Buyers Guide

Planning is vital to buying real estate, whether it's your first home, a vacation house, or a retirement property. This is especially true in Laguna Beach, where there's a large variety of homes and the real estate market can be quite complicated. When you're about to fork over thousands of dollars for a new home, you want to make sure every step takes you in the right direction.

LagunaOC.com understands the challenges of choosing, buying, and moving into a new home. We know that the Laguna Beach real estate market can be daunting, and there's a lot of pressure to make the right decisions. That's why we've made it our goal to help every buyer not just in their home search, but every step of the process until the day they move in. To help you start off right, here are some tips worth keeping in mind.

• Choose an agent early on. A good agent may cost you more at the outset, but the benefits are more than worth it. Find an experienced professional with a good track record for Laguna Beach homes, and don't hesitate to ask for references. With a LagunaOC.com real estate agent, you can get access to more listings, get professional advice on choosing, buying, and financing your home, and generally get more out of your money.

• Think beyond the sale price. A seasoned investor may be familiar with closing costs, but first-time buyers are often surprised by the side expenses that come with buying Laguna Beach homes. Property taxes, appraisal fees, and legal fees are just some of the costs you'll have to pay at the closing table. Your LagunaOC.com agent can help you estimate the closing costs and recurring fees to help you stay on budget.

• Plan your financing. You should have a solid plan for paying off your home well before you start your search. Work with your agent to find a mortgage structure that best suits your financial situation. A LagunaOC.com agent can help you get pre-qualified for a mortgage, which can give you a better idea of what you can afford and which Laguna Beach homes would make the most financial sense in the long term.

• Get a title search. Again, this will add to your overall expenses, but you don't want to take chances with an uninsured title. A title search will ensure that your new home is free of liens, back taxes, and other legal burdens. Title insurance will keep you covered in case former creditors come up and make claims on the property. Your agent can get you in touch with a good title company that specializes in Laguna Beach real estate.

• Read through the paperwork. Your real estate agreement contains important information that will come in handy at the closing table and well after you've moved in. For one thing, it details what will and will not be included in the purchase, such as the furniture, appliances, and a few important fixtures. Make sure all the terms are clear to both parties; if something sounds vague or suspicious, bring it up with your agent as soon as possible.