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Buyer's Guide

A Step-by-Step First Time Buyer's Guide

Buying a home is one of the most exciting milestones of your life. To prepare yourself for this moment, you need to know what to expect during the process. This step-by-step first time buyer’s guide created by me will help reduce the stress of buying a home and help you enjoy the journey as much as possible.

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Step 1: Research

Do you already know where you want to buy? If you want a condo, townhome, or single-family home? Which features do you like and dislike? What’s available on the market now? If you answered no to any of these questions, now is the time to start researching. In addition to looking for homes that interest you, also take note of any changes in asking prices. This could give you valuable insight into housing trends in specific neighborhoods and help you when the time comes to make an offer.

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Step 2: Decide on Your Budget

Notice I said to decide on your budget—not determine how much the mortgage company will give you. In many cases, a mortgage company will pre-approve you for more than you’re comfortable spending, which is why you need to determine the monthly payment you feel comfortable with before talking to a lender. This likely includes doing a full household budget and taking into consideration what changes other than a mortgage payment will occur once you move into your new home. If you’ve lived in an apartment or with roommates, you may overlook new expenses like garbage, water, or HOA fees that could easily blow your budget.

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Step 3: Get Prequalified

Just because you think you can afford a certain payment every month doesn’t mean the mortgage company will agree. Just as they may approve you for too large of an amount, they may also approve you for a lesser amount or deny you a mortgage altogether. Lack of time at a job, insufficient credit, past bankruptcies, or other financial issues can cause major problems when trying to secure a mortgage. Before you get your heart set on a home, talk to a mortgage professional to find out what amount you can qualify for. This will also be an advantage when you make an offer on a home, as some sellers won’t entertain offers from those who aren’t already prequalified for a loan.

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Step 4: Choose Real Estate Experts

Can you shop for, look at, and ultimately make an offer on a home without real estate experts? Technically yes, but why would you when it costs you nothing for agents like us to take much of the stress off your shoulders? Not only will I help identify properties you might be interested in, arrange showings, and ultimately handle the offer process, but I also have knowledge of the market that you don’t possess. Finding the perfect home can be a daunting task, this is where my expertise and wealth of knowledge come into play. Let me show you around some homes that meet your dream home criteria so you can find the one that's right for you.

Passion & Expertise

My goal is to provide you with the most personalized service possible, meticulously designed to help you navigate the process of buying your dream home. I am dedicated to understanding your unique needs and preferences, ensuring that every step of the journey is tailored to achieve your ultimate home-buying aspirations.

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Step 5: Find the Right Home

This should be the most enjoyable step of the entire process (other than moving in!). I will arrange showings of homes you’re interested in that are within your price range. Take notes about what you like and don’t like, and make sure to pay attention to details. Turn light switches on and off, open and close doors, and run the faucets in various rooms. Don’t limit your inspection to the home itself. Make sure to take time to explore the neighborhood and keep an eye on traffic at certain times of the day, the parking situation, and how close it is to necessities like schools and grocery stores.

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Step 6: Make an Offer

Once you have selected the perfect home, work with your agent to craft a fair offer based on the value of comparable homes on the market. Depending on what the home is listed at and whether the current environment is a buyer’s or seller’s market, your offer may be below, at, or even above the asking price. I will be able to help you negotiate if you receive a counteroffer and reach an agreement. At this point, the house will go into escrow.

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Step 7: Have the Home Inspected

In most cases, your offer will be contingent on having the home inspected to ensure there is no major structural damage or large repairs needed. I can help you arrange this, and you can schedule it within days of making an offer. If there are no major issues, the process goes to step eight. If there is, you can renegotiate your offer based on what needs to be fixed, or you can withdraw it.

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Step 8: Select Your Loan

Now is the time to go back to the mortgage lender who pre-approved or pre-qualified you and choose your mortgage. You will be presented with various options based on your unique financial situation, including fixed-rate, variable-rate, 15-year, 30-year, or special programs such as VA loans or FHA loans. Work with your mortgage lender to select the option you feel the most comfortable with.

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Step 9: Get a Home Appraisal

Your lender will have your new home appraised so they have their independent value of it. The appraisal is to ensure that all parties involved are paying a fair price for the house.

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Step 10: Finish Paperwork

No one looks forward to all the paperwork involved in buying a home, but it’s a necessary part of the process. Fortunately, everything will be arranged by your lender and title company and, when you’re finished, you’ll know you are the legal owner of your new home.

Congratulations!

After signing the final paperwork to complete the purchase, you are now the owner of a new house. It may take a few days for your loan to be funded once the paperwork has been returned to the lender, but once that check is delivered to the seller, you’ll be all set to move into the home of your dreams. 

Success Stories

Testimonials

"Without Dan’s professionalism and dedication, we couldn’t have achieved our dream of buying a new home. As everyone knows, purchasing a home in the Bay Area is no easy task, but Dan made the entire process smooth and manageable. He tirelessly showed us different properties that matched our needs and always gave honest, thoughtful advice—never with any pressure. When opportunities came up, Dan was incredibly responsive and efficient in moving things forward. We truly benefited from his excellent communication skills and strong relationships with other agents. Dan is also very detail-oriented and always considers things from his clients’ perspective. We are deeply grateful for all his hard work and feel truly blessed to have had him as our agent. We would highly recommend Dan to anyone looking for a trustworthy and professional realtor."
"Without Dan’s professionalism and dedication, we couldn’t have achieved our dream of buying a new home. As everyone knows, purchasing a home in the Bay Area is no easy task, but Dan made the entire process smooth and manageable. He tirelessly showed us different properties that matched our needs and always gave honest, thoughtful advice—never with any pressure. When opportunities came up, Dan was incredibly responsive and efficient in moving things forward. We truly benefited from his excellent communication skills and strong relationships with other agents. Dan is also very detail-oriented and always considers things from his clients’ perspective. We are deeply grateful for all his hard work and feel truly blessed to have had him as our agent. We would highly recommend Dan to anyone looking for a trustworthy and professional realtor."
Kevin Z.
"It I was a pleasure working with Daniel, who helped us to find our dream home in Foster City. He communicated well to the sell agent and kept us well informed at all times. He also went out of his way to provide help after the transaction is completed which is valuable for us given that at the time we are still living out of state. I highly recommend Daniel to anyone to is looking for a real estate agent in the Bay Area."
"It I was a pleasure working with Daniel, who helped us to find our dream home in Foster City. He communicated well to the sell agent and kept us well informed at all times. He also went out of his way to provide help after the transaction is completed which is valuable for us given that at the time we are still living out of state. I highly recommend Daniel to anyone to is looking for a real estate agent in the Bay Area."
Aolin L.
"Daniel was exceptional to work with throughout our home-buying process in San Carlos. He truly listened to our needs and showed us a home that matched our exact criteria — even before it officially came on the market. From there, he not only helped us craft a winning offer in a competitive market, but also skillfully navigated a complex probate sale involving multiple sellers and beneficiaries, personally communicating with them during the offer review process. He remained patient, responsive, and accommodating, especially when we needed to revisit the property several times during escrow. Daniel is not only an outstanding professional but also a genuinely great person — someone you can fully trust to guide you through every step of the process and have your back. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking to buy or sell a home in the area."
"Daniel was exceptional to work with throughout our home-buying process in San Carlos. He truly listened to our needs and showed us a home that matched our exact criteria — even before it officially came on the market. From there, he not only helped us craft a winning offer in a competitive market, but also skillfully navigated a complex probate sale involving multiple sellers and beneficiaries, personally communicating with them during the offer review process. He remained patient, responsive, and accommodating, especially when we needed to revisit the property several times during escrow. Daniel is not only an outstanding professional but also a genuinely great person — someone you can fully trust to guide you through every step of the process and have your back. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking to buy or sell a home in the area."
Jeanette P.
"Working with Daniel was an absolute pleasure from start to finish and we recommend him to anyone looking to buy in the San Carlos & Redwood City area. Daniel went above and beyond at every turn to make sure we felt confident and supported. He took the time to understand exactly what we were looking for and it was clear from the start that he had a deep knowledge of the area. Every house he suggested was aligned with our needs and preferences and he saved us so much time and stress. When it came time to close, he was a true advocate for us, going the extra mile to navigate every obstacle. We couldn't have asked for a better realtor and highly recommend him to anyone looking to buy a house!"
"Working with Daniel was an absolute pleasure from start to finish and we recommend him to anyone looking to buy in the San Carlos & Redwood City area. Daniel went above and beyond at every turn to make sure we felt confident and supported. He took the time to understand exactly what we were looking for and it was clear from the start that he had a deep knowledge of the area. Every house he suggested was aligned with our needs and preferences and he saved us so much time and stress. When it came time to close, he was a true advocate for us, going the extra mile to navigate every obstacle. We couldn't have asked for a better realtor and highly recommend him to anyone looking to buy a house!"
Nancy Ph.
"Dan is plugged into the community and is a great partner as you look to buy or sell your home. You are in great hands!"
"Dan is plugged into the community and is a great partner as you look to buy or sell your home. You are in great hands!"
Tom J.
"Daniel is an amazing realtor, very professional and knowledgeable of the area, he showed patience and understanding of our particular “needs” , he also help very effectively with the closing process and gave us good advise all along on the particulars of the Peninsula’s real State market. I recommend Daniel and his company highly."
"Daniel is an amazing realtor, very professional and knowledgeable of the area, he showed patience and understanding of our particular “needs” , he also help very effectively with the closing process and gave us good advise all along on the particulars of the Peninsula’s real State market. I recommend Daniel and his company highly."
Amparo
"Dan is a strong member in the community and that is really valuable when selling or buying your home."
"Dan is a strong member in the community and that is really valuable when selling or buying your home."
Mandy H.
"Incredibly detail oriented, the best attitude and we couldn't be in better hands"
"Incredibly detail oriented, the best attitude and we couldn't be in better hands"
Camila K.
"I was very nervous about selling my home but was very lucky to find Dan. His attention to detail meticulousness was key in getting the house ready to sell. My work can have demanding hours but Dan was kind enough to reschedule appointments on the fly, negotiated inspections around my calendar, and communicated updates at any hour that worked for me. Most important of all Dan was able to sell my place above asking price. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to anyone searching for a realtor who doesn't just sell houses, he sells peace of mind."
"I was very nervous about selling my home but was very lucky to find Dan. His attention to detail meticulousness was key in getting the house ready to sell. My work can have demanding hours but Dan was kind enough to reschedule appointments on the fly, negotiated inspections around my calendar, and communicated updates at any hour that worked for me. Most important of all Dan was able to sell my place above asking price. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to anyone searching for a realtor who doesn't just sell houses, he sells peace of mind."
Rodrigo S.

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