Your Rhode Island home
Journey starts here
Junia Janvier is a REALTOR® with Corcoran Chart House Realty, helping first-time buyers, multifamily buyers, and sellers across Rhode Island, in English or Haitian Creole.
Buying my first home → · Selling my home → · Exploring neighborhoods →
Your First Steps to Home Ownership
Follow our proven roadmap to make your home buying journey smooth and successful
Get Pre-Approved
Start with a pre-approval to understand your budget and show sellers you're serious
Contact a lender to review your finances and get a pre-approval letter. This typically takes 1-3 days and helps you shop with confidence
Define your needs
Create a wish list of must-haves vs. nice-to-haves for your future home.
Consider location, size, amenities, and proximity to work/schools. This helps narrow your search and saves time.
Start house hunting
Begin touring homes that match your criteria and budget.
Work with your agent to schedule viewings. Take notes and photos to help remember each property.
Make an offer
Found the one? Your agent will help you submit a competitive offer.
Your offer should include price, closing date, and any contingencies. Your agent will negotiate on your behalf.
Home inspection
Hire a professional inspector to check for any issues with the property.
This protects you from unexpected problems. Most issues can be negotiated with the seller.
Close your home
Sign the final paperwork and get your keys!
Bring a cashier's check for closing costs, review all documents, and celebrate your new home!
Gallery Green: New Townhomes in Warren
How much can you afford?
Estimated monthly mortgage payment
Understanding Real Estate Terms
Amortization
The process of paying off a debt over time through regular payments. Part of each payment goes toward the loan principal and part goes toward interest.
Closing Costs
Expenses over and above the price of the property in a real estate transaction, including attorney fees, title insurance, appraisal, and more.
Equity
The difference between how much your home is worth and how much you still owe on your mortgage. It's the portion of your home that you truly 'own.'
FHA Loan
A mortgage loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration, designed to help first-time and low-to-moderate income buyers with lower down payment requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about the home buying process
Most purchases take about 30 to 60 days from accepted offer to closing, after a home search that can run a few weeks to a few months. Getting pre-approved early and knowing your must-haves shortens the timeline. Junia maps out each step with you at your first consultation.
A pre-qualification is a quick estimate based on what you tell a lender. A pre-approval means the lender has reviewed your income, assets, and credit, so sellers take your offer more seriously. In a competitive Rhode Island market, a pre-approval letter is the stronger starting point.
Plan for closing costs (often about 2% to 5% of the purchase price), a home inspection, homeowners insurance, property taxes, moving costs, and a cushion for repairs. Rhode Island first-time buyers may qualify for down payment and closing cost help through RIHousing. See the Down Payment Assistance page for details.
A credit score is a three-digit number lenders use to gauge how reliably you repay debt. Many RIHousing programs look for a minimum score of 660, and a higher score can lower your interest rate. Paying bills on time and keeping card balances low are two of the fastest ways to improve it.
Client Reviews
Lily C., Leasing client, Chicago
Junia is extremely adept at building a relationship with you right from the start. She’s proactive, communicative, and leads with empathy as part of the process to look for your next home, and I’m so grateful I got to work with such a professional and effective realtor.
Emiko H., Leasing client, Chicago
Junia helped me with leasing my first apartment in a new city. She was exceptionally personable and professional. I greatly appreciated her consistent communication with me throughout the apartment search. Highly recommend!!
Vincent A., Leasing client, Chicago
Junia was personable, energetic, enthusiastic and incredibly communicative. She was a pleasure to work with and I would refer her to any of my friends that need help looking for their new home.
Ready to start your journey?
Get in touch today for a free consultation. Junia is here to answer your questions and guide you every step of the way, in English or Haitian Creole.
See Junia on Google and leave a review | Free First-Time Buyer Guide | Down Payment Assistance | Paj an Kreyòl
