Buyers
Buying in Southern California
What the process actually involves, what it costs, and where the surprises usually are.
Run the numbers
Calculators
Run it a few different ways. That is what the numbers are for.
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Estimated monthly payment
Car loans, minimum card payments, student loans. Not rent or utilities.
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Estimated comfortable price range
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Five years of renting
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Five years of buying, net
Estimates are for educational purposes only and are not a loan offer or a guarantee of terms. Actual rates and payments will vary.
The process
Six steps from looking to keys
01
Get your finances straight
Talk to a lender before you look. A written pre-approval tells you your real budget and makes your offer credible when it matters.
02
Decide what you actually need
Bedrooms, commute, schools, and which of those you would trade. The list changes once you see homes, and that is normal.
03
See homes properly
Photographs flatter. Erica walks the houses with you and points out what the listing does not say, including what the repairs will cost.
04
Write a strong offer
Price is one term of several. Timelines, contingencies and deposit all carry weight, and the right mix depends on the seller, not on a formula.
05
Inspections and disclosures
Inspect, read everything, and negotiate on what the reports actually show. This is where a careful buyer saves real money.
06
Close and move in
Loan funds, the deed records, and the keys are yours. Erica stays reachable after closing, which is when most questions arrive.