By Realtor.com Creative Studio
Originally published: https://www.realtor.com/sponsored/california-first-time-homebuyer-stories/
“California has everything that makes life fun, interesting, and enriching,” reports Chris Hauty, a screenwriter and novelist who, after a decade of renting, recently became a homeowner in Southern California’s Chevy Chase canyon. For Chris and buyers like him, who’ve long dreamed of owning a home in the Golden State, REALTORS® are helping them make it happen. We checked in with a few of them to hear more about their home buying process and the pro tips they picked up from their REALTORS® along the way.
“We’d love to find a home with more rooms and a yard for our kid,” report Jorge Del Pinal and Leyla Tirgari. The couple, along with their young son, Cyrus, are certainly not alone in their hunt for a new home in Southern California’s ultra-competitive housing market. They’re currently in the thick of their house hunt in and around Southeast Los Angeles, scanning listings daily, while also utilizing online tools to keep abreast of an ever-changing market with the diligence required to become a homeowner.
The couple is optimistic, spurred by the help of an expert agent, fixed-mortgage interest rates at historical lows, and of course, the dreams of homeownership in a state promising a wide definition of the good life.
“We love Los Angeles and California because of the variety of experiences uniquely available here,” says Jorge, “The state has so many beautiful places to explore, and the homes here have yards you can actually use and enjoy for most of the year.”
It’s a sentiment shared by John Gutierrez and Tiffany Lee, a pair who recently successfully navigated the competitive market with the help of their REALTOR® to eventually set roots in Eagle Rock, a suburb with a “quaint town feel.”
“Before ever seriously considering buying, we’d casually attend open houses in Eagle Rock … it felt like a pipe dream,” remembers John. Fast forward nearly two years, and they've moved into the “most dreamy fixer-upper,” one with a large yard that the pair plans to transform into a hangout for hosting family and friends. And though true fixer-uppers can be tricky to come by in this market due to high demand for these properties from investors, considering a place that needs some work can make great sense for some buyers.
John and Tiffany made it happen with a combination of patience, luck, and the help of a pro. “Given how competitive the market is,” they say, “having a stellar agent with all the connections really will make or break your experience.” The couple emphasize the importance of finding the right REALTOR®, one not only conscious of a buyer’s needs, but also capable of navigating the market to make those hopes become a reality by presenting overlooked opportunities. “Who knows, we might still be house hunting right now if we hadn't found the right agent!"
Buyers value potential and personalization over instant gratification
Today’s generation of home buyers—whose TVs and social feeds are full of renovation programs and aspirational before-and-afters—embrace the long-term investment and efforts required in turning a house into a home uniquely their own. Patrick Laurance, a recent home buyer in the seaside community of Point Loma in San Diego, celebrates the opportunity to “add on, develop and upgrade” his newly purchased Spanish Revival style home to his heart’s content. "I decided to buy because I knew it was a great long-term investment,” notes Patrick, “But I also thought once the COVID lockdown hit it could be fun to design and fix up a home over time.”
Patrick notes that it was thanks to his agent that he was able to secure the deal among 15 other offers. “I would highly recommend working with an experienced agent,” he says. “Winning a deal in this market is so competitive, and they really go above and beyond to educate you and help you win.” And with historically high demand in play with median time of homes on the market only spanning a mere eight days, Patrick echoes Tiffany and John’s sentiment about working with a REALTOR® with established local connections to make best informed and timely bids, while also providing guidance about unforeseen costs such as property taxes and home insurance. “My agent's strong relationship with listing agents in the San Diego marketplace made all the difference.”
Similarly, Cesar and Chommany Chavez’s agent helped them land their new Vallejo address in Northern California by guiding them toward listings that would complement their outdoor entertaining lifestyle. They decided to dive in, convinced by their eventual home’s spacious backyard and its potential for entertaining guests. “We’re believers in taking our time and trusting the process.” For those new to home buying, that process may include REALTORS® guiding buyers toward securing a mortgage pre-approval before ever making a bid, and also investigating eligibility for one of the numerous down-payment assistance programsavailable only to first-time home buyers.
Of course, not everyone is looking for a renovation project. Some prefer the immediate gratification of moving into a home already outfitted with a certain level of finish and features all ready to enjoy upon entering their new home. Chris Hauty knew his busy work schedule would not allow him time to take on any large remodeling projects. Knowing this criteria, his agent was able to find him a Glendale residence designed and customized by its previous homeowners to such an exacting standard that he’s more than content to leave it as is.
“The [previous owners] were an architect/builder husband and wife team, and they created a beautifully designed space that is exceedingly well put together,” says Chris, “This is a tightly finished house, something I much appreciate.”
Homebuyer’s homework
While there is always the rare possibility of finding a home that checks off all of the boxes, it’s vital to prioritize what's most important. Compromises are likely.
Patrick’s advice to first-time home buyers is to lean on your agent for their expertise when it comes to making tough decisions. He says that while “purchasing a home can seem like a scary undertaking, having knowledgeable people around you takes the pressure off.”
“I liken home buying to online dating,” says Chris, “Once you decide to jump in the market, go in with both feet.” Chris also emphasizes the importance of intelligence gathering and driving around potential neighborhoods beforehand to enter the market as an informed buyer.
John Gutierrez notes the greatest attribute required of any home buyer in California today can be summed up in one word: patience. When you have the right team of experts supporting you, sometimes it takes trust that, like in John’s case, they will help you secure the right home. “We walked through over 50 homes and offered (and countered!) on 12 homes. The roller coaster of emotions is real,” he says, “so expect a ride.”
While Jorge and Leyla are still on their ride to find their dream home, they share one particularly helpful bit of advice—one reflecting how technology has changed the game for both buyers and sellers, especially during a pandemic: “We now record video of any property we visit and re-watch them at home. There was one place we really liked we were seriously considering, but after viewing our video again we realized the house was a lot darker than we remembered. We also text videos to friends or family to get their immediate second opinions … it’s sometimes fun to share memorable staging or the unusual stuff we’ll occasionally see while shopping for a home.”
