Newbie trying to understand the process!

[Angela Schroeder]

Hi! I am a newbie trying to understand the process of buying real estate and am hoping someone could shed some light on the experience from beginning to end! For instance, once you find a property you are wanting to purchase, when and how soon can you contact a contractor to check out the property and estimate rehab costs in order to give a more estimate offer? Do you have to contact the seller's real estate agent first and offer first? At what point should I apply for financing if I don't know how much I am going to offer or what the rehab will cost? Any insight would be much appreciated!!