finding the best San Antonio Realtor for YOU
Whether you’re buying your very first home in San Antonio, or you’re a seasoned homeowner – who you hire to represent you in your home purchase really does matter. This page is just for you, as a future homebuyer, even if you’ve bought and sold 10 homes before. All of the resources that you will find here have been developed through my years of service, training and dedication to providing the highest level of service to my clients (home buyers and sellers).
Buying a home is a HUGE process, with tons of moving parts, many different scenarios, and various desired goals & outcomes. Because every home buyer & seller has different personalities, and specific communication styles and expectations, it’s crucial that you have someone representing your best interests when buying a home. Whether it’s me, or another San Antonio Realtor, finding an agent that you’re comfortable with will set you up for a successful homebuying experience!
I specialize in helping both families that are relocating to San Antonio, and families that are already living in San Antonio with their real estate goals. No matter what stage of the process you’re in, or how experienced you are, I am here to help you achieve your San Antonio home goals!
Buying a Home in San Antonio
(the process)
Meet with me (we can meet in person for coffee, chat via FaceTime, Zoom or phone call). We will get to know each other and chat about your goals, wants vs. needs and timeline. Depending on your timeline, we will also discuss the mortgage pre-approval process and get you setup with a local lender for the start of that process.
Learn MoreThe pre-approval process is the first official step in preparing to buy a home. The lender will check credit, finances & employment& discuss the best loan options for you & your situation. Once pre-approved, we will know your ideal home budget & will use this verification from the lender to accompany the offer on your favorite home.
Learn MoreThis is the FUN part! I will setup an automated home search for you that will notify you when matching homes hit the market, based on the most recent MLS data. When you see a home that meets your criteria, we can set up a showing right away to go see in person! (If you are searching from out of town, I can show it to you via FaceTime or Zoom.)
Learn MoreThis is where our strategy really starts to shine! I'll help you prepare an offer that is competitive and appealing to the seller (which helps our chances of getting accepted), while getting you the best deal & most favorable terms possible. This is where in-depth knowledge of the local market conditions & trends will pay off for you!
Learn MoreIt is common for there to be some negotiations that happen before everyone accepts the offer. Whether on sales price, seller concessions, closing date, or who pays title policy, this is where counter-offers & negotiations start. Once offer terms have been agreed upon, we will officially be under contract to purchase your home!
Learn MoreIn Texas, the option period (aka due diligence or inspection period) is when you can get your inspection done on the home. There are several different scenarios of what happens during the option period, and we will cover those more during your homebuying process.
Learn MoreOnce the option period has ended, there will be lots going on behind the scenes! The lender will be working hard to get the appraisal ordered, and everything else necessary for final loan approval. The title company will be working on title research & commitment, as well as getting all documents prepared for closing.
Learn MoreMoving can be so stressful! The better prepared & organized you are for your move, the smoother it will be for you. This is a good time to schedule movers, arrange for school transfers, set up utilities, order trash & recycle containers, and all of those fun things. And don't forget to schedule time off from work for the closing!
Learn MoreThis is the BEST day! Whether you are buying your first home, or buying your seventh investment property...closing day is SO exciting! Make sure that all of your funds to close are wired the day prior to closing, and bring your ID. Once you're done signing, and funding has been approved by the lender...we get to pick up your keys (and take tons of pics)!
Learn MoreFirst Time Home Buyer in San Antonio?
here’s what you need to know…
“Educated home buyers are better prepared, and less stressed.” It’s true.
I’ve helped tons of first time home buyers, and I love educating them! Even though every scenario has been unique & different, they still all have one thing in common: Being prepared with the right knowledge & explanation makes the experience so much smoother. Although it is important to research as much as you can before the process, the best way to get started to become a homeowner in San Antonio is to just reach out so we can start planning your home goals together!
So, take a peek at all of the knowledge that I put together for you, and then…let’s chat!
Buying a New Construction Home in San Antonio
Because of all of the population growth in the San Antonio area, inventory for new construction homes is booming! If you’ve driven anywhere on the outskirts of the city, you’ve likely noticed all of the builder signs for brand new communities. It’s tempting to stop by, take a look around and check out pricing. But, before you stop by the builder’s sales office, here are a few things to know about buying a brand new home in San Antonio:
- You will definitely want to make sure that you have selected your Realtor first! The builder’s sales rep that’s in the office (although super nice), works for the builder…not you. In order to get the best pricing, the most incentives, and the best way of getting your needs represented – talk to your Realtor before you visit the sales office!
- As with anything in life, there is good and bad to brand new homes. Make sure to check out this blog about the pros & cons to buying a new construction home in San Antonio.
- All builders are not the same. They all have different reputations, business practices, levels of quality expectations, and so much more. Make sure to do your research before settling on your favorite floorplan, or the least expensive new construction homes.
- Don’t worry! I know this is alot of information to consider. I’m here to help and guide you through it all. A large percentage of my clients that buy homes in San Antonio choose new construction homes. As a new construction expert in San Antonio, I’ll help you find just what you’re looking for.
Is it better to rent or buy a home in San Antonio?
Any other Realtor will likely tell you that it is always better to buy a home instead of renting. However…my response to this is that it will entirely depend on your situation. Both options come with their own sets of pros & cons. Although buying is usually the smarter option for long-term financial reasons, there are situations & scenarios where renting is the better choice for you. We can review your situation together to make that figure out what the smartest move would be for you. Other than those few scenarios, here are some of the biggest reasons why buying a home is better than renting in San Antonio:
- Building Equity – When you pay rent, that money goes directly into the landlord’s equity in the home. You have nothing to show for it at the end of your lease (besides having a place to live, of course). BUT, when you buy a home in San Antonio, each monthly mortgage payment allows you to build equity in your home. In the long run, your home can become an asset that you can leverage for years to come. It can be a stepping stone for other financial opportunities (think being a landlord once you’re ready to move up) or even leave as an inheritance for future generations.
- Long-term Investment – Even though the housing market has its ups and downs, traditionally, real estate is well known as a solid long-term investment. Unlike your car, or cell phone, or Macbook, which depreciate in value over time, a well-maintained home is likely to appreciate in value. This could provide you more financial stability and potentially more wealth as the years pass!
- Belonging to a Community – Traditionally, owning a home often provides a sense of belonging and community. Because homeowners are more likely to stay in one home for longer, they are able to build long-lasting relationships with neighbors and be active members of the community. This can be a really positive benefit for families with children, as it can provide closer proximity to their friends and familiar faces in the neighborhood.
- No Rent Increases – Rent is notorious for being increased after almost every lease term, depending on market conditions. When you own a home with a fixed-rate mortgage, you have the security of knowing exactly what your monthly principal & interest payments will be for the life of the loan, making budgeting and planning much easier. (Note: the 2 items that are subject to increase if you have escrow, are property taxes & homeowner’s insurance. Unfortunately, those are out of anyone’s control, but they do affect landlords & cause even higher rent increases).
- Customization & Personalization – When you own your home, you have the freedom to customize & personalize it however you choose! You don’t have to check with the landlord before you paint your walls or get a new pet, or worry about not getting your security deposit back. (If you live in an HOA community, there are obviously different rules for the exterior improvements of the home.)
- Tax Benefits – Check with your tax professional when it’s time to file those taxes! There can be some great tax benefits associated with homeownership for you to take advantage of. In most cases, homeowners can deduct the interest paid on their mortgage, which effectively reduces their taxable income. This tax incentive can make owning a home even more financially beneficial for you.
My Certifications & Designations
Accredited Buyer Representative
I absolutely LOVE helping families buy homes in the San Antonio area! Here are just a few ways that I provide a smooth and successful homebuying process for my clients:
- Expert guidance & knowledge through every step of the process. You will know everything that is going to happen, what you are signing, and what to expect through each step.
- I am dedicated to protecting my clients’ best interest, at all times. From contract deadlines, to fair offer prices & getting seller concessions – your needs & expectations are my top priority.
- I have in-depth insights to current market activities & trends – this will help you find the BEST homes in San Antonio, at the BEST prices!
- I have extensive training & knowledge with Real Estate contracts. I’ll help you to understand everything that you need to know about these legal documents, to help give you peace of mind & reduce risk.
Military Relocation Professional
Welcome to Military City, USA! A PCS to San Antonio can be stressful, but here’s how I can help make a smoother process for you as a Military Relocation Professional:
- Specialized experience & understanding of unique challenges in working with the PCS process (like tight timelines and buyers unfamiliar with the local area).
- Expertise in VA loan programs and other military-specific benefits. I partner with some of the best mortgage lenders in San Antonio that are experts on all VA loan programs, creating a seamless loan process.
- Comprehensive understanding of the PCS orders & procedures – AND how it impacts the homebuying process and resale possibilities in the future.
- As a relocation specialist, I help families move to San Antonio from all over the country! I’ll be by your side to get you familiar with the areas and to help you find the neighborhoods that will work best for you.
Real Estate Negotiation Expert
The negotiations process is one of the most important parts of the home buying process. Here are some BIG benefits of having a RENE by your side when buying a home in San Antonio:
- There are several items in an offer that you can negotiate for as a buyer, besides the sales price. From closing costs, to deadlines/dates, repair requests, option fees, and so much more – you definitely want someone who knows all of these key negotiations inside & out!
- In a competitive market, my RENE skills can come in handy to make sure that your offer is beneficial to you AND to the seller. This creates a better oppurtunity to make your offer shine when up against multiple offers.
- Having in-dpeth knowledge of current market conditions and trends is crucial to negotiate the most favorable terms for you, and in getting you the exact home that matches your needs!
Pricing Strategy Advisor
Having a PSA guide you through the buying process is just as important for a buyer as it is for a seller! Here are a few HUGE benefits of me working as PSA in your home purchase:
- Extensive knowledge in determining the market value (CMA) of any home that you’re interested in – we want to make sure that you aren’t overpaying!
- Evaluating any specific changes, upgrades, circumstances that could add or detract from a home’s potential value. You want to make sure that you are getting what you pay for, while not overpaying.
- Using the most up-to-date data to determine market supply & demand, which heavily impacts pricing & market value.
- In-depth knowledge on how to effectively communicate with appraisers to ensure fair and accurate appraisals.
searching for your dream home in San Antonio
This is a great place for you to start searching through all of the homes in the entire San Antonio area. You can fully customize your search criteria, save your favorites, and even share listings with your family and friends! Make sure to create your profile, so you get notified when the newest listings that match your criteria hit the market. And when you’re ready to start looking at homes in person, just reach out so we can start the homebuying process!
Moving to San Antonio?
You don’t want to miss this… Get your San Antonio Relocation Guide, plus weekly tips & insider info all about moving to San Antonio, Texas!
