Building Your Dream Team: Step 2 – Assembling Your Homebuying Professionals
Home Buying Series | Week 2 of 8 | January 2026
Last week, we discussed the importance of mortgage pre-approval as your first step toward homeownership. Now that you understand your budget and financing capability, it’s time to assemble your homebuying team. Purchasing a home is one of life’s largest financial transactions, and having the right professionals in your corner makes the difference between a smooth process and a stressful experience.
Why You Need a Professional Team
Buying a home involves complex legal documentation, financial decisions, property evaluations, and negotiations. While it’s possible to navigate some aspects independently, working with experienced professionals protects your interests, saves time, identifies potential issues early, and ultimately helps you make informed decisions throughout the process.
According to the National Association of Realtors, 87% of homebuyers who purchased in 2021 financed their home, and the overwhelming majority worked with real estate professionals to guide them through the transaction. The homebuying process has become increasingly complex, making professional guidance more valuable than ever.
Essential Team Members for Your Home Purchase
Role: Your real estate agent serves as your advocate throughout the entire homebuying journey. They provide market expertise specific to Juneau County communities like Mauston, Wisconsin Dells, and New Lisbon, helping you identify properties that match your needs and budget.
Key Responsibilities: Property search and showings, market analysis and pricing guidance, offer preparation and negotiation, coordination with other professionals, contract review and explanation, guidance through contingencies and deadlines, and support through closing and beyond.
Why It Matters: A skilled local agent knows neighborhood trends, school districts, property values, and can spot red flags that inexperienced buyers might miss. Their negotiation expertise can save you thousands of dollars and prevent costly mistakes.
Role: Your loan officer guides you through the mortgage application and approval process, helping you secure financing that fits your financial situation.
Key Responsibilities: Pre-approval and pre-qualification, mortgage product recommendations, rate shopping and loan comparison, application processing and documentation, communication with underwriters, loan approval and closing preparation.
Why It Matters: In today’s competitive market, a proactive loan officer works alongside your real estate agent to strengthen your offer, expedite approvals, and ensure smooth communication. The right loan officer goes beyond finding the best rate and strategizes to get your offer accepted.
Role: The home inspector conducts a thorough evaluation of the property’s condition before you finalize your purchase.
Key Responsibilities: Comprehensive examination of structural elements, roofing, foundation, plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC systems, appliances, and potential safety hazards. The inspector provides a detailed report identifying necessary repairs and potential future maintenance needs.
Why It Matters: Home inspections are required by most mortgage lenders and protect buyers from unexpected repair costs. A thorough inspection can uncover issues ranging from minor maintenance needs to major structural problems, giving you negotiating power or the option to walk away if serious defects are discovered.
Role: The appraiser provides an independent, unbiased assessment of the home’s market value.
Key Responsibilities: Property evaluation based on comparable sales, condition assessment, market analysis, and preparation of a formal appraisal report for the lender.
Why It Matters: Lenders require appraisals to ensure they don’t loan more than the property is worth. If the appraisal comes in lower than your offer price, you may need to renegotiate with the seller, bring additional funds to closing, or in some cases, appeal the valuation. In Wisconsin, the lender selects and orders the appraiser to maintain independence and comply with federal regulations, though the buyer pays the appraisal fee as part of closing costs.
Role: The title company researches the property’s ownership history and facilitates the final transaction.
Key Responsibilities: Title search to verify clear ownership, identification of liens, easements, or encumbrances, provision of title insurance, coordination of closing documents, and facilitation of the final property transfer.
Why It Matters: Title insurance protects both you and the lender from legal issues related to property ownership, such as undisclosed liens, disputed boundaries, or fraudulent claims. In Wisconsin, the seller typically selects and pays for the title insurance company and closing services, though this can be negotiated as part of the purchase agreement. The closing agent ensures all paperwork is properly executed and funds are correctly distributed.
Role: Your insurance agent helps you obtain the required homeowners insurance policy.
Key Responsibilities: Assessment of coverage needs, policy comparison and recommendations, quote preparation, and provision of insurance documentation to your lender for closing.
Why It Matters: Homeowners insurance is required by mortgage lenders to protect their investment and your property. Your agent ensures you have adequate coverage without being over-insured, balancing protection with affordability.
Pro Tip: While not legally required in Wisconsin, some buyers also work with real estate attorneys for complex transactions, estate sales, or additional legal protection. Discuss with your real estate agent whether an attorney would benefit your specific situation.
How to Select Your Team Members
Start with Referrals: Ask friends, family, and colleagues who recently purchased homes for recommendations. Personal experience from trusted sources provides valuable insight into professionalism, communication, and results.
Interview Multiple Candidates: Don’t commit to the first professional you meet. Interview at least two or three candidates for key positions where you have a choice, such as your real estate agent, loan officer, home inspector, and insurance agent. Ask about their experience in Juneau County markets, communication style, availability, and approach to client service.
Verify Credentials and Experience: Ensure professionals are properly licensed and insured. Check online reviews, professional associations, and disciplinary records. For home inspectors, confirm they’re certified and carry errors and omissions insurance.
Assess Local Expertise: For real estate agents and insurance providers, local market knowledge is essential. Someone familiar with Mauston, Necedah, Elroy, and surrounding communities understands regional pricing, neighborhood characteristics, and local regulations.
Evaluate Communication Style: Your team members should be responsive, clear communicators who explain complex concepts in understandable terms. You’ll work closely with these professionals for weeks or months, so compatibility matters.
Understanding Wisconsin Practices: Keep in mind that in Wisconsin real estate transactions, some team members are selected for you. Your lender will order the appraisal from an approved appraiser to maintain regulatory compliance, and the seller typically selects the title company, though this can sometimes be negotiated in the purchase agreement.
Understanding Professional Fees and Costs
Real Estate Agent: Buyer’s agent commissions are typically paid by the seller as part of the total commission structure, though this varies by transaction and recent industry changes.
Home Inspector: Expect to pay between 450 and 600 dollars for a standard home inspection in Central Wisconsin, based on the square footage of the home. Costs run higher when additional structures such as garages, sheds, or outbuildings are included in the inspection. As the buyer, you select and pay for your home inspector directly.
Appraiser: Appraisal fees typically range from 450 to 650 dollars and are paid by the buyer as part of closing costs. However, your lender will order the appraisal directly from their approved appraiser list to ensure independence and regulatory compliance.
Title Insurance and Closing Services: In Wisconsin, the seller typically pays for the title insurance policy and closing services, though this is negotiable within the purchase agreement. Costs vary based on purchase price and the specific title company selected.
Homeowners Insurance: You’ll pay for your homeowners insurance policy, with the first year’s premium typically due at closing. Shop multiple insurance agents to compare coverage options and rates.
Building Your Team in Juneau County
As your local RE/MAX RealPros agent, I work with a network of trusted professionals throughout Central Wisconsin. From experienced loan officers to thorough home inspectors, I can connect you with team members who share my commitment to exceptional service and client satisfaction.
Ready to Build Your Homebuying Team?
Let’s discuss assembling the right professionals to guide your home purchase in Mauston, Wisconsin Dells, New Lisbon, or surrounding Juneau County communities. I’m here to provide expert guidance and connect you with trusted local professionals.
Next Week: Step 3 – Identifying Your Home Search Criteria
Liz Walker Real Estate 