Ready to buy a home?

Ready to buy your first home in Sonoma County in 2022? Kent + Sandoval Team with Compass specializes in helping first-time home buyers like you find their dream property in Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, and Marin County.

Before you start searching for homes online, it's important to take the first step to house shopping: Getting pre-approved for a mortgage.

Your pre-approval will tell you what you can afford and what your monthly payment will be, so it's important to determine this before you start searching for your new home.

Pre-approval is good for about 30-90 days, so once you're ready, take these first 3 steps to get it done.

1.  Contact us, and we’ll send over our homebuyer's guide which includes a list of lenders we know and trust, and that our clients love.
2.  Look over the list, check out online reviews, and ask friends and family for referrals.
3.  Email 2-3 lenders you like or let me introduce you over email.

Once you've got your pre-approval letter in hand, it's time to start the search!

Before we hop into the home search, we like to discuss with our clients what they're looking for as far as size, location, any must-haves, and non-negotiables. This will help us to really focus on the things that are most important in your future home.

Needs are the non-negotiable features; the features you simply must-have in your next home. Wants are the ones you’d like to have, but you can add or change down the road. Remember, you can’t change the lot or the location so make sure you love both.

Once we've established what you're looking for, we will set you up on a search so you can receive an email the second a home that fits your criteria goes live. If you have any questions about a property, you can request a tour or favorite property right in the portal, we will be notified and will get info on the property and set up a showing.

After touring houses and choosing the one you love, it's time to make an offer. To do this, you'll need your pre-approval letter and/or proof of funds. You'll also need to make an escrow deposit of at least 1-2% of the purchase price. This will go towards your closing costs at closing.

To explain the entire home buying process, along with documents needed to get pre-approved, what to expect throughout the home buying process, and more, reach out and we will send you our home buyers guide!

Have more questions about buying a home or what happens after making an offer? Reach out to us today!