Buying a Home? We’re Here to Make It Simple!
At Paragon Realty, we understand that buying a home is a big milestone... and with so many steps involved, it can feel overwhelming. You may be asking yourself:
Where do I even start?
Can I qualify for a home loan?
How long will the process take?
That’s where we come in! With years of experience helping buyers navigate the real estate market, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. To make the process even easier, we’ve created a Home Buyer Seminar
—a step-by-step video series that breaks down
everything you need to know BEFORE purchasing your new home. Whether you're a
first-time buyer or looking for your next home, this seminar will give you the knowledge and confidence to make the right move.
📲
Ready to get started? Reach out today!
How Does The Home Buyer Purchase Process Work?
Watch this quick video to see how to buy your dream home without stress or hassle!
Click Here For Your Comprehensive Masterclass!
The Complete Home Buyer's Roadmap To Your Home Purchase!
Great detail into the home buying process!
Learn the pitfalls to watch out for!
Insider secrets of sellers, contracts, and negotiations!
Desmond Newkirk, Broker
Click Below To Get Your Copy Of
The Buyer's Roadmap
An Overview of The Home Buying Process!
MEET DESMOND NEWKIRK & THE PARAGON REALTY TEAM
Here's your team that will help you throughout the entire selling & buying process.
Desmond Newkirk, Broker
Whether it is working with a first time homebuyer, a luxury home listing or a seasoned investor, Desmond prides himself on his unparalleled service with an aptitude for problem solving – something essential for navigating clients through the challenges of today’s Real Estate market. My focus is always on serving my clients with honesty, integrity and discretion as a dependable and knowledgeable Broker committed to exceptional results.
Tammy Cox, Transaction Coordinator
As a very talented and experienced transaction coordinator, Tammy's job is to keep your transaction running smoothly! She helps with reminding the whole team of deadlines and makes sure all of the professionals that come together to make your transaction successful. Tammy has a talent for that and uses it on a daily basis.
The Perry Law Group
At Paragon Realty, we partner with The Perry Law Group to ensure a smooth and secure closing process for our clients. With years of experience and a commitment to excellence, The Perry Law Group handles title searches, insurance, and closing details with precision and care. Their team of experts work diligently to resolve any title issues, protect your property rights, and provide peace of mind as you move toward homeownership. Trust The Perry Law Group to make your closing experience seamless and stress-free.
Why Work With Me?
My Team and I know the Henry County Real Estate market Very Well!
We Know the South Metro Real Estate Market Inside and Out!
While Henry County, Georgia, is our home base, we proudly serve the surrounding areas,
including Clayton, Fayette, Fulton, and the rest of the Metro counties. It's this
insight and experience that can often be the difference between you getting top dollar or leaving
money on the table for your home, overpaying or getting a great deal, finding the right property for you or
missing out on it, and selling or buying a property fully informed or missing critical things during inspection
periods that can ultimately cost you down the road.
Desmond Newkirk is a dedicated, full-service Realtor® with Paragon Realty backed by a team of experienced
professionals. We handle everything for you — from pre-market preparation and staging to cutting-edge
digital marketing and traditional advertising, all the way through contracts, disclosures, negotiations, and closing. Every
step of the process is managed with care and with YOUR best interest at heart! We have a passion for
helping people with their Real Estate Goals. -- helping people by sharing and educating based on our knowledge. I love to
educate and guide homeowners and will ALWAYS put PEOPLE BEFORE THINGS.
If thee's a question I can answer for you, please reach out to me anytime, It would be my pleasure to meet you!
STILL NOT SURE?
Frequently Asked Questions
If I can provide any clarity to any of the below, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.
Question 1: How much house can I afford?
Your budget depends on factors like your income, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, credit score, and down payment. A general rule is that your monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) should not exceed 35% of your gross monthly income. A mortgage lender can help you determine an exact amount based on your financial situation.
Question 2: What credit score do I need to buy a home?
Conventional loans – Minimum score of 620 FHA loans – Minimum score of 580 (or as low as 500 with a 10% down payment) VA and USDA loans – No official minimum score, but most lenders require around 620 A higher credit score can help you qualify for better interest rates and loan terms.
Question 3: How much do I need for a down payment?
Conventional loan – As low as 3% (if you meet income and credit requirements) FHA loan – Minimum 3.5% down (with a credit score of 580+) VA and USDA loans – 0% down for eligible buyers A larger down payment can reduce your monthly payments and eliminate the need for private mortgage insurance (PMI).
Question 4: What are closing costs, and how much should I budget for them?
Closing costs typically range from 2% to 5% of the home’s purchase price and include: ✔️ Loan origination fees ✔️ Appraisal fees ✔️ Title insurance ✔️ Home inspections ✔️ Property taxes and insurance escrows Sometimes, you can negotiate with the seller to cover some or all of the closing costs.
Question 5: How long does the home-buying process take?
On average, the process takes 30 to 45 days from the time your offer is accepted to closing. However, factors like loan approval, inspections, and appraisals can affect the timeline.
Question 6: What's the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval?
Pre-qualification – A basic review of your income and credit (not verified) Pre-approval – A thorough review of your financials (credit score, income, debts) and a lender’s commitment to lend you a specific amount A pre-approval carries more weight and gives you an advantage when making an offer.
Question 7: Should I work with a real estate agent or buy directly from the seller?
Working with a real estate agent gives you access to: ✔️ Expert market knowledge ✔️ Help with negotiating and handling contracts ✔️ Access to listings that may not be publicly available ✔️ Professional guidance through inspections and closing Since the seller usually pays the agent’s commission.
Question 8: What inspections are required, and who pays for them?
A general home inspection isn’t legally required but is highly recommended. You may also need: ✔️ Termite inspection ✔️ Radon test ✔️ Septic inspection (if applicable) Buyers usually pay for inspections, but in some cases, you can negotiate with the seller to cover the cost.
Question 9: What happens if the appraisal comes in low?
If the appraisal is lower than the offer price, you have a few options: ✔️ Negotiate with the seller to lower the price ✔️ Pay the difference out of pocket (Very rarely do we recommend this one!) ✔️ Dispute the appraisal (if you believe it’s incorrect) ✔️ Walk away if your contract includes an appraisal contingency
Question 10: Can I back out of the deal after signing a contract?
Yes, but only under certain conditions outlined in the contract, such as: The due-dillegence ✔️ Home inspection contingency – If major issues are found ✔️ Financing contingency – If you can’t secure a loan ✔️ Appraisal contingency – If the appraisal comes in low You could lose your earnest money deposit if you back out for reasons not covered by the contract.
What people are saying
I was nervous about selling my home, but Desmond made it stress free and enjoyable! From the beginning, he took the time to walk me through the entire process, explaining the market trends and helping me set a good price. He suggested a few improvements to make the house more appealing, and I believe those changes made a big difference. We started getting interest right away.
When the offers started coming in, Desmond handled the negotiations with confidence. I was worried at first, but He assured me that the minor issues would be handled. He was always available to answer my questions and kept me updated every step of the way. Even when there were some issues with the home inspection, Desmond stayed calm and worked quickly to resolve everything without any stress on my end.
He did a really good job and had my best interests at heart the entire time. Thank you Desmond!
—Angela P.
Working with Desmond to sell our home was the best decision we made. From the very first meeting, He was professional and knowledgeable. He gave us very good advice on a repair we needed. That helped us get multiple offers right away! We had a few bumps, but overall the process was smooth. Every detail was handled. We highly recommend Desmond for anyone looking to sell Their home quickly!
—Stacey & Wil S.
I can't thank Desmond enough for helping us find our home! He took the time to understand exactly what we were looking for and guided us through every step of the process. His knowledge of the market was impressive. He was always available to answer our questions. We highly recommend Desmond!
—Rachel R.
