🎙 Search to Sold! with Matthew "MG" Garcia | So You Want to Buy a House, Huh? 🏡

So, you’re thinking about buying a house. Congratulations! 🎉 You’re about to embark on a journey that’s equal parts exciting, paperwork-heavy, and occasionally overwhelming. But don’t worry—I’m here to walk you through it without all the jargon, sales pitch, or stress.

Buying a home isn’t just scrolling through Zillow at midnight and falling in love with the house that has the “dream kitchen.” It’s a process—one that involves understanding your finances, building the right team, and knowing how the market works. Let’s break it down step by step.

Step 1: Financial Readiness 💰

Before you start touring homes, you need to know what you can really afford. That starts with:

• Checking your credit score

• Understanding your debt-to-income ratio

• Talking to a lender about getting pre-approved

That pre-approval letter? It’s not just a piece of paper—it’s your golden ticket to competing in today’s Southern California market. Sellers take you seriously when you’ve got one in hand.

And if this all sounds like another language right now, don’t worry. Your first step is simply connecting with a lender. If you need help finding the right one, I can point you in the right direction.

Step 2: Assemble Your Dream Team 🏆

Buying a house is not a solo sport. You’ll need:

• A real estate agent (hi 👋)

• A lender

• Home inspectors

• Title reps

• Sometimes a contractor or two

The most important part? Working with people who understand your goals and the San Gabriel Valley market. You want a team that makes the process smoother, not more stressful.

Pro tip: I keep a vetted directory of professionals I actually trust—people who pick up the phone when I call. If they don’t respond to me, how can I trust they’ll respond to my clients?

Step 3: Define Your Needs vs. Wants ✍️

This is where you get real with yourself. Make two lists:

• Must-haves (things you cannot live without, like number of bedrooms, location, or school district).

• Nice-to-haves (things that would be great but aren’t dealbreakers, like a home theater or a pool).

Here’s the hard part: be honest with yourself. That brand-new gourmet kitchen might look nice, but will a quiet neighborhood or shorter commute serve you better long-term? When I work with clients, I help sort through this process in detail—it makes decision-making a whole lot easier.

Step 4: Understand the Market 📊

Real estate markets change constantly. Prices rise and fall, inventory comes and goes, and interest rates move around. If you’re buying in the San Gabriel Valley, you need to be aware of how these factors affect your timeline and your strategy.

I stay connected with trusted lenders who keep me updated on interest rates, and I share that insight with my clients. Knowing if it’s a buyer’s market, seller’s market, or somewhere in between is crucial—it impacts how quickly you need to act and what kind of offers are realistic.

Step 5: The Search Begins 🔍

Once you’ve got your finances sorted and your team in place, it’s time for the fun part—house hunting!

You’ll use online tools, check out open houses, and stay in close contact with your agent (that’s me again). The more flexible you are, the more opportunities you’ll find.

Here’s a tip: instead of relying on the big-box listing sites we all know, you can use a true MLS-backed search tool. On my website, you can download an app that gives you direct access to the same data agents use—updated and accurate. That way, you’re not falling in love with a house online that’s already sold.

What’s Next?

This is just the beginning of the home-buying journey. In our next part, we’ll dive into the pre-approval process and how to get your finances in top shape to buy a home.

For now, if you’re ready to take the first step, the best thing you can do is reach out. Whether you’re curious about getting pre-approved, building your team, or just wondering what’s realistic for your budget in the San Gabriel Valley—I’m here to help guide you.

Disclaimer

This blog post was created using a combination of personal insights, publicly available real estate resources, and AI writing assistance via ChatGPT by OpenAI. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and relevance, the information provided is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or professional advice.

Readers are encouraged to consult with licensed professionals before making any real estate decisions. Turn Keys With MG, Matthew Garcia DRE# 02251181, and Real Brokerage Technologies assume no liability or responsibility for actions taken based on the content of this blog. Always verify any legal or regulatory advice with appropriate authorities or qualified professionals.