Six Essential Buyer's Tips

“I dreaded the complexity of buying real estate for the first time so when I first spoke to Katy I told her that I didn't want buying a home to be a hassle. Within a week of meeting Katy, I'd put an offer on a place and 21 days later she handed me the keys and a bottle of champagne. Katy helped me choose a mortgage broker, a lender, a title company, an inspector and even a handy man. The whole process went incredibly smoothly.” — JOSHUA WEINBERG

Know What You Can Afford

In other words, know how much money you have available to invest and how much you can borrow. Unless you're paying all cash for your property, a meeting with a qualified mortgage broker is essential. If you don’t already know a seasoned, local lending professional, I can provide you with excellent recommendations.

Have a Pre-approval Letter Ready

Your mortgage broker should get you pre-approved for a loan so that you will look like a solid buyer when you make an offer. This pre-approval is essential—no seller will take you seriously without one.

Get Perspective on the Market

In the San Francisco market, listing prices aren’t always the selling prices. That house around the corner may have come on the market at $849,000, but odds are good that it’s been bid up to a price well above $1,000,000 or conversely sold for $805,000. When you work with me, I can sign you up for Clean Offer which will allow you to save properties you like and see what they sell for. I can provide you with up-to-the minute neighborhood pricing trends and offer opinions on the value of properties that are currently available.

Make a List of "Must Haves" and "Nonessentials"

"Must haves" might include parking, a yard or a particular neighborhood. “Nonessentials” might be a master suite or a remodeled kitchen. Keep in mind that limiting your “must haves” can widen your options, especially if you let go of popular ones like a big back yard or a second bathroom.

Be Available for Showings

The best properties move quickly and it’s important to get in to see them as soon as they come on the market. So don’t wait until the last minute! The more time you have between the time you view a property and the time you decide to bid, the more at ease you will be with the process of writing an offer and seeing it accepted.

Be Ready to Write an Offer

This means being emotionally prepared to become a real estate owner. I can make the process easy and fun for you, but you need to be ready to take on the responsibilities and rewards of owning San Francisco property.

Ready to go? Fill out my Buyer’s Survey and we’ll get started right away!