How to Prepare to Buy a Home
Step 1: Get Pre-Approved
The first step in preparing to buy a home is to get pre-approved. Give us a call and we can refer you to competent & competitive lenders.
(How banks determine the rate they offer your). Process and costs of buying HUD Settlement Cost Booklet.
Step 2: Attend First-time Home Buyer Class/How to Write a Winning Offer Comfortably
(2) Review neighborhoods where we think you’ll find properties based on your criteria.
(3) Discuss current market conditions.
Types of property (Regular, REO, Short-Sale, Flip, Probate)
Recent transactions or offer history
(4) Review a purchase contract and disclosures (so when it comes time to write the contract, you won’t be stressed over the legal jargon as well as making the biggest purchase of your life to date). Your Contingencies, Deposit and COE.
(5) Review how we’ll be working together.
Alerts
Appointments to See Properties (we like to think of this as your inspections)
Open House
Comparative Market Analysis
Writing and Signing offers
Acceptance
Inspections
Appraisal
Post Closing help with contractors
(6) Discuss how we get paid.
Step 3: Understand Neighborhoods
Natural Hazards
(Earthquake faults, Liquefaction, landslides)
Permits
Crime Maps
Crime Maps
Negotiation Advice
Negotiation
Before bidding always try to understand the seller’s need. Do they need to sell in 15 days or 90 days? Do they need to leaseback, until their new place is ready to move in? Are they interested in leaving behind some furniture? What items are specifically not included (curtains, a built-in shelf, …)?
In a Seller’s Market
Here your objective is to write an offer that will be accepted on the first try. Where multiple bids are being presented, it’s best to understand the seller’s needs and wants, and present an offer that encompasses their overall objectives, to the extent you can.
In a Buyer’s Market
Here a little back and forth probably won’t hurt you, but again you need to know what the seller really wants and where they are willing to give.
Informative Regulatory Disclosure Pamphlets
Federal law and laws in many states mandate that sellers and landlords provide buyers and renters with booklets explaining various types of household hazards ranging from mold and asbestos to environmental and earthquake safety. Download these government booklets for FREE from the links below!
- HOMEOWNERS GUIDE TO EARTHQUAKE SAFETY (2005 Edition)
California Seismic Safety Commission
ENGLISH - RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Guide for Homeowners, Homebuyers, Landlords and Tenants (2005 Edition)
California E.P.A. & Department of Health Services
ENGLISH - A BRIEF GUIDE TO MOLD, MOISTURE, AND YOUR HOME
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ENGLISH - PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FROM LEAD IN THE HOME (2003 Edition)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ENGLISH - CONSUMER’S GUIDE TO RADON REDUCTION (2003 Edition)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ENGLISH - HOME ENERGY RATING SYSTEM BOOKLET (2011 Updated Edition)
ENGLISH - COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNER’S GUIDE TO EARTHQUAKE SAFETY (2006 Edition)
California Seismic Safety Commission
ENGLISH