Buying a home is more than simply jumping in a Realtors car and bidding on the first thing that looks good. One needs to consider not just looks and location, but also taxes (which in California could include Mello-Roos), schools, access to amenities (hospitals, grocery stores, shopping, etc.), and even which model(s) might have the chance for the best rate of appreciation. This is where having an area expert is critical.
The first thing to do is contact a reputable Realtor, someone whose full-time job is real estate. Naturally, we would appreciate it if you would call us at 949-285-1207 and retain us to help find your next home, but it is imperative that you use a full-time Realtor, someone who knows the area; who keeps abreast of all that is going on. (Everyone has heard horror stories about a buyer that bought something from a friend who is a part-time agent from another city or county as a favor - and then found out too late about a large 5-figure tract assessment, or pending building approvals that could negatively impact the value of ones new home.) One of the things you will find that separates us from the average Realtor is we actually take time to find out what you need, not just what you want. This can make all the difference in the world. To set up an appointment to find out how we make finding your next house more efficient, please click here.
|
Home Buying Checklist
|
| We're revamping our Home Buyer Checklist, but please peruse the below tips on buying a home. Thanks for visiting our site; visit us again as we are constantly adding new information. |
| * Be an informed buyer. There is a wealth of free information available from a myriad of sources. Don't be afraid to ask your Realtor, banker, lawyer or accountant questions. We can help keep you current on the real estate market by not only our proprietary program called MarketTrends, but also via our
free newsletters. |
| * Determine your housing needs and wants. We sit down with you and go over what you are looking for. Click here for your FREE Buyers Consultation, which is designed to help you find your next home in a quicker, less stressful amount of time. |
| * Become familiar with real estate financing. There are a multitude of financing options available to all level and pricing buyers. From ARMS to conventional loans, knowing what questions to ask is critical to helping your mortgage specialist in helping you to get the right loan at the best rate. To see how much house you can afford, click here. |
| * I suggest that, before you even begin the house hunting process, you get pre-qualified or pre-approved by a Mortgage Lender. In Southern California, it is not atypical for the listing agent (the Realtor that represents the seller) to request a copy of the pre-qualification or pre-approval letter to accompany the purchase offer along with a credit report and a copy of the deposit check. |
| * Pull your credit report. What this will do is head off most surprises during the loan process. Click here for your free yearly credit report. For additional information on checking your credit report, click here. |
| * Make an offer. Once you find the perfect home, you will make an offer to purchase by writing up a legal contract to do so. (In real estate, it is the letter of the law not the spirit of the law that prevails. Get EVERYTHING in writing, including what is and isn't included in your purchase (refrigerator, washer, dryer, window coverings, etc.) Just because it's on a marketing piece or flyer doesn't mean it's actually included.) But before making your offer, make certain to obtain the latest "comps" (price comparisons) on recent sales and active listings for the area and competing models, plus a current market conditions report. (At First Team, we have a proprietary software program called MarketTrends that gives us real-time market information.) Depending on the condition of the market, you might make an offer lower - or higher - than the asking price. |
| * Buying your first home? See our page devoted to First Time Buyers, and our Preparing To Buy A Home page, including information on what to expect when obtaining your first mortgage. |
| * Have a question about what a term or word means? Click here for our Glossary of Real Estate Terms. And if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. |
| * We appreciate you visiting our site; if you would like to provide us feedback on the site, click here. Enjoy the process: we look forward to helping you find your next home or investment property. |
Back To Top
|
