California Real Estate Tips Buyers Guide

◦ Determine What You Can Afford
◦ Know The Market
◦ Location, Location, Location
◦ Protect Your Investment
◦ Work With Real Estate Professionals

Talk to a Lender – Find a mortgage lender you feel comfortable with. A good place to start is with a lender who you already have an account with. Lenders can offer you great insight into housing affordability. Your lender can also pre approve you for a loan, which can greatly help when negotiating with sellers.

Some developers can set you up with one of their preferred lenders, which can usually come with special incentives

Your lender is required by law to give you certain disclosures about the term, rate and cost of your loan.

You can view mortgage rates online at CAPropertyFinder.com to compare the rate your lender is offering you to the national average.

Understand the True Costs of Homeownership – Your mortgage payment is not your only housing expense. Other expenses you might incur include the following.

How much of your income should you spend on a home?

Here are some general rules to follow when figuring out how expensive of a home you can afford.

A “Buyer’s Market” is characterized by a period of oversupply and falling prices. Oversupply means there are many substitutes so many sellers are chasing only a few buyers. Falling prices means there is no urgency for buyers. During a Buyer’s Market, the buyer holds the power and can negotiate from a position of strength.

A “Seller’s Market” is characterized by a period of undersupply and rising prices. When supply is short there are more potential buyers than there are properties for sale. This forces prices up and gives power back to the sellers. Sellers can hold out and ask for full list price.

What do the “Comps” look like?

“Comps” are properties that are comparable to each other – substitutes.

Brokers can create a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) that compares the properties that fulfill your real estate search criteria.

When buying or selling it is important to always factor the comps into your decision making process. Comps will show you approximately where to list your home for sale or where to make an offer on a potential purchase.

Always consider Active, Pending and Sold properties. Active listings are those that are currently listed on the market for sale. Pending sales are those which are under contract to close. Sold properties are those which have closed escrow and are now possessed by the new owner. These three types represent various stages of a real estate transaction (start to finish) so they can give you a gauge of where pricing is possibly moving.

How many “Days on Market” have the properties been listed for? If properties have been listed for an average of several months or years it means they have been difficult to sell. If properties are selling with only 30-120 Days on Market it means they selling relatively quickly. Days on Market are a good gauge of demand within a given market.

How many of the properties listed are distressed?

Distressed properties are those in foreclosure or pre foreclosure, short sales, or real estate owned properties (REO). These properties typically sell at a discount but are difficult to close due to the complex buying process and always come in an “as-is” state.  This means the property may not include appliances, new paint, landscaping, countertops, or it may have unsettled liens from the government, contractors, associations, etc.

Conversely, the principal of progression shows that less expensive home prices will be pulled up by the more expensive homes in the neighborhood. Thus you will benefit from purchasing a less expensive home in a neighborhood of more expensive homes.

Check the School Zoning – Most school boards show the school zoning online. Find out which schools your potential home is zoned for and research those schools. Being in a top school zone will help you when it comes time to sell; schools are a top priority for many homebuyers.

Check the Crime in the Area – Some police departments, such as LAPD, have crime statistics online. If the police department in your area doesn’t do something like this, just call them, they would be happy to give you advice on a safe place to live. In Los Angeles, we recommend using LA Crime Map.

Get a Title Report – Title Reports show tax, mechanics and HOA liens that can and will affect conveyance of the property to you as the new owner. These can also show hidden costs and amounts owed.

Learn About the Homeowners Association (HOA) – If there is an association, read the legal documents through before purchasing, particularly in a condominium or townhome. These documents outline the rules that govern the community and could seriously impact you.

Warranties – There are several homeowner warranty companies that will provide extended warranties for your home. They will warranty HVAC’s, appliances, roofs, light fixtures, and anything else you want covered.
Also Read: Protect Your Home With A Home Warranty

Insurance – Get homeowners insurance, even if you are not required to by your loan or association. If you live in an earthquake, fire or flood zone, get insurance for those losses as well.

Check with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to see if you are located in a hazard zone.

Also Read: Buy Homeowners Insurance in California

Maintenance – Follow all the manufacturer’s maintenance requirements for all the major components of your house including, but not limited to HVAC and appliances.

Most components come with a manual, or the manufacturer can provide it for you. Following these easy tips can add many years on to the life of each system and keep your house running as efficiently as possible.

Your local hardware store can also be a great tool to help you with maintenance advice for your home.

Alarm System – Protect your home, personal property and family. Regardless of where you purchase a home, an alarm system can provide the piece of mind you need to enjoy and protect your investment.

Call us at 1-800-287-1808 or e-mail us on the website to speak with a recommended broker in your area.