8 STEPS TO BUYING YOUR DREAM HOME IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA!
1- REACH OUT!
This is an important step, especially if you are a first time buyer and have no idea where to start. I can help give you some guidelines on what to do to prepare for purchasing a home because it’s never too early to plan! And I can also refer you to multiple mortgage brokers I’ve worked with in the past. Usually I recommend mortgage brokers because they have access to multiple lenders and can usually get you the best deal and rates as compared to going direct to your bank
2- PRE-APPROVE
If you require a mortgage, I usually recommend a mortgage broker over a bank. They just have access to more lenders. Some brokers who work for banks can surprise you with better rates, but usually not. I have an excellent list of mortgage brokers who have repeatedly proven themselves time and time again with my clients. I would be happy to share them with you. Have a little extra money for the closing costs – estimated at 3-5% of the price of the home. Other costs could also arise during your closing such as appraisal fees, application fees from some lenders, cost of a survey, home inspection fees, insurance, property tax and moving.
3- ZONING
What areas of the city do you want to live? Do you love the rush of downtown or are you a “village in the city” kind of buyer? Do you prefer established neighborhoods with the top notch schools or emerging neighbourhoods undergoing rapid change? Do you like to be near a lively commercial strip or do you hate the noise?
4- STRATEGIZE
This is where I bring my expertise to the table. We formulate a strategy to buy you a property based on what is important to you in a home, current market condition, and my strategies for obtaining a home.
5- READY MONEY
Have your deposit in a checking account with a major bank so that it can be easily accessible when you decide to make an offer. The Southern California market can vary widely. In a fast market, you may find yourself in a bidding war to get the place you want. So, you need to know how to act accordingly. When you are in competition with other buyers for the same house, that usually means having any home inspections done before you put in an offer so that you have the cleanest offer with the fewest conditions. If the market is a little slower or the property is not selling quickly, you have some wiggle room to negotiate with not only the price but also certain conditions.
6- VIEWING
Clients are often unsure what they can get for their particular budget. I like to show clients a home at the same price in a different neighborhood. So, you know what you can get in the less expensive neighborhood compared to a more established one. Then, I find, the buyer will have a better idea if they would like to buy a smaller, fixer upper home in a better, central neighborhood or vise versa.
7- NEGOTIATE
My strategic negotiation is critical to you securing the best possible price for your future home. At that critical time, I will provide with all of your options. I will read the situation and determine if a more aggressive maneuver or gentler touch would yield a better outcome.
8- COMMUNICATE
I will there from start to finish keeping track of the details of your home up to closing. I am also available after closing with a top-notch list of professionals who could help you with any fixes or improvement on your home.
If you have any questions or concerns about the 8 steps to buying your dream home in Southern California please reach out! You can book a quick discovery call with Rachel here!
If you want to know more about selling your home check this post. For new listings look here.
