Buying a home can be an overwhelming process. From financing to negotiating to closing, there are a lot of moving pieces that can leave home buyers bewildered.

I can help guide you through each step of the buying process, offering sound advice along the way. By working with a professional agent who knows the ins and outs of the real estate industry, you’ll not only end up with a great home, but you’ll also walk away with a great experience.

Here are some of the key areas that an agent can help you with:

Getting pre-approved by a lender
It is very important in the home-buying process to obtain a pre-approval by a reputable lender. I can refer you to some great lenders who will go over your financing options, what monthly payment amount you can afford, and what you can expect for down payment requirements and closing costs.

Choosing a home
For most buyers, choosing a home is an emotional process. I can assist you in this process by offering objective information about each property you look at. From local community information like schools and zoning to home-specific details like condition and amenities, I can help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

The right vintage home

If you’re considering buying a vintage home, I can show you the various types of homes available and help you understand the pros and cons of each type. Many of these beautiful homes were built to last but assessing the various features and condition of the homes is critical to making a good choice. Some vintage homes have “misguided improvements” by prior owners which can be corrected with the right resources. Others have been neglected over the years and finding the resources to fix them up is very important. I absolutely love this process and look forward to helping you with your search. If you decide against a vintage home, that’s fine too. My job is to help you find the home that’s right for you. We have many contemporary and water-view homes, some even with boat docks, to entice you as well.

Check out the Neighborhoods tab on my website for more detailed information about the various Alameda neighborhoods. You can also look at the School Maps tab to see the new school boundaries for the local schools.

Making an offer
Once you’ve found the home of your dreams, I can research recent comparable sales of similar homes in the area to help determine a fair selling price. Based on those comparable sales, as well as other factors like inspections and repairs, I can then help you structure an offer and negotiate to get the very best deal possible.

Closing
Closing, or settlement, can be a complicated process. In our area, the escrow or title company handles the closing process, while in other areas an attorney handles it. I can help ensure that everything goes smoothly.