_{The Process}

An important decision: While it is possible to find and buy a home without an agent, this is one of the largest purchases and perhaps the most important decisions you will ever make. A home may account for a third of your monthly spending and a large part of your assets. The home purchase transaction will require making many important financial decisions, understanding complex issues and completing a lot of paperwork. So it is not only comforting but extremely efficient to have an expert help you cut through all the red tape.

Buyers and Buyer's Agents: Buyers’ agents specialize in helping specifically buyers! Buyers’ agents listen to what you want and then help you find your ideal home. We can notify you the instant that a home, meeting your requirements, comes on the market and we will make the appointment to get you in at the soonest possible moment. No more leaving voice-mails for agents who don’t bother to call you back. No more waiting for a Sunday open house to see a home. No more calling on a newspaper ad only to discover that the house has already been sold.

Buyer's Agents are free! Real estate agents don’t get paid until you successfully buy your home. Agents often have a wide network of resources they can share with you, helping you select inspectors and recommending service providers such as lenders, insurance agents, landscapers, and contractors. Besides, in California, the Seller pays the agents, so why wouldn’t you want someone working for you?

Knowledge is power: Often we know about properties that are not yet on the market. Our wide network also often allows us to know of price reductions and other important news first.

Your own personal expert: Think of a buyer's agent as your expert advocate. Lu will share her own experiences and she will represent your best interests during negotiations with sellers, and help you understand all the decisions you need to make. Lu will work tirelessly for you and her goal is to make your transaction as smooth as possible.

How to select the right agent: 

• _{Look for a full-time agent who has experience completing transactions similar to yours.}
• _{Interview a few agents: are they familiar with the neighborhood you want to live in?}
• _{Find an agent who is tech-savvy: most listings are advertised online with pictures and remarks, today’s transactions also require using online forms and email to communicate.}
• _{Ask how much time the agent will have for you, and if they have a licensed assistant: successful agents are often the most efficient, and can afford to pay a knowledgeable assistant who will always be available to answer your questions.}
• _{Ask about their credentials and education: a good agent will continually strive to improve and gain knowledge of the latest real estate trends. Only agents who are members of the National Association of Realtors can call themselves a Realtor.}
• _{Does the agent return your phone calls promptly? Time is money.}
• _{Ask for a list of homes they’ve sold or a list of references.}
• _{Finally, a good agent will spend more time listening to you and asking you questions about what you want, instead of talking about themselves. Pick an agent with whom you feel comfortable.}

No, it’s not easy, but it is worth it to take your time and find the agent that can best fit your needs.