Your dream home
Journey starts here
Buying your first home doesn't have to be overwhelming. I'm here to guide you through every step, making the process simple, clear, and exciting.
Your First Steps to Home Ownership
Follow our proven roadmap to make your home buying journey smooth and successful
Get Pre-Approved
Start with a pre-approval to understand your budget and show sellers you're serious
Contact a lender to review your finances and get a pre-approval letter. This typically takes 1-3 days and helps you shop with confidence
Define your needs
Create a wish list of must-haves vs. nice-to-haves for your future home.
Consider location, size, amenities, and proximity to work/schools. This helps narrow your search and saves time.
Start house hunting
Begin touring homes that match your criteria and budget.
Work with your agent to schedule viewings. Take notes and photos to help remember each property.
Make an offer
Found the one? Your agent will help you submit a competitive offer.
Your offer should include price, closing date, and any contingencies. Your agent will negotiate on your behalf.
Home inspection
Hire a professional inspector to check for any issues with the property.
This protects you from unexpected problems. Most issues can be negotiated with the seller.
Close your home
Sign the final paperwork and get your keys!
Bring a cashier's check for closing costs, review all documents, and celebrate your new home!
Understanding Real Estate Terms
Amortization
The process of paying off a debt over time through regular payments. Part of each payment goes toward the loan principal and part goes toward interest.
Closing Costs
Expenses over and above the price of the property in a real estate transaction, including attorney fees, title insurance, appraisal, and more.
Equity
The difference between how much your home is worth and how much you still owe on your mortgage. It's the portion of your home that you truly 'own.'
FHA Loan
A mortgage loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration, designed to help first-time and low-to-moderate income buyers with lower down payment requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about the home buying process
The first step in buying a home in California is getting pre-approved for a mortgage. 🏡💰
1. Get Pre-Approved for a Loan
Before you start looking at homes, a lender reviews your finances and tells you how much you can borrow.
This process includes:
-
Checking your credit score
-
Reviewing your income and employment
-
Looking at your bank statements and debts
-
Determining your budget and loan program
A pre-approval letter helps because:
-
Sellers take your offer more seriously
-
You know your real price range
-
It speeds up the buying process once you find a home
A credit score is a number that shows how trustworthy you are when borrowing money. 💳📊 Lenders use it to decide if they should approve your loan and what interest rate you will get.
Most lenders use the FICO Score, which ranges from 300 to 850.
Credit Score Ranges
-
300 – 579: Poor
-
580 – 669: Fair
-
670 – 739: Good
-
740 – 799: Very Good
-
800 – 850: Excellent ⭐
The higher your score, the better your chances of:
-
Getting approved for a loan
-
Getting lower interest rates
-
Qualifying for better mortgage programs
Closing costs are the fees and expenses you pay when finalizing a real estate transaction. 🏡📑 They are paid at the end of the home buying process, usually when the transaction closes and ownership transfers from the seller to the buyer.
What Closing Costs Include
Closing costs can include several items such as:
-
Loan origination fees – charged by the lender for processing the loan
-
Appraisal fee – to determine the home’s value
-
Home inspection fee – to check the condition of the property
-
Title search and title insurance – protects against ownership issues
-
Escrow fees – for handling the transaction
-
Recording fees – paid to the county to record the new ownership
-
Property taxes and insurance prepaid amounts
“A realtor helps you find the right home, negotiate the best deal, and guide you through the entire buying process so you don’t have to do it alone.”
Our Testimonials
Ria Mirabueno
Professional, responsive realtor who made the entire home buying process smooth and stress-free!!!!!
I had a wonderful experience working with my realtor! From the very beginning, they were professional, knowledgeable, and always available to answer any questions. They made the entire process smooth and stress-free, explaining every step clearly and making sure I felt confident in my decision. Their attention to detail, strong negotiation skills and dedication truly made a difference. I always felt that they had my best interest in mind. Whether you are buying or selling a home, I highly recommend working with them-you will be in great hands. Thank you for helping make this journey such a positive and successful experience
Liliana Solorzano
The best of the best !
We had an excellent experience working with Nennette Agbay while purchasing our home in Reseda. From the very beginning she was extremely knowledgeable about the market and guided us through every step of the process. Her communication was outstanding, and she always kept us informed, which made the entire experience feel smooth and stress-free. Everything moved quickly, and we truly felt that she had our best interests in mind the entire time. If you’re looking for a professional, responsive, and knowledgeable realtor, I would 100% recommend Nennette Agbay and her services.
Bernadette G.
Working with Ms. Agbay was ABSOLUTELY a most positive and successful experience!!
This past summer Ms. Agbay sold my condominium in two weeks; and above asking price!! She recently assisted us in searching for a new home; and within 30 days she assisted us in closing the deal!! She is to be highly commended for her knowledge of the real estate market and all related financial requirements/protocols. We looked at several properties all over Los Angeles and Riverside counties ; and Ms. Agbay was with us during all of the site visits. She sincerely made our priorities and preferences hers. In addition, she patiently educated us regarding the financial workings that are involved with purchasing a home. She was available 7 days per week and evenings, too. In all, Ms. Agbay provided a great trust and an abundance of information. Her absolute goals to meet our needs were met! In doing so, she gave us the confidence to make the right and best decisions!! All of her future clients will experience all of the above; and find that she is a joy to work with, too!! Thank you Ms. Agbay!!
Ready to start your journey?
Get in touch today for a free consultation. We're here to answer your questions and guide you every step of the way.
