The Home Buying Journey
"Your Guide to Purchasing a Home in San Diego & Coachella Valley."
- Meet with a mortgage broker to determine how much you can afford to spend on your new home. This step helps you understand your budget before you start looking for homes.
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Sellers are more likely to take you seriously if you're pre-approved. This involves applying for a mortgage and receiving a written commitment from a lender. It helps you avoid the disappointment of pursuing homes that are outside your price range and shows sellers that you are a serious buyer.
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Needs
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3 Bedrooms: Adequate space for family members or future growth.
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2 Bathrooms: Essential for convenience and privacy.
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Proximity to Schools: Important for families with children.
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Attached Garage: Necessary for vehicle storage and additional security.
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Good Resale Value: A must for investment purposes.
Wants
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Swimming Pool: Ideal for leisure and entertainment.
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Updated Kitchen: Modern appliances and finishes for convenience and style.
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Home Office Space: Desirable for remote work or personal projects.
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Large Backyard: Perfect for outdoor activities and pets.
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Smart Home Features: Advanced technology for enhanced comfort and efficiency.
Create two lists: one for must-haves (e.g., desired number of bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage) and another for wishes (e.g., backyard, pool, additional upgrades). While you might not get everything on your wish list, these lists will help you stay focused on what’s most important. Here are a few examples:
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Consider hiring a real estate agent who specializes in your needs and the area you’re interested in. Having a professional on your side can make a significant difference in navigating the home buying process.
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Keep essential items handy to maximize your home search efforts, such as:
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Detailed maps highlighting your areas of interest
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A file of homes your agent has shown you, along with setup sheets and photos
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Paper and pen for taking notes during your search
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A camera to help you remember details about specific homes
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Evaluate potential homes as if you were the seller. Consider curb appeal, school districts, crime rates, proximity to amenities (shopping, parks, freeway access), and any drawbacks (abandoned properties, noise sources) in the area.
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When searching for your new home, ask yourself if the home meets your needs and makes financial sense.
Spending a little extra now can save you significant costs in the future. However, be careful not to overextend yourself to the point where you can't enjoy your desired quality of life. Don't forget to include essentials such as:
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Inspection and mortgage contingencies in your written offer
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A professional inspection of the property
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Verification before closing that no changes have been made that weren't agreed upon (e.g., closing costs, repairs)
Navigating all these details can be overwhelming, which is why it's highly recommended to have a professional guide you through the process. Remember, the seller typically pays the commission for both agents, so having a buyer's agent costs you nothing.
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Community Examples by HOA Level
Sunterrace
Palm Desert
$140/month for a gated community with code/card access and Saturday street sweeping.
Victoria Falls
Rancho Mirage
$290/month for a gated community with card/code entrance, tennis and basketball courts, and walking trails.
The Lakes
Palm Desert
Over $1,100/month for a range of amenities including a clubhouse, golf course, fitness center, 24-hour guard gate, steam room, banquet facilities, tennis courts, and more.
$75/month
Basic services like trash collection or street sweeping.
$140/month
Gated access with code and card entry.
$1,800/month
Amenities like golf course, clubhouse, cable, trash, roof repair, landscaping, and homeowners insurance.
How to Buy a Home in the Coachella Valley Area
Buying a home in the Palm Springs/Coachella Valley area is very different from buying a home in metropolitan areas or rural areas. The Valley is very “Subdivision”, or “country club” oriented. People buy homes, whether it is a full-time residence, a vacation home or a rental, based on the amenities offered in each community.
Step 1: Which City?
Determine which cities you are interested in
Step 2:
What do you want?
Determine what amenities, lifestyle, offerings, and services you want to pay for through an HOA
Which Agent?
Work with your real estate agent to find out which neighborhoods meet your criteria and budget
What home?
The last step is to look at specific homes!
"Need help finding the perfect community? Contact Janice today!"