San Diego is one of the most popular cities from a home buying standpoint. There’s the weather, the beach, the lifestyle, the culture and history, and plenty of things to do in San Diego — such as the beaches and the zoo.

How to Buy a Home in the San Diego Area

With everything the city has to offer, it’s no wonder that San Diego area homes are such hot commodities. But before you buy a home in “Sandy,” it’s wise to brush up on your home buying knowledge. To support you in this goal, we have put together a guide to buying San Diego area homes … by the numbers.

Step 1. Review your credit and finances.

San Diego mortgage lenders will put your credit and finances under the microscope. So before you start shopping for San Diego area homes you should review these things for yourself.

Start by requesting a copy of your credit report from the big three credit agencies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Review your credit report closely for errors. If you find an error, work to correct it right away, as the process takes time. For instructions on correcting your credit report, refer to the websites of the three agencies.

You should also review your finances to determine how much of a San Diego home you can comfortably afford. Use an online mortgage calculator to determine monthly payments based on total price. This will give you a rough idea of where your comfort zone lies.

Step 2. Learn about San Diego mortgages.

Once you’ve reviewed your finances, credit and purchasing power, you should start researching the different types of mortgages. Each type of mortgage has its pros and cons. Finding the one that’s right for you will depend on many factors, such as how long you plan to own the home, how much you can afford to pay up front, etc.

When reading about the different types of mortgages, pay close attention to any sentence that starts with “This mortgage might be a good option for you if…”

Step 3. Visit HomeBuyingInstitute.com.

At HBI, you can learn about the home buying process in depth. HBI is the Internet’s largest library of home buying tips and advice, and best of all it’s free!

Step 4. Make a wish list.

Now that you have a better understanding of the financial side of things, you can begin to create a home “wish list.” Write down all the things you want from a home. Include the size, features, location, etc. What area of San Diego do you prefer? How many square feet do you need? One story or two? Categorize each item on the list as a “need” or a “want.” This list will save you time, narrow down your search, and help you stay focused.

Step 5. Find a real estate agent.

Even with all of the home buying information available online, it’s a good idea to hire a San Diego real estate agent. When you consider how much money you’ll pay for a San Diego area home the agent’s fee will seem miniscule by comparison. Combine that with the peace of mind you get from having professional guidance, and it’s even more apparent why you should use an agent.

To find an agent, start by asking family or friends if they can refer a local agent they were happy with. If that doesn’t produce any leads, try using search engines or the websites of well-known companies.

Step 6. Get pre-approved for a home loan.

Pre-approval from a mortgage lender will help you in several ways: (1) It will reveal how much you can realistically afford. (2) It will help you identify credit problems early on in the home buying process. (3) It will show sellers you’re serious about buying (which can be helpful when there are multiple buyers / offers).

Step 7. Get a home inspection.

Whether you’re buying a new home in the San Diego area or an older one, a home inspection is always a good idea. Inspections cost around $500, which is a small price to pay for peace of mind. A home inspector will examine the home’s roof, foundation, heating / cooling system and other important areas.

The Movoto website provides data on homes for sale, as well as a variety of additional information pertaining to homes and real estate. Visitors to the website can also find local real estate professionals in their area.

Press release excerpt:

Bay Area-based Movoto.com’s expansion into the San Diego area empowers local homebuyers to take control of their home buying experience with complete access to the best online real estate search technology and the industry’s top Realtors®. Direct links to San Diego real estate resources…

Read more about it

Author Brandon Bruce has some tips to help you out when buying a home in San Diego. In his article, Brandon covers many aspects of home buying in San Diego.

Read the article here

* If you’d like to learn even more on this subject, check out the San Diego real estate guide at Home Buying Institute.