First-Time Home Buyers
Buying a Home
Buying a home is an exciting and complex adventure. It can also be a very time-consuming and costly one if you’re not familiar with all aspects of the process, and don’t have all the best information and resources at hand. Please have a buyer agent represent you with your home purchase.
If you’re like most people, buying a home is the biggest investment you will ever make. So whether you’re buying a starter home, your dream home or an investment property, why not take advantage of our experience as a local market expert to make the most informed decisions you can, every step of the way?
If you are a first-time homebuyer, use this page for helpful hints and tips and learn how to avoid common mistakes when buying your first home in the Inland Empire (San Bernardino & Riverside Counties) and surrounding areas.
Why Buy Now
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It's a form of forced savings
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Provides great tax savings
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Allows you to lock in your monthly housing cost (taxes and insurance are the only changing factors)
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Owning a home is cheaper than renting
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No other investments let you live inside of it!
Did You Know
A Homeowner's Net Worth is Over 36x greater than a Renter
Guide to Buying Homes
- Pre-Qualification: Meet with a mortgage broker to find out how much you can afford to pay for a home.
- Pre-Approval: While knowing how much you can afford is the first step, sellers will be much more receptive to potential buyers who have been pre-approved. You’ll also avoid being disappointed when going after homes that are out of your price range. With Pre-Approval, the buyer actually applies for a mortgage and receives a commitment in writing from a lender. This way, assuming the home you’re interested in is at or under the amount you are pre-approved for, the seller knows immediately that you are a serious buyer for that property. Costs for pre-approval are generally nominal and lenders will usually permit you to pay them when you close your loan.
- List of Needs & Wants: Make 2 lists. The first should include items you must have (i.e., the number of bedrooms you need for the size of your family, a one-story house if accessibility is a factor, etc.). The second list is your wishes – things you would like to have (pool, den, etc.) but that are not absolutely necessary. Realistically, you probably will not get everything on your wish list, but it will keep you on track for what you are looking for.
- Representation by a Professional: Consider hiring a realtor, one who works/with you, the buyer.
- Focus & Organization: In a convenient location, keep handy the items that will assist you in maximizing your home search efforts. Such items may include:
- A list of your desired area(s) in which you envision yourself living.
- A file of the properties that your agent has shown to you.
- Notebook and pen for taking notes during your search.
- Your cellphone or camera to snap pictures of homes you have toured to help you remember your favorite homes and their features. We will provide with a print out of the properties we show you.
- Visualize the house empty & with your decor: Are the rooms laid out to fit your needs? Is there enough light and space?
- Be Objective: Instead of thinking with your heart when you find a home, think with your head. There are many houses on the market, so don’t make a hurried decision that you may regret later.
- Be Thorough: A few extra dollars well spent now may save you big expenses in the long run. Don’t forget such essentials as:
- Include inspection & mortgage contingencies in your written offer.
- Have the property inspected by a professional inspector.
- Schedule a second walk-through for no later than 24 hours of closing.
Check to see that no changes have been made that were not agreed on (i.e., light fixtures, furniture, appliances, curtain rods/curtains, or furniture that was negotiated into your purchase).
