Most Carlsbad homeowners will tell you, there is nothing like shopping for a house and that’s
not just because of the huge investment.
When you go shopping for regular everyday items, you probably have a place in mind you like to go shop for particular items. it’s easy to make a list then head out know which stores you will visit to complete all of your purchases. More than likely since these are items you buy over and over, you know where to go for the best prices or you know what stores are having sales on items you need. It’s almost like being on automatic pilot.
When it comes to a more expensive or less shopped item like a car or a house, your more likely to do more shopping around before heading out. The internet is a great place to find information on your higher need purchase. In fact, in a study done by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 85% of today's homebuyers find there home online before even contacting an agent. Assuming you have the extra time, you can easily search for a car or house online for homes throughout San Diego.
Buying a Carlsbad house differs quite a lot from buying that brand new car. For those who don’t think so, let’s take a look at the process of deciding on how to purchase house to how you approach any other expensive investment, like a new car-
Who represents you?
When you decide to buy a new car, your more than likely to start your search online looking at different dealerships and prices (unless you are completely tied into one auto make) which can take you from San Diego all the way up to Los Angeles. With the internet today, all major dealerships have an online presence. If your looking at used cars, you can even check things like Autotrader or Craigslist. You’ll then more than likely go out and take a test drive, hopefully find “the one” and then sit down for the always fun conversation with the salesman who will more than likely end up calling in the sales manager as you try to hammer out the best deal for yourself. This is the normal process, no one ever brings an agent with them to buy a car. But when buying a house - not having an agent is a huge mistake.
Yes, you can consider going it alone and let the seller’s agent write and submit your offer but don’t forget that agent is originally hired to represent the seller. As the purchaser of what is sure to be the biggest investment you make, you will not have the same interests as the seller. If someone were suing you, you’d never consider hiring their lawyer to represent you—but when one agent is in charge of the whole process, that’s what happens. It doesn’t make much sense, especially since having your own agent costs you no more (both agents’ commissions are paid from the seller’s proceeds).
Inspection 
When you buy a new car, if you insisted on having your mechanic check out the engine, the dealer would wonder what part of “new” you fail to understand. He would think you’d lost your mind. Yet buying a house without providing for your own thorough inspection would be a very risky move. Although skipping the inspection might save a little money Carlsbad home buyers expose themselves to an array of future problems when they do so.
Pre-Approval
It’s awkward to go about financing a new car before you know what you want, which is part of the reason dealers have a financing department. When you’re buying a house, the opposite is true. Since some people have an unrealistic idea of their total financial picture (and an incomplete understanding of lending practices), it makes any buyer stronger to appear with pre-approval in hand. Sellers know you’re for real!
If buying a house in North County San Diego is on your agenda, having me in your corner will help make it one “shopping expedition” that’s both a pleasure and a success. I hope you’ll call me!
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