Whitney and Associates knows that buying a home is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make.

Their partnership, also known as Whitney and Associates, has a proven, long-term track record of successful real estate sales in the La Jolla, California Real Estate Market. When selecting a La Jolla, California Real Estate Agent, Gregg and Lisa Whitney are the experts in La Jolla, California and they have provided this helpful and informative Home Buyer’s Guide specifically for you.

Buying a home can involve the most money you’ve ever spent, be the biggest investment you’ll ever make, and cause your mind to race with a million questions and concerns. How do I find a qualified Agent? What do I look for at a showing? How do home inspections and appraisals work? It’s normal to have a lot of questions and concerns when making such a large investment in your future. That’s why at Whitney and Associates, we have put together the Home Buyer’s Guide to assist you with some of the most commonly asked questions and concerns.

How do I find a qualified Real Estate Agent that I feel comfortable with?

Choosing an Agent should be based on five factors.

One, the real estate Agent should be a good listener, who responds to your needs and desires.

Secondly, the Agent should be able to establish a rapport with anyone. This will be the person that will represent you to Sellers, other Agents, lenders, etc. It’s important that they are honest and caring while maintaining a professional demeanor. You have to trust your instincts when interviewing Agents to assess there characteristics.

Third, a great Agent has mastered the “soft sell” technique, helping people make decisions without pressuring them. We all need gentle guidance when making large decisions. The Agent you choose should be able to discuss agency relationships with you like an old friend. You should always feel at ease in the Agent’s presence, never hustled.

Fourth, your Agent should have years of experience helping people buy and sell homes in the areas you have chosen. And if not, you will want to make sure the Agent works under the close supervision of an experienced broker who will assist you if necessary.

In addition to seeing the homes that fit your needs, it is equally important that the area support your lifestyle. An experienced Agent will be knowledgeable about the school district, whether or not the area gets congested during rush hours, or if there are enough services to support the area.

Fifth, they should have boundless energy, stamina, and a positive attitude. You want to feel that your Agent is working hard on your behalf.

Lastly, a great Agent gets the job done. Ask for names of Buyers who’ve used the Agent recently and talk to them. Inquire about the Agent’s knowledge, service and communication skills. How quickly were phone calls returned? Did the closing go smoothly? Would they work with the Agent again?

Knowing exactly what you want from a real estate Agent is one of the most important steps in the home buying process. Communicating clearly and directly with your Agent should be your first priority.

How should I interpret home descriptions in ads or listings?
Always assume that the broker is putting his or her best foot forward. Your job is to peek behind the facade to get at the truth. However, if there’s a positive feature present, you can be sure they’ll emphasize it. Here are some significant phrases to look for and what they might mean:

What should I look for during a showing?

The most important thing is to not look at the house emotionally, but practically. Inspect all its positives and negatives. Don’t allow a broker to get you caught up in any drama. You should explore every nook and cranny. Do whatever is necessary to find out everything about the house’s basic structure. Try to ignore any furnishings that don’t come with the house, as they won’t help you make a sound decision.

On your first showing you should look for a house that meets your basic requirements:

• Is the location right?
• Does it have enough bed and bathrooms?
• Is there enough storage space?
• Is there parking?
• Is the area safe?
• If the house meets your basic requirements, start looking to fulfill your wish list:
• Is there an extra bedroom?
• Is there a double vanity in the second bathroom?
• Is there a garden or deck?
• Is there a separate laundry room?
• Is there a wood burning or a gas fireplace?

If you find that you are having trouble deciding between which homes to buy, you might want to apply a simple rating system such as assigning points according to the items most important to you. This could help you objectively differentiate among your choices.

Why do I need a Home Inspection and Appraisal?
Getting a good inspector to inspect the house before buying is essential. Sellers may cover up major problem areas in the house. So it is in your best interest to get a good inspection, but the lender will most likely require one as well. The lender will not want to take risk on a house if they are not confident that you are getting the house at a good price without any unforeseen problems (certain loans will only require a drive-by inspection.) Before hiring, be sure to ask the inspector about their liability insurance coverage including “errors and omissions” (E & O) or malpractice insurance that covers inspector negligence.

Here is a quick list of things you should know about what to expect from a home inspection:

A good inspector will check the house from the basement to roof, including plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical systems, roof, floors, walls, ceilings, insulation, ventilation, doors, windows, wells, septic or sewer, foundation and the visible structure of the house. The inspector would suggest any repairs needed. A reputable inspector will never offer to perform needed repairs and should not refer you to a contractor to perform such repairs.

When considering a particular inspector, ask for at least three references and check them out. You can also find a good inspector by getting a referral from a satisfied customer. Avoid referrals from anyone who has a financial interest in the sale going through. Inspection costs vary with the area. It may start from $100 and go up to $500 or even more at times. Ask for a written report from the inspector.

You should also do your homework before the inspector comes. Use the checklist below to identify any problem areas in case your inspector overlooks them.

Checklist of things to look for when doing a self inspection of the house:

• Are there large cracks or shifts in the foundation?
• Are there leaks or watermarks around eaves and downspouts outside the house or windows and ceilings inside the house?
  Does the basement look or smell damp?
• Is the house tightly sealed?
• Are there drafts from any windows, doors, attic areas or crawl spaces?
• Does the drainage lead away from the house and appear to be in good condition?
• Do soggy spots on the lawn exist?
• Are any trees too close to the house or look to be unhealthy or dead?
• What is the condition of the roof?
• How is the water pressure? Are there unusual noises when the plumbing is activated?

An Appraisal (or Valuation) is an inspection of the house to determine its value, so that the lender can asses how much it may lend. It is not a survey and is usually paid by the Buyer who receives the copy of the report. Valuation is limited compared to a survey; it also identifies areas that require more detailed inspection by a specialist. Legally, you are required to carry out an appraisal of the house, before you apply for a mortgage. Even banks insist on valuation of property.

Should I test for toxic substances?

Once rare, toxic substance inspections are now a routine part of most real estate contracts, as people have become more aware of the potential dangers such substances pose. Unfortunately, most home inspectors lack the qualifications to do the specialized tests necessary to find toxic substances. You must therefore use toxic substance inspectors.
Real Estate attorneys advise that the language you should state is that the “sale is contingent upon satisfactory results of the test.” You do not want the language to suggest that you have the right to the tests but not the right to back out of the deal if the house fails any of the tests.

Here are some of the most dangerous toxic substances:

Radon – it’s radioactive gas that seeps into your house through the cracks in your foundation. According to the EPA, it’s the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after cigarettes. Of the Buyers who actually check for it, about 20% will find it at unacceptable levels. Although it’s possible to buy a home test kit, it’s best to let a professional handle the job. For more information, call the EPA radon hotline at (800) SOS-RADO.

Asbestos – it’s a microscopic airborne fiber that causes lung cancer. If you’re buying anything built since the mid 1970’s, you probably don’t have to worry about it. If you’re buying an older home, however, a specialist can tell you if it presents any danger. For more information, contact your local OSHA (Occupational Safely and Health Administration) office, or your local Consumer Products Safety Commission office.

Lead – usually found in paint or water pipes in older homes. It causes mental and physical development problems. Testing usually costs between $100 and $300. If the water is contaminated from its source, you may need a filtering system, or simply buy a home in another area.

Electromagnetic Radiation – though still controversial, some studies seem to indicate that exposure to radiation from high-voltage power lines may cause cancer and other disease. Power companies deny it, but you may not want to risk it. A test for this problem costs between $100 and $250, depending on the house.

What are the most important things that I need to know when buying a home?

Buying a residence can be a roller coaster of emotions. Finding the right place, securing a loan and finally moving in can move us along the emotional gamut from frustrating to incredibly exciting. For most of us, the home purchase is the biggest investment we’ve ever considered. The emotions of purchasing something so expensive and personal can often cloud our business judgments. Avoid the ten most common mistakes home Buyers make.

Inspect, Inspect, Inspect! Make sure the report was done by a professional organization and go over it with a fine toothed comb. For condo purchases go over the CC&R’s, By-Laws and Association Fees. Don’t take anything for granted!
Imagine the Property Vacant. Your furnishings and decorations will be the ones filling this new residence. Don’t be swayed by beautiful furniture—it leaves with the owner.

Income + Lifestyle = Mortgage Payment. Sit down with your professional real estate Agent and honestly discuss your income level and living expenses. Take into account future considerations, children, add-ons, amenities and fix-ups. Your dream home is certainly worth a sacrifice, but don’t mortgage your entire future.

View Several Homes. Don’t move too slowly but don’t move on the first property you see. Look at a minimum of 7 -10 properties. With your Agent’s help, you should be able to view enough properties to get a good overall perspective of the home market. When you find the right property, all the work will have been worth it.

Utilize Your Team. By aligning yourself with the right real estate professional, you will have an entire team at your disposal. Utilize your loaner, title rep and Agent. Each of them should work together to your benefit.

Explore all the options before you sign. Be a detective; check out all costs and expenses before you sign: utilities, taxes, electricity, maintenance and homeowner dues, if applicable. Make sure all utilities (gas, electricity, and water) are on during your walk-through so you can inspect everything in working order. Ask lots of questions and be very detail conscious.

Do a Final Walk-Through. Visit the property after all the furnishings have been moved out to be sure there are no surprises. Be absolutely positive the property was left exactly as you had agreed upon in the contract. Things that could have been spotted in a final walk-through are often unintentionally overlooked.

Plan For Flexibility. Closing dates are not written in stone. Allow for contingencies and have a back-up plan. If you or the Seller needs a little move time to conclude final arrangements, don’t let these delays upset or frustrate you. These types of circumstances are not uncommon in a real estate transaction.

If It’s Not In Writing, It Doesn’t Exist! All promises and discussions should be in writing. Don’t make any assumptions or believe any assurances. Even the best intentions, can be misinterpreted. Have your professional keep an ongoing log in writing of all discussions and get the Seller’s written approval on all agreements.

Loyalty Breeds Loyalty. Be open, honest and upfront with your team. Hard feelings and disloyalty will cause headaches, delays or may even keep you from getting into the home you worked so hard to locate. Take the time to select the right team in the beginning and your home purchase will be a pleasing and memorable experience.

Have any questions or like to learn more? Use our handy form on the side of the page to contact Gregg and Lisa Whitney. You will see that we only require your email address. Gregg and Lisa Whitney understand that your privacy is important to you and we respect that. We do not share your information with anyone without your permission.
Gregg and Lisa Whitney realize that you are probably in the information gathering stage of your process, and we want to provide assistance to you in any of your La Jolla, California Real Estate needs. If you would like to talk to Gregg or Lisa Whitney in person, feel free to call Whitney and Associates at our main line at 858-456-3282.

When you are ready to invest in the real estate market let us help you. After all, we are the experts in La Jolla, California Real Estate.

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