Buying or selling a home?

Purchasing a home intimidates most people, but it's not all that complicated with some up-front planning. So they know exactly what they can expect, I'll furnish buyers with an overview of the entire deal. Below are my nine steps to buying a home. If you have any questions regarding this information or if you're prepared to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at .

Step 1 – Prepare to purchase
Prior to starting your home search, there are a lot of things you'll want to consider. You'll probably want to make a list of features you need to have, get a feel for what neighborhoods you'd like to live in, and begin planning around your budget. A good principle to go by is that your mortgage payment should be around 1/3 of your monthly income. Step 2 – Talk to a real estate agent in San Diego
This is where Shapar Homes comes in. We can set up a time to get together so we can talk about your real estate needs and get an idea of your upcoming plans. We'll talk about neighborhoods, schools in the San Diego area, the mortgage industry, and any additional economic factors that might affect your purchase today or in the future.
I can also help you facilitate the loan process. There are some great mortgage professionals in San Diego, and I work with a lot of them, so you'll be in great hands. They can help you decide which type of loan is best for you, as well as help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Start looking for a house
After our first meeting, I'll start finding available houses on the market that suit your needs. I'll get a sneak peek of most of the homes and ignore the duds, and then we'll schedule appointments to tour the homes whenever it's convenient for you.

As we tour the homes, I'll point out positive features and negative ones. I'll also ask you to point out what things you like and don't like. Generally, buyers amend their wish list as we tour houses and some things become more essential than others. If that happens, I'll search all the listings again and trim it down to the house you've been waiting for.

Step 4 – Comprehend the market
Your agent's knowledge of the San Diego housing market is a crucial agent in your home search. And I assure you I'm acquainted with all the schools and neighborhoods, and I can alert you to which areas are "hot" and demand immediate action and some that are "cool" and allow for more consideration.

As we tour houses, I'll let you know if the seller's list price has room for negotiation or if I believe the house is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, be mindful and be sure to ask plenty of questions, as any REALTOR in San Diego will claim to truly know the housing market. If it appears they don't know everything, contact me at (858) 245-2854 or e-mail me at , and I'd be glad to answer any questions you may have. My market expertise will help you stay a step above the rest through the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the home you've been waiting for
I'm positive we'll find your dream home in San Diego. When that happens, I'll meticulously create your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be made to suit your needs and the home. We'll include many contingencies, such as getting financing, carrying out the home inspection, and a clean title.

When we turn in your offer, most likely you'll want to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to a home seller to secure the offer to buy the property and is most often applied to the cost of closing. If your offer is accepted, we should close about 30 to 60 days after. This allows sufficient time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
Most contracts aren't closed on the beginning offer – it's widely common to receive a counter offer. But don't let this alarm you. We'll discuss whether or not to consent to the counter offer, propose our own counter offer, or reject the seller's offer and go on.

Market circumstances determine how aggressively we negotiate the deal. We'll also work within your financing constraints. And when it's all said and done, we'll assemble a contract that's best for you.

Step 7 – Get financing
After we sign the final contract, you'll begin working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. If you're already pre-approved, it shouldn't take long at all. But you need to stay in close contact with your lender. And I'll care for all the property information your lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) outlining closing costs from your lender within three days of taking your loan application. This estimate rests on the loan amount. RESPA requirements mandate that it has to involve all closing costs and fall within a tight range of accuracy, and I'll examine the estimate and let you know if everything looks permissible.

Then we'll close on your house. This will most often occur at a title company or escrow office and will most likely be a smooth and stress-free occurrence.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you have any questions, be sure to contact me at (858) 245-2854 or e-mail me at .