Homebuyers

Who's Who in Buying a Home? Meet the Team That Makes It Happen

Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases you may ever make. That’s why it’s so important to have a team of professionals working alongside you to help make your dream of homeownership possible.

Think of buying a home like putting together a winning basketball team. Each player has a specific role. The game wouldn't go smoothly without each of them.

Your real estate agent, loan officer, home inspector, and several other key players work together to help you get to the closing table—and get the keys to your home.

So, who do you need on your real estate team? And what do they do?

Your real estate agent: The team captain

Real estate agents play a crucial role in a home purchase.

A real estate agent is the one guiding you through the homebuying journey. They help you find homes, negotiate deals, and make sure you're getting the best price possible.

The majority of homebuyers, about 86%, use their services, according to a 2024 National Association of Realtors (NAR) report.

Experience matters when it comes to choosing the right agent.

Dylan Calvo, a Nashville, Tenn.-based real estate agent at The Calvo Team, emphasizes the importance of working with an agent who is in the game every day.

"Michael Jordan was the best because he played basketball all the time. Get a real estate agent that works with buyers all the time," said Calvo. "They know the areas and market to negotiate the best. "

Your loan officer: The playmaker

If the real estate agent is the team captain, the loan officer is the playmaker. This is the player who sets up the right moves to get you to the finish line.

Your lender helps you figure out how much home you can afford and then secure the financing to make it happen. But it's about more than just numbers.

"Choosing a loan officer isn't just about the best [mortgage] rate—it's about who can get your offer accepted," said Eva Melgarejo, a loan officer for New American Funding based out of Long Beach, Calif. "In today's market, a proactive loan officer works alongside your real estate agent, strategizing with underwriting approvals, fast closings, and strong communication to give you the competitive edge."

Your loan officer is also your advocate.

"From reducing contingencies to working weekends, the right loan officer will go the extra mile to make sure your offer stands out and gets accepted," said Melgarejo.

Your home inspector: The defensive coach

Once you find a home you love, you want to make sure it’s not hiding a multitude of expensive problems that will need to be fixed. That's where a home inspector comes in.

Home inspectors check for problems like plumbing and electrical issues, broken boilers, and cracked foundations. This protects you from buying a home with a leaky roof that needs to be replaced.

Buyers should also be on the lookout for red flags when they tour a home.  

"Sometimes, you can see an issue yourself and decide it's too expensive to fix before even spending money on an inspection,” said Calvo.

While these quick checks can help, a professional home inspector will catch issues that may not be obvious, saving you from expensive surprises later.

Your appraiser: The scorekeeper

Before a lender approves your mortgage, they need to know the home is worth what you're paying for it. That's where the appraiser comes in. Think of these folks as the scorekeeper, making sure the numbers add up fairly for both you and the lender.

An appraiser is a neutral third party who evaluates the home's value based on several factors, including how much comparable properties sold for recently. They look at factors like a home’s location, condition, recent sales of similar homes, and market trends. Their report helps ensure the lender isn't lending more money than the home is worth.

They are generally hired by the lender and paid for by the buyer.

If the appraisal comes in lower than the purchase price, you may need to renegotiate with the seller for a lower price, bring more money to the table, or in some cases, appeal the valuation.

Your home insurance provider: The safety net

Your home is a big investment and home insurance helps protect it.

A home insurance provider ensures you’re covered in case of unexpected events, like a house fire or theft.

Lenders require homeowners’ insurance before approving your loan to make sure if something goes wrong, you’ll have the funds to fix it.  

Policies vary, so it’s important to compare coverage options and choose the one that best fits your needs. Most homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover flood or wildfire damage, so you may have to purchase separate policies.

Other important players

In some states, a real estate attorney helps review contracts to make sure everything is legally sound.

A title insurance provider also ensures the home's title is clear of any legal issues. That’s important because you don’t want someone to appear and lay claim on a home that you purchased.  

Eva Melgarejo NMLS # 1525876