How to buy Healdsburg Real Estate

Published On: December 5, 2009

I have been in some form of sales and marketing my entire working career. When I was a Chef for 15 years it was my bread and butter to have that knack of out marketing the competition. Of course I had the great product, I just needed to get them in the door then word of mouth carried me from there. Much like my real estate career.

I found that the best way to market is not to spray advertising all over but to target market. Pick a sector of the market that is actually looking for what you have and cater to them. When you focus you can accomplish anything. At the end of the day you will say I set my goals to low because I accomplished my goals so easily.

We have that opportunity right now but in a different fashion. April 30th of next year the $10,000. tax credit for first time buyers will run out. $6,500. credit for second purchases if you have been in your home for 5 years. You hear it all the time "There has never been a better time to buy a home". Blah, Blah Blah! Well it turns out,even though you are sick of hearing about it, it is true and here is how.

Because we have a target date to achieve our home purchase goal of April 30th this will be easier. I don't know about you but I do better when I have solid goals and deadlines.

1. Between now and Xmas choose your Realtor. You will be at a lot of social gatherings so ask around. Remember people love to tell horror stories but not good stuff so put your filter on. Some great agents do make errors but if they are the busiest and best then there will be a higher degree of minor errors. You want to work with the busiest and best don't you?

2. For the rest of the month learn all you can about the purchase process. It is simple but there are a lot of steps to it and being well educated is key. You are your own advocate. Many tools and articles can be found on my website www.realestateofhealdsburg.com Feel free to learn stuff there and if I have missed anything drop me a line, I am here to help.

3. For the rest of the month till Xmas choose the neighborhood. Target what you want and you will receive it. I suggest that you choose 3 area that you want to live in and focus there. Check out the schools, stores and any other service providers that you will need. Remember you will live there the next + years so think it through.

4. Get qualified to purchase. This step should probably be first but you could do all of the first steps at once if you are a maniac over achiever like me. If you do not like what the lender is telling you that may be a good thing. It is tough to qualify now and a good lender will not necessarily paint a rosy picture but he will give you a good solid plan. In fact that is what inspired this column. One of my prime lenders and I have a good solid target of home ownership for my previously under qualified clients. Just 3 months ago it was hopeless for them but with a good plan and coaches they will purchase between January 31st and April 30th.

5. Start looking at houses. Get a feel in your target area of the difference between a 3 and 4 bedroom. I know it drives me nuts when my clients want to look at homes that are outside of what would be right for them but it is th only way to find out what is best for you. This will be a huge longterm purchase so you need to be confident in it when you sign.

6. Be patient. Realtors try their best but we are not perfect. We must be accountable though. Ask the hard questions when you feel under represented. Your agent should be direct with answers. This is business and slackers should have been sifted out in this environment.

7. Pray, have your friends pray for you, do anything you have to to stay at the top of your game. In a perfct market with well qualifed buyers this process is an emotional roller coaster at best so hang tough.

8. I have read a lot of biographies of great thinkers, heroes and statesman and I always see one common thread. They all at the ends of their lives say the same thing. "I have accomplished all that I set out to and if I had to do it again I would have set higher goals."

Good Luck now Go Get Em !