Buying

Embark on a journey to finding your perfect home with confidence and ease, as we guide you through the essential steps.

Obtain mortgage pre-approval

The first step in preparing to buy a house is to obtain mortgage pre-approval. This involves meeting with a mortgage lender to determine how much money you are eligible to borrow based on your income, credit score, and other factors. Pre-approval gives you a clear idea of your budget and helps you avoid the disappointment of falling in love with a home that is out of your price range. Additionally, pre-approval can strengthen your negotiating position with sellers, as they will see that you are a serious buyer who is ready to make an offer.

If you do not yet have mortgage pre-approval, contact me and I will be more than happy to connect you with trustworthy mortgage lenders for you to compare mortgage rates.

Discuss your new home wants and needs

Once you have obtained pre-approval, the next step is to discuss with a real estate agent your new home wants and needs, such as location, size, condition, and price.

As your real estate agent, I can help you rationalize your preferences, separating them into categories like must-haves, nice-to-haves, and should-avoids. I can also provide valuable advice on neighborhoods, schools, and other factors that can influence your decision. My goals is to help refine your search criteria and find homes that match your budget, location, and lifestyle preferences. 

Take additional steps

Other important steps in preparing to buy a house include saving for a down payment, researching neighborhoods, browsing recent sales, and tracking market trends. By taking these steps, you can be well-prepared for what’s to come and increase your chances of finding the home of your dreams.

Select properties to view

The first step in viewing properties is to select the properties you want to see. These days, homebuyers often use popular apps and websites such as Zillow and Redfin to browse active listings. (Tip: Make good use of customized filters and push alerts in these apps to stay on top of the fast-changing market.)

In the meantime, with your needs in mind, I can help you create a list of properties that meet your criteria. With access to upcoming listings and agent networks, I can also recommend houses that aren’t on the open market yet or ever.

For your chosen properties, I will help you schedule viewing appointments and provide you with information about each property, including the asking price, property history, and any potential issues.

Prepare for your visits

Once you have made appointments, it is time to prepare for your visits. This involves preparing a checklist of things to look for, such as the condition of the roof, windows, and doors, the age of the appliances, and any signs of water damage or mold. It's also a good idea to bring a camera or take pictures on your phone to help you remember each property and compare them later.

View properties

When viewing each property, whether alone during an open house or with me in a private appointment, take your time and explore every room. Look for things like natural light, storage space, and overall condition. Don't be afraid to ask questions or take notes. I am here to help you and can answer any questions you have about the property or the home buying process.

Reflect on your experience

After viewing each property, take some time to reflect on your experience. Think about what you liked and didn't like about each property and consider how it fits into your overall criteria. This will help you narrow down your choices and make an informed decision when it comes time to make an offer.

Write an offer to purchase

The first step is to write an offer to purchase. This involves working with your real estate agent to draft a written proposal that includes the price you are willing to pay, the closing date, and any contingencies.

As your agent, I will strive to make sure you have all the necessary information to write a good offer. I will view the property with you, review and explain all disclosures, consider property condition and maintenance costs, survey recent sales of similar properties, share current market trends and competition, and so on. I will also help you decide on the earnest money deposit and other financial considerations.

Negotiate the offer

After the seller reviews your offer, they may choose to accept the offer, reject the offer, or provide a counteroffer. Counteroffering is in essence a negotiation process, and each case is unique. I will discuss with you the best strategy to handle the situation.

In a very competitive housing market such as the Bay Area, an exceptional listing often attracts multiple offers and even multiple rounds of counteroffers. My goal is to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information and act as an effective medium between you and the seller, so you can make the best decisions to succeed in a negotiation.

Accept the offer

After your offer is accepted by the seller, it is time to provide the earnest money deposit. The earnest money deposit is a show of good faith and demonstrates your commitment to purchasing the property.

Obtain funds for closing

The first step is to obtain funds for closing. This involves working with your lender to ensure that you have the funds needed to cover the closing costs, such as the down payment, title fees, and appraisal fees. Your lender will provide you with a detailed breakdown of the costs, so you can understand how much you need to bring to the closing. An escrow account is often used in this process to make sure all funds and transactions go through smoothly.

Even though you will primarily work with your lender to obtain funds, I will be there to support you and address any questions or concerns. In particular, if something unexpected happens, I will help you react swiftly to close as planned.

Close on your new home

The next step is to sign the final documents and pay the remaining closing costs. Your real estate agent, lender, and closing agent will work together to ensure that all of the necessary documents are prepared and that everything is in order for the closing.

During the closing, you will sign a variety of documents, including the mortgage agreement, deed, and title transfer. You will also pay any remaining closing costs and receive the keys to your new home, after a final walkthrough. I along with your closing agent will guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.

Move in!

Finally, it's time to move in! It's when you can start making your new house a home. You can start decorating, unpacking, and settling into your new community. Remember to change your address with the post office, utilities, and any other relevant parties.