Buying your first home can be exciting and overwhelming, This comprehensive checklist will guide you through the process, step-by-step. Remember: Securing a buyer’s agent is the first and most important step.
Checklist:
Finding Your Buyer’s Agent:
- ✅ Research: Ask friends, family, and colleagues for recommendations. Look online for agents specializing in first-time buyers.
- ✅ Interview Potential Agents: Meet with 2-3 agents to discuss experience, communication style, and fees.
- ✅ Ask Questions:** How will you guide me through the house search? How will you help me assess neighborhood factors? How will you protect me?
- ✅ Choose Your Agent:** Select the agent with the best fit for your personality and needs. You are buying a home so, choosing a timid agent might not be best.. just saying.
Prepping for Your Home Search (with Your Agent!)
- ✅ Get Pre-Approved:** Work with your agent and a lender to determine your borrowing power.
- ✅ Define Your Non Negotiables & Preferences:** Bedrooms, bathrooms, location, commute, yard size, fixer-upper potential, etc. Be realistic!
- ✅ Set a Budget:** Factor in closing costs, down payment, and ongoing expenses.
- ✅ Focus on a Specific Area:** Narrow down your search to a neighborhood that aligns with your needs and lifestyle before seeing homes. Exploring different areas takes time, so prioritize!
The Home Search:
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✅ Work with and Trust Your Agent:** Share your listings and discuss options. They’ll identify potential issues and negotiate offers.
- Focus Quality over Quantity: Don’t overwhelm yourself! Aim for 3-5 homes that tick most of your must-have boxes and fit your budget within your chosen area.
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✅ Double Duty Drive-Bys: Before scheduling a showing, drive by every house you’re interested in. This allows you to assess the neighborhood vibe, spot potential issues (like an abandoned house next door!), and avoid wasting time on unsuitable properties.
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✅ Neighborhood Intel: Supplement your drive-by with visits to the area at different times of the day and on weekends. Get a feel for noise levels, traffic patterns, and the overall vibe.
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✅ Decision-Maker Showings: Ensure everyone involved in the final decision-making process attends all home showings. This avoids delays, ensures everyone is on the same page, and allows for quick decision-making if the right house comes along. Bring a notebook to jot down questions and thoughts for each home. I like to have my clients rate homes.
Making an Offer (Your Agent Takes the Lead):
- ✅ Don’t Miss Out: The first house you see could be the one! Discuss it with your decision-making team and your agent. They can advise on market conditions and help you craft a competitive offer quickly.
- ✅ Review Comparable Sales:** See what similar homes in the area have sold for.
- ✅ Work with Your Agent:** They’ll draft a competitive offer within your budget.
- ✅ Be Prepared to Negotiate:** The initial offer may not be accepted. Your agent will guide the process.
Under Contract & Closing (Your Agent is Your Advocate):
- ✅ Schedule Inspections:** Your agent will recommend qualified inspectors for the home. Remember, an inspection is not a negotiating tactic. It’s to find potential hazards in the home.
- ✅ Review Reports:** Discuss any repairs needed and how to address them.
- ✅ Secure Homeowners Insurance:** This is required to close the deal.
- ✅ Closing Time!** Review documents, sign paperwork, and receive your keys!
Keeping Stress Levels Low: 
- Stay Organized: Use a binder or online system to store paperwork, agent contact information, and notes on each house.
- Schedule Buffer Time: Don’t overload your calendar with showings. Give yourself time to relax and de-stress between appointments.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Say No: If a house doesn’t meet your needs or you’re feeling overwhelmed, walk away. The perfect home will come along.
- Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Eat well, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. Watch fun movies.. nurture your inner child. Taking care of yourself will help you manage stress throughout the process.
- Positive Self-Talk: Remind yourself of your goals and the excitement of homeownership. Visualize yourself living in your dream home. Remember, buying a home is a fun problem to have. Not everyone is in a position to buy a home.
Additional Resources (Provided by Your Agent, But I’ll Give You a Head Start):
- ✅ First-Time Homebuyer Programs:** Explore government assistance programs to help with down payments and closing costs.
- ✅ Homeownership Education:** Familiarize yourself with the responsibilities and costs of homeownership.
- ✅ Moving Logistics:** Plan your move in advance to avoid last-minute stress.
Remember:
- Communication with your buyer’s agent is key. They can’t help you if you don’t communicate. They can’t fix something they don’t know about so speak up. Ask questions and express concerns throughout the process.
- Trust Your Gut (But Not Entirely): If a house feels right, listen to your intuition. However, always rely on your agent’s expertise for market insights and negotiation. You and your agent are looking for different things in the home. You are looking for a specific number of outlets and they are looking for material defects.
- Be patient! Finding the right home takes time. Enjoy the journey!
Congratulations! By following this checklist and partnering with a skilled buyer’s agent, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a homeowner. This is just a tool to get started. There is much more to buying a home.
If you have any questions, reach out to me at reneeporsia@mac.com
I’m Renee Porsia, The Rescue Dog Realtor and I do what I do for two reasons…
- because I love to get my clients a great deal, save them money and I am good at what I do
- doing what I am good at allows me to do what I am passionate about and that is finding rescue dogs their fur-ever homes 🐾 So, every home my clients sell or buy allows me to donate money to rescues 💜
With over 24 years of experience, I know my way around buying a home. If you are thinking that you would love to buy a home one day, I can let you know how I can make that happen so, let’s talk about your goals and put a plan together. I can help you find a home in and around Orange County in places like: Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin, Dana Point, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach and, Los Angeles, just to name a few.
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