My goal is to understand you and your goals well enough that I can help you find a home where you will thrive. I will use a brief questionnaire, or our first meeting together, to understand your unique circumstances. Some of the things we will discuss: Family Structure & Needs, Lifestyle Preferences, Timing: Short & Long Term Plans, Budget & Finances.

Many people consider home ownership to be an integral piece of the American dream, but there is more to it than that. Some reasons you may choose to buy instead of rent your home:

8 Steps to Buy a Home

Buying a home can feel complicated and overwhelming. As an agent, it’s my job to ease that burden and guide you through the process. I do this every day, and bring that expertise into every transaction. But a huge part of my job is educating clients so they feel comfortable with each step we take and every decision they make. Here’s the home buying process in 8 steps: 

Step 1

Initial Consultation

The initial consultation is extremely beneficial to both client and agent. Real estate is a personal process built on trust so it’s important we both feel the relationship is the right fit. There’s so much more I will do for you than show houses, and I want you to understand that from the very beginning. I’ll explain the process and begin to truly understand your needs before we move forward.

Step 2

Get Pre-Approved

Often what people think they can get and what they are actually pre-approved for is very different. Your loan amount depends on many factors—savings, income, credit score. And just because you can get pre-approved for $2-million doesn’t mean you want to buy a $2-million house. It’s essential that agent, client and loan officer work together as a team to truly understand the terms and how it will effect your purchasing power.

Step 3

Visit Properties

Now we’re ready to see houses. Going to open houses on the weekend is a very different experience than visiting with me. I can typically tell from pictures what’s wrong with a property, and I’ll show you what to pay attention to. If you like a particular home, we’ll visit at different times of day so you can really feel the vibe. That requires more than a visit during a crowded open house.

Step 4

Review Disclosures

You’ve picked a home you’re interested in, now it’s time to review the disclosures. This can be a very tedious process. These documents are filled with technical and legal terms, and can be hundreds and hundreds of pages long (especially if an HOA is included). You’re going to have a lot of questions and I’ll get the answers but it’s going to take time. A home inspection report isn’t going to spell out what needs to be done so we must read between the lines to understand it completely.

Step 5

Negotiate and Write an Offer

The most difficult part of this whole process is pricing, it can be a very subjective opinion. You don’t know what your competition is till the day of the offer. In one situation, there were four offers—three very similar and one $120k more. They felt the house was worth that much but that doesn’t mean it’s really fair market value. Regardless of the data, you have to ask yourself, what’s it worth to me? It’s also impossible to predict if you will have a counter offer. If you do, time is of the essence. A lot can happen quickly in the negotiation process. In the hour it takes to make a decision, something could change and you lose the offer completely. 

Step 6

Entering into Escrow

The loan transaction process averages 21 days in the Bay Area, and there are a lot of things to figure out within that 21 days. The escrow company acts as the third party entity between buyer and seller, and facilitates the transaction, including paperwork. It’s very important you choose the right lender because my role is diminished during this process. I’m like a “project manager” who makes sure everyone is doing their roles—documents are signed, each step is followed. You will also need to choose home insurance coverage and file it with the escrow company. 

Step 7

Final Walk-Through

You’re almost there but this last step is absolutely essential. The final walk-through is our chance to make sure the home is in the same condition as when you bought it. And the last chance to request the seller fix anything that isn’t—like a leaky sink—before the transaction closes.

Step 8

Close of Escrow

The escrow company will assist with the final technicalities. Make note that while a lot of things can be done electronically, you have to sign loan documents in person. If you’re not in the country, a power of attorney can do it but you must set this up in advance. Once the money has been exchanged and all the documents have been signed, the escrow officer will record the change of ownership with the county. That’s when I call and say, congratulations, you’re a homeowner! 

This is a general overview of the process. Once we start working together, I will be there to explain everything in greater detail and guide you through each step.

California School Ratings

There’s a handful of determining factors when you’re deciding where to live. For parents, schooling is a big factor. Check out my post on California School Ratings.

Contact Lana for Buyer’s Guide