Globella Buyers Realty > Services > Advice for Luxury Home Buyers in San Diego

Advice for Luxury Homebuyers in San Diego

Buying a luxury home is a fun and exciting time, but it can also be a little overwhelming! If you’re looking to buy a luxury home in San Diego, here are a few tips and tricks that will hopefully make the process a little less stressful for you.

Photo Credit: American Advisors Group

FIRST, figure out what you want (and don't want) in a home - but be flexible. Knowing in advance what your “must-haves” are will help you and your buyer's agent start your San Diego luxury home search off on the right foot. For example, if you have three dogs and need a home with a yard, you probably won’t want to waste your time looking at luxury downtown condos!

At the same time, I recommend you keep an open mind. Inventory in the San Diego luxury housing market can be tight at times, so don’t be afraid to branch out and look at neighborhoods and home styles you wouldn’t necessarily have considered. Your dream home just might end up looking different than what you’ve imagined! See my Homebuyers Questionnaire for ideas!


 


 

SECOND, be patient - but prepare to act fast when the time is right. Again, depending on your target price range luxury home inventory in San Diego can be tight. Luxury homes in certain neighborhoods are on the market for less time than others! It may take you a bit of searching to find the perfect place, but once you do, be prepared to jump on it and put in an offer immediately if inventory is low in the neighborhoods/price range you’re looking in.

Part of being ready to snap up that dream home when you find it is to have all your financial ducks in a row. If you're paying all-cash, we need to have written verification of funds to submit with an offer (and in some cases just to get a tour of a home you're considering). If you plan to finance the purchase with a jumbo loan, it's important to complete your preapproval as soon as you're ready to look at homes. The preapproval process will require you to provide your bank statements and investment statements, past two or three years of tax returns, proof of your employment status and salary, and your credit report. By getting a preapproval, you’re signaling to luxury home sellers that you're a serious buyer and you're ready to move!

If you are planning to hold ownership of the property as an LLC or a Trust, it's important that you share your expectations with your Luxury San Diego Buyer's Agent early on during your home purchase journey. 


Also Read: 16 Questions to Ask During Your Loan Preapproval Process


THIRD, have all of your financial documents organized. Pre-Approval or Proof of Funds (for an all-cash purchase) are just the start of the paperwork, so it’s essential to stay ahead of the game. Once you put in an offer and it’s accepted, things will move very quickly! Having your financial information (again, trust or LLC paperwork, bank statements and investment accounts, tax returns, pay stubs, credit report, and credit card statements or any other outstanding debts) on-hand and ready to go will be very helpful.

Another thing you’ll need on hand and ready to go? Cash. One of the first things you’ll be asked to do upon signing your purchase agreement is to provide your earnest money deposit. This is a good faith deposit, showing the seller you’re serious about the transaction. The money is held in a trust account or escrow account until closing, at which point it will typically be applied to your down payment. While the details of the earnest money deposit may vary (always read your contract thoroughly!) the industry standard for paying your earnest money deposit is 3 days, so be sure you have enough liquid cash to make that payment! Remember, if you’re planning to pull money from investment or retirement accounts, that typically takes at least 5 business days.

Earnest money deposit? Points? Private mortgage insurance? As you start to go through the offer process, it will also be helpful for you to learn a little more about the real estate jargon! There are several good real estate glossaries out there to get you started. Here are a few definitions I think are important when you're starting your luxury San Diego home search! 

Also never be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand something in your contract or loan documents!


 


 

OF COURSE, the best tip I can give you is to work with a team you trust! You need to feel comfortable with your luxury San Diego buyer's agent, your loan officer, your real estate attorney, and everyone else involved in your luxury home-buying experience. If you’re thinking about buying a luxury home in San Diego County (north, south, east, or west), contact me today to schedule an interview (or what I call a Buyer Strategy Session) so we can talk about your needs, your budget, and how I can help.


MORE INFORMATION FOR LUXURY SAN DIEGO HOME BUYERS:

Also Read: What is a Buyer Strategy Session?

Also Read: What is an Exclusive Buyer Agent?

Also Read: How Does a Buyer's Agent Get Paid?
 


---------------------------------------------------------
 

Justin Gramm is the founder and principal broker of Globella Buyers Realty, your San Diego Exclusive Buyer Brokerage.

Exclusive Buyer Agents do not list homes for sale and never represent sellers. They have no "inventory" to try to sell you. They can represent you in purchasing any home. They are specialists at representing buyers only on the buyers' side of the transaction. Exclusive Buyer Agents work to get buyers the best price and terms when they buy a home.

Read Also: Luxury San Diego Buyer's Agent

Read Also: San Diego Realtor for Luxury Home Buyers

If you are well-qualified and plan to buy a luxury home or condo in San Diego County within 90 days, contact Justin Gramm to hire an agent on your side of the transaction. Call Justin at 619-775-1977 or Email.

Justin Gramm, Broker
Globella Buyers Realty
Ph: 858.437.2662
CA 92102 US
CA DRE License # 01714813
www.Globella.com
Buyer Strategy Session What is an EBA? When to Hire an Agent How My Schedule Works Buying a Home in 2025 About Globella Globella Questionnaire When to Buy? Part 1 How I Work How I Get Paid Buyer Representation Helpful Buyer Links Why Hire Justin? First-Time Homebuyers Location = Lifestyle About Justin Gramm Buyer's To-Do List How to Write an Offer Luxury Buyers VIDEO: Meet Justin 10 Best School Districts North Cty vs. San Diego Testimonials/Reviews Paperwork What is Dual Agency? Relocating to San Diego New Construction The Informed Buyer About Buyer Agency Paperwork Explained Dog-Friendly Buildings Retiring in San Diego The Dual Agent Trap Help for Luxury Buyers Home Buying FAQ Buying a Condo The Globella Difference 5 Reasons to Rent Buying Foreclosures 3 Investing Strategies 1031 Exchange Tips 5 Reasons to Buy Accredited Agent (ABR) Agency 101 Preapproval Questions Avoid Moving Twice Agency Disclosure Privacy Policy Buyer Agent Interview Foreclosures Negotiation Expert Choosing a Lender Agent Ethics Top 1% of Realtors Buying a New Home Negotiating Your Loan Second Home Expert Hiring an Inspector Termites! Buyer Services Avoiding Wire Fraud Hot vs. Cold Market Free Buyer Reports Get a Home Warranty Checking HOA Health Hazard Insurance Tips Free Investor Reports Condo Litigation Earthquake Insurance SD Weather Tips Property Taxes Cost of Granny Flat Vesting as LLC or Trust Buying with a VA Loan Investor Services Code of Ethics Buyer Resources About the Name Contractor List Moving Checklist Home Investigation Tips The Grande: Downtown Condos Seven on Kettner Treo Beech Tower Citymark at Cortez Hill Park View Gaslamp City Square Watermark 235 on Market Atria Brickyard Columbia Place Harbor Club Island Lofts Angove Lofts Jacaranda Studios Rowhomes on F Bella Via Columbia & Fir Lofts Date Street Townhomes Ecco Lofts Finestra Lofts Hawthorn Place Kettner Rowhomes Lusso Lofts The State The Waterfront Victorian House Aperture Preparing a Short Sale Offer How A Short Sale Lender Analyzes an Offer Short Sale Lenders Approval Options Different Short Sale Lenders Act Differently Loss Mitigation vs. Foreclosure Departments Short Sale Defined The Ideal Short Sale Seller Why Do Banks Even Consider Short Sales? Some Listed Short Sales Are Not Closeable La Jolla Del Mar Point Loma Rancho Santa Fe Pacific Beach Coronado Downtown San Diego Contact Us Communities Buying Short Sales FAQ International Buyers First-Time Buyers Vacation-Home Buyers Move-Up Buyers Downsizing Buyers 1031 Exchange Buyers Luxury San Diego Real Estate Fair Housing Investment Buyers San Diego Photos New-Home Buyers Testimonial Chuck Smith Testimonial Downtown Steve What's Exciting! How We Work Short Sale Testimonial Investing Buying a Home Footer Links Local Restaurant Reviews SD Restaurant Reviews Things to Do in SD SD Eatery Reviews Paperwork How We Work About Our Name How We Get Paid Before Writing Offer Before You Write an Offer Before Writing an Offer Del Mar Buyers Agent 92101 Buyers Agent Loan Doc Signing Tips Testimonial - Samantha Z. How I Work Review from Melanie & Michael Review from Erica M. Buying in 2014 Spring Home and Garden Show 2014 at Del Mar Fairgrounds Review from Daniel E. Review from Steve and Chi Buying in 2015 Spring-Home-Garden-Show-San-Diego-Del-Mar-Fairgrounds Buying a Home in 2016 Review from Michael I. Review from John and Wendy Review from Allison H. Review from Frank S. Broken-Landing-Page San-Diego-Spring-Home-and-Garden-Show-2016 Your Ivy at Carmel Valley Exclusive Buyer's Agent Your Sea Cliff Exclusive Buyers Agent Your Avery Pointe at Veridian Exclusive Buyer's Agent Your Lanai in Carlsbad Exclusive Buyer's Agent Your Pacific Gate San Diego Exclusive Buyers Agent Your SummerHouse Carlsbad Exclusive Buyers Agent 2016 San Diego Market Your-Park-at-Bankers-Hill-Exclusive-Buyers-Agent Your Aura Exclusive Buyers Agent San Diego Buyer Agent Review from Mary R. San Diego Buyer Agent Review from Dan B. Your Estates at Del Sur Exclusive Buyers Agent San Diego Buyer Agent Review from Ken and Cindy Three Reasons to Buy a Home in Hillcrest, San Diego Three Reasons to Buy in Bankers Hill San Diego Your Elms at Carmel Valley Exclusive Buyers Agent When to Buy? Part 2 San Diego Buyers Agent Review from Kevin C. Three Reasons to Buy in Encinitas San Diego San Diego Buyer Agent Review from Natacha S. Is Fall a Good Time to Buy a New Home? Your Elms at Carmel Valley Exclusive Buyers Agent Your Canterra Exclusive Buyers Agent Three Reasons to Live in Normal Heights, San Diego San Diego Buyer Agent Review from Renaud P. Buying a Home in 2018 Your Estancia at Cielo Exclusive Buyers Agent Your Upper Cielo Exclusive Buyers Agent Three Reasons to Buy a Home in La Mesa Your-Cottages-at-St-Cloud-Exclusive-Buyers-Agent Your Harmony Grove Exclusive Buyer Agent Three Reasons to Live in Kensington, San Diego 8 Home Maintenance Tips for Spring Federal Interest Rate Hike and San Diego Homebuyers Review from Stewart H. Review from Roland M. Review from Duane and Nancy Review from Natacha S. Review from Shandi and Michael Your Savina Exclusive Buyers Agent Your Escaya Exclusive Buyers Agent Your Terraces at Robinson Ranch Exclusive Buyers Agent Your Signature Exclusive Buyers Agent Your Garrison Landing Exclusive Buyers Agent Review-from-Joseph-C Review from Kara S. Review from Martin and Jackie 2018 Market Update Three Reasons to Live in South Park San Diego Review-from-Adam-W. New Granny Flat Law in San Diego Why Buy at Civita Review- from-Randy-F. Review-from-Oline-C Buyer's Privacy Rights Review from Alex M. Three Reasons to Live in Tierrasanta Review from Greg C. Review from Kenjie S. Review from L.T. Review from Mike L. Sandicor Statistics Videos Market Statistics Contact VIP Home Finder Request a Buyer Strategy Session / Interview Welcome Subscribe Site Map