My Dashboard
A live snapshot of your home buying journey.
Checklist Progress
0/30
tasks complete
Target Home Price
$700,000
from your calculator
Est. Monthly Payment
—
P&I, taxes & HOA
Down Payment
—
at current settings
📝 My Notes
Saves to the cloud automatically.
🔑 Where to Start
1
Read the Buyer's Guide2
Use the Mortgage Calculator3
Work through your Checklist4
Contact Josh — let's get you pre-approvedThe Buyer's Guide
From first conversation to keys in hand — how the home-buying process works in California.
💰 Costs to Expect as a Buyer in California
Earnest Money
1–3% of Price
Applied to down payment
Home Inspection
$400–$650
General; sewer & roof extra
Appraisal Fee
$600–$900
Required for financed purchases
Closing Costs
2–3% of Loan
Title, escrow, lender, prepaids
Mortgage Calculator
Your settings save to the cloud automatically.
$700,000
20%
6.875%
1.25%
Estimated Monthly Payment
—
Principal & Interest—
Property Taxes—
HOA / Insurance—
Loan Amount—
Down Payment—
Total Interest Paid—
Josh's Tip
"Most SCV buyers are surprised by property taxes + HOA. Always stress-test your budget with those included — not just P&I."
Home Buying Checklist
Your progress syncs to the cloud instantly across all devices.
0 of 30 tasks complete
Phase 1 — Before You Search
Review your credit report and resolve any errors
Save for down payment (3.5%–20%+ of purchase price)
Budget for closing costs (~2–3% of loan amount)
Gather documents: 2 years tax returns, W-2s, pay stubs, bank statements
Get pre-approved with a trusted lender
Set your must-haves vs. nice-to-haves list
Research target neighborhoods (schools, commute, amenities)
Phase 2 — The Search
Begin home tours with Josh
Evaluate homes against your must-haves list
Research comparable sales for homes you love
Note red flags: deferred maintenance, noise, traffic, neighbors
Keep lender informed as your search progresses
Phase 3 — Making an Offer
Review recent comps with Josh before writing offer
Discuss offer strategy: price, terms, contingencies
Submit offer and earnest money deposit (1–3%)
Negotiate response with Josh's guidance
Open escrow once offer is accepted
Phase 4 — In Escrow
Schedule and attend general home inspection
Schedule sewer scope, roof, pest inspections as needed
Review inspection reports and request repairs/credits
Review all seller disclosures thoroughly
Confirm appraisal is ordered by lender
Submit any outstanding loan documents to lender
Receive and review Closing Disclosure (3 days before close)
Get homeowner's insurance quote and bind policy
Arrange wire transfer or cashier's check for closing funds
Phase 5 — Closing Day
Complete final walk-through of the property
Sign loan documents at title/escrow company (bring valid ID)
Confirm deed has recorded with LA/Ventura County
Receive keys — you're a homeowner! 🎉
Trusted Vendor List
Professionals I personally work with and trust in the SCV market.
Need a referral?
Contact Josh for a personal introduction — always free, always honest.
Real Estate Glossary
Every term you'll encounter — plain-language definitions.
Appraisal
A professional assessment of a property's market value, required by lenders. If the value comes in lower than the purchase price, the buyer and seller must renegotiate or the buyer covers the gap.
As-Is
Seller will not make repairs or provide credits. You can still inspect and negotiate, but the seller won't fix anything.
CC&Rs
Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions — HOA rules governing what homeowners can and cannot do (paint colors, landscaping, rentals, parking, etc.).
Closing Costs
Fees paid at closing beyond the purchase price. Includes lender fees, title insurance, escrow fees, prepaid taxes, and homeowner's insurance. Typically 2–3% of the loan amount for buyers.
Comparable Sales
Recently sold homes similar in size, location, condition, and features — used to determine fair market value.
Contingency
A condition that must be met for the sale to proceed. Common contingencies: inspection, appraisal, and loan.
Debt-to-Income (DTI)
Total monthly debt payments ÷ gross monthly income. Most conventional loans prefer under 45%.
Earnest Money
A good-faith deposit (typically 1–3%) made upon an accepted offer. Applied to your down payment at closing.
Equity
The portion of your home's value you actually own — purchase price minus your mortgage balance.
Escrow
A neutral third party that holds funds and documents until all conditions are met.
FHA Loan
A government-backed mortgage allowing down payments as low as 3.5%. Requires mortgage insurance (MIP).
Fixed-Rate Mortgage
A home loan where the interest rate never changes. Your P&I payment stays the same for the life of the loan.
HOA
Homeowners Association — enforces rules and maintains common areas. Members pay monthly dues.
Jumbo Loan
A mortgage exceeding conforming loan limits ($1,149,825 in LA & Ventura County for 2024). Stricter underwriting.
Mello-Roos
A special CA tax on newer properties for local infrastructure. Common in SCV — can add $200–$500+/month.
MLS
Multiple Listing Service — the private database where agents share listings.
PMI
Private Mortgage Insurance — required when your down payment is less than 20%. Removed once LTV drops below 80%.
Pre-Approval
A formal lender review resulting in a written commitment to lend up to a certain amount.
Seller Disclosures
Legal documents where sellers disclose known property issues. In CA: TDS, NHD, and AVID.
Title Insurance
Protects against defects in the property's title — undisclosed liens, forged signatures, errors in public records.
VA Loan
A mortgage benefit for military, veterans, and eligible surviving spouses. Zero down, no PMI, competitive rates.
Contact & FAQ
Ready to start? Reach out directly.
Frequently Asked Questions