubs – Last 2 Years
• Additional income documentation: pension, retirement, child support, Social Security / disability income award letters, etc.

Asset Documents

• 2 most recent checking and savings account statements
• 401(k) or retirement account statement and summary
• Other asset statements and summaries (IRAs, stocks, bonds, etc.)

Other Documents

• Driver’s license or ID and Social Security card
• Landlord contact information (if applicable)
• Student loan statements showing balance and future payment amounts
• Documents related to divorce, bankruptcy, collections, judgments, or pending lawsuits (if applicable)

Types of Loans

Conventional

• Down payment: 3–20%
• Terms: 15–30 years
• Mortgage insurance: required under 20%
• Minimum credit score: 620

FHA

• Down payment: 3.5–20%
• Terms: 15–30 years
• Mortgage insurance: for life of the loan
• Minimum credit score: 580

VA

• Down payment: none
• Terms: 15–30 years
• Mortgage insurance: none
• Minimum credit score: 580

USDA

• Down payment: none
• Terms: 15–30 years
• Mortgage insurance: none
• Minimum credit score: 620

Lender Recommendations

• Shane Siniard – SWBC Mortgage – 770-713-1215
• Scott Nation – United Community Bank – 404-317-2064
• Lisa Hill – CrossCountry Mortgage – 770-547-2333

Your Hopes and Dreams

What do you want of the following?

Basic Criteria

• Price Range
• Number of Bedrooms
• Number of Bathrooms
• Subdivision / No Subdivision
• Lot Size

Kitchen

• Updated countertops
• Updated cabinets
• Updated appliances

Bathrooms

• Double vanities
• Updated bathroom
• Walk-in shower
• Soaking tub

Main Living Area

• Walk-in closets
• Storage space
• Primary suite on main floor
• Flex space

Additional Features

• Hardwood floors
• Fireplace
• Office
• Formal dining room
• Open floor plan
• Front porch
• Garage

Finding Your Home

Moving forward with confidence
We’ll take time to understand your ideal price range, must-haves, deal breakers, preferred locations, school districts, and all the details that matter most—so we can guide your home search with clarity and purpose.

Home Search
Once you’re pre-approved, we’ll launch your home search and connect you to a customized alert system—bringing the right homes directly to you as they hit the market.

Showings
We’ll schedule showings, walk through homes together, and when the right one stands out, we’ll write a competitive offer and guide you all the way to being under contract.

The Contract
We’ll review the purchase and sale contract together, step by step, making sure you understand every detail so you can move forward with confidence and peace of mind.

Tips for Finding Your Ideal Home

• Investigate the Area: Drive through neighborhoods and picture yourself living there.
• New Construction:This is a great option but make sure to include us in all visits to a new construction neighborhood- we want to protect you from any pitfalls.
• Keep an Open Mind: Finding the perfect home is not always easy! Make a list of your priorities but keep an open mind when viewing houses.
• Take Pictures & Notes: When visiting multiple houses, it can be difficult to remember specific details about each one. Take photos and notes while touring houses so that you can reference them later when comparing the properties that you have seen.
• Be Ready to Make an Offer: When you find a home you want to buy, keep in mind there may be others interested in it as well. Be ready to make a solid offer quickly in order to have the best chance of getting that home.

Offers & Negotiations

Before we begin writing an offer, we will need to gather some documents and discuss some important details. You will need the following:

• Pre-Approval Letter
• Offer Price
• Closing Costs
• Closing Date
• Earnest Money
• Due Diligence Period
• Financing Amount

Offer Price
No two offers look the same. We consider timing, market activity, the seller’s circumstances, and the details of the home to shape a strategy that works for you. This is where you can trust us to lead—always aligned with your goals and best interests.

Closing Costs
Closing costs are customized to each buyer and are influenced by factors like financing, credit profile, and overall strategy. They are also a negotiable part of your offer—sometimes with opportunities for seller contributions or options like buying down your interest rate. These costs include both transactional expenses and prepaid items, such as property taxes and insurance, which are collected and held in escrow by your lender. At Joey’s Homes, we take the time to walk you through each component, ensuring you understand your options and feel confident in every decision.

Earnest Money
Once your offer is accepted, you’ll submit your earnest money—typically a percentage of the purchase price. From there, we’ll move quickly to schedule inspections, negotiate any needed repairs, and keep your loan process moving forward. You’re well on your way!

Due Diligence
As part of your due diligence, we’ll coordinate the inspections you select and walk through the results with you. Our goal is to provide clarity, answer questions, and help you make informed decisions as you move forward.

Negotiating for you

To represent you and negotiate on your behalf, we’ll start with an Exclusive Buyer Brokerage Agreement. It is a simple agreement that outlines how we work together—covering our timeline, your representation, and what you can expect from us every step of the way.

Understanding Compensation
There’s flexibility here, and we’ll tailor the approach based on your finances, needs, and loan type. Typically, the seller pays the buyer’s brokerage commission—but if not, we can address that upfront before you even view the home.

From there, we can also explore seller contributions toward other costs, include them in your offer strategy, or structure them within the purchase price. You always have the option to cover costs directly.

Preparing for Closing

Appraisal
This phase is focused on finalizing lender requirements and moving through the appraisal process. If your agreement includes an appraisal contingency and the value comes in below your offer, we’ll step in to guide the next conversation and negotiate on your behalf.

Home Insurance
As we get closer to closing, you’ll want to have your homeowner’s insurance in place, effective the day you take ownership. If you’re not sure where to start, we’d be glad to connect you with a few trusted providers.

Important Reminder
We know it’s tempting to start shopping for your new home—but for now, press pause. To keep everything on track, avoid big purchases, new credit accounts, or job changes. When in doubt, just give us or your lender a call—we’re happy to help.

Clear to Close
This is a major milestone! With underwriting approval in place, we can confidently move forward and confirm your closing date with the closing attorney.