Buyers Timeline

A lot of work goes into buying Laguna Beach real estate, and if you're a first-time buyer, it's easy to get lost in the process. Sure, it helps if you have a good agent, but it's equally important to plan it out and make sure you stay on track. LagunaOC.com offers the following step-by-step guide to help you better understand the home-buying process, and how you can make the most out of it.

1. Write down your needs. What kind of home are you looking for? Laguna Beach homes come in all types, sizes and prices, and your choice will depend on several factors. Decide whether you want a single-family home or a condo, a gated community or a beachside location, an urban property or something more quiet and secluded. This helps you narrow down your options and come to your agent with a solid idea of what you want.

2. Choose a good agent. It's technically possible to buy a home without an agent, but they do a lot more than just show you potential homes. LagunaOC.com agents have extensive experience in Laguna Beach real estate and useful connections that can help you get the best deals. We'll also help you set a reasonable budget, plan out your financing, and get pre-qualified for a mortgage. All the way up to moving day, a good agent will make sure you stay on track.

3. Get pre-qualified. Laguna Beach homes range from practical pads to multimillion-dollar luxury homes, so it's important to know where your money will take you. Pre-qualifiying gives you a good idea of what you can afford. It also tells the seller that you've passed the requirements for a mortgage, which means you're a good potential buyer. Your LagunaOC.com agent can get you in touch with professionals who can start the pre-qualification process while you go house-hunting.

4. Find a home. This is what most people consider the fun part: looking at potential homes. Remember, since you've been approved, you'll have a better idea of which homes are worth a second look. Your agent can do an initial search using less-common listings that otherwise wouldn't be available to you. Of course, nothing's stopping you from doing your own research. Look for Laguna Beach homes for sale in online listings, newspapers and magazines. Once you've picked a few potential homes, your agent can contact the seller or his agent and arrange for a home tour if necessary.

5. Make an offer to purchase. Once you've chosen a home, the next step is making an official offer to the seller. This includes setting an offer price, which may or may not match the price on the listing. Your LagunaOC agent will help you draft a reasonable offer based on current market data, particularly on recently sold Laguna Beach properties. Once both parties have agreed on the purchase terms, the offer becomes a legally binding document, so make sure you understand your end of the deal.

6. Negotiate with the seller. Sellers will seldom accept your initial offer. More often than not, they'll request changes or ask to share some of the expenses involved. Again, this is where your agent comes in. Our agents have the market experience and local knowledge to see which terms are fair and which ones aren't. Pretty much everything can be negotiated in Laguna Beach real estate, so a good agent should be able to get you some leverage. Depending on the offer, you can negotiate for price, renovations, what conveys, the move-in date, and sharing the closing costs.

7. Prepare for closing. Closing refers to the day you finally pay for the home and get ownership. In the days leading to the closing date, you carry out your part of the contract: getting an appraisal, conducting a professional inspection, getting title insurance and home warranty, and getting your mortgage in order. This tends to be a time-sensitive period-a minor delay can set you back thousands of dollars or cancel the sale altogether. Keep a to-do list handy to make sure everything's done on time.

8. Close the deal. At least one day prior to closing, you will receive a statement detailing all the closing costs you will pay on the closing table. Your LagunaOC.com agent can read through the document and make sure all the figures are right. He or she can also help you prepare everything you need to bring to the closing. On the closing table, you sign all the important documents, make your payment, and legally take ownership of your new home.