What Buying a Home in San Diego Really Looks Like

By Josh Painter

Josh Painter is a real estate broker, mortgage broker, and the author of the book Best Version Ever.

Thinking about buying a home in San Diego, but not sure what the process actually looks like? A lot of buyers assume it’s complicated, but when you break it down, it’s really just a few key steps. As both an agent and a lender, I get to guide you through the entire thing from start to finish, so here’s what it typically looks like.

1. Start with a pre-approval. Everything begins with a pre-approval, where I look at your income, credit, and down payment to pin down exactly what you can afford. In a competitive market like San Diego and Southern California in general, a solid pre-approval isn’t optional because it’s what makes sellers take your offer seriously.

2. Go house hunting and make offers. With your numbers set, we start house hunting in earnest. I help you focus on homes that fit your budget and goals. When the right one comes up, we move quickly and structure a strong offer that gives you the best chance of winning.

3. Move into escrow. Once your offer is accepted, we move into escrow, where inspections, the appraisal, and final loan approval all happen at once. Most escrows in Southern California take about 21 to 30 days, and throughout that stretch, I’m coordinating both the financing and the transaction to keep everything moving smoothly.

4. Get the keys on closing day. Finally comes closing day. You sign your final loan docs, the loan funds, and the keys are yours. From that first conversation to move-in day, my goal is to make the whole process simple and stress-free.

If you’re thinking about buying in San Diego or anywhere in Southern California and want to know what your next step should be, reach out. I’d be happy to help you map out a plan that fits where you’re headed. Call or text me at 951-265-3524, email me at josh@morethanjustarealestateagent.com, or visit joshpaintersold.com. Let’s turn that first conversation into your move-in day.