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. One of our specialties is representing the best interests of Orange County area buyers throughout the home buying process. Our comprehensive, high-quality services can save you time and money, as well as make the experience more enjoyable and less stressful.

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 my experience as a local market expert for Orange County to make the most informed decisions you can, every step of the way!

See below to learn more about buying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BUYING

7 Steps to Buying New Construction in Orange County

Aug 25, 2014

  Buying a house can a long and complicated process and when it comes to buying new construction in Orange County, there are some extra steps to consider in the process. Purchasing a newly constructed home has its pros and cons but if you’ve decided it’s right for you then it’s time to learn about the process from finding the perfect community to move in day. If you’re interested in purchasing new construction in Orange County then it’s time you learned what steps to take. 1. Get a buyer’s agent Buying new construction anywhere can be tricky so the best place to start is with a great agent. Builders have sales agents that will help you through the process but ultimately they are paid by the builder to keep their company’s interests in mind at all times. A buyer’s agent representing you will save you money, hassle and always keep your interests ahead of the builder’s. Traditionally a buyer’s agent is paid by the seller. When it comes to buying new construction you may have to directly pay your agent but you can add that fee to the sales price. This ultimately is worth it because a good agent can you save you thousands more than their commission is worth by negotiating lot prices and securing you credits at the design center. 2. Scope out your choices The first thing to do when searching new homes for sale in Orange County, California is of course to figure out which city or area is the best fit for you and your family. New home developments in Orange County are gaining steam now that the market... read more

Buying New Vs. Older Home: Here’s How To Decide

Aug 21, 2014

You might be asking yourself, should I buy a new home or old home? With so many things to take into consideration when choosing a house like distance from work and family, community feel and home layout, answering the question new or older can help narrow your choices and give your search focus. And with so many new homes being built right here in Southern California, your options have just expanded! I’ve broken down the advantages for both new and “used” homes so that your decision is fully informed. Some facts about new homes might surprise you… New Home Advantages: • Everything is brand new. You have peace of mind knowing no one has used the shower before or walked on the carpet in your new bedroom. It’s even got that new home smell. • A large master suite. Builders are putting more emphasis on making lavish master bedrooms for home buyers than they used to. Older homes have bedrooms which are all about the same size, varying little from master suit to guest room. • Warranty. Each builder will offer a different warranty, some better than others, but they put your mind at ease when investing in a new home. Warranties are typically offered in one, two or ten year increments and each cover different things like labor and materials, mechanical problems, and structural defects.  Make sure you read your contract thoroughly so you know what your basic maintenance obligations are as a homeowner and what the builders will fix or replace when the time comes. • Open layout. New homes are getting bigger and the space isn’t wasted on secluded formal... read more

FICO Scores, Credit Reports and Mortgages Oh My!

Aug 19, 2014

When it comes to securing a mortgage it’s important to understand your FICO score, where it comes from and most importantly, what score you need to qualify for a home loan. Here’s a complete breakdown of FICO scores, how they affect your credit report and an exact breakdown of what credit score you need to qualify for a mortgage. To learn more about the application, about the 4 easy steps to getting a mortgage loan. What is a FICO score? Your FICO score is a number that represents your reliability and creditworthiness – how likely you are to pay back your debts if you borrow from a lender. The FICO score is a credit score, the most widely used in fact in the U.S. FICO = Credit Score How is a FICO score generated? Loan officers and real estate financial advisors have access to mortgage underwriting systems. First you will run your credit through 3 credit repositories: Experian, Equifax and Tansunion (you can run these credit reports for free online). If you need to improve your credit score try these 9 simple tips. Here’s how these respositories come up with your FICO score: 35% – Payment History The largest portion of your FICO score is determined from whether or not you have “derogatory information” in your credit history. Bankruptcy, late payments, foreclosures, etc. will lower your FICO score. 30% – Debt Burden This is most commonly known as your debt-to-income ratio. The lender is looking at how much income you bring in and the amount of money you owe on credit accounts currently. There are a lot of other little pieces that play into this part... read more