Buy a home where you want, for the terms you want, with a clear process for every step
The Bomkamp Team helps buyers in Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan. If you are looking for real estate professionals in South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger, Niles, Edwardsburg or the surrounding areas, let’s get started today.
What you get with the Bomkamp Team
- We search the towns and neighborhoods you pick.
- We negotiate price, closing date and other terms for you, and you make the final call.
- You get a checklist of each step and its dates, and we tell you what comes next.
How does buying a home work with us?
We start with a conversation about your goals and budget. You meet a lender for a mortgage pre-approval, we sign a written buyer agreement, and we tour homes that fit. When you find one, we prepare your offer and negotiate with the seller’s agent. After the seller accepts, we stay with you through the inspection, the appraisal and the loan approval, up to closing day. Most financed purchases close within 30 days after the seller accepts an offer.
The steps from first call to closing
Every purchase moves through the same seven steps. At each one we tell you what comes next and coordinate your transaction with the other professionals involved: your lender, title company, home inspectors, and any attorneys.
1
Talk about your goals and budget
We ask what you want this move to do for you, where you want to live and what monthly payment feels comfortable. Based on your needs we will connect you with the team member best suited to guide you through our process.
2
Get a mortgage pre-approval
A pre-approval is a lender’s written estimate of how much you can borrow, based on your income, debts and credit. Sellers take an offer more seriously when it comes with a pre-approval letter. Who you choose as your lender is totally up to you, but we can share the names of local lenders our clients have used to get you started.
3
Sign a buyer agreement
This written agreement states what we do for you and how we are paid. We go through it with you before we tour any home. As with all documents in the transaction, you are welcome to have an attorney review it before you sign.
4
Search and tour homes
We set up a search around your priorities and schedule showings. On each tour we point out what photos cannot show, such as the foundation, the attic and the crawl space.
5
Make an offer
We compare the home with recent nearby sales and talk through your price, your closing date and the terms you can ask for. You decide what to offer, and we negotiate with the seller’s agent. Your offer includes earnest money, a deposit that shows you are serious and counts toward your costs at closing,
6
Inspection, appraisal and loan approval
After the seller accepts, a licensed inspector examines the home. We go through the inspector’s report with you, and you decide what to ask the seller for, such as repairs or a credit. The lender also orders an appraisal, an independent estimate of the home’s value, before it approves your loan.
7
Close and get the keys
You sign the final documents at the title company, the neutral company that handles the money and records the deed. Your lender and the title company answer questions about the loan and the closing documents, and we go through the closing figures with you before that day.
Who answers which questions
We are real estate agents. We are your go-to representative in your house search, guiding you through the process and coordinating your transaction. There are a few other experts will be involved too and they can answer questions that full under their areas of expertise. These are the most common:
Our team
We find and tour homes, prepare your offer, negotiate with the seller’s agent and keep each step moving.
Your lender
Answers questions about loan types, your pre-approval, your interest rate and your monthly payment.
The inspector and appraiser
A licensed inspector reports on the condition of the home. The lender’s appraiser estimates its value.
Title company and attorney
The title company handles the money and the deed at closing. An attorney, if you hire one, answers legal questions about your contract and your rights.
What buying costs
Your lender lists every cost in writing before you commit. These are the ones most buyers ask us about.
Down payment
The amount you pay up front toward the price. It depends on the loan type and the lender, and your pre-approval shows the options.
Earnest money
A deposit you make with your offer. The title company holds it, and it counts toward your costs at closing. In most cases, this is 1% of the purchase price.
Inspection and appraisal
You pay the inspector, and the lender charges for the appraisal. We share an estimate of both before you order.
Closing costs
Fees for the loan, the title company, taxes and insurance that you pay when the sale closes. Your lender’s loan estimate shows the total.
How we are paid
The terms of the Buyer Broker Agreement determine how we are paid. We will go over the Buyer Broker Agreement together and have it signed before any private showings so there are no surprises later.
Where we help buyers
The Bomkamp Team works with buyers in St. Joseph and Elkhart counties in Indiana. Eric is licensed in Michigan and handles purchases in Berrien and Cass counties as well. We most commonly work with clients in the following towns.
- South Bend
- Mishawaka
- Granger
- Osceola
- New Carlisle
- Lakeville
- Elkhart
- Niles
- Edwardsburg
- Buchanan
Looking somewhere else in Indiana or Michigan? Send us a message and we will tell you what we can do.
What buyers say
Eric was very easy to work with and low key which is a plus since I don’t appreciate high pressure. He was always very prompt to respond and informative about each step of the process. Would recommend him!
Zillow reviewer, bought a condo in South Bend
Review of Eric Bomkamp on Zillow, January 2026
Worked with [the Bomkamp Team] this year on buying my first home and I was so appreciative of [my agent’s] honesty and willingness to walk me through the process. He used his expertise to set up clear expectations at each turn of the process which helped reduce my worries.
Kenny X., first-time buyer
Review of Logan Wishart on Google
Eric was great in helping us with being first time homebuyers. Many many questions asked, and he dropped everything to assist us when needed! Very professional, polite, and patient. Will use him moving forward with any future home needs!
Trevor E., first-time buyer
Review of Eric Bomkamp on Google
Questions buyers ask us
Don’t see the question on your mind?
Just ask! We will get back to you within one business day.
Do I need a pre-approval before I tour homes?
We recommend one, because it tells you what you can spend and lets us move fast when you find a home. If you are not ready, we can start with a conversation and a search, and we will point you to a lender when you want one.
How much do I need for a down payment?
It depends on the loan. Some loans allow a small down payment and others ask for more. A lender can show you the options for your income and credit, and we use that figure to set your search.
How long does it take to buy a home?
Searching can take a few weeks or several months, depending on what you want and what is for sale. After a seller accepts your offer, most financed purchases can close in about 30 days, and a cash purchase can close sooner.
What happens if the inspection finds problems?
We go through the inspector’s report with you and sort the findings into safety issues, expensive repairs and small fixes. Then you decide what to ask the seller for, and we prepare a formal inspection response for you.
Can I buy a home before I sell mine?
Yes, and many buyers sell and buy in the same stretch. We plan both moves on one timeline. Your lender can tell you whether you can qualify for a new loan before your current home sells.
Who do you represent?
Once you sign a buyer agreement, we represent you. We negotiate for your price and terms, and the listing agent for each home represents the seller.
Can you give me legal or tax advice?
We are real estate agents, not attorneys or tax professionals. We will guide you through the buying process and share any information we have available to us that would serve your interest as a buyer. For questions about your legal rights, your contract or your taxes, an attorney or tax professional is the right person to ask, and we are glad to work with yours.
Start with one conversation
Tell us what you want this move to do for you, and we will walk you through what comes next.
Prefer the phone? Call or text the team at 574-227-5972.