What a Buyer’s Agent Does for You
On the coast, the house is only part of what you are buying. Two homes with the same square footage can be millions apart depending on the dock, the view, the street, or the permit history. My job is to make sure you know exactly what you are paying for before you commit to it.
That means finding the right home, including the ones that never reach a public listing site. It means checking the things that matter on this coast, pricing your offer from real comparable sales rather than online estimates, and negotiating terms that protect you all the way through escrow.
I have been doing this for more than ten years, across more than 1,000 transactions. I also have a background in mortgage lending, so I can walk you through jumbo financing, rate buydowns, and how your loan terms shape the strength of your offer.
What I Check on Every Coastal Purchase
- The dock and slip. Whether a dock conveys with the home, what size boat it takes, and whether the dock permit transfers to you. On the bay this can move value more than the house itself.
- Seawalls and bulkheads. Their condition, their age, and who is responsible for them. Repairs are expensive and slow to permit.
- Flood zone and insurance. The flood zone designation, what insurance will cost, and whether your lender will require it. Both belong in your budget before you write an offer.
- Permit history. Whether past remodels and additions were permitted, and how Coastal Commission jurisdiction would affect your own plans for the property.
- Rental rules. Newport Beach caps short-term rental permits citywide, so if rental income is part of your plan, a property’s permit status matters.
- Community rules. On private communities such as Lido Isle and Harbor Island, the association’s rules, fees, and approvals for exterior changes.
How It Works
Buying a Home, Step by Step
Consultation
Budget, timing, must-haves, and the neighborhoods worth a look. We sign the buyer agreement here, so what I do and how I’m paid is in writing from the start.
Search
Public listings, coming-soon homes, and off-market properties I hear about from other agents, filtered down to what actually fits.
Offer
A price based on recent comparable sales, terms that make your offer stand out, and contingencies that still protect you.
Escrow to Close
Inspections, disclosures, appraisal, and loan milestones tracked to the date. Escrow usually runs 30 to 45 days.
Plan Your Budget
What Will It Cost Each Month?
Estimated monthly cost
Add a rate
Enter an interest rate to include the loan payment. Taxes, insurance, and other costs come to $1,996 a month on their own.
| Property tax | $1,696 |
|---|---|
| Homeowners insurance | $300 |
- Down payment
- $370,000
- Loan amount
- $1,480,000
Jumbo loan. This loan is above the 2026 conforming limit of $1,249,125 for Orange and Los Angeles counties. Jumbo loans often have different down payment, reserve, and credit requirements.
For estimates only. Not a loan offer, a rate quote, or an approval. Actual rates and terms depend on the lender and the borrower. The calculator also has its own page.
Your Buyer Agreement, in Plain Terms
Since January 2025, California has required a written agreement between a home buyer and their agent, signed no later than when you make an offer. Industry rules go a step further and ask for one before you tour a home together. The agreement lists the services I provide, how much I am paid and when, and when it ends, which under state law can be no more than three months after signing.
Compensation is negotiable. In many sales the seller agrees to cover some or all of it, and we can ask for that in your offer. I walk through the whole agreement with you before you sign, so there are no surprises later.
Off-Market and Coming-Soon Homes
Some of the best homes on this coast sell without ever appearing on a public site. Owners test a price quietly, or prefer that neighbors and tenants not know they are selling. Those homes move through conversations between agents. The off-market list is how you hear about them in time to act.
Where I Help Buyers
Each area guide covers the housing, the neighborhoods, and what sets that market apart.
- Newport Beach
- Huntington Beach
- Corona del Mar
- Newport Coast
- Laguna Beach
- Dana Point
- Long Beach
- San Juan Capistrano
- Peninsula Point
- Balboa Island
- Harbor Island
- Lido Isle
- El Dorado Park Estates
- Rossmoor
Before You Buy: Further Reading
- Buying a Coastal Home: What the Process Actually Looks Like
- Smart Financing Options for Luxury Homes in Newport Beach
- How Mortgage Rate Buydowns Work for Orange County Buyers
- Newport Beach Remodel Permits: Newport Shores Buyer Guide
- Buying a Vacation Home in Newport Beach
- First Time Buyer Guide To El Dorado Park Estates
More questions about pre-approval, timelines, and down payments are on the FAQ page.
Questions Buyers Ask
Do I have to sign an agreement to work with a buyer’s agent?
Yes. Since January 2025, California law has required a written buyer representation agreement for home purchases, signed no later than when you make an offer, and industry rules ask for one before you tour a home with an agent. The agreement lists the services your agent provides, how much they are paid and when, and an end date no more than three months after signing.
Who pays the buyer’s agent?
It is negotiated. Agent compensation is not set by law, and your agreement spells out the amount. In many sales the seller agrees to cover some or all of it, and that can be requested as part of your offer. Whatever is agreed, you know the numbers before you sign anything.
Can you help me buy a home that isn’t listed for sale?
Yes. A meaningful share of coastal homes change hands quietly, through conversations between agents before or instead of a public listing. Joining the off-market list means you hear about properties that fit what you are looking for while there is still time to act.
I’m moving from out of the area. Can you help from a distance?
Yes. I can walk properties for you on live video, send recorded walkthroughs, and talk you through how each neighborhood differs before you fly in, so your time here is spent on the homes most likely to work.
This page is general information about buying a home in California, not legal or financial advice. Laws and industry practices change, and every purchase is different. For guidance on your own situation, talk with the appropriate licensed professional.