“Wait… Another Signature?”

Not long ago, I was sitting with a first-time homebuyer in Pittsburgh who looked at me wide-eyed as another document landed on the table. She laughed nervously and said, “John, are they just making me sign stuff to see if I’ll do it?”

If you’ve felt that way, you’re not alone. Buying a house comes with more paperwork than most people expect—but there’s a reason for it. And as of August 17th, there are even more rules about when you’ll be asked to sign.

Why All the Paperwork Exists

When you’re in the middle of the Pittsburgh home buying process, it can feel like signature overload. But here’s why it matters:

• Protection. Every document is there to protect both you and the seller.
• Clarity. Putting everything in writing keeps expectations clear.
• Legal requirements. Pennsylvania real estate law requires certain forms.
• Financing. If you’re using a mortgage, lenders need paperwork to approve your loan.

Think of it less like “red tape” and more like guardrails—helping keep your journey to homeownership safe and on track.

What’s New: Rule Changes Effective August 17th

In case you missed the changes, new rules effective August 17th are transforming how buyers purchase homes. These updates could impact your ability to tour properties, so it’s essential to stay informed:

New Requirement for Home Tours: Buyers must now sign a contract with a buyer’s agent before touring homes. Previously, no commitment was needed. This makes choosing your Realtor more important than ever.

Tips for Finding the Right Agent: Look for someone with over 50 Google reviews, a consistent 5-star rating, and a professional, informative website. That’s a good sign you’re partnering with a trusted Pittsburgh Realtor.

The Advantage of a Team: A dedicated team, like the John Marzullo Team, provides personalized attention and access to multiple resources, ensuring your home-buying process is efficient and stress-free.

These changes make it critical to do your homework before touring homes. Once you sign with an agent, you want to feel confident they’re the right fit.

The Documents You’ll See Most

Here are the big ones that almost every homebuyer in Pittsburgh encounters:

• Buyer Agency Agreement – makes it official that I work for you, not the seller (and under the new rules, you’ll sign this before touring homes).
• Seller’s Property Disclosure – outlines what the seller knows about the home.
• Agreement of Sale – your formal offer (the most important contract in the process).
• Mortgage documents – everything your lender needs to finalize your loan.
• Closing paperwork – the final signatures that officially make the home yours.

How a Trusted Pittsburgh Realtor Helps

Here’s where I step in. My role isn’t just unlocking doors—it’s making sure you understand and feel comfortable with everything you sign. That means:

• Keeping track of timelines and deadlines
• Spotting red flags before you commit
• Making sure you feel confident, not pressured

Because at the end of the day, you should never feel like you’re signing something you don’t understand.

The Bottom Line

Yes, buying a house in Pittsburgh, PA means signing a lot of documents. And with the new August 17th rules, you’ll be signing a buyer’s agent contract even sooner than before. But the right Realtor—and the right team—turns those pages into peace of mind.

If you’re a first-time homebuyer in Pittsburgh—or even if you’ve bought before but want the process to feel smoother—I’d love to help. As your trusted Pittsburgh Realtor, I’ll walk you through the details, protect your interests, and make the paperwork the least stressful part of the journey.

📩 Ready to start? Let’s connect and make your homebuying experience in Pittsburgh simple—and even exciting.