The homebuying process involves a wide range of real estate professionals. Most buyers start with the real estate agent and then connect with other professionals as the process goes on. More savvy ones will talk to a potential lender to see how much home they can afford and get prequalified or preapproved for a loan. (Preapproval is stronger and shows sellers that the buyer is serious.)

But there’s a good reason to begin building a real estate team early in the process, beginning with a professional unfamiliar to many homebuyers. That reason is simple: It can make the entire process smoother, more efficient, and less stressful.

Buyers Make the Decisions

Keep in mind that, by law, buyers can choose every member of their real estate team—and they should. Real estate agents may suggest a surveyor or home inspector. Lenders may recommend a real estate attorney. Ultimately, however, the buyer selects the professionals to complete the transaction.

The first professional chosen should be the title company, Cornerstone. Choosing Cornerstone first offers several benefits for buyers:

  • A list of vetted real estate professionals who combine high levels of service and ethics
  • Inside information on professionals with deep knowledge of and expertise on the areas or types of property under consideration
  • Quick, free background checks on specific properties to discover potential issues, such as restrictions, covenants, or questionable ownership

Communication, Coordination, Expertise

Partnering with Cornerstone to build a real estate dream team early helps ensure smooth, timely communication among team members.

It also means more time for the buyer to make better choices. A mortgage, for example, is much more than rates and points. The right loan originator will act as a trusted advisor, aligning the buyer(s) with the right type of loan. A buyer planning to move within five years, for example, might be smart to choose a different loan product than a couple buying their forever home. A good loan originator will help buyers make the right choice for them.

Similarly, a good real estate agent will know the specific area the buyer is considering and how home values will trend over time. That agent can also help buyers choose a home that will suit their lives both now and in the future. For example, that cute little Cape Cod may be perfect for a couple now, but less so when a baby means multiple trips up and down the stairs every night.

Cornerstone can help match buyers with seasoned professionals to build their dream team, as well as coordinate everyone’s efforts and communication for a smooth buying process.

Why Start with Cornerstone

Title insurance rates are set by the government, so all title insurance companies will charge similar fees. (You can estimate the title costs for any property you’re considering here.) That’s why it makes sense to choose a title company based on the services and support they provide.

Since day one, we’ve set ourselves apart by identifying and working with professionals who share our values of efficient, ethical, responsive, and proactive service. Over the course of 16,000 transactions, we’ve learned not only who provides excellent and ethical service, but also their specific areas of expertise. We have no business relationship with the professionals we recommend and earn no commissions or fees.

There’s a reason why Cornerstone has a five-star rating from Google reviews. The earlier you include us in the buying process, the more we can help. If the American Dream of homeownership is important to you, download our homebuyer’s guide and start making your dream a reality.