Strategic Home Buying

Purchasing property is likely one of the most stressful and largest financial decisions in your life. Whether it's your first purchase or you're an experienced investor, whether you're in the market for new construction or a fixer-upper, I'm here to guide you throughout the entire process.

WHY CHOOSE ISABELLA?

Choosing the right agent who has extensive knowledge and expertise tailored to your individual needs gives you a huge advantage from the start. The right agent will help you navigate the intricacies of the housing market. The right agent will provide you with all the necessary information in order to make an informed and educated decision. The right agent will guide you through the buying process and negotiate the best terms and price.

• One stop shop for all your needs - No idea where to start? No problem. I’m with you from the very beginning - whether it’s getting in touch with loan agents to get pre-approved or getting familiar with the local neighborhoods.

• Bay Area experience and expertise - I will utilize my extensive experience to help you understand the neighborhoods, housing market, and up-to-date trends.

• Finding the home to match your exact needs - No two homes are the same. That’s why I’m passionate about finding the home that best suits your needs - even if it takes more than the first try.

• Committed to help you obtain the best possible price - I am not just committed to helping you buy your home, but will leverage my powerful negotiation skills to help you achieve the best possible price and terms on your dream house.

• Relationships with contractors - Home in need of some TLC? I will leverage my extensive network of reputable connections to help you with remodel, adding square footage, or even a full teardown rebuild.

• Lifetime real estate advisor - That’s right, my service continues for life. Our interactions do not stop at the close of escrow, rather it marks the beginning of a long lasting relationship.

BUILD A DOCUMENT PORTFOLIO

A document portfolio consists of your personal financial documents and information that will be used to secure financing.  Typically, the following are included:

• Bank accounts and statements

• Gift funding documentation (for overseas transfers)

• Investment accounts and statements

• Any outstanding loans (auto? investment?)

• Recent pay stubs

• Tax returns (from past two years)

• Copies of leases for investment properties

• 401K statements

CHECK YOUR CREDIT

Your credit score will have a huge impact on what type of property you can buy and how much funding you're able to borrow. Be sure to check your credit score with an experienced lending institution. This is not the best time to make sudden career moves or large purchases. You want to approach your property purchase from a position of financial stability.

GET PRE-APPROVED

Bring your prepared document portfolio to a local lender or mortgage broker to get pre-approved. In upbeat markets like the Bay Area, a pre-approval letter is a prerequisite to have your offer seriously considered. General rule of thumb is to kick off the pre-approval process shortly after talking with your agent. Of course each agent has a curated list of highly recommended lenders so this is usually a great starting point.

UNDERSTANDING THE MARKET

It's imperative to have an initial idea of which neighborhoods and cities are of best interest. Your agent can give personalized advice and recommendations based on your ideas and cater to your needs. Additional benefits that you can expect from your agent include information about school districts, local parks, and a guidance for appreciation potential.

TIME TO GO SHOPPING

Once the prep work is out of the way, it's time to find the right property. Drive around and check out open homes with the goal of narrowing your search down to a few properties of great interest. Make an appointment with your agent to visit them and walk through the details, including pros and cons of each property.

REVIEW PROPERTY DISCLOSURES

Once you've set your eyes on the property you desire to purchase, the next step is to carefully review the disclosures provided by the selling party. Disclosures contain details on many important facets, including property and pest inspection reports. Your agent can walk through these with you and provide a summary of critical items that may need attention.

THE OFFER

Your agent will work with you to draft a compelling offer for the property. This includes getting in touch with the listing agent to entertain what the seller desires and will generally offer a quick advantage with little cost to you. Showing desire to work with the seller can optimize the situation for both parties. Your agent will provide a guidance for offer price and recommendation whether or not to include contingencies based on individual details and condition of the property, current market trends, and comparable homes recently sold in the neighborhood.

THE OFFER OUTCOME

Upon submission of an offer, the outcome can be classified into three categories: acceptance, rejection, or counter. While acceptance and rejection are clear cut, the third scenario often poses questions. A counteroffer presented by the seller agrees to the terms of the original offer contract with the exception of noted specific terms. Generally, a counteroffer asks for an increase in purchase price or a reduction of time to close.

ESCROW

Once both the buying and selling parties enter a contract, the escrow period formally begins. The escrow company acts as the neutral third party and serves as the intermediary between the buyer and seller. Typically, the length of the escrow period is 30 days with some exceptions closing either sooner or later. If the purchase contract contains contingencies, such as a loan or property inspection contingency, your agent will help you find resources to get to a resolution before the deadline.

CLOSING

Closing day is a special one since it marks the first day with the buyer as the newly minted owner on the property.  The escrow company releases funding to the seller and proceeds to record the grant deed under the buyer's name. Your agent will provide the keys and a big congratulations on the successful purchase.  Enjoy your home and remember your agent is always here to serve all your housing needs!