Emmanuel Luswata, REALTOR® with eXp Realty, helps buyers find and buy homes across Greater Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio.
Buying a home in Cincinnati and Dayton, step by step.
From pre-approval to keys in hand. What happens at each step, what it costs, and how to write an offer that gets accepted.
Talk to Emmanuel →The 7 steps
From first conversation to closing day.
- 01
Get pre-approved
Talk to a lender before you tour. You'll know your budget, and sellers take your offer seriously.
- 02
Make your must-have list
Bedrooms, commute, yard, garage, budget. Knowing what matters most keeps the search focused.
- 03
Sign a buyer agreement
Before we tour, we put in writing what I'll do for you and how I'm paid. Compensation is negotiable, and you'll see every number up front.
- 04
Tour homes
In person or by video. I point out what the photos don't show, from the age of the roof to the slope of the yard.
- 05
Write a strong offer
Price matters, but so do your earnest money, inspection terms, appraisal terms and closing date. I pull the recent sales so your price is backed by data.
- 06
Inspection and appraisal
Your inspector checks the house, and the lender's appraiser checks the price. I negotiate any repairs or credits.
- 07
Closing
You sign at the title company, the funds are sent, and you get the keys.
The market for buyers
More homes to choose from than a year ago.
Buyers have more choice right now. There are more homes for sale than last year, and more sellers are cutting their price than raising it. Homes priced right still go fast, so being pre-approved and ready matters.
Source: Cincinnati MLS, single-family and condo, Hamilton, Butler, Warren and Clermont counties, September 2026.
What it costs
The costs of buying a home.
Every purchase is different. Your lender gives you an official estimate, and I'll walk you through every line.
- Down paymentDepends on your loan. Some loans allow a small down payment. Your lender will show you your options.
- Earnest moneyA deposit that shows you're serious. It's applied to your purchase at closing.
- InspectionPaid to your inspector, usually a few hundred dollars depending on the home.
- AppraisalOrdered by your lender to confirm the value.
- Closing costsLender and title fees, prepaid taxes and insurance. Sellers sometimes agree to pay part of them.
- Agent compensationAgreed in writing before we start. It can be paid by the seller, by you, or a mix, depending on what we negotiate.
Buyer questions
What buyers ask me first.
Do I have to sign a buyer agreement?
Yes. Before touring homes with an agent, buyers sign a written agreement that spells out the services and the compensation. It protects you, and everything in it is negotiable.
How much do I need for a down payment?
It depends on your loan. Some loans allow a small down payment and others require more. A lender can show you what fits your situation.
Do I pay my agent?
It depends on what we agree to in writing. Sellers often offer to cover some or all of it, and we can ask for it in your offer.
Should I wait for prices to come down?
Nobody can promise where prices go. Right now you have more homes to choose from than a year ago. The right time to buy is when the payment and the home fit your life.
Can I buy before I sell my current home?
Often, yes. See selling and buying at the same time for how to line up both.
Do you help buyers in Dayton too?
Yes. I work across Greater Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio.
Talk to Emmanuel
Tell me what you're looking for.
Buying, selling, moving here or just getting started. Send a note and I'll reach out, usually within a day.
- A plan for your budget, timing and must-haves
- Homes that fit, including ones just coming to market
- Straight answers on prices and what homes are selling for
- Or call or text me at 513-507-1428
Send me a note
No obligation. I'll never share your information.