Buying a home intimidates a lot of people. However, with a little up-front planning, it's not that confusing. I like to provide buyers with a road map of the entire deal so they'll understand exactly what they can expect. These are my nine steps to purchasing a home.
Step 1 – Get ready to purchase a home
There are a lot of things you'll want to take into account prior to commencing your home search. When you start your search, you'll want to create a checklist of features you need to have, plan for what school districts and neighborhoods you want to live in, and start planning around your budget. Keeping your mortgage payment less than or around 30 percent of your net monthly income is a good principle to go by.
Step 2 – Get in touch with a real estate agent
That's where I can help. I'd love to book a time to get together with you and talk about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your upcoming plans. We'll discuss everything from neighborhoods, school districts and recreational activities in the overall San Diego community, the mortgage industry, to any other economic factors that may affect your purchase today or in the future.
I can also help you facilitate the loan process. There are some excellent mortgage professionals in San Diego County, and I partner with a lot of them, so you're in great hands. They'll assist you with choosing which type of loan is best for you and help you get approved.
Step 3 – Begin looking for a house
Following our initial meeting, I'll begin searching for available homes on the market that suit your needs. I'll get a sneak peek of most of the houses and eliminate the bad ones, and then we'll schedule appointments to view the houses whenever it's convenient for you.
As we tour houses, I'll point out positive features, as well as negative ones. I'll also ask you about things you like and dislike. Generally, buyers amend their must-have list as we view houses and some items become more important than others. If that's the situation, I'll go back through the listings once again and narrow it down to the home of your dreams.
Step 4 – Know the market
My understanding of the entire San Diego home market is a fundamental resource in your home search. As a true local, I am familiar with all the neighborhoods and school districts, and I can let you know certain districts are "hot" and warrant prompt action and the ones that are "cold" and allow for more analysis.
When we view houses, I'll be sure to tell you when the asking price has room for bargaining and also when I know the home is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, be mindful and make sure you ask a lot of questions, as any REALTOR® will claim to know the housing market. My 25+ years of real estate experience allows me to provide you with invaluable information regrading each area, neighborhood, town and city within the entire San Diego region. If things don't add up, just call me at (858) 487-5150 or e-mail me at kelly@thejonesgrp.com, and I'd be glad to answer any questions you may have. My market knowledge will keep you a step above the rest through the entire process.
Step 5 – Find the house you've been looking for
We'll find the home of your dreams whether it's at the beach, a larger estate or perhaps another investment property, and when we do, I'll strategiacally develop and successuflly negotiate your home purchase offer. The offer will be tailored keeping your needs in mind. 
Upon turning in your purchase offer, you'll need to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit given to a home seller to secure the offer to purchase the property and is usually put towards the closing costs. If the offer is accepted by the seller, we should close within 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows plenty of time for your mortgage financing.
Step 6 – Negotiate
Unfortunately most contracts don't close on the first offer, and it's pretty common to receive a counter offer. Don't let this intimidate you. We'll figure out whether or not to take the counter offer, propose our own counter offer, or decline the seller's offer and go on.
Market circumstances (DOM for example) will play a role in how aggressively we negotiate the contract. In addition, we'll work within your financing constraints. And at the end of the day, we'll create a deal that works well for you and is clearly affordable.
Step 7 – Get a loan
Upon signing the contract, you'll start working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. If you're already pre-approved, this shouldn't take long at all. However, you should to keep in close contact with your lender. And I'll take care of all the property information your mortgage lender needs to close the loan. After working in the Real Estate industry the majority of my professional life, I have developed an extremely reliable network source for your mortgage related needs if you do not already have an established relationship with a lender.
Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) detailing closing costs from your lender within three days of taking your loan application. This estimate depends on the loan amount. RESPA requirements dictate that it has to contain all closing costs and fall within a precise range of accuracy, and I'll review the estimate with you and let you know if everything looks adequate. And finally, the closing. When all conditions of yours or the buyer's lender have been met and a final walk through of the property has been conducted, title and escrow can move forward with recording the deed of trust.
Step 9 – Move in
You made it! Now you can move into your new home and let the party begin. Enjoy it. And if you have any questions, simply contact me at (858) 487-5150 or send me an e-mail.
