Finding a new home is complicated, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the neighborhood, area, or city. When you are moving to a new location, it is typically a good idea to get advice from a real estate agent.

Real estate agents’ expert knowledge of San Diego can narrow the list of available properties based on what you’re looking for in a home and the neighborhoods that fit your lifestyle. For instance, maybe you are raising a family and need multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, a backyard for a dog, or easy access to a bus or trolley stop.

Your real estate professional will help you find your perfect San Diego neighborhood and your dream home.

Whether you’re looking for a condo or a three-bedroom home, the steps are the same. Here’s a breakdown of the ways real estate professionals help buyers navigate the process:

1. Review potential homes listed on the MLS (“Multiple-Listing Service”) and online
2. Schedule viewings of the home
3. Compare different neighborhoods
4. Contact and coordinate people you will need to finalize a purchase (such as lenders, specialists, and inspectors)

A real estate agent can make the buying process smooth and seamless by helping you navigate the myriad of listings and travel through the buying process. Here’s how they help you every step of the way:

Navigating The Multiple-Listing Service

There are many different Multiple Listing Services and each has its strengths and weaknesses. One thing is sure though, you need access to listings to find your dream home. The challenge with MLSs is that access to them is never free. You have to pay some sort of access fee (either per search, a monthly subscription, or some other fee model) and have to be licensed.

Real estate agents, like the team at Steele San Diego Homes, have access to the various MLSs and often have off market opportunities as well. Although a lot of listings can be found on other sites like redfin, zillow, and trulia, it's not uncommon for their listings to be outdated or have incorrect information. The MLS is the go to resource for the most up to date and accurate information for listed properties.

Scheduling Viewings

Once you identify a few homes, you need to schedule viewings. Dropping a few hundred thousand or even over a million dollars is a hefty investment — obviously, you will need to walk through and get a “feel” for the house.

That house is going to be your home for at least the next few years and likely longer. Seeing the home in person is the critical linchpin that enables you to make the jump. Attending an open house with scores of other potential buyers won’t always give you the information that you need.

A real estate agent would handle and coordinate private viewings on your behalf, and keep you updated on an open house. If you are buying a home, you will likely go to at least a dozen different viewings before you settle on the few that you like.

Ordinarily, you would have to schedule these on your own. However, between work, family, and battling traffic, it can get very complicated.

A real estate agent smooths out this process by handling the coordination and scheduling for you. When you are trying to buy a home, the last thing you want to deal with is a deluge of emails coordinating dates and times for a viewing.

Comparing Prices

Once you have narrowed your selection down after a few viewings, it is time to compare the various housing markets. Comparing markets between neighborhoods or cities is critical because it will help you estimate the projected value increases in your home (building equity is a major advantage of owning your home). Real estate agents are critical in ascertaining the value of your home, its neighborhood, and the market projections.

While you need a home that you love, you also need one that is going to retain and increase in value as you own it.

Coordinating People

This is probably the most difficult of the four steps. You need your lenders to approve your mortgage. You will likely want to review the purchase agreement and confirm you are getting everything you want. Finally, if you are planning any additions, remodels, or even if you simply want to purchase the home — you may want to contact an inspector and/or contractor to confirm that your future home is up to code and your changes are properly zoned.

Real estate agents can coordinate these people and they can help you with the paperwork. Licensed real estate agents are experts at navigating the home selling and buying process. They can shepherd you through the listing process, escrow, a mortgage, and the purchase agreement.