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Buying Tips

When you are looking for a home, an experienced Professional can help you navigate the process of buying a new home and getting you, the buyer, the best deal. I have helped many families in San Diego accomplish this goal; whether you are a First-Time Home Buyer or an investor, I can help you on your journey to purchase the right home for you. See what buyers say about working with me on Zillow.

FACTORS YOU NEED TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOUR NEXT HOME SEARCH

BUILD A SOLID CREDIT

  • Reduce existing debt

  • Be on time with all of your monthly bills

  • Be smart about opening new credit

SAVE FOR A DOWN PAYMENT

  • Put money aside every payday and save any windfalls you receive, such as tax returns and inheritances.

  • A down payment helps you reduce the amount of money you will have to borrow to purchase a home. The more money you put down, the less you will have to borrow. 

  • What is the minimum down payment?  Usually 3.5% down if you qualify for a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan.

GET A PRE-APPROVAL

  • Viewing Homes without a pre-approval usually leads to disappointment Buyers that are wise discuss their financial situation with a reputable lender and acquire a pre-approval. 

  • A pre-approval creates an opportunity for you to not just understand what you qualify for, but ultimately to decide what you can afford. This is essential especially in a competitive and dynamic market like San Diego.

INITIAL APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR REALTOR

  • The purpose of the initial appointment is to understand the “needs and wants” as a buyer this may be the most critical meeting of the home buying process.

  • There are three criteria every buyer uses to find their home: Location, price and Style/Condition.

  • VIEW HOMES

  • The process of viewing homes provides you with information in order to make the best decision possible. Helping you find a home is a process of elimination; not a process of selection. Viewing homes you don’t like is not consider a waste of time; it helps build a frame of reference to help you find what you DO LIKE!

WRITE THE CONTRACT

  • I can help you structure your offer to better serve the needs of your family and set a price reasonable enough for the Seller to consider entertaining your offer.

DEPOSIT EARNEST MONEY

  • After the contract is fully accepted and all terms, you have 72 hours to deliver your initial deposit to the escrow company.  Depositing your initial deposit into escrow is the best way of communicating to the seller that you are serious about purchasing their property as it is an act of good faith.

  • The initial deposit is usually 1% of the Purchase price and it is kept safe in a trust account until those funds are used to close the transaction either applying it to the total Deposit or using it for Buyers Closing Costs.

HOME INSPECTIONS PERIOD

  • The inspection will allow you and the inspector you hire to take a more through look at the property. This inspection will give you a far greater understanding of the property you are purchasing.

  • Who pays for the Home Inspection?  The buyer does and it is due at the door the day of the inspection.

  • Let me help you go through the process to ensure a smooth transaction and coordinate every detail for you.  Always available to serve!

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