Buyer's Guide

How to Buy a Home:

• 1

  
  Initial
  Consultation

  
  Reach out to your Compass Agent, define your priorities and time-frame. They will work as your advocates and trusted advisors to help guide your search.

• 2

  
  Get Pre-Approved

  
  Before beginning your search, your first step is to get pre-approved for a mortgage loan (unless you will be paying in cash for the full price of your home). Your Compass agent can connect you to a mortgage advisor. Based on your income and credit history, the mortgage advisor will determine how much a bank will lend you, which will help you determine the price range for your search.

• 3

  
  Visit Properties

  
  Attend viewings and open houses spanning a range of areas and property types. Now is the time to consider your ideal location and amenities. Ask your Compass agent about Compass Coming Soon and off-market opportunities

• 4

  
  Identify Property
  and Review Disclosure
  Package

  
  Once you have selected a property you are ready to write an offer. Your Compass agent is well versed in the San Francisco Association of Realtor contracts and terms as well as disclosure obligations by the seller.

• 5

  
  Negotiate and
  Write an Offer

  
  Your offer is a non-binding agreement to pay a certain price for the home. 

  If your offer is lower than the list price, the seller will likely return with a "counter offer”, which you can choose to accept, reject, or counter. Your Compass agent will advise on pricing throughout the process.

• 6

  
  Due Diligence

  
  During the escrow process, you will have an opportunity to inspect the property, review homeowner's 

  association documents. Select home insurance coverage and submit to escrow. Remove contingencies.

• 7

  
  Final Walk-Through with
  Your Agent

  
  A final walk-through ensures that the property's condition hasn't changed since your last visit and that the terms of your contract will be met.

• 8

  
  Closing of
  Escrow

  
  Congratulations, you are now a home owner!