First Time Home Buyer Tips and Advice | Marin County

Being a first time home buyer in Marin County, one of the most competitive real estate markets in the country, can be a daunting prospect. However, there is one area where you as a first time home buyer may have an advantage that more seasoned home buyers do not have.  Keep reading for more.

Five Tips for the Marin First Time Home Buyer

The first time home buyer in Marin has one big advantage that the competition — other home shoppers — does not have. He or she does not need to sell their home to move. If a first time home buyer follows the steps below and is ready to make an offer when he or she finds their dream home, they are at a distinct advantage to others in the market who must also deal with a home sale transaction.

Tip One: Get Pre-Qualified for a Mortgage

The first step, which is important for all buyers, is especially important for the first time home buyer because it may take more time to find a lender willing to qualify them to purchase a home in Marin. You will want to better understand not only what you can afford but what you want to spend on your home in Marin. Those two are sometimes different amounts, depending on your goals around other expenses like vacations, children’s education and retirement savings. Having said that, a home in Marin has historically been a great investment.

Tip Two: Educate Yourself On The Market With A Saved Search

Whether your use the Property Organizer tool on my website, or use services like Zillow, Redfin, etc., I suggest you set up a saved search with your desired criteria (budget, bedrooms, cities) to receive email alerts when new homes that match that search come on the market. My site will also send you emails when those properties have sold, so you can begin to get an idea of how much homes in Marin are actually selling for. Of course, if you choose to work with me, I will be your trusted guide and advisor (and at times, counselor…) as you begin to narrow down what you want and what you can afford in the Marin home market.

Tip Three: Spend Some Time in Potential Neighborhoods

When my partner and I began looking at homes in Marin County years ago, we didn’t know Fairfax, California from Fairfax, Virginia! When we were considering our move to Fairfax, California, we drove from the city several days and walked around the town. We had dinner at Fradelizios. We went to the hardware store and listened to what our future neighbors were talking about. We even took in a movie at the Fairfax movie theater. Why? Even though we found a home we wanted to buy, we wanted to make sure the community was also a good “fit” — and for a long time, it was.

Narrow your search down to 2-3 areas and spend some time in those areas — it can be as simple as parking your car on the street, putting on your sneakers and taking an exercise walk around the area. No amount of reading online can replace your 5 senses as you walk around your future neighborhood in Marin. If you commute to the city, you might want to “test drive” the commute as we did. Be sure to check into our public transit options, like the Larkspur / Sausalito Ferries and the Tiburon Ferry.

Tip Four: Hire A Trusted and Experienced Real Estate Agent

I suggest you meet with several real estate agents to evaluate if they are a good fit. Call or email them with some follow-up questions and see how long it takes to get a response. Are they responsive or overwhelmed? Do they seem to know the communities you’re interested in? Are they tech capable – able to communicate promptly via text and email? Are they experienced in working with the first time home buyer? Most of my business comes through referrals — so ask your friends. It’s a great way to find the short list of real estate agents in Marin to interview. I hope I make that list.

Tip Five: Don’t Get Discouraged

As of this writing, the Marin home market is a seller’s market. It is a frustrating time to be a buyer here in Marin County. You may want to read through the 2015 Marin Real Estate Market Report to read about the situation for each town and city in Marin, but right now is a challenging time to be a buyer, especially if you are looking for all the same things everyone else is (great schools, single level living, views, recently-remodeled are at the top of the list). You might want to consider compromising on one of your “must haves” — for example, are you willing to take on some remodel and repairs in your new home?

Even in this market, there are dozens of homes for sale in Marin. Let’s work together to see if one of them is the right fit.

As a top real estate agent in Marin County, I am always happy to help the first time home buyer. I enjoy helping people achieve one of the big milestones in life and find it immensely rewarding. I would welcome the opportunity to help you find your first home — please contact me at 415.847-5584 or complete the contact form below. The first step is sometimes the hardest to take – let’s take it together now.

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