Buyer's Section
Pick the Local Home You Like, Cari4Home Will Do The Rest.
Ready to look at homes for sale ? We have your back when it comes
to negotiating a great deal, noticing those things most
people don’t catch, handling all of the paperwork,
& finding those properties you can’t easily find online.
For home buyers, buying a home will probably rank as one of the biggest personal investments one can make. Being organized and in control will contribute significantly to getting the best home deal possible with the least amount of stress. It’s important to anticipate the steps required to successfully achieve your housing goal and to build a plan of action that gets you there.
Before you can build a plan of action, take the time to lay the groundwork for your decision making process.
First, ask yourself how much you can afford to pay for a home. If you’re not sure on the price range, find a lender and get pre-approved. Pre-approval will let you know how much you can afford, allowing you to look for homes in your price range. Getting pre-approved also helps you to alleviate some of the anxieties that come with home buying. You know exactly what you qualify for and at what rate, you know how large your monthly mortgage payments will be, and you know how much you will have for a down payment. Once you are pre-approved, you avoid the frustration of finding homes that you think are perfect, but are not in your price range.
convenience for all family members
proximity to work, school
crime rate of neighborhood
local transportation
types of homes in neighborhoods, for example, condos, townhomes, co-ops, newly constructed homes etc.
There are also some sellers that you should avoid. Not every seller is as genuinely motivated as they make themselves to be. Some possible hints:
Quick Property Search
SEARCH HOMES
Finding the Right Seller
The best seller is one who is highly motivated. A highly motivated seller is more likely to sell at a price that is less than his or her house is actually worth. And it matters that you find out why. Learning the reason why can help you get the price you want and help the seller get what they want: a timely sale.
When given the opportunity to meet with sellers, ask them why they are selling. The reason could be anything, such as a job change to a new location or financial problems. If you can solve their problem, whether it is cash related or time-related, do so. For example, if the sellers are highly motivated because they need to move quickly, give them a fast sale – and a lower price. If you can make an offer, even a low one, that gives them cash in a short time, they are more likely to accept.
There are also some sellers that you should avoid. Not every seller is as genuinely motivated as they make themselves to be. Some possible hints:
they stall on having the home appraised or inspected
they are unable to clear up liens against their property
they do not own 100% of their property
they push back the move-out date
they do not have a replacement property or back up plan
etc.
There are also some sellers that you should avoid. Not every seller is as genuinely motivated as they make themselves to be. Some possible hints:
NATIONAL MOTHER GOOSE DAY
National Mother Goose Day & Real Estate: Writing Your Next Chapter!
by Cari Pelayo
May 1st marks National Mother Goose Day, a celebration of classic nursery rhymes and fairy tales that have shaped childhoods for generations. But did you know that these timeless tales also hold real estate wisdom?
From Jack and Jill’s real estate struggles to Humpty Dumpty’s home-selling fiasco, there’s a lesson in every rhyme—and today, we’re diving deep into how these childhood stories apply to buying, selling, and navigating the housing market in 2025!
So, whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned seller, or just here for the laughs, let’s explore the real estate world through the eyes of Mother Goose!
🦆 A Brief History of Mother Goose Day
Before we dive into real estate fairy tales, let’s take a quick look at the origins of Mother Goose Day.
This whimsical holiday was first celebrated in 1987 to honor nursery rhymes and classic children’s stories that have been passed down for centuries. From Humpty Dumpty’s great fall to Little Miss Muffet’s unfortunate run-in with a spider, these rhymes have entertained children for generations.
But here’s the twist:
🎭 These seemingly simple stories contain valuable lessons about life, decision-making, and yes—EVEN REAL ESTATE!
🏡 BUYERS: Avoiding a "Jack & Jill" Fall in Your Home Search
"Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water.
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
And Jill came tumbling after."
🎢 House Hunting Feels Like a Rollercoaster!
If you’ve ever searched for a home, you know it can feel like a wild ride—just like Jack and Jill’s adventure.
One day, you’re excited about a beautiful listing. The next, you find out it already has 10 offers. Then, when you finally get your offer accepted, you’re hit with an inspection report longer than a novel.
🏡 3 Ways to Avoid a Home-Buying Tumble
1️⃣ Get Pre-Approved – Like packing a safety kit before hiking up a hill, getting pre-approved prevents surprises and gives you an advantage over other buyers.
2️⃣ Be Ready to Act Fast – Homes in today’s market sell quickly. If you find your dream home, don’t wait—make an offer before it’s gone!
3️⃣ Hire a Great Real Estate Agent (ahem, me! 😉) – Having an experienced agent guides you safely through the ups and downs of homebuying.
📊 FUN FACT: Homes listed in spring sell 6x faster than winter listings [2]—so if you’re serious about buying, now is the time to jump in!
🏡 SELLERS: Don't Be Like Humpty Dumpty—Price It Right the First Time!
"Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men
Couldn’t put Humpty together again!"
💰 Overpricing Your Home = A Big Fall
Humpty Dumpty thought he was secure sitting up high, just like sellers who price their homes too high. But when buyers don’t bite, the listing sits, price reductions start, and confidence crumbles.
Eventually, that home sits too long on the market, and no amount of marketing, price drops, or “king’s men” can fix it.
🏡 3 Tips to Price Your Home Right
1️⃣ Look at Recent Sales – Check comparable homes in your area to see what buyers are willing to pay.
2️⃣ Listen to Your Agent – Your agent will provide a data-driven pricing strategy—trust the numbers!
3️⃣ Don’t Wait to Adjust – If your home isn’t getting offers within two weeks, it’s time to reconsider the price.
📊 FUN FACT: Homes with a well-written listing description sell 64% faster than those without one —so just like a good nursery rhyme, words matter!
🏡 Real Estate Lessons from Other Mother Goose Tales
🚪 Three Little Pigs & Home Inspections
The first two pigs-built homes with cheap materials, and we all know how that ended—a big bad wolf (or poor foundation) knocked it down!
Lesson? Always get a home inspection before buying!
🏠 Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe & House Hunting
The old woman had way too many people crammed into a tiny space—which is why knowing your must-haves in a home is crucial!
Lesson? Size, layout, and future needs matter when choosing a home!
🎩 Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary & Curb Appeal
A beautiful front yard and well-maintained exterior can increase home value significantly!
Lesson? Invest in curb appeal—it pays off!
🏡 Wrapping Up: Your Real Estate Happily Ever After!
Buying or selling a home doesn’t have to be a fairy tale gone wrong. Whether you’re climbing hills like Jack & Jill, avoiding Humpty Dumpty’s pricing mistake, or making sure your home isn’t built like the first pig’s house, you CAN find success in today’s market!
📩 Ready to buy or sell? Let’s write your next chapter together—no fairy tale required! DM me today! 🏡✨
Stay Connected!
Thank you for reading! Follow me on social media and YouTube for more tips, updates, and behind-the-scenes moments. Let’s stay in touch!
📍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cari4homes/
📍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cari4homes/
📍 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cari4homes/
📍 YouTube:www.youtube.com/@SanFernandoValleyHomes
Subscribe, comment, or send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!
🌐 Sources
Getting a Legitimate Lender and Getting Pre-Approved
It used to be that buyers could go house shopping and when they have found their dream home, then they go to get pre-approved. However, in today’s market, that has proven to be one of the least effective methods of landing the dream home.
Most lenders can pre-qualify you for a mortgage over the phone. Based on general questions about your income, debt, assets, and credit history, lenders can estimate how much mortgage you qualify for. However, being pre-qualified and pre-approved are different things. Pre-approval means that you have applied for a mortgage; you have filled out the mortgage application, received your credit report, and verified your employment, assets, etc. When you are pre-approved, you know exactly what the maximum loan amount will be.
A pre-qualified letter is not verified and in essence, does not count for much if you are competing with other buyers who are pre-approved. When you are pre-approved, you and the seller know exactly how much house you can afford. It gives you credibility as an interested buyer and lets the seller know immediately that you will qualify for a loan to buy their property.
In addition to being pre-approved, it’s important to be pre-approved with a legitimate lender. Legitimate lenders include banks, mortgage bankers, credit unions, savings and loan associations, mortgage brokers, and online lenders.
Some lenders to avoid: those who lose a form or misplace a file, those who gather information from you in an unorganized manner, those who are not informed about interest rates, points or costs, and those who cannot provide you with the right information.
Hot, Normal, and Cold Markets
Hot Market
This is an extremely competitive market and is advantageous to the seller. Sometimes, homes will sell as soon as they are listed or even before homes are listed. Typically, during a hot market, multiple offers will be made on each home and more often than not, homes will sell for more than the asking price. It is even more crucial to be prepared and to be ready as a buyer when the market is hot. It can be easy to get caught up in the bid for a home, but if you are prepared (preapproved, solid in price range, realistic about your needs), it is easier to remain focused on your housing needs and price range.
Normal Market
In a normal market, there is a fairly large number of homes available and an average number of buyers. This market does not necessarily favor the buyer or the seller. A seller may not have as many offers on their home, but he or she may not be desperate to sell either. Again, it is the buyer’s responsibility to be prepared. During a normal market, the chances to negotiate are higher than in a hot market. As a buyer, you can expect to make offers at lower than the asking price and negotiate a price at least somewhat less than what the sellers are asking.
Cold Market
In a cold market, houses may be listed for more than a year and the prices of houses listed may drop considerably. This market is advantageous to the buyer. As a buyer, you have the
Importance of Inspection
As a buyer, you are entitled to know exactly what you are getting. Don’t take anything for granted, not even what you see or what the seller or listing broker tells you. A professional home inspection is something you MUST do, whether you are buying an existing home or a new one.
An inspection is an opportunity to have an expert look closely at the property you are considering purchasing and get both an oral and written opinion as to its condition.
Beforehand, make sure the report will be done by a professional organization, such as a local trade organization or a national trade organization such as ASHI (American Society of Home Inspection). Not only should you never skip an inspection, but also you should be present with the inspector during the inspection. This gives you a chance to ask questions about the property and get answers that are not biased. In addition, the oral comments are typically more revealing and detailed than what you will find on the written report. Once the inspection is complete, review the inspection report carefully.
time to make an offer that works in your best interest. It is not uncommon to low-ball and to find that sellers are accommodating to meet your needs. Keep in mind that even though this market is a great time for buyers, you do not want to lose your dream home by being unrealistic. Your goal is to get your dream home at the best possible price.
Importance of Inspection
As a buyer, you are entitled to know exactly what you are getting. Don’t take anything for granted, not even what you see or what the seller or listing broker tells you. A professional home inspection is something you MUST do, whether you are buying an existing home or a new one.
An inspection is an opportunity to have an expert look closely at the property you are considering purchasing and getting both an oral and written opinion as to its condition.
Beforehand, make sure the report will be done by a professional organization, such as a local trade organization or a national trade organization such as ASHI (American Society of Home Inspection). Not only should you never skip an inspection, but also you should be present with the inspector during the inspection. This gives you a chance to ask questions about the property and get answers that are not biased. In addition, the oral comments are typically more revealing and detailed than what you will find on the written report. Once the inspection is complete, review the inspection report carefully.
Recent Posts
Buyer Video Guide
Use a Buyer’s Broker
It’s important that you choose an experienced broker who is there for you. Your broker should be actively finding you potential homes, keeping you informed of the entire process, negotiating furiously on your behalf, and answering all of your questions with competence and speed.
First, find a broker who represents you and not the seller. This is beneficial during the negotiation process. If you are working with a buyer’s broker, he or she is required not to tell the seller of your top choice. In addition, he or she is also focused on getting you the lowest asking price.
Also, when you use a buyer’s broker, you will see more properties. Not only are they plugged into their Multiple Listing Service, but they are also actively finding homes that are listed as FSBO, or homes that sellers are thinking about listing.
Why You Should Not Make Any Major Credit Purchases
Don’t go on a spending spree using credit if you are thinking about buying a home, or in the process of buying a new home. Your mortgage pre-approval is subject to a final evaluation of your financial situation.
Every $100 you pay per month on a credit payment could cost you about $10,000 in home eligibility. For example, a car payment of $300/month could mean that you qualify for $30,000 less in a mortgage.
Even if you have accumulated enough savings, you should consider not making any large purchases until after closing. The last thing you want is to know that you could have purchased a new home had you curbed the urge to spend.
10153 Riverside Drive, Toluca Lake, CA 91602
Copyright © 2023 Cari4Homes. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy
