BUYING WITH LYDIA
Buying a home is one of the most exciting milestones of your life, and Lydia has helped countless homebuyers secure their dream place.
Lydia brings her signature knowledge, efficiency, and warmth every step of the way, ensuring that you feel prepared for this moment and empowered during the process.
She'll break it down for you piece by piece, making sure you understand exactly what's happening with full transparency – from the benefits to the drawbacks of each option. She'll help you be proactive in the process, so when you find your dream home, you're ready to go.
When you work with Lydia, she’ll provide you with her detailed Buyer’s Guide. This guide includes:
The home buying timeline
The budgeting and pre-approval process
Market values
How to enthusiastically and successfully home search
The process of making an offer (including negotiations, inspections, and contingencies)
Vetted contacts and resources
Settlement and title work
The final walkthrough
And, most excitingly, closing (!)
Lydia will be your trusted partner in this process. When working with her, she is always on hand via phone, email, or text, ensuring that your questions are immediately and thoroughly addressed and that any movement for buying is as timely as possible.
Lydia is a first-time home-buyer’s dream realtor. She is kind, communicative, and connected — and nothing phases her. She was happy to answer our many questions and serve as a sounding board, and made us feel like we were her top priority. She’s the type of person who can mind meld with her clients, staying in sync with their needs and wants and reflecting their energy. I respect her work greatly and would recommend her to anyone who is looking to buy a house in the DMV area!
– J.M. & A.R.
As with all first-time buyers, I approached buying not knowing the industry, the specific buying process, or even the right questions to ask. Thankfully I worked with Lydia. Not only did she expertly guided me through the process and fiercely negotiate on my behalf, she took the time to explain the “why” behind everything. Because of this, I felt I had real ownership over the buying process. While real estate may feel like a foreign prospect for new buyers, if you work with Lydia this won’t be the case.
– L.B.
Having Lydia in your corner during the exciting and sometimes trying time of buying a home is one of the best things you can do to get a place you love and maintain your sanity. I highly recommend Lydia to anyone searching for a home!
– L.L.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The very first step for most buyers is to get pre-approved for a mortgage. A lender reviews your financial situation (income, debts, credit score) and tells you how much you can borrow. This helps you understand what you can afford and makes your offers stronger to sellers.
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Yes — talking to a lender and getting pre-approved gives you a clear picture of your borrowing power and budget. It also shows sellers you’re serious, which can strengthen your offer compared with buyers who haven’t been pre-approved.
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Affordability depends on your income, debts, credit history, and the type of loan you’re seeking. Lenders will look at these to determine how much they’ll approve you for — but approved amount isn’t the same as what you can comfortably afford. A good rule is to consider how much you can pay monthly after taxes, insurance, and other expenses.
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Down payment: Can vary widely. Some first-time programs allow as little as about 3–5 %, but putting 20 % down can help you avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI).
Closing costs: These are fees paid when finalizing the mortgage (e.g., lender fees, title insurance, taxes) and typically run about 2–5 % of the home price, separate from the down payment.
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Closing costs are the fees and charges due when you finalize the purchase of your home. They can include lender origination charges, title insurance, appraisal fees, prepaid taxes and insurance, recordation taxes, and more. A lender must give you a loan estimate that breaks down these costs early in the process — usually within days of application.
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The timeline varies by market and individual circumstances, but once your offer is accepted, the process from contract to closing commonly takes around 25–45 days. That timeframe includes inspections, underwriting, appraisal, and final mortgage approval.
CONTACT LYDIA
PHONE
ADDRESS
DOWNTOWN DC — 1515 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
GEORGETOWN — 1206 30th St NW, Washington, DC 20007
CHEVY CHASE DC — 5100 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016
BETHESDA — 4809 Bethesda Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
ARLINGTON — 2300 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201