Buy a home
Buying a home in Billings, explained clearly
What to do first, what it really costs each month, and the things a listing won't tell you. Whether this is your first home, your next one, or your first one in Montana.
How buying with me works
A 20-minute planning call
Your timeline, budget, must-haves, and which parts of town fit how you live.
Get pre-approved
A lender reviews your income, assets and credit so you know your real price range. I can introduce you to local lenders.
Search and tour
I'll set up listing alerts and give you my honest read on condition, layout, price and resale before you spend time on a showing.
Write a strong offer
Price is only part of it. Earnest money, timelines and contingencies all matter, and we keep the protections you actually need.
Inspection and appraisal
We review the inspection together and decide whether to ask for repairs, a credit, or walk away.
Closing
Final walk-through, signing, and keys.
Want the full version? Read the Montana Home Buyer's Guide.
What listings don't tell you
Billings has a lot of good neighborhoods, but they come with different trade-offs. Here's what I wish someone had told me before I moved here:
- Access differs a lot by area. Drive times to work, schools, shopping and the highway can change your day-to-day life more than an extra bedroom will.
- Every neighborhood feels different. Drive the areas you're considering at rush hour, on a weekday evening and on a weekend before you commit. Here's what I wish I'd known.
- Check schools by address. A Billings mailing address doesn't always mean Billings Public Schools, so confirm the assigned school for the specific address.
- Condition matters more than finishes. Roof, foundation, drainage, sewer line and mechanicals are where the expensive surprises live.
Run the numbers
Specific situations
Moving to Billings
What I wish I'd known before buying here: how different each area feels, and how to check schools.
Read before you move →Using a VA loan
How $0-down VA financing, the VA appraisal and offer strategy work in Billings.
VA buyer toolkit →First time buying (or first time in Montana)
The full step-by-step guide, lender questions and a neighborhood overview.
Read the guide →Selling first, then buying
How to time both sides so you're not carrying two mortgages.
Selling with me →Start with a 20-minute call
We'll map out your budget, your timeline, and which parts of town fit how you live.