Keys to homeownership

A timeline for first time home buyers

A Step-by-Step First Time Buyer's Guide

Buying a home is one of the most exciting milestones of your life. To prepare yourself for this moment, you need to know what to expect during the process. This step-by-step first time buyer’s guide created by your agent will help reduce the stress of buying a home and help you enjoy the journey as much as possible.

Modern open-plan kitchen and living area with a marble island and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking hills at dusk.

1) Understand your buying power

  • Explore loan options and rates with a few lenders
  • Get pre-approved
  • Determine a comfortable budget
Modern coastal home terrace with an infinity pool, ocean view, and white lounge seating.

2) Meet with me and make a plan

  • List your wants and needs.
  • Help you identify neighborhoods matching your lifestyle and budget.
  • We’ll plan for escrow and closing costs together.
Modern living room with a dark stone feature wall, rust-colored chairs, and a slatted wood ceiling.

3) Let's go shopping

  • My team will organize and schedule showings.
  • We’ll tour properties and help you narrow down your wants, needs, and preferred styles
Swimming pool beside a modern stone home, with a wood deck and cushioned lounge chairs.

4) Decide what to offer

  • We’ll review recent comparable sales so you know what’s fair.
  • Determine a strong, comfortable offer price
  • We’ll structure terms that protect you and appeal to the seller.
Modern living room with a white sectional, black brick TV wall, and windows overlooking leafy trees.

5) Submit an offer: what’s required

  • A Purchase and Sale Agreement outlining your offer and terms
  • Proof of funds showing you have cash for the down payment
  • A pre-approval letter to confirm your financial capability
Modern living room with a white sectional, stone feature wall, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors.

6) Negotiating with confidence

  • A buyer’s agent is crucial during negotiations. Experience and strategy matter.
  • In multiple-offer situations, we strengthen your offer with strategic terms, not just price.
  • Negotiations are nuanced and depend on the offer structure, buyer strength, and relationships between agents.
  • My role is to guide the strategy so the final terms align with your overall goals.
Furnished living room with a marble coffee table, pale sofa, and vase of delicate flowers.

7) Congratulations, you're in escrow!

  • Escrow is simply the process of safely finalizing your purchase.
  • A 3% deposit is wired to a neutral escrow company.
  • Timeframes for inspections, appraisals, and loan approvals are negotiated as "contingencies."
  • You can cancel escrow without losing your deposit if issues arise.
  • After removing contingencies and completing the loan, you can close on your new home.

A Thoughtful Start to Your Home Journey

A guide to clarifying what matters most to you

Per month
Per month
Per month
(Example: 2 bedrooms, parking, yard, office, etc.)
(Example: no parking, busy street, no natural light, etc.)
Not clear at all ① ② ③ ④ ⑤ Very clear

Let's Work Together

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.
Let's Connect

Follow Me on Instagram

Contact Details

MARLYSE SCHERR | CA DRE# 01943031

Phone

(213) 309-0627

Email

[email protected]

Address

444 N Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004

Submit a Message

Message sent successfully!