First you should be pre-qualified by a good lender...In my 12 years of real estate In San Diego and La Mesa I always come across people who are looking for a new home yet haven't spoken to a Real Estate Professional yet. It always makes me wonder ‘why are they doing what they're doing?'

want to know the only 14 condos available in La Mesa UNDER $350K? click here:

read: the scariest thing a buyer faces when searching for a home.

A Realtor is a RESOURCE. Use a Realtor’s expertise and experience to pick their brain and find out what's best for you and your family AND what should and shouldn’t you be doing. Are people just afraid to talk to a real human being?

Or, does the whole ‘car salesman’ stigma shine through?

Here’s what I see:  people  are house hunting online and going to open houses without having first spoken to a Realtor.  They find something they like, THEN they try to find a realtor to help represent them in that purchase…..  Doesn’t work! 
In today's market you have to be quick. You have to get all your ducks in a row ahead of time so when you DO find the house that you want to buy you'll be ready to strike quickly.

read: how much are my closing costs when buying a home?

If you haven't noticed, this is a seller's market right now. There is NO inventory for you to go through. For the 500 buyers that are out there all fighting for the same 10 La Mesa properties for sale, that are even worth writing an offer on, the early bird is going to get the worm EVERY TIME!
Now, what are you going to do to prepare yourself to be that early bird? The answer to that question is talk to a Real Estate Professional. The Realtor will get you set up with a loan so you know exactly what you can and can't do referring to price range and where you're comfortable. Your price point is going to dictate where you look. I can't tell you how many times I've talked to a buyer who had been looking for the past 3 months online in a neighborhood that they can't afford, because they didn't know they can't afford it. What kind of a BUMMER is that for a buyer? 

read: don't let your Realtor 'sell' you a home: a common mistake

Getting your loan situation squared away is JOB #1 on your list. Once you have that squared away, then you can look online and do whatever you need to do, but involve your Realtor. Your Realtor is going to have suggestions and have some inside info on what you should or shouldn't look into.

For example: myself as Realtor here in La Mesa I know the neighborhoods…..  I LIVE HERE.  I know what has been selling what hasn't been selling, what's been sitting on the market and what areas you do not want to go near. Use your Realtor’s neighborhood expertise to your advantage.

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Folks….  I know it’s easy to boot up the old computer or sit on the couch with your cell and look through properties… Everyone does it as a leisure activity. If you and your family have made the decision to start looking at homes, DO IT THE RIGHT WAY.  Speak to a professional and ask for advice.  There is no obligation.  Talk to your lender or a lender the Realtor refers and find out WHERE YOU STAND FINANCIALLY.  Maybe you can’t afford a La Mesa home right now.  Maybe the price range to be in the La Mesa neighborhood you WANT just doesn’t fit your monthly budget right now…  Maybe..  But FIND OUT. 

Ask me, The Realtor Dad

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