Forget the stress of the home buying process. Let me help you find your way home.

9 Steps for a successful home buying process

In the Bay Area market, being familiar with these home buying steps will help you flow through the process with calm and ease.

Prep work

The home buying process can be stressful with its many moving parts. The key? A solid foundation. Working through these foundational steps will ensure you’re set up for success on your home buying journey.

  • As your trusted agent, we will discuss your preferences, budget, timeline, and requirements for a new home.

    Through my holistic assessment, I guide you by leveraging my expertise, relationships, and current market data that will mutually align with your goals.

    Schedule a call with me today.

  • Talk with qualified lenders to understand what you can afford for a down payment and monthly payments. Lenders can also identify special programs that you may be qualified for.

    Make sure to obtain a pre-approval letter before shopping for homes. This will give you confidence in the market and strengthen your position as a serious home buyer when your dream home becomes available.

    The right lender can make or break the deal. Don’t know who to start with? I can connect you with trusted lenders.

Home search

Now that we have an understanding of what you’re looking for and what you can afford, we are well prepared to find you your dream home. Let’s get started!

  • Now for the fun part! Keeping your wish list, desired neighborhoods, and budget top of mind, I’ll curate an automated search for properties that match your criteria, visit open houses, and schedule private showings.

    I’ll never rush you in the process of finding your new home. When you work with me, you’ll have the benefit of hearing about exclusive off-market properties that might just be what you’re looking for.

  • In the Bay Area market, sellers prepare a Disclosure Package for potential buyers, which contains documentation about the property’s condition, history, and restrictions, if any.

    It’s important to review the Disclosure Package thoroughly before submitting an offer.

    I’ll know what to look for and be sure to point out critical details that you should pay close attention to.

  • You found your dream home, reviewed the Disclosure Package, and are ready to submit an offer! I’ll guide you through contingencies and negotiations to ensure we’re submitting a competitive but fair market-data driven purchase offer.

    You’ll need to include your loan pre-approval letter and can elect to include a love letter to the seller if allowed.

Bringing it home

Congratulations! Your offer has been accepted and we’ve entered into escrow. There are many moving pieces in this stage of the process, and I will be here to guide you through each and every step.

  • Once your offer is accepted, we do a little dance and the contract is considered “ratified”.

    You will submit an earnest money deposit in the amount of 3% of the purchase price to the Title Company. These funds will be placed in your escrow account and credited toward your down payment and closing costs.

    A typical closing will take place within 14-30 days.

  • Inspections are typically done ahead of time, but if we need to, we’ll send a licensed, third-party inspector to do a thorough property inspection, allowing you to be sure of the home’s condition.

  • My priority at this stage is to facilitate a seamless path towards a smooth closing. Collaborating closely with your lender, I will track the advancement of your transaction, ensuring the completion of essential paperwork, and keeping you in the loop on any anticipated financial obligations from you.

  • Closing happens in several steps. You will:

    1. Sign the loan documents with the Title Company

    2. Perform a final walk-through of the property

    3. Deliver the balance of funds (down payment and closing costs) to your Title Company at least 2 business days prior to closing in the form of a wire transfer

    4. The final step is for the Title Company to record the new deed, and the keys are yours!

What’s not just helpful, but crucial, for a successful home buying process?

Partnering with a knowledgable Realtor® you can depend on.

What people have to say about Monica

  • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    “We had the pleasure of working with Monica to purchase our home in Almaden Valley, San Jose, and the experience was nothing short of exceptional. From the beginning, she provided timely updates from the seller, guided us through each step of the process, and offered fantastic recommendations for vendors and insights into the neighborhood. She was always patient, responsive, and genuinely cared about finding the right home for us. To top it off, she gave us thoughtful gifts at closing and has continued to keep in touch, which we truly appreciate. Her dedication goes beyond the transaction, making her not just a realtor but someone who genuinely cares for her clients. We highly recommend her to anyone looking to buy a home!”

    - Bharathi R., Almaden Valley

  • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    “We are extremely lucky to have found Monica during our home buying journey. She really understood what we were looking for in our new home and put in the extra effort to show us listings that matched our budget and requirements. She was very proactive, went through all the disclosures in detail with us and stayed in touch during the entire process. She also went the extra mile to get us contractor contacts as well as getting the house cleaned to make sure everything was as smooth as possible for our move in. I would highly recommend Monica if you want to find your dream home!”

    - Monica P., San Jose

  • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    "We had very specific asks and specifications for what we wanted and all throughout our search, felt heard and listened to, which is hard to find in a good realtor. She was so lovely to work with and highly recommend her to anyone looking to buy a home in the Bay Area."

    - Jessica L., San Jose

  • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    "As first time home buyers in the Bay Area, the process seemed stressful and overwhelming. Monica was professional and patient with us, providing insight and guidance throughout the whole process. If you need a realtor, look no further than Monica!"

    - Alex D., Blossom Valley

  • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    "She is pro-active, understands your needs and can help you finding your dream home feel like a breeze. She follows up promptly during the entire process. We were really lucky to find her in our search for our home and she ensured everything went smoothly."

    - Bijoy K, San Jose

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Let’s get you home

Whether you are a first-time home buyer, homeowner looking to make your next move, or seasoned investor, the first step in your real estate journey begins with a conversation. There’s no obligation, so let’s chat!

Cell: (408) 826-9524

Office: (408) 252-1133

monica.herbst@cbrealty.com

DRE #0221710