So, you’re movin’ up in a sellers’ market.

You probably have a few concerns, the biggest being to not end up homeless, that’s pretty normal.

The good news: There are strategies you can use to avoid homelessness.

Here are the bullet points:

• Roll the Dice – Strong negotiating position, but risk of becoming homeless
• Home of Choice Contingency – Weak negotiating position, but no risk of becoming homeless
• Rent Back – Strong negotiating position with less risk of becoming homeless

Read the full blog | How to Sell Your Home and Not End Up Homeless 

Here’s a timeline we put together for clients when we meet for the first time. It helps give an idea of what to expect in buying a new home. It’s fun and it’s exciting, but there are also some important checkpoints along the way.

We’ll go into more detail when we meet, but if you can’t wait and have a question now, feel free to contact us.

FINDING YOUR HOME

CLOSING ESCROW

Pre-qualification v. Pre-approval
Pre-qualification and pre-approval are often used interchangeably, but they actually have very different meanings. Pre-qualification typically involves a question and answer session resulting in a lender providing a ballpark purchase price you may qualify for. A pre-approval means the lender has verified all your financials and submitted your info to underwriting and issues a pre-approval contingent on finding a suitable home.

 

Pre-approval is what you’re looking for. It can be quick, easy, and take a day or two. It can also be a bit more complicated and take weeks. This all depends on circumstance. Best practice is to get started early so you’ll have plenty of time to find the best loan options. And don’t worry, getting pre-approved does not obligate you to that specific lender.

Dos

• Check with some of the big banks to see what they can offer you.
• Speak with a mortgage broker to compare lending programs that the banks don’t offer.

Don’ts

• Don’t fill out an online form at Lending Tree or the like. You’ll find yourself hounded by hundreds of sales calls.
• Don’t have your credit pulled by a bunch of institutions (a few won’t hurt you).

Need a place to start? We’re not lenders, but we’ve got a great one for you here.

With pre-approval in place, it’s time to get the ball rolling. Next Step: Finding your new home. If you don’t have specific neighborhoods identified yet, we suggest you start with our Neighborhood Tours.

What are neighborhood tours? We’re so glad you asked! We have over 100 Conejo Valley neighborhoods profiled with pictures, videos, schools, homes for sale, what’s to love about the neighborhood, and what’s not to love.

If your search is less about neighborhoods and more about price range, then you can search all available listings by city and price range below.

Getting Ready to Buy

We want you to focus on the fun and exciting parts of the process and keep the stressors at bay (or, at least to a minimum). Here’s what to expect when you buy with Michael.

Communication

Communication is the backbone to any relationship. Professional included. When times get stressful and questions need to be answered, an un-returned phone call or text are like watching water boil. You’ll always be kept in the loop so you’re never left wondering what’s next.

Negotiation

It’s no secret that negotiation is the key to any successful transaction. With an investment like home buying you want to know that somebody’s got your back. I worked hard to earn my Certified Negotiation Expert designation because I understand the value that brings to the table.

Active Networking

Competition is high when it comes to putting in an offer on a home. Alliance with other agents is often an advantage in these situations. It’s not uncommon for active agents to share information on upcoming listings before they go public. Let’s not underestimate the power of good relationships in this industry.

Guidance

Unfiltered and honest. I’m not afraid to share my opinion and talk you out of a house. Bad location, hidden expenses, overpriced – I’ll let you know.

Local Knowledge

Knowing the area matters. I’ve created 100+ neighborhood profiles throughout the Conejo Valley.

Composure

I keep my cool during the transaction and help you do the same. We’ll leave the drama for others and keep our eyes on the prize.

Better Online Marketing
How your home shows online not only affects the number of live showings you’ll have, it also affects the amount of money you will net. HDR photography, 3D Visual Tours, and Drone photography – we’ll bring in the pros to make your home look its best.

Better Pricing
 One of the most important steps to selling a house is pricing it correctly. We’ll decide on an asking price together. Several different pricing strategies can be applied depending on what’s most important to you, your risk tolerance, and what you’re ultimately looking to achieve.

Better Negotiation
Negotiating skills don’t just come from years of experience. I worked hard to earn my Certified Negotiation Expert designation because I understand the value that brings to the table.

Better Communication
I follow up with our showings to make sure we’re on target. Communication is my thing; I answer my phone and return calls/texts quickly as my reviews will attest. I’ll proactively keep you in the loop so you’re never left wondering what’s going on.

Better Experience
I keep my cool during the transaction and help you do the same. We’ll leave the drama for others and keep our eye on the prize.