For buyers
First, let's find out if you should buy at all.
Southern California is expensive and rates are not what they were. For some people right now, renting and investing the difference is genuinely the better financial decision. I'd rather you learn that from my calculator than from three years of regret.
What buyer representation costs, explained plainly
Here's the part that changed: as of August 2024, buyer-agent compensation is no longer advertised through the MLS, and you must sign a written representation agreement stating my fee before I show you a home. In practice, many sellers still offer compensation that covers some or all of it — and when they do, it comes out of the sale, not your pocket. When they don't, we'll have talked about it long before you're standing in a living room.
I will tell you the number in writing up front. You will never be surprised by it.
How this goes
From first conversation to keys.
An honest conversation about timing
Where you are, what you're trying to build, and whether buying now actually serves that. Sometimes the answer is "not this year," and I'll say so.
Real pre-approval, not a pre-qualification
Full documentation, credit pulled, underwriter-reviewed. In a competitive situation a pre-qual letter is nearly worthless. I can introduce you to lenders I trust — and I don't take referral fees for it.
Written representation agreement
Required now before I show you anything. It states my fee in plain language, and we discuss how seller-offered compensation may cover it.
Search, with alerts doing the watching
You'll get matched listings and comparable sales as they come through, without refreshing a portal every night. Set that up here →
Touring, with the unglamorous questions asked
I'll be the one in the garage looking at the panel and under the sinks.
Offer strategy
We'll look at the actual comps, the seller's likely motivation, and which terms are worth trading. Then I write it so it's clean and credible.
Inspection, appraisal, and close
Reading the inspection report properly — separating real defects from a long list of maintenance notes. Handling appraisal gaps. Riding the loan to clear-to-close. Then keys.
Not ready yet?
Start watching the market before you're in it.
Set up an alert for the neighborhoods you're curious about. Six months of watching what lists and what actually closes will teach you more about value than any article will — and there's no obligation attached to it.
Start with a question, not a commitment.
Ask me anything — including whether you should be doing this at all.