BUYERS

Information for Buyers

Buying a home is an exciting time in one’s life. Making the smart move of choosing a REALTOR® is your first step to ensuring that your new home and community meets your needs. My services and experience range from financial aid to helping you find the home that best suits you and your family. I pride myself on repeat business and hope you’ll come to understand why.

When it comes to buying a home, having a competent and dedicated agent representing you is crucial. While using the listing agent might seem like a convenient option, I believe that it is essential for buyers to have their own agent for several reasons:

  1. Objective Guidance and Price Comparison: The listing agent is committed to the seller and has a fiduciary responsibility to secure the best price for the home. Your own agent will be fully committed to you and will show you comparable properties, enabling you to make an informed decision to avoid overpaying for your home.
  2. Realistic Offer Price:  A skilled agent can save you a significant of money by helping you determine a realistic offer price. They have the expertise to assess market conditions, analyze property values, and negotiate on your behalf. For example, I recently saved my buyers $70,000 when they wanted to make a full-price offer on a property that had been on the market for over 30 days. The listing agent would encouraged the full price offer.
  3. Comprehensive Inspections: As your agent, I will advise you which inspections would make the most sense to ensure you understand exactly what you’re buying. These inspections are crucial in identifying any underlying issues so you can make an informed decision and avoid potential surprises or costly repairs in the future.
  4. Expert Analysis and Negotiation: Understanding the results of inspections can be overwhelming for homebuyers. I will help you interpret the inspection reports and highlight significant issues. I will also guide you in determining what repairs or compensation should be requested from the seller.
  5. Support in Decision Making: I will provide unwavering support if you decide to withdraw from buying a specific home, especially if there are significant concerns or potential problems that you may not be prepared to handle. Working closely with my buyers allows me to help advise them on how to avoid potential pitfalls and find a nicer home with fewer headaches!
  6. Expert Guidance Throughout: One of the most valuable aspects of having your own agent is the support and guidance they provide, alleviating stress and uncertainty.  As your agent, I will be there for you before, during and after the purchase of your home. Almost weekly, I have clients call me to ask for advice or referrals to repair people. And I am always happy to help!

Having your own agent when buying a home is essential for a smooth and successful experience. Your agent will act as your advocate and provide ongoing assistance. By entrusting your home buying journey to a dedicated agent, you can navigate the process with confidence and peace of mind, knowing that your best interests are being represented every step of the way.

READY TO BUY IN THE SANTA BARBARA AREA?

Request your complimentary Home Buyer’s Guide – a valuable resource filled with detailed information to help relieve the stress of buying your first home!

REQUEST HOME BUYER’S GUIDE

Your New Home Awaits!

There seems to be a common misconception about owning Santa Barbara Real Estate. Many people believe they can’t afford it, or their credit score isn’t good enough, or that Santa Barbara is just too expensive. Even in a changing market, with a little effort and some good advice, it’s a dream that could be a reality for many people.

Here are some steps to take to position yourself in the right place to buy:

  1. Speak with your accountant or tax person. They will be able to help you determine how the tax benefits of home ownership can enhance your net monthly income, making home ownership more feasible then you might have thought.
  2. Determine a comfortable monthly budget for your new purchase, including down payment and monthly payment.
  3. Meet with a competent, local mortgage lender. Not only will they be able to check your credit and help figure out how much you can afford, a good lender will find ways to increase your credit score for a better interest rate and will understand the needs of our local Santa Barbara market.
  4. Find a loan that meets your needs and get pre-qualified (preferably pre-approved).
  5. If there is one main piece of advice I can offer, please interview Realtors so that you have someone you are comfortable working with. A Realtor dedicated to your needs will help you understand exactly what type of home will fit your needs and your budget. They won’t pressure you to buy something that isn’t right for you. And they will spend as much time as you need helping you make the right choices for you. Once you’ve found a home, your Realtor will help you through the process so you understand exactly what you’re buying. Using the Realtor who has the listing does not mean you will get a better price on the home – remember, they were representing the seller first, and it is their fiduciary responsibility to do their best for the seller.
  6. Determine what neighborhood best matches your needs.
  7. Identify important features you need your new home to have.

Home Buying Steps:

  1. Pre-Qualification/Pre-Approval: After meeting with your CPA and mortgage lender, the lender should be able to provide a pre-qualification or pre-approval letter stating to what level you are able to purchase a home. This will help your realtor focus in the right direction and make your eventual purchase offer stronger.
  2. Interview Process: A good realtor will take the time to understand what you want. While market offerings may not currently fit your needs precisely, we can keep you informed of what is available as it comes on the market. This way, we won’t spend your time showing you homes that won’t work for you.
  3. Home Shopping: By helping us understand your needs, the homes we show you will fit what you’re looking for. You might find, as you look, other wants and needs and you should always express what you do and don’t like about each home. Keep in mind, sometimes you have to see what you don’t want in order to determine what you do want.
  4. Negotiating An Offer: When you’ve found a home you’d like to purchase, your Realtor plays a crucial role in the negotiations and can substantially impact the real value you receive. Your Realtor will be able to advise you on the best plan of action to help you get that home. Offer price, contingencies, down-payment, and many other options all come together to make an offer strong and acceptable to a seller. Your Realtor will present your offer and include research to emphasize the value of your offer to the seller and/or their agent. Counter-offers are often a part of the negotiation process which your Realtor will help you through.
  5. Escrow: During this time, often 30 days or longer, many important events take place which you may or may not be aware of:
  • Your lender will put your mortgage together.
  • The title company will make sure the home is free of liens and advise of issues affecting the property.
  • The Seller and their Agent will provide all of the necessary disclosures and reports required to make you aware of the condition of the home.
  • Your Realtor can help advise you on what types of inspections should be done in order to have a full understanding of the condition of the home. You, as the buyer, should participate in a home inspection with a qualified home inspector as well as other necessary due diligence.
  • Contingency removal – Your Realtor will advise you on when and which contingencies should be removed, getting you one step closer to home-ownership.
  • The escrow officer will complete the paperwork and obtain signatures and funds to transfer ownership of the property to you.

Closing Costs to Expect:

  • Lender fees include charges for loan processing, underwriting, preparation and establishing an escrow account.
  • Third-party fees include charges for insurance, title search, and other inspections such as termites.
  • Government fees include deed recording and state & local mortgage taxes.
  • Escrow and interest fees include homeowner’s insurance, loan interest, real estate taxes, and occasionally private mortgage insurance.

Keep in mind, this is a very limited description of what is involved in purchasing a home. If you would like a more detailed description, please give me a call or email to schedule a time to review the process or to receive a brochure with more information.