Buying a Home in Ventura County

Before I show you a home, in person or by video, you and I sign a written buyer agreement. It states exactly how I am paid, as a flat fee, a percentage or another set amount, and I cannot be paid more than that amount from any source. Commissions are not set by law and are fully negotiable. You can ask the seller to pay some or all of it as part of your offer, and the seller can say yes or no. Written agreements before touring have been standard since the NAR settlement practice changes of August 17, 2024. California law has required a signed agreement no later than your offer since January 1, 2025, and state rules since January 1, 2026 expect it before the first showing. For individual buyers in California, the agreement lasts no more than three months and never renews automatically.

No. My main focus is the real estate side, and I usually refer the loan to my lending team at 21st Century Lending. I still keep a close eye on the loan details, because most clients feel more comfortable asking their real estate agent those questions. You can work with any agent and any lender you choose, my lending team or a different lender altogether, and whenever both roles are involved, I disclose that to you in writing. My focus is you as the client.

Yes, before you start touring seriously. A pre-approval shows you and sellers how much a lender is prepared to lend you, subject to final approval, and many sellers expect to see one with an offer. It does include a credit check, and only with your permission. The game plan above does not pull your credit. Here is how pre-approval works.

The search takes as long as it takes to find the right home, and that depends on your cities, price range and timing. Once your offer is accepted, escrow often runs about 30 to 45 days, depending on your loan and the terms you agree on. My guide to the escrow process walks through each step.

Plan for three buckets of cash: your down payment, your closing costs, and money for inspections, the appraisal and moving. How much you need depends on your loan, and some buyers qualify for down payment help. My closing costs guide breaks down each one, including the total cash you need.

It is a good-faith deposit you make after the seller accepts your offer, by the deadline in your purchase contract, usually within a few days. Escrow holds it, and at closing it goes toward your down payment and closing costs. If you cancel for a reason one of your contingencies allows, while that contingency is still in place, the deposit is generally returned to you. Once you have removed your contingencies, backing out can put the deposit at risk, depending on the terms of your contract. My guide to the escrow process explains how the deposit is held and released.

A contingency is a condition in your purchase contract that has to be satisfied before you are obligated to buy. The main ones cover your inspections, your loan and the appraisal. Each one has its own deadline, and while it is in place you can cancel and generally get your deposit back if that part of the purchase does not work out. Waiving one can make an offer stronger, but it takes that protection away. Waive the loan contingency and your deposit is at risk if your financing falls through. Waive the appraisal contingency and a low appraisal generally stops being a reason to cancel, so you may need to bring more cash to closing to cover the gap between the price and the appraised value. These are decisions to weigh carefully, not to make in the rush of a competitive offer. My guide to making an offer covers each one in more detail.

From the day your offer is accepted until the day you close, keep your finances steady. Do not make large purchases on credit, open new credit accounts, change jobs without telling your lender first, move or deposit large sums of money without talking to your lender, or co-sign a loan for anyone else. Any of these can change your credit or your finances in ways that affect your loan approval. Lenders often check your credit and employment again shortly before closing, so a change found then can delay or even stop your closing. My pre-approval guide walks through each stage of the loan.

Sí, claro. Choose Español on the last step of the game plan and I will follow up in Spanish, by call, text or email, whichever you prefer.