Home Buying Tips

How To Buy in a Tight Market
Here are five things tips that can increase your chances of getting your dream house in a competitive housing market.
The Home Inspection Process
After your offer gets accepted, you’ll have an inspection period. This is your opportunity to have a licensed inspector canvas the home looking for common issues prior to moving forward with the home purchase.
5 Tips For Navigating Home Buying Process
3 TIPS THAT WILL HELP YOU GET PREPARED FOR THE FINANCING PROCESS
"Thinking about buying your dream home? ???? These 3 tips will help you prepare for the financing process so you can secure the funding you need with confidence! ?? #realestate #mortgage #homeownership"

Buying a Home in Sonoma County and Marin County

What to know about buying a home in Sonoma CountyBuying a Home in Sonoma County and Marin County

Are you starting your search for buying a home in Sonoma and Marin County? Perhaps you just started your search, maybe you have financing underway and now you're ready to really start looking, or perhaps you're just browsing and dreaming of the future. Regardless, I want all of my buyers to be well-versed in the home buying process and ready to buy when the time comes. There's nothing more frustrating than actually finding a home you love only to discover you lose out because someone else was more prepared than you or it is simply out of your price range.

If you're serious about buying I urge all of my buyers to get preapproved and have their financing ready to go. In this volatile real estate market where sellers seem to be calling the shots, buyers have to be prepared with the best offer possible. If you are going up against multiple offers, your offer has to be solid, which means great financing, approval already completed, and ready to proceed through the process.

Which do I do first?

If you're just getting started but are serious about buying, I urge you to check out our financing options. You can speak to one of our qualified and reputable lenders or seek out lending and financing on your own. I work with any type of lender and would be happy to connect, share common goals, and work as a team to make sure you get the home you really want.

Buying a Home in Sonoma County and Marin CountyThe lender will go over all of your financing, typically over the phone or through an online application process. If you are initially approved, they will ask for more evidence of income, debts, and liabilities. Lenders will want to know how much your income is and be able to prove it either through bank statements, tax returns, or pay stubs, and they will want to know any and all of your debts and liabilities. Once all of this is deciphered, the lender will offer a preapproval letter stating exactly how much your budget can afford in a monthly mortgage payment. This will translate into a rough dollar amount. From here, we can begin looking.

When do I start looking?

Okay, I am not going to lie to you; people will look for homes whether they are approved for financing or not. It's just the nature of the beast and I understand it. However, to make a solid offer, you really can't do anything until you get that financing underway. Now, if you are making an all-cash offer, then heck, you already know how much money you have in the bank and can start looking right away. If you are financing your home, make sure that you don't get too serious and tell you have that financing completely squared away and approved.

What do I do once I'm approved or if I am an all-cash buyer?

Now comes the fun part. We all love looking through homes and taking virtual tours, browsing the neighborhood on Google maps, or even looking up a certain neighborhood or community. But, one major part of the home buying process is having your own buyer's agent. Having an agent to represent you through the process means that your needs, your interests, and your terms and price will be top of mind and the priority for your buyer's agent. Using the listing agent to purchase is pretty much like using the plaintiff's lawyer if you are the defendant. There really is no point. You need someone who is looking out for you throughout the process and because the buyer's agent gets paid from the commission from listing the home, you won't have to pay a penny to your agent for their assistance. There's really no reason not to use your own buyer's agent.

Ready to get started?

Have your financing in place? Have your own buyer's agent? Then let's get started. Browse all the available listings that are the newest on the market in Sonoma and Marin County. And remember, at any time, feel free to ask me any questions, contact me with the form below, or simply call me at 707-494-5637.


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All New Listings in Sonoma and Marin County June 1, 2023
111
Listed
7
Avg. DOM
$686.62
Avg. $ / Sq.Ft.
$990,000
Med. List Price
111 Properties
Page 1 of 10
2
Beds
1
Baths
876
Sq.Ft.
1967
Year Built
1
Day on Site
323035706
MLS
Come see this wonderful beach home with Ocean Views. This 2 bedroom, 1 bath home has a patio bar, and an attached garage below. Garage has a bonus space which would be great for a shop, storage or an...
2
Beds
1
Baths
510
Sq.Ft.
1950
Year Built
1
Day on Site
323036544
MLS
Russian River Cabin, move-in ready. 2 bedrooms and 1 full bath. Backs to a beautiful creek. Set up your out door living in the back yard and upper yard. Lots of parking and space for projects. This...
Open 6/3
1125 Levine Drive Santa Rosa,  CA 95401
3
Beds
2F11/2
Baths
1,908
Sq.Ft.
1985
Year Built
1
Day on Site
323031799
MLS
This home is ideal if you need extra space! Originally configured as a spacious Family Room, the versatile fourth bedroom provides an opportunity to customize the space according to your needs. Enjoy...
Open 6/4
1921 Bautista Way Petaluma,  CA 94952
$1,085,000
Neighborhood: RiverFront
4
Beds
3
Baths
2,637
Sq.Ft.
2022
Year Built
1
Day on Site
323034728
MLS
Welcome to your dream home in the beautiful Riverfront Community, located on the west side of Petaluma! This stunning Plan 4 residence offers a spacious and modern living experience, complete with a...
2
Beds
2
Baths
1,152
Sq.Ft.
1
Day on Site
323029397
MLS
Welcome to your dream home at the Russian River. This unique property offers over 1 acre of pristine land, including river front property where you can swim, kayak and fish from your private dock....
5
Beds
5F11/2
Baths
3,818
Sq.Ft.
1953
Year Built
1
Day on Site
323035342
MLS
This stunning contemporary single family home is located in the prestigious Fairhills neighborhood, only minutes from the freeway and only blocks to Marin Open Space hiking trails. The home is light...
3
Beds
2F11/2
Baths
1,638
Sq.Ft.
2019
Year Built
1
Day on Site
323034800
MLS
Welcome home to 1911 Camino Del Prado in the beautiful Coffey Park neighborhood. This meticulously maintained 3 bed, 2 bath residence offers the ideal blend of functionality and style. From the...
2
Beds
2
Baths
2,121
Sq.Ft.
1971
Year Built
1
Day on Site
323035931
MLS
This well-built custom home has a quintessential Inverness style and a fantastic A++ lower Seahaven location, where you can walk to some of the best beaches on Tomales Bay! The sheltered and mostly...
3
Beds
1
Baths
1,200
Sq.Ft.
1975
Year Built
1
Day on Site
323035759
MLS
Extensively remodeled condo alternative w/ central AC, elegant kitchen & bath, newer appliances including stainless DW & oven, tankless H2O water heater, can lighting, LG washer/dryer, newer furnace,...
Open 6/3
93 Avram Avenue Rohnert Park,  CA 94928
2
Beds
1F11/2
Baths
912
Sq.Ft.
1972
Year Built
2
Days on Site
323030888
MLS
Look at the price! Very desirable back end unit condo in Sonoma Villa complex. Fresh interior paintings within 1 week! Newer flooring and baseboard throuhout, newer deck and fence in relaxing front...
2
Beds
2
Baths
969
Sq.Ft.
1989
Year Built
2
Days on Site
323033976
MLS
The only set of condos on the Russian River in Guerneville. Two bedroom, Two bath condo in a the gated community of Dubrava with meandering well maintained walking trails and plenty of beach front...
2
Beds
3
Baths
4,000
Sq.Ft.
1978
Year Built
2
Days on Site
323034171
MLS
Stunningly located above downtown this exquisite home with sweeping vistas that span the entire San Pablo Bay and all the way to Mount Diablo, this property provides a serene and breathtaking setting....