From financing to negotiating to closing, there are a lot of moving pieces that can leave homebuyers bewildered. I can help guide you through each step of the buying process. I have had more than 30 years of experience and know the ins and outs of the real estate industry. You’ll not only end up with a great home, but you’ll also walk away having had the smoothest transaction possible.
If you need a mortgage in order to buy, getting pre-approved by a reputable lender is one of the first steps. If you don't have a preferred lender, I have several excellent ones to recommend. The lender will review your assets, income and a few other variables. Then he/she will go over your financing options, what monthly payment amount you can afford, and what you can expect for down payment requirements and closing costs. Different mortgage brokers might offer a variety of programs, and finding the one that fits your individual needs is critical.
For most buyers, choosing a home is an emotional process. I can assist you in this process by offering objective information about each property you visit. From local community information like schools and zoning to home-specific details like condition and amenities, I can help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Figuring out your priorities is critical.
Once you’ve found the home of your dreams, I will research recent comparable sales in the area to help determine a fair selling price. Based on those comparable sales, we will structure an offer and negotiate to get the very best deal possible.
Once your offer has been accepted, the period of "buyer investigations" begins. I will help you to schedule all the relevant inspectors, be present for each and every inspection and review reports with you. The next step is to figure out whether or not you will request any sort of credit from the seller, to be used towards repair. It's a process that typically takes a couple of weeks.
During this time period, the lender will have the property appraised and will work toward granting you final loan approval, so that all contingencies can be removed and the transaction can move forward to closing.
In Southern California, the escrow or title company handles the closing process. The seller needs to sign the grant deed and buyers need to sign loan documents (if there is a loan). I will do everything in my power to ensure that all goes smoothly.
Take the time to figure out your priorities (large backyard, school system, walkability, etc.)- what type of property you want to buy and in what location. From single-family and multi-family homes to condos and townhomes, there are many different options and it’s important to choose the type that best fits your needs. Figuring out your favorite neighborhoods is the first step.
The rule of thumb is that you should never spend more than 30% of your monthly income on a mortgage payment. For a more tailored look at what you can afford, your best bet is to speak to a lender or mortgage broker. I can recommend several great ones.
A few months before you start searching for a home, review your credit history and make sure it is in good standing. Get copies of your credit report, ensure that it’s accurate, and fix any issues you discover. It’s likely that you’ll also want to get pre-approved for a home loan, which will put you in a better position to make a serious offer once you find the right property. Pre-approval from a lender is based on your assets, credit history, debt, and income.
I will do the research! Your opening offer should be based on the sales trends of similar homes in the area. We need to look at the properties being actively marketed and even more importantly, at the recent sales. This information will aid in developing a strategy for making an offer.
Do you have real estate needs? Are you considering buying or selling? We’d love to hear from you!