How Do I Start My Home Search?

By Rebecca Williamson · February 11th, 2011

Q: How Do I Start My San Mateo Home Search?

A: I’ve had this question asked many times by San Mateo first time home buyers as well as trade up buyers. The answer is use the Internet. Here is what I would do.

Step #1: Get a Rought Estimate of What You Can Afford

Use a basic mortgage calculator, like the one below, to get a rough estimate of what size loan you’d be comfortable paying.

Free Mortgage Calculator

Step #2: Begin to Look at What’s Available

Once you have this rough number of what you can afford, begin by scanning the real estate web sites like our San Mateo Home Search here on

Step #3: Set up an Email Search Program

When you have a better idea of what you want, set up an automated search program using your specific purchase criteria to identify those San Mateo homes that most closely match your acquisition parameters. These matches can be emailed to you with information, pictures and virtual tours about the homes listed for sale that match your wants daily or weekly as you prefer.

How Do I Set Up an Email Search Program?

You can set up this automated search program for you by creating an account and entering your search criteria in our online San Mateo Home Search program. We will email you at no charge or obligation, details and photographs of homes listed that match your search criteria. You’ll get maps, driving directions, demographic, school and community information about each property that will help you begin to narrow down your home search. We can also set this up for you if you’ll email us your search criteria at info@LivingWellinSanMateo.com.

The Internet is most efficient and effective search and information tool we have ever seen in the real estate business. Use it to your advantage to save time, effort and money.

Step #4: Get Pre-Approved for a Loan

Set up an appointment with a reputable lender who will take the time to go through your options and present different loan programs that may work with your financial situation. Here, you will also get a more accurate idea of what a lender will loan you to buy a home. We recommend contacting our Co-Author, Chris Williamson, who will take the time to go through your options and explain the process. Chris can be reached through email at Chris@SanMateoMortgageBlog.com or by phone at (650) 520-0915.

Step #5: Select a Buyer’s Agent

After you’ve visited a reputable lender and know what you can afford, it’s time to find a real estate agent who specializes in working with buyers. For more info, you can read our post How to Select a San Mateo Buyer’s Agent?

We’d also suggest you take a look at our Buyer Representation program. If you like what you see, call us at (650) 655-2500 or email us at info@LivingWellinSanMateo.com to schedule a no obligation consultation. We’ll help you come up with a game plan for a stress free and smoothe real estate transaction.

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