The Questions Buyers
& Sellers Always Ask.

Generally you need 3.5-20% down depending on the loan type. FHA loans (good for first-time buyers) only require 3.5% down. Conventional loans need 5-20%. On a $650K home in Downey, that's anywhere from $22,750 (FHA) to $130,000 (20% conventional). You'll also need 2-5% for closing costs. Talk to a lender first — I can connect you with mine — and you'll get a real number for your situation.

Yes, 100%. Without pre-approval you're shopping blind — and most sellers won't even let you see their home without a letter. Pre-approval takes about 24-48 hours and tells you exactly what you can afford. It's free and there's no commitment.

From "I want to start looking" to "keys in hand" usually takes 60-90 days for first-time buyers. That breaks down to 2-4 weeks finding the right home, 30 days for escrow, and a few days for the final walkthrough and closing. Cash buyers can close in as little as 14 days.

Closing costs are the fees to finalize the purchase: lender origination fees, title insurance, escrow fees, recording fees, and prepaid taxes/insurance. In California, they typically run 2-3% of the purchase price for buyers. On a $650K home, expect $13K-$19K in closing costs on top of your down payment.

Yes — within your contingency periods. Standard contingencies in California are 17 days for inspection and appraisal, and 21 days for loan approval. During those periods you can back out and get your earnest money back. After contingencies are removed, backing out gets expensive — you usually lose your deposit.

A seller's agent (listing agent) represents the seller and works to get them the best price. A buyer's agent (me, when you hire me) represents YOU and works to get YOU the best deal. The seller pays both commissions. So when you hire a buyer's agent, it costs you nothing — but you get someone whose only job is your interests.

No. That's a myth. The average first-time buyer in LA puts down 6-8%. FHA loans need just 3.5%. VA loans need 0% (if you qualify). The only reason to put down 20% is to avoid PMI (private mortgage insurance), which adds about $200-400/month on most loans. For most first-time buyers, it makes more sense to buy now with less down than to wait years to save 20%.

I run a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) — pulling 6-10 recent sales of homes like yours in your exact neighborhood. I look at square footage, condition, lot size, upgrades, and adjust for differences. The result is a price range I'm confident I can sell your home for. It's not a guess, it's data. And I'll send you the full CMA for free — no obligation.

It's negotiable based on your home value and the marketing plan. The standard in California is 5-6% (split between buyer's agent and seller's agent). For most homes I work on, I charge less than the standard. We talk numbers before any contract gets signed — no surprises.

Maybe. We do a walkthrough together first. Big repairs (roof, foundation, electrical) usually pay for themselves in the sale price. Small cosmetic fixes (paint, landscaping, declutter) almost always pay for themselves 5-10x over. Major remodels usually don't — you're better off listing as-is and pricing accordingly.

In the current Downey market, the average is 25-35 days from listing to accepted offer. Well-priced, well-marketed homes can sell in 1-2 weeks. Overpriced homes sit for months. The biggest factor is pricing it right out of the gate — that's where I earn my commission.

No — please don't be. Buyers feel uncomfortable when sellers are home. They don't open closets, they don't talk freely, and they leave faster. Take the dog and go grab a coffee. I'll handle the showing. You'll get more honest feedback and better offers.

That's the goal — and it's common when we price and market correctly. With multiple offers, we have leverage. We can ask buyers for "highest and best" by a certain time, push for waived contingencies, faster close dates, larger earnest money, or all-cash terms. I've helped sellers get $40K+ over asking using this strategy.

For most homes, yes — at minimum a virtual stager. Staged homes sell 20-30% faster and for 5-10% more on average. For a $650K home, that's $32K+ more in your pocket for a $1,500-3,000 staging investment. Good return.

Downey is home base, but I cover all of Southeast LA and most of north Orange County: Pico Rivera, Whittier, La Habra, Long Beach, Lakewood, Bellflower, Norwalk, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine. If your home is anywhere in LA or OC, I can probably help.

Sí, hablo español perfectamente. Crecí en una familia bilingüe. Te puedo ayudar en inglés o español, lo que sea más cómodo para ti y tu familia. La mayoría de mis clientes saltan entre los dos idiomas — no hay problema.

Within minutes during normal hours, within an hour at night and on weekends. I don't have a team that handles texts for me — when you message me, you get me. If you text me on a Sunday morning, I'll text you back before you finish your coffee.

I'm local. I'm bilingual. I respond fast. I don't have a team that hands you off to junior agents. You get me on the phone, every time. And I'll tell you the truth about the market — even when it's not what you want to hear. That's why my clients refer me to their families.