For Buyers
Information for Home Buyers
Steps Involved in the Home Buying Process
Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or a seasoned investor, there are definite steps that you should take in order to make the home buying process a smooth one.
Consult With A Lender
The first-step in the home buying process…even before you begin looking at homes…is to consult with a lender. As a result of the fiscal housing crisis we encountered not so long ago, banks and other private lending institutions have become much stricter with their lending standards which means two things for you as a home buyer: 1) the pre-approval process has become more rigorous, and 2) a serious home seller will not even entertain an offer that isn’t accompanied by a pre-approval letter from a credible lender.
There are a number of lending institutions that offer a variety of mortgage products. Financing options and rates can vary widely, so it’s important to do your research to ensure that you obtain the best possible mortgage for your needs.
We have several trusted lenders whom we routinely recommend and work with that meet our extremely high professional standards. If you would like a referral, please just ask!
Determine What Areas Interest You
There is no “one size fits all” approach to buying a home. Some people are driven to move based on location…some are motivated by square footage…some wish to be in a gated community…some desire to be in a particular school district or in the attendance area of a specific school…some want a “small town feel” while others thrive on the hustle and bustle of the city. Once we fully understand what it is that you’re looking for when buying a home, we can help you narrow down the areas that will best fit your needs. We love taking clients on city tours to give them a feel for the variety of neighborhoods that occupy the diverse areas of the Conejo and San Fernando Valleys. Having lived and worked locally all our lives, we know the ins and outs of the cities that surround us and would be so happy to help you find your next community and your next home!
And it’s important to understand that each locale may be subject to specific zoning regulations, particular city codes or paperwork that may require different contracts to complete your home purchase. This is just one reason why it is important to work with a local real estate expert who can ensure that your home purchase runs smoothly and that all of the legal “i”s are dotted and the “t”s are crossed.
Make A List Of Your Priorities
When starting your home search, make a list of your priorities. Are you looking for a certain number of bedrooms? A certain number of baths? Do you need a walk-in closet? Perhaps a three-car garage? Do you want a home that is completely updated or would you like to help create your dream house? Pool and spa or do you prefer a park-like back yard? What is negotiable? What isn’t?
These are the types of questions that will help us decide TOGETHER which homes you should be seeing and which homes simply won’t work for you. When we sit down for a home buyer’s consultation, we will review absolutely everything so that we know exactly what it is that you are looking for in order to make sure you are seeing the homes that match those criteria. After touring a few homes to get a better feel for your tastes and priorities in person, we can preview homes for you and only take you to the homes that meet your specific needs, saving you valuable time so that you don't waste it looking at the wrong homes in order to find the right one.
Understanding The Home Buying Process
We strive to exceed our clients’ expectations. One of the ways we accomplish this goal is by making sure that all of our clients have a complete understanding of what to expect during the home buying process from start to finish so that there are no surprises along the way. Of course, each transaction is unique, and we can’t always anticipate every foreseeable issue, but we can educate you about the home buying process in general so that you know what is likely to happen from the time we prepare an offer to the time you receive the keys to your new home. We are always available to answer any questions or concerns as we truly want to make the home buying process as easy and stress-free as possible. After all, this is one of the largest investments you will make in your lifetime and should be one of the most exciting as well!
Drop us a line or give us a call
Let’s schedule a home buyer’s consultation so that we can review these home buying tips and help make sure that you’re ready to embark on this exhilarating adventure with as much information as possible. As they say, knowledge is power and, as a home buyer, you want to position yourself as strong as possible!
BRIAN GRAVER | DRE#01896056
KERRI GRAVER | DRE#01755551
JESSICA KILBRIDE | Director of Client Care
Pinnacle Estate Properties, Inc.
971 S. Westlake Blvd.,Suite 100
Westlake Village, CA 91361
©2022 Pinnacle Estate Properties, Inc. | DRE: #00905345
Broker Of Record: Kent Palmer DRE: #00812941
The information being provided by the CSMAR MLS is for the visitor's personal, noncommercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties the visitor may be interested in purchasing. The data contained herein is copyrighted by CSMAR or one of CSMAR's datashare partners, and is protected by all applicable copyright laws. Any dissemination of this information is in violation of copyright laws and is strictly prohibited. Any property information referenced on this web site comes from the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) program of the CSMAR MLS. This web site may reference real estate listing(s) held by a brokerage firm other than the broker and/or agent who owns this web site. The accuracy of all information, regardless of source, is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be personally verified through personal inspection by and/or with the appropriate professionals.
