Talk to your lender to set expectations about what you can afford and how to start saving and planning.
Pretend you already live in the home you’re interested in. What are your monthly expenses? Can you comfortably pay that each month? Set aside the mortgage cost plus utilities for a few months to see if it’s feasible.
Buying a home with a partner? Align on wants and needs before starting the home-buying process.
Stop waiting for interest rates to drop. You can always refinance in the future if rates drop. You’ll spend the money you save with lower interest rates on a more expensive house and taxes.
This is the biggest investment you can make. Do a gut check to make sure you feel good about the decision. If the house doesn’t feel right, don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.
Whether you're buying your first home or your tenth, having a clear
idea of your lifestyle needs will streamline your search, enabling you
to prioritize effectively and manage your budget efficiently.
It’s easy to picture your home in your head. But taking the time to write it out and bring it to life makes it real. Prompts: Location? Size? Layout? Amenities? Specific features that are important?
This is the most important part of the process. Buying a home is a huge financial step, and the more prepared you are, the better.
Prompts: What is your current financial situation? Income? Savings? What are your average expenses every month? How much debt do you have? How much can you realistically allocate every month to your mortgage? DM me to get the breakdown costs for buying a house, including closing costs and down payment options.
HOT TIP: Pretend you’re already paying your mortgage. Take that money every month and put it in a savings account. See how it feels to live with that expense every month. Not only will that help you decide if you can comfortably live with your mortgage, but you are also creating a nice savings account for a future home project/ furniture, or your down payment.
Now that you have your dream home criteria and your budget, it’s time to explore the market. Your realtor will be able to help filter your search and schedule showings for you. They can also help you filter for the available homes that meet your needs and set up searches for you. Take time in the areas you’re interested in, and go to open houses. Give feedback to your realtor about what you like and don’t like about the properties you see. It will help you and your realtor narrow down your search and maintain a clear vision for what you want.
Home shopping is an evolution. As you familiarize yourself with the market, you’ll be able to realistically see what your wants and needs are.
Prompts: Make a list of non-negotiable features, like must have a fireplace or must be walkable to a coffee shop, etc. Make a list of “would be nice if” features. These are features you’d like that are not deal breakers. This will help you stay focused and make a confident decision when you’re ready to purchase.
Buying a home doesn’t happen overnight. Creating a timeline will help you outline key milestones along the way and make sure you are celebrating those steps. DM me to get the home buyer/seller timeline to get a clear idea of what takes place from start to close of escrow.
Prompts: Based on your financial situation, how long will it take to have your down payment? How much do you want to have saved in 3 months? And then in the next 3 months etc? When do you want to meet with a lender to get your preapproval letter? Ask your realtor for lender referrals. When do you want to start looking at houses? When do you want to start seriously home shopping?
A timeline for first time home buyers
â—‹ Make a list of wants and needs.
â—‹ We will work together to pinpoint neighborhoods
that will suit your lifestyle and budget.
â—‹ I will help you plan for the costs of escrow and closing.
â—‹ I will pull the comparable properties in the area, and we will
review them together.
â—‹ From there, we will decide on a price to submit that feels comfortable for you.
â—‹ We will also decide on the terms of the offer.
â—‹ Having a buyer's agent is essential, especially during negotiations.
â—‹ Once you have a seller's response to your offer, consider the comparable properties and your personal finances to decide what your best and final offer will be.
â—‹ If there are multiple offers on the property, we want to make sure your offer is the most appealing. Other than offering a strong purchase price, we can adjust the terms to be more appealing to the seller.
You’re under contract—congrats! This step-by-step timeline will walk you through what to expect during escrow, from contingencies to closing day, so you feel confident every step of the way.
Day 1
Congratulations! Your offer has been accepted — this officially opens escrow and starts the clock for both your contingency periods and the timeline toward closing. From here, all key steps will follow a set schedule outlined in your purchase agreement.
Day 1-3
You’ll wire your earnest money deposit (typically 3% of the purchase price) to the escrow company. This shows your good faith and secures the transaction. It is due by Day 3.
Day 3-10
Your agent will arrange home inspections (general, termite, sewer, chimney, etc.) to help you understand the home's condition and request necessary repairs. The physical inspection contingency is usually removed between Day 10 and Day 17, based on your agreement. This contingency is lifted once inspections are complete and an agreement on repairs or credits is reached, which may include credits, seller repairs, or price reductions.
Day 17-21
If you’re getting a loan, the lender will have ordered an appraisal early in escrow to confirm the home’s value supports your loan. The appraisal contingency is typically removed between Day 17 and Day 21, aligning with final loan approval.
Day 17-21
Once your lender issues final loan approval and you’re satisfied with inspections and appraisal, we’ll remove all remaining contingencies and move confidently toward closing. Important: Once all contingencies are removed, your earnest money deposit becomes nonrefundable. At this point, you are fully committed to completing the purchase.
Day 21-25
Now is the time to:
Book movers
Schedule utilities
Forward your mail with USPS
Plan for your upcoming move!
Day 25-28
We’ll conduct a final walkthrough to ensure the property is in the agreed-upon condition prior to closing.
Day 30
You’ll sign your closing documents, wire the remaining funds, and officially receive your keys.
From Santa Monica to Beverly Hills, Silver Lake to Venice, every neighborhood has its own rhythm. My passion is helping you discover the one that feels like home.