The Buyer Experience

See our 8 step process for buyers.

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We have helped hundreds of buyers find their dream homes!

Are you thinking about buying a house today?

You are in the right place!

What We Provide

Personal Consultation

Extensive Local Knowledge

Expert Negotiation

Key

Valuation Analysis

A to Z
Transaction Management

Preferred Vendors

Getting Started - Where to Begin?

This is the question we are asked most when speaking with our buyers. After scheduling a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation, Christina will meet you online to discuss your current situation, and what your dollar can buy. If needed, we can provide financing options through our affiliates.

To schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation, please contact us.

What to Expect in Our 8 Step Buying Process:

1. Our First Meeting

We understand that purchasing your dream home is a major life event and with that in mind, our first meeting is all about education and goal setting. We will answer all of your questions and take the time needed so you know we are your right team.

During the meeting, we will ask you to build your dream home. We will listen to you share your needs, wants, and deal-breakers. Getting to know you helps us better understand which homes, neighborhoods, and even which streets will fit best.

We will discuss the home buying process, successful negotiation strategies, and what your dollar will buy. We will also talk about navigating any bumps that may come up during the home buying process.

Next, we will share how we will work with you including agent contracts and commissions. Our goal is that by the end of this meeting that you know you have made the right choice in selecting Bright Homes Real Estate.

2. Get Pre-Approved

In the San Francisco Bay Area, the pre-approval process gives you the confidence of knowing your price range and lets sellers know you are a serious buyer. If needed, we’ll introduce you to our mortgage partners who can help you determine your best mortgage options. Be prepared to dig into paperwork during this part of the process such as pay stubs, W2’s, and tax returns. The lender will do a full review and then tell you what you will be able to borrow in order to purchase a home. This is a vital step in the home buying process!

3. Take a Grand Tour

Now the real fun begins! At this stage in the process, we will take you on a Grand Tour and show you every area in your price range, based on your buying criteria. Then with our help, you will eliminate areas that don't work, so as a team, we can focus on the areas that do work, the ones you like best! We want your biggest concern to be answering the question, “Which of these three great homes should I buy?”

We are based in Palo Alto and service all communities surrounding San Francisco Bay.

4. Schedule Home Previews

Here’s where the buying process gets really fun! Drilling down, we will help you become familiar with every neighborhood in your price range focusing on the ones you really like from the Grand Tour. We will help you understand the local market conditions, active inventory of houses, and what recently sold. We’ll schedule private previews of the homes that you love from our listing alerts and from our agent-to-agent referral network. And since timing is everything, if you're not available, we will record personal video tours of select properties until you've had a chance to preview them in person.

5. Find the perfect home and write an offer

Once you have found the perfect home, as a team, we will review the property disclosures. Disclosures include the Title Report, Property and Pest Inspection Reports, the Seller Disclosures with their knowledge of the property, and if applicable, the Home Owner Association documents. Once reviewed, you will have an understanding of the property and will be ready to make an offer.

Making an offer is all about great communication and skillful negotiation. We will speak with the listing agent to determine the sellers' needs and their desired terms. The goal at this stage is to position you as great buyers with the best offer. With an in-depth comparative market analysis in hand, we then draft an offer based on your budget, going over all the terms. Throughout this process, we keep you informed every step of the way.

6. Acceptance, Rejection, Counter-Offers, and Escrow

Once the offer is submitted, the sellers may accept, reject or counter your offer. Given the competitive nature of the Bay Area, it is advisable to make your first offer a strong offer, as first impressions matter.

Rejection means that the seller will not move forward with the offer submitted. But, countering your offer means that the seller likes your offer, only they wish to change something before accepting it, ie. price increase, shorter closing time, etc. Keep in mind during the counter-offer process, there is no contract until the counter-offer is accepted and signed by you, the buyer. And, acceptance means just that. Only, once the buyer and seller have accepted and signed the offer does it becomes a contract. In the business, we call this 'ratification'.

With a ratified contract the escrow process begins. Escrow's first duty is to ensure all parties follow the contract. Most escrows last no more than 30 days but can be either longer or shorter. During this time, you will conduct any additional 'buyer' inspections and begin planning your move. At the same time, the lender will have the home appraised for value. The appraisal guarantees that the price of the property matches the condition of the property when closed, providing the assurance that the property is truly worth the contract amount.

Now, you're ready for closing!

7. Time to close and get the keys

Get excited because it’s time to close on your home! This process includes going through all of the final paperwork and signing your name (a lot!). Don't forget to bring all of the paperwork you’ve collected along the way with your down payment.

Once you have signed the loan documents, we simply wait for escrow to confirm that the transaction has recorded. With the county clerk's recording and notification, you are officially homeowners! Congratulations! Get ready for Step 8!