The Bay Area real estate market is crazy-competitive and tomorrow will be crazier than today, so there’s absolutely no time to waste. Being prepared is your number one asset in a market that lends itself to the opportunist. The difference between a winning offer and a losing offer is in the fine details. Do the work now so you can strike when the iron’s hot! Use Lisa’s three-step formula to set yourself up for success. Afterall you don’t want to be kicking yourself next year at this time wishing you had taken the steps sooner. Instead, imagine yourself in your new home investing in your future every month that follows because instead of paying someone else’s mortgage you’ll be paying your own. With rent as high as it is, and climbing, the only way to secure your most considerable monthly living expense is to own your home. So what are you waiting for? If you can afford rent in the Bay Area, you can’t afford not to own your home. (A double negative, precisely the point here!)
Before you start searching for the perfect home, take these three simple steps, and you will be doing a happy dance in your new home before you know it!
1. BOX OF DREAMS , The first step is getting super clear on what your expectations for your home are. Don’t be afraid to dream big, but being flexible and willing to compromise on certain aspects is a reality. Knowing exactly what you are willing to compromise on and knowing exactly what you can’t live without will help make your home search successful in the least amount of time. Download our “BOX OF DREAMS” questionnaire to help you get crystal clear and manifest that dream home!
2. PRE-APPROVAL , The pre-approval process is crucial and will set the stage for your home search. A pre-approval makes it so that your loan is only contingent on the appraisal of the home you are interested in purchasing assuming nothing changes in your finances before the loan closes. This gives you a considerable advantage making you as close to a cash buyer as possible. Don’t make the mistake of settling for a pre-qualification when you need a pre-approval.
3. BRAG LETTER , In the end, it could come down to your personal story being the difference between your offer being chosen over the next guy or not. A brag letter gives you the opportunity to pull at the heartstrings of the homeowner, who will likely have sentimental ties to the home they are selling. They’ve probably spent many years living in, and taking care of the home and would like to pass it on to the “right” new owners. Make your letter compelling, personal, authentic, and relevant. In the coming weeks, we will go into more detail on this topic and provide samples to get your creative juices flowing.
So let’s get to work! Once you’ve completed these three steps you can pass the torch to your Realtor who will take it from there. Stay tuned for more on “How to choose a Realtor”. For now, download Lisa’s Freebie: BOX OF DREAMS WORKSHEET – Top 10 Questions You Should Ask Yourself If You’re Considering Buying a House .
Lisa is in this business to empower as many people as she can to take ownership of their homes and live the dream. She is here to help, so feel free to get in touch with any questions you may have.
