Buyer's Guide

Find an Agent

A third generation real estate agent with over $400M in sales, Ryan continually ranks in the top 1% of agents in San Francisco. Together with his team he applies a deeply analytical and client focused approach to Bay Area real estate.

Get Pre-Qualified

Are you pre-approved? Unless you will be paying the full price of your home in cash you’re going to need a mortgage. We work with several mortgage brokers and are happy to connect you. Based on your income and credit history, your broker will determine how much a bank will lend you, which will help you determine the price range for your search.

Visit Properties

It’s easier than ever to search for properties online but nothing will tell you if a home is right for you like walking through the door. Now is the time to consider your ideal location and amenities. Sellers in California are required to provide property disclosures; our team will help you navigate any findings to decide if you’d like to make an offer.

Packaging and Submitting Offers

As you prepare to submit an offer we’ll do a deep dive on comparable properties and provide you with a valuation estimate to help guide your offer price. I work with you and your lender to determine the amount of time needed to complete all the paperwork and select an appropriate closing date. Your offer is packaged with your Proof of Funds (POF) and Pre-Approval Letter.  We’ll help you in determining any contingencies to your offer and navigate any counter offers.

Offer Acceptance & Condition Fulfillment

Upon acceptance of your offer, we execute the agreement and meet deadlines to fulfill all conditions (if any). This is a critical step in the process where we take extra caution and conduct our due diligence on all terms and conditions like property inspection and financing and provide a list of tried-and-true venders. I will conduct a buyer’s visit to do a final walk-through prior to closing.

Congratulations, You're Buying a Home!

When your purchase offer is accepted the sellers will sign it and the contract will be ratified. Congratulations, you're buying a new home! In the first 24 hours the title company will open escrow and you'll wire your initial deposit. The fully signed Purchase Agreement should be submitted to your chosen lender along with your completed mortgage application and all supporting documentation.

Over the next 10-45 days you'll be in close contact with your bank. They may require an appraisal before they'll fund your loan if the purchase price is over a certain amount; we'll work with the seller's agent to schedule that inspection. Once your homeowners insurance is in place, the bank has approved your loan, and final funds are wired, the loan will be funded with clearance to close. Despite our digital age you’ll need to sign your closing documents in person.

30 Day Escrow Overview

Day 1 The sales contract is ratified. Escrow is opened at the title company and the clock begins on any contingencies*. Usually you’ll wire your initial 3% deposit in the first 24 hours.
Day 1–21 Loan is in underwriting and appraisal occurs if needed. Expect to be talking to your mortgage broker a lot during this time. We'll work with the seller's agent to complete any contingencies and talk through any questions you might have about the property.
Day 7 Decide how to take title.
Day 21 Secure property insurance, set up utilities, and schedule your final walk-through.
End of Escrow Within the final week of escrow, you'll sign loan and closing documents and wire in closing funds 
Day 20–45 The loan is funded and escrow closes (recordation)

Closing

On closing day, we finalize all legal documents. This will include confirmation from your mortgage broker and the title company to transfer title from seller over to you. Once written confirmation is received, you obtain your keys, celebrate, and I welcome you to your new home!

Post-Closing

I believe in being your lifelong Real Estate Advisor. After closing, I'll stay in touch and keep you informed of the on-going changes in the market. I'm always happy to answer market questions, talk about navigating the Planning Department, or provide information on our portfolio of trusted vendors to ensure any maintenance or renovations you want to undertake are handled by true professionals. And if you're thinking about a second home, or when you start to outgrow your new one - I'll be here to shepherd you through the next phase.