San Diego Real Estate: Guide to Buying a Home in San Diego

With nearly 1.5 million people, San Diego is the second-largest city in California. And it just keeps getting bigger as the population has increased over 10% since the last census in 2010! 

It's not hard to see why people love it. San Diego is a gorgeous city with plenty of things to do and beautiful places to live. If you're thinking of buying a home in San Diego, check out this quick guide to the process.

Get Preapproved

If you will need financing to buy a house in San Diego, start shopping for your loan first. Once you find a lender that you like, get preapproved. This means that the lender reviews your financial profile and gives you a dollar amount that you qualify to borrow.

This is helpful for two reasons. First, you have a better idea of how much home you can afford. Second, it will be faster to close because part of the paperwork is already taken care of.

Sellers also like to see that you've been preapproved because it is less likely that the sale will fall through after they accept your offer.  

Narrow Your Search

The next step in how to buy a home in San Diego is to narrow down where you'd like to live. First, consider the location of your job (if that's a concern) and go from there. San Diego has many lovely neighborhoods to choose from, but some may suit you better than others.

For example, City Heights is a great spot if you want an energetic urban environment. Adam's North is an older community that's perfect for folks looking for a quieter spot. And Oceanside is a diverse community with easy access to the ocean and many young entrepreneurs. 

House Hunting!

Once you narrow down your search area, it's time to start house hunting. Sit down with your real estate agent and give them an idea of what you're looking for. Outline your "must-haves" and "would-be-nices." Your agent will dig up some possibilities and it's time to take a look.

The first trip will consist of about 4 or 5 properties for you to view. Too many more than that is usually too overwhelming for one day. If you don't find "the one", that's okay! Now your agent has a better idea of what you're looking for.

Make an Offer

Once you've found the perfect home, it's time to make an offer. Your agent will help you draw up the paperwork as well as advise you on any contingencies you should include, such as a satisfactory home inspection and the ability to secure financing.

That's it! In just a few short weeks, you can be packing up and moving into your new home.

Buying a Home in San Diego Is Simple...

...when you have the right help. 

Hiring a local real estate agent is invaluable when buying a home in San Diego, especially if you're coming from out of town. They know the markets, have an idea of what's going on in each neighborhood in the next few years, and can help you find the perfect property for your needs.

Contact us today to get started finding the home of your dreams in San Diego!