Buying with CENTURY 21 Showcase, REALTORS® in California
Buying a house is a monumental occasion. Whether you are a first-time homebuyer, or you are looking for an additional piece of investment real estate, the expert real estate agents at CENTURY 21 Showcase, REALTORS® can help you navigate through every step of the way. We have years of experience helping individuals and families sell their current homes, and purchase their dream homes. Visit or contact one of our offices in Boulder Creek, Monterey, Hollister, Salinas, or Scotts Valley to get started today!
BUDGET QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT WHEN BUYING A HOME
When you're planning to buy a home in California, there are a lot of questions you'll be asking yourself throughout the process. But the following questions about the budget are the most important to consider as they will affect the type of home you are able to purchase. Buying a home helps to shape the future of you and your family, so be sure to consider these questions when planning your purchase to ensure you have enough money to cover everything now and in the future.
What Is My Budget?
Just because you are approved for a higher loan amount doesn't mean that will be what is best for your overall budget. You'll need to consider things like the down payment, monthly mortgage payments, homeowners insurance, property taxes, and more when thinking about your budget for a new home.
How Much Should I Save For A Down Payment?
The size of your down payment will affect the type of loan you can get and the monthly payments you'll make. A larger down payment will usually mean a lower interest rate and smaller monthly payments. Traditionally, you want to try and have about 20% of the home's purchase price saved for a down payment, but there are loan programs available that allow for a lower down payment.
How Much Are Closing Costs?
Closing costs are the fees associated with buying a home and can range from two to five percent of the purchase price. These costs can include things like loan origination fees, appraisal fees, title insurance, and more. Generally, closing costs are between 2-5% of your home's purchase price, but be sure to ask your real estate agent about what you can expect in closing costs so you can plan accordingly.
Do I Need To Save For Moving Expenses?
In addition to the costs of buying a home, you'll also need to plan for the costs of moving. These costs can include things like hiring a moving company, renting a truck, and more. Be sure to factor these expenses into your budget when planning to buy a home. If you're not moving very far, your moving expenses will likely be fairly low, but if you're moving to California from another state, your moving costs could be much more considerable.
What Are The Taxes On My New Home?
The taxes on your new home will depend on the purchase price of the home, the tax rate in your county, and whether or not you're eligible for any tax breaks. Be sure to ask your real estate agent about what you can expect to pay in property taxes so you can factor that into your budget.
What Are The Ongoing Maintenance Costs?
Once you've purchased your home, there will be ongoing costs associated with maintaining the property. These costs can include things like landscaping, painting, repairs, and more. Be sure to factor these costs into your budget when considering the purchase of a new home.
How Long Has This Home Been On The Market?
Homes that have been on the market for a longer period of time may be more negotiable on price than homes that have just been listed. Be sure to ask your real estate agent about how long a home has been on the market and if there is any flexibility in the asking price.
Tips for Buying a Home in California
Buying a house in California is an exciting adventure, but it can also be quite the process. With the fast-paced California market, it may feel overwhelming. CENTURY 21 Showcase, REALTORS® are the experts that make buying a home easy! There are no secrets, only trustworthy real estate professionals here to help you every step of the way no matter your unique home buying experience. Here are some general tips and tricks to buying your dream home:
Save For A Downpayment
Don’t let that 20% down payment scare you away from homeownership. Your down payment can be less than 20%, but just note that you will have to purchase mortgage insurance and pay more interest over the time of your loan. There are also first-time California home buyer and low-income down payment assistance programs available: MyHome Assistance Program, GSFA (Golden State Finance Authority) Platinum Program, GSFA OpenDoors Program, and California HUD resources.
Get Pre-Approved For A Mortgage Loan
Before buying a home it is a good idea to get pre-approved. Mortgage loan officers take into consideration your full financial situation including income, debts, and cash reserves.
Choose The Right Location
When house hunting in California, it is important to choose the right location. A CENTURY 21 Showcase, REALTORS® agent can help assist you in choosing the right neighborhood for a smooth work commute, a great school district, and local amenities that fit your lifestyle.
Partner WIth The Right Real Estate Company
Your realtor will be the one helping you negotiate with the sellers and get you the best home or property for your needs. CENTURY 21 Showcase, REALTORS® has years of experience serving individuals and families. We have a variety of real estate agents ready to help you find the perfect home.
Start Your Home Buying Search
After securing your pre-approval letter, finding your real estate agent, and narrowing down your ideal neighborhood, it is time to start looking for potential homes!
Make An Offer
After finding your dream California home, it is time to make an offer. CENTURY 21 Showcase, REALTORS® will use their expertise to help you put together an offer for the sellers.
Schedule Inspections and Appraisals
After your offer is accepted, it is time to schedule a home inspection to check for unexpected problems as well as an appraisal so your lender can justify the purchase price.
Close On Your New Home
After any necessary negotiations, it is time to enter the closing phase of purchasing your new home.
Virtual or In-Person Showings & Meetings
The real estate market is ever-changing, especially in the way people do business. Many traditional methods of real estate are no longer effective. At CENTURY 21 Showcase, REALTORS®, we have embraced this change with open arms. Our expert real estate professionals are dedicated to providing you with as much information as possible through your preferred meeting method. We understand that life gets busy and with how fast the California real estate market moves, many of our clients rely on virtual communications to stay in the know. We offer both virtual and in-person showings and meetings to accommodate busy schedules, health needs, and personal business preferences. No matter if you choose in-person or virtual, our dedicated team of real estate agents will go the extra mile to ensure you have all the information you need to find your dream home in California.
3D Tours
At CENTURY 21 Showcase, REALTORS® we understand with the fast-paced real estate market, as well as with people looking to relocate from other cities or states, it may not always be possible to see your future home or property in person. Our top real estate agents offer 3D tours to give you the best virtual experience if you are unable to do an in-person tour.
Virtual Paperwork
When buying a home, there is a lot of paperwork involved. CENTURY 21 Showcase, REALTORS® makes this process easy with an online transaction management program. This allows you to review and sign important documents safely and securely no matter where you are.
Closing Made Easy!
While our current process of buying a home may look different than traditional methods, CENTURY 21 Showcase, REALTORS® are dedicated to coming up with creative ways to ensure you get the California home of your dreams on closing day. We provide many options for safely signing your documents including online document signing, paperwork drop-off at any of our locations, mail-ins, and even car signings.
Moving to California
Moving in itself can be an exciting new adventure, but it can also be overwhelming. Our real estate company is an expert in the California housing market, providing you with all the information necessary from the proper steps to buying a home, to even information on particular neighborhoods and school districts.