10 Tips to Make Your Home Buying Process Easy & Successful

Los Angeles and South Bay Real Estate Video Blog with Lenny LaRocca

Today I want to share 10 tips that you can use as a new homebuyer to ensure a successful purchase and a smooth transition.

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If you’re a first-time homebuyer, here are 10 tips you should focus on to make your transaction smooth and successful: 1. Find a good agent. A good, seasoned agent can carry your interests and negotiate the best deal for you. 2. Location. As the old saying goes, “Location, location, location.” When buying a home, consider location as your No. 1 criteria, especially if you have young children and need to find a good school for them. 3. Use the Internet for all the informational value it has, especially if you’re looking at properties online and searching open house schedules. You can get this information from your agent, but using the Internet is a good way to identify properties you want to see when you have time to see them. 4. Buy a home, not a project. You don’t want to buy a home that needs a lot of work. I have a lot of buyers who seek out fixer-upper homes for the equity gain, which is fine, but you should only attempt this if you have the aptitude, wherewithal, and the capability to do so.

Location is critical when choosing a home to purchase.

5. If you can, be a cash buyer. If you can’t be a cash buyer, get pre-approved before you enter the market. We require all of our buyers to be pre-approved with a credible lender before they come on the market. 6. Get a home warranty policy. Always have a home warranty policy on your home, especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer and you’re busy trying to make your monthly mortgage payments. 7. Make inspection times count. When you’re under contract and in escrow, make sure you and your team do your due diligence to inspect the home you’re buying. Look at the five primary functions of the home: plumbing, electrical, roof, structural, and everything else that’s important. 8. Put safety first. Like I said, location is important, and you want to take a look around the area you’re buying your home in. We always suggest to our buyers that they do a community drive three separate times of the day—early in the morning, midday, and in the evening. 9. Make common repairs as much as you can while in escrow. After the home inspection, certain fixes will probably be needed within the property. Many times, those fixes can be negotiated between you and the seller. Try to finish as many repairs as you can before moving in though so it’s less hassle for you and your family once you’re settled in. 10. Add some finishing touches after moving in. This will add both equity value and market value to your new home. If you have any questions or are looking to buy or sell a home in our market, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d be happy to help.