Tiffany Tolbert [Real Broker LLC]

Still waiting until you have 20% saved before you start looking for a home? 👀 You might want to rethink that. The 20% down payment rule is one of the biggest home-buying myths out there. Different loan programs have different requirements, and your down payment is only one part of the money you need to plan for. Closing costs. Earnest money. Inspections. Prepaid taxes and insurance. Moving expenses. And, importantly, money left over after you get the keys. The goal isn’t to hit some arbitrary number just because you’ve always heard that’s what you’re supposed to do. It’s to understand your numbers, your options, and what makes sense for your situation. So if you’ve been thinking, “I don’t have 20% saved, so I can’t buy yet…” — don’t count yourself out before you know your options. 🩷 Save this for when you’re ready to start the conversation 💌 #PlainfieldIL #PlainfieldRealtor #PlainfieldILRealEstate #HomeBuyingTips #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #HomeBuying #HouseHunting #RealEstateTips

Okay, so you’re in love with the house. 😍 The kitchen is gorgeous. The furniture is perfect. You can already see your family living there. You know exactly where the Christmas tree is going to go this holiday season. But before you start mentally moving in… look past the staging…. 👀 There are three things I want my buyers to pay attention to that have nothing to do with the throw pillows: 1️⃣ Look at the neighborhood—not just the house. Take a slow drive around the block. Look at the surrounding homes, the street, sidewalks, traffic and general upkeep. You’re not just buying a house. You’re buying a location. 2️⃣ Look out the windows. That gorgeous natural light is great—but what are you actually going to see every morning? A peaceful backyard? A neighbor’s bedroom window? A busy road? A beautiful tree you’ll get to watch change with the seasons? Take a minute to look beyond the glass. 3️⃣ Look at the storage. And I mean REAL storage! Don’t let three perfectly folded towels in a staged linen closet convince you it’s enough. 😂 Open the closets. Look at the pantry. Check the garage. Think about your actual life—and all the stuff that comes with it. Because once the seller’s furniture, décor and perfectly placed baskets are gone… the house still has to work for YOU. And this is exactly why having a Realtor in your corner matters. I’m not there just to unlock the door and tell you how cute the kitchen is. 😉 I’m there to help you slow down, ask the right questions, spot the things you might overlook, and make sure you’re looking at the whole picture before you make a major financial decision. 🏡 Thinking about buying? ➡️🔜 Let’s go house hunting. 📩 Send me a DM and let’s talk about what you’re looking for. Work Hard 🩷 Be Kind 🤍 Find Home 🩵 Tiffany Tolbert | REALTOR ® | Real Broker LLC 📲💬 6 3 0 • 3 0 3 • 3 4 4 0 💌 TiffanyTolbert.REAL@gmail.com 💻 FindingHomewithTT.com #PlainfieldIL #PlainfieldRealtor #PlainfieldILRealEstate #HomeBuyingTips #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #HomeBuying #HouseHunting #RealEstateTips

You might not need as much money to buy a house as you think. 🏡 One of the biggest misconceptions I hear from first-time buyers is that you need 20% down to buy a home. You don’t necessarily. But your down payment is also not the only money you need to think about! There’s earnest money, inspections, possible appraisal costs, closing costs, prepaid taxes and insurance, moving expenses… and, perhaps most importantly, the money you’ll want to have left over after you get the keys. Because getting to the closing table is not the finish line. You still have to live in the house once you get there. So instead of asking only: “How much money do I need to buy a house?” I want first-time buyers to start asking: “How much do I want left after I buy the house?” That question can completely change how you approach your home search. I broke down the different expenses to think about before, during, and after closing in this week’s blog. Read it here → https://findinghomewithtt.com/blog/how-much-money-do-you-really-need-to-buy-a-house And if you’re thinking about buying your first home in Plainfield or the surrounding Southwest Suburbs, save this one. You’re going to want it. Work Hard 🩷 Be Kind 🤍 Find Home 🩵 Tiffany Tolbert | REALTOR ® | Real Broker LLC 📲💬 6 3 0 • 3 0 3 • 3 4 4 0 💌 TiffanyTolbert.REAL@gmail.com 💻 FindingHomewithTT.com #PlainfieldIL #PlainfieldRealtor #HomeBuyingTips #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #HouseHunting

You know what I never want my buyers to feel? Like they have to convince themselves a house is “the one” just because they love the kitchen. House hunting can get emotional FAST! You walk in, picture your couch in the living room, start mentally assigning bedrooms to the kids… and suddenly you’re emotionally attached before you’ve even had a chance to think. That’s why I always want my buyers to slow down for a minute. Look at the house through the lens of your actual life, not just how it feels during a 20-minute showing. Because sometimes you’ll walk into a house and immediately know, “Yep. This is home.” ❤️ And sometimes you’ll walk out thinking, “It was beautiful… but something just isn’t right.” Both are valuable answers. My job isn’t to talk you into a house. It’s to help you look at it clearly enough to decide for yourself. And honestly? I think that’s one of the most important parts of having a Realtor in your corner. Work Hard 🩷 Be Kind 🤍 Find Home 🩵 Tiffany Tolbert | REALTOR ® | Real Broker LLC 📲💬 6 3 0 • 3 0 3 • 3 4 4 0 💌 TiffanyTolbert.REAL@gmail.com 💻 FindingHomewithTT.com #PlainfieldIL #PlainfieldRealtor #PlainfieldILRealEstate #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #HomeBuyingTips

Okay, Mother Nature… we get the hint ☔️☔️☔️ With all this rain headed our way this weekend, I think Saturday is officially calling for a slower pace. Stay in your comfiest clothes. Make something good to eat (or order it — no judgment 🍕). Put on a movie, get cozy, and enjoy a little quiet time at home. And if you find yourself curled up on the couch scrolling through houses and imagining what your next home could look like… well, that feels pretty appropriate too. 🏡😉 You don’t have to be ready to buy right now to start looking. Sometimes figuring out what you love, what you don’t, and what you’d want in your next home is where the process starts. So whether you’re spending Saturday out and about or happily avoiding the rain from the comfort of your couch, I hope you get a chance to slow down a little 😌 Rainy Saturday plans: staying in, or braving the weather? 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼 Let me know below! Work Hard 🩷 Be Kind 🤍 Find Home 🩵 Tiffany Tolbert | REALTOR ® | Real Broker LLC 📲💬 6 3 0 • 3 0 3 • 3 4 4 0 💌 TiffanyTolbert.REAL@gmail.com 💻 FindingHomewithTT.com #PlainfieldIL #PlainfieldRealtor #PlainfieldILRealEstate

Okay, I’m curious... 👀 You’re house hunting and you can have ONE: 🌳 A big backyard ….OR 📍 A great location close to restaurants, shopping, parks & everything you need BUT!! You can’t pick both 🫣😅 Which one are you picking? Tell me in the comments! Work Hard 🩷 Be Kind 🤍 Find Home 🩵 Tiffany Tolbert | REALTOR ® | Real Broker LLC 📲💬 6 3 0 • 3 0 3 • 3 4 4 0 💌 TiffanyTolbert.REAL@gmail.com 💻 FindingHomewithTT.com #PlainfieldIL #PlainfieldRealtor #househunting

YOUR WEEKEND IN PLAINFIELD 🍂 If you’re looking for something to do around town this weekend, there’s a pretty good lineup happening right here in Plainfield. 👀 🎶 Friday: Catch Junkyard Groove at Craft’d 🎃 Saturday: Bring the family to Autumn Family Fun Fest at Eaton Preserve 🍁 Sunday: Browse local makers and fall finds at the Fall Artisan Market 🌻 Sunday: Stop by Bronkberry Farms for their Fall Craft & Vendor Fair Whether you’re looking for live music, something fun with the kids, or just an excuse to get out and enjoy a little “fall” weather… there’s something for you 🧡 And honestly, this is one of my favorite parts of living and working in this area. There’s always something happening, and there are so many local businesses, makers, restaurants, and community events worth supporting. Which one are you checking out this weekend? 👇🏼 Have a great weekend, Plainfield! ☀️☺️ #PlainfieldIL #PlainfieldIllinois #PlainfieldILRealtor #PlainfieldEvents #PlainfieldCommunity #PlainfieldMoms #ShopLocalPlainfield #SupportLocal #SouthwestSuburbs #ChicagolandRealtor

Think getting preapproved is all about your credit score? Not quite. 👀🏡 When you apply for a mortgage, your lender is looking at the bigger financial picture to determine what you may qualify for. That can include things like: 💰 Income — What you earn and the stability of that income 💳 Credit — Your credit score and payment history 📋 Debts — Car loans, student loans, credit cards and other monthly obligations 🏦 Assets — Savings and other funds that may be used toward your purchase 💼 Employment history — Your work history and overall financial stability And here’s something I really want first-time buyers to know: You don’t need to have a “perfect” financial picture to start the conversation with a lender. Your lender’s job is to look at your specific situation and help you understand what loan options may be available to you. And my job is to help you understand what that number actually means when we start looking at homes. Because what you qualify for and what you feel comfortable spending aren’t always the same thing. ❤️ If buying a home is somewhere on your future to-do list, getting familiar with this process now can make it feel a whole lot less intimidating later. Work Hard 🩷 Be Kind 🤍 Find Home 🩵 Tiffany Tolbert | REALTOR ® | Real Broker LLC 📲💬 6 3 0 • 3 0 3 • 3 4 4 0 💌 TiffanyTolbert.REAL@gmail.com 💻 FindingHomewithTT.com #PlainfieldIL #PlainfieldRealtor #PlainfieldILRealEstate #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #HomeBuyingTips HomeBuyingEducation