Buyer's Section
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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:
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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 BEEF BURGER DAY
The Perfect Burger vs. The Perfect Home Purchase
by Cari Pelayo
When you’re crafting the perfect burger, what do you need? High-quality ingredients, the right cooking technique, and a little bit of patience. The same rules apply to home buying! Let’s break it down:
🍔 The Bun – Your Budget
A burger is only as good as the foundation holding it all together—the bun. In real estate, your budget is the bun. It determines what’s inside and keeps everything structured.
✅ Know Your Budget: Before you go house hunting, get pre-approved for a mortgage. This helps you determine how much you can realistically afford.
✅ Consider Extra Costs: Just like a burger isn’t just meat and bun (think condiments, toppings, and a side of fries), a home purchase includes closing costs, property taxes, and maintenance expenses that need to be factored into your financial plan.
🥩 The Patty – Your Must-Have Features
The heart of the burger is the patty—whether you prefer a classic beef burger, turkey burger, or veggie option, this is the star of the show.
🏡 In real estate, your must-have features are your patty. Do you need:
✅ A big backyard?
✅ A home office?
✅ A chef’s kitchen for cooking up delicious meals?
Make a list of non-negotiables before house hunting. If a home doesn’t have your “perfect patty,” it may not be the right fit.
🧀 The Cheese – Must-Have Extras
A burger without cheese? Unthinkable! 🧀 And a home without those extra touches that make it special? Equally disappointing!
✅ Maybe you want hardwood floors instead of carpet.
✅ Perhaps a walk-in closet is a must.
✅ Or maybe a two-car garage is non-negotiable.
These little details might not be deal-breakers, but they take your home from good to great!
Avoiding a Real Estate “Burnt Burger” Mistake
Ever had a burger that was burnt beyond recognition? It’s dry, flavorless, and disappointing. That’s exactly what happens when you make real estate mistakes!
🔥 SELLERS: Don’t Overprice Your Home!
Overpricing is like burning your burger—it might look okay on the outside, but buyers will lose interest quickly when they take a closer look. Price it right from the start!
📊 FACT: Homes that are priced competitively from the beginning sell 50% faster than those that start too high and require multiple price reductions.
🛑 BUYERS: Don’t Skip the Inspection!
Skipping a home inspection is like biting into a burger only to find it raw inside—you don’t want surprises! Always get a professional home inspection to uncover hidden issues before you buy.
Grilling the Competition: How to Win in a Hot Market
Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, real estate can be competitive, just like a backyard burger cookoff. Here’s how to make sure you come out on top:
🔥 BUYERS: Be Ready to Move Fast!
Have your pre-approval letter ready
Make a strong offer (sometimes even above asking in a hot market)
Be flexible on things like closing dates
🔥 SELLERS: Make Your Home Irresistible
Stage your home like a perfectly plated burger
Use high-quality listing photos
Write a killer listing description (homes with great descriptions sell 64% faster!)
Burger or Home – What’s Your Flavor?
At the end of the day, the perfect burger and the perfect home are all about personal taste. Whether you prefer a simple cheeseburger or a gourmet Wagyu beef masterpiece, the most important thing is that it fits your needs and makes you happy.
🏡 Thinking about buying or selling a home? I’d love to help you craft the perfect real estate deal—just like a great burger, it’s all about the right ingredients!
📩 DM me today to get started, and let’s cook up your next big move! 🍔🔥🏡
Final Bite 🍔
What’s your go-to burger order? Classic cheeseburger? BBQ bacon burger? Drop your favorite in the comments! And if you’re thinking about making a real estate move, let’s chat—your dream home (and dream burger) are waiting!
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!
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📍 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SanFernandoValleyHomes
Subscribe, comment, or send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!
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.
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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.
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