Buy a Home Los Angeles | Home Buyer Process

The Buying Process

Before Escrow

We’ll start with a phone conversation to help me get a clear picture of what you’re looking for. With your property profile in mind, I can find listings that match your needs.You may want to ask yourself questions like:

Where do you want to live?
- What kind of neighborhood appeals to you?
- Which areas do you see yourself living in?
What’s your price range?
- How much can you spend on a down payment?
- Can you fund renovations or repairs?
- What other financial concerns do you have?
What size house are you looking for?
- How many bedrooms and bathrooms?
- How many square feet overall?
What kind of design are you looking for?
- Are you looking for a single family home, a condo, or a townhouse?
- What kind of floor plan do you envision?
- Are you interested in special features like a patio or pool?
What local amenities are most important to you?
- Do you need to consider public schools?
- Do you want to be close to parks, bike paths, or downtown?
- Do you need to be near public transportation?

After our initial chat, I’ll schedule a time to sit down with you and talk in more detail.We’ll discuss strategies for positioning you to succeed in a competitive market.This way, we can be ready to move forward as soon as a property becomes available.

I’ll send you regular updates about listings in your price range, and you’ll select a shortlist of properties that interest you. We’ll attend open houses and tour properties on a schedule that’s convenient for you.The home buying process should be collaborative, and your feedback helps me to refine our search as we progress. If you see a property that interests you, please let me know so that I can arrange a tour.

Financing is crucial to this part of the process.With that in mind, your next step is to arrange a meeting with a lender specializing in home purchases. I’ll be happy to provide you with referrals to reliable lenders if you need them.

As soon as you complete a loan application, your lender can check your credit and provide you with a loan pre-qualification and pre-approval letter. They’ll also walk you through anticipated closing costs and other financial concerns, and help you determine a target purchase price within your budget. I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have, as well as provide you with my own expert advice on property values and financial commitments over time.

During Escrow

Once we’ve zeroed in on a property, it’s time to make an offer. I’ll provide you with information on local property values and recent home sales.I’ll also facilitate communication between the seller, their agent, the lender, and you. I also recommend that my clients write a short “bio,”just three or four paragraphs, to show sellers a little bit about yourself and your family. This demonstrates your sincere interest and allows you to connect to the seller on a personal level.

Once an offer is accepted, I’ll arrange and attend all necessary inspections with you. If you are unable to be present, I will attendmyself so that I can report all relevant information back to you.

Your escrow agent will provide supportive service, and will usually be in direct contact with the lender to streamline the escrow process. Here’s a basic checklist:

Documentation:
- You’ll need to write a check to be placed in escrow within three business days after your offer is accepted.This earnest money deposit is typically three percent of the asking price.
- You’ll need to provide proof of funds, which can take the form of a loan pre-approval letter from your lender or bank statements showing that funds are available.
- You’ll need to arrange for a title search and title insurance, and be prepared to address any issues that arise as a result of the search. This is usually a straightforward process.
Scheduling:
- You’ll need to decide when you would like to close escrow.Most buyers choose a time within 30 and 45 days after making an offer.
Inspections and Renovations:
- You’ll need to arrange for a home inspection using the inspector of your choice or a referral from my professional network. I’ll oversee all inspections in person and advise you on your best course of action based on the results.
- You’ll need to approve all disclosures and reports as they become available.
- Based on the results of the inspection, we may need to consider negotiating with the seller for repairs or concessions that may affect the purchase price.
Special Considerations:
- Is there any personal property to be included in the offer?

Often, this stage includes some downtime for the buyer, when it might seem on the surface that not much is happening.Our team is working hard on each piece of the puzzle, so that we can close escrow on schedule.

Closing Escrow

Before we can close on the saleand schedule a move-in date, you have a final checklist of responsibilities:

Final Documentation:
- You’ll need to notify your lender that escrow has opened, and cooperate with them to meet any open requirements for the loan, such as homeowner’s insurance or credit life coverage.
- You’ll need to sign loan documents as soon as they become available, typically about five days prior to closing.
- You’ll need to arrange for closing funds to be wire transferred from the lenderto escrow two days prior to closing.
Potential Renovations:
- Based on inspection results, you may need to complete renovations before move in.
Homeowner’s Insurance:
- You’ll need to arrange for homeowner’s insurance using the broker of your choice or a referral from my professional network.Most lenders require this as a loan precondition.

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