Buyer Resources

How to select the perfect San Diego beach home 

Finding and purchasing a home that will meet your needs now and in the years to come is a significant and often stressful time. Our goal is to make this transition as smooth as possible. We are dedicated to providing you with excellence, professionalism, and the information necessary for a successful and positive real estate experience.

Here are some tips to help you find your dream home:

• Find an experienced realtor. They should have the type of experience you need.
• Use the Internet to do your preliminary search. Search in different areas and get an idea of what the average price/sq.ft. is in different areas.
• Take a tour with your realtor. Go out for the day just looking at areas and neighborhoods. If you're interested in several areas, try to narrow it down with the help of your realtor. Features that may narrow it down may be:
• Price range - your realtor should show you homes in your price range as well as some in neighborhoods above and below your price range. This will help you to assess the difference. Many times, buyers will hold firm in a price range only to find out after the sale that for just a little more they could have had...
• School district
• Proximity from the beach
• Easy access to freeways if you are commuting to work
• Ammenities in different neighborhoods such as community pools, club houses, etc.
• Child friendly - safe streets, parks, basketball hoops on street?
• Age restrictions - are you over 55 and prefer an age restricted neighborhood
• Proximity to cultural events such as theater, symphony, parks, sports arenas.
• Age of neighborhoods. Do you prefer a new development or an older, more established neighborhood.
• After identifying some of the areas and neighborhoods you like, schedule some time to view homes in those neighborhoods that meet your critieria.
• Try to keep your critieria broad unless the inventory is very high. You don't want to overlook a great house for a feature that you could live with or be fixed.
• Make a list of your "must haves" and "like to have". If you are married, both should complete a list. Then compare them to see what "must haves" you have in common. They may be:
• Must have 3 bedrooms, 2 baths with room for an office rather than 4 bedrooms, 2 baths.
• Must have single story if you have physical limitations
• Must have back yard larger than a patio
• Must have good school district
• Must have neighborhood with other children
• Must have good condition as you're not able to do updates/upgrades
• Must have a fixer upper because you're very handy and would love to do it your way
• Like to have granite counter tops
• Like to have updated bathrooms
• Like to have southern exposure
• Like to have 3 car garage
• Like to have wood floors
• Review your criteria list with your realtor and discuss it with them.
• Talk out loud when visit a home. Let your realtor hear your comments so they can learn more about your needs/wants. Although you think your list said it all, the fact is that you will respond differently when you're in a house. The house that perfectly matches your list may be a dud whereas a house that has none of your criteria may strike a cord with you when you walk through the front door.
• Remember that part of the house hunting process is analytical and involves price, square feet, number of bedrooms and baths, and school district. The other component is emotional. You walk in and it hits you. You want to be there. Don't neglect either part. Trust your insticts.

Del Mar - Solana Beach - Rancho Santa Fe - La Jolla - Cardiff by the Sea - Encinitas - Olivenhain - La Costa - Aviara - Carlsbad - Oceanside