Providing you with a great buying experience begins with knowing who you are and where you want to live. That is why our first discussion opens with many seemingly ‘nosey’ but very important market research-driven questions to:

• Define your ideal lifestyle and what matters most to you.
• Determine your preferred contact methods and frequency requirements.
• Identify your timeline and price-range.
• Determine the breadth of your requirements, e.g., single-family/condo; primary residence; second home; rental/investment; lot size; move-in ready; minor remodel; major remodel.
• Zero-in on a geographic location and recommend areas that could also be of interest to you.
• Determine your ideal viewscape.
• Define your preferred architectural style.
• Determine the number of bedrooms, baths, and garage bays you require.
• Assess association charges you find acceptable, if applicable.
• Utilize best-in-class technology to match you with relevant homes on the market and tap into pre- market houses before they are nationally advertised online.

Reliably sourced, timely and forward-looking real estate and economic data can help answer your questions and assist you in making a purchase decision that feels right  to you.

• Do local data suggest a housing market that is softening, flattening, or rising?
• What do regional housing statistics indicate?
• What are the leading forecasts for home prices and interest rates?
• What are independent experts seeing in the economic indicators?

• Quarterly/MoM/YoY Charts
• Median Sales Price | Number of Closed Sales
• Inventory Levels | Days on the Market
• List to Sales Price % (negotiability)
• Local & Regional Annual Return Tables
• Area-wide and regional housing market data
• U.S. and Regional House Price Indices
• Leading Economic Indicators
• Mortgage Rates & Forecasts
• Federal Reserve/ U.S. Census & BEA Research
• Housing In The News: Expert Commentary
• On-demand Custom Reports

Before diving into an offer on your perfect place, there is a bit of groundwork that needs to be done to build a more  predictable and seamless transaction:

• You will receive a copy of  the Consumer Residential Purchase Agreement Summary prepared by the California Association of Realtors.  It explains the contract line-by-line, so that you are more familiar and comfortable with its terms.
• You will need to provide a proof of funds statement that shows the amount of cash you have available for your deposit.
• If you require financing, you will need a pre-approval letter from a lender. This should be attached to your offer.
• Buyers are advised to investigate the cost and availability of fire insurance before making an offer. You  should discuss fire insurance possibilities with an insurance agent.

 Escrow

After our negotiations and the acceptance of your offer, your exciting home plans will be intermittently interrupted by the unavoidable process of working with a  number of transaction professionals:

•  Your transaction coordinator will be dedicated to keeping all aspects of your transaction running smoothly, e.g., deposits, receipts, inspections, contingencies, etc.
• The escrow officer at the title company will coordinate within your timeline and help keep the transaction moving forward in accordance with the terms of the contract. These duties typically include, but are not limited to, ordering the title search, requesting payoff demands and beneficiary statements, facilitating the receipt and approval of reports, making prorations and adjustments, paying bills, obtaining the buyer’s or borrower’s approval and signature on loan documents, requesting closing funds and authorizing recording, closing the escrow after confirmation of recording, preparing final closing statements, disbursing funds, and delivering documents to the appropriate parties. 
• Where applicable an appraiser will prepare a statement of value for your lender.

Home inspections:

I.   A general home inspection will look to any hazards, safety threats and defects. While a home inspection is not mandatory under California law, it is HIGHLY advisable. The home inspection includes:

• the house’s HVAC system
• interior plumbing and electrical systems
• viewable/one-story roof systems
• insulation & ventilation
• fireplace operation
• walls, ceilings, and floors
• steps, stairways, and railings
• a representative number of doors and windows
• countertops and representative number of installed cabinets
• garage door and opener
• kitchen appliances, including ovens, range tops, microwave, dishwasher, and disposal.

II.  A pest inspection (WDO) includes active and potential damage.

•  SECTION I findings are classified as  active damage and infestation to wood by wood destroying organisms and pests.
• SECTION II findings are classified as conditions deemed likely to lead to damage or infestation to wood by wood destroying organisms and pests if the condition is not corrected.

III. Septic and Well Inspections.

If the property you are interested in purchasing has a well, septic or propane tank you should have these systems inspected by qualified professionals as part of your due diligence and to comply with applicable county certification requirements.

You will also receive important property disclosures to review, including:

• The Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS)
• The Seller Property Questionnaire
• Mello-Roos Bonds and Taxes
• Property Taxes
• Natural Hazards Disclosure
• Fire Hardening and Defensible Space Disclosure
• Earthquake Guides
• Smoke Detector Statement of Compliance
• Disclosure Regarding Lead-Based Paint Hazards
• California’s Environmental Hazards Pamphlet
• Energy Conservation Retrofit and Thermal Insulation Disclosures
• Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act
• Controlling Documents and Financial
  Statements Concerning Common Interest
  Developments (CID’s)(HOA’s)
• Notice Regarding the Advisability of Title Insurance
• Certification Regarding Water Heater’s Security Against Earthquake
• Megan’s Law Data Base

Helpful Services/Referrals & Information

• Contacts, information and coordination with moving & storage facilities, landscape companies, contractors & staging resources.
• If required, local regulatory and planning department resources.
• Contacts for service companies.