About you
So Tim knows who he is talking to and how you like to communicate.
Best time of day to reach you Select one Morning Midday Afternoon Evening Weekends
How did you find Tim? Select one Referral from a friend or client Google search Social media Special Olympics community Law practice client Signage or open house Other
Who else will be part of this decision? (names and roles, optional)
Where you are right now
Your current situation shapes the whole strategy: timing, financing, and how aggressive to be.
Current living situation Select one Renting Own and will sell first Own and will keep it Own and will sell after buying Living with family Relocating from out of area
When would you ideally close? Select one As soon as possible Within 3 months 3 to 6 months 6 to 12 months More than a year Just exploring for now
Have you bought a home before? Select one First-time buyer Bought once before Bought several times Investor
Are you currently working with another agent? Select one No Yes, under a written agreement Yes, but not under agreement Not sure
What is prompting the move?
Is there anything that has to happen first (sale of a current home, lease ending, job start date)?
Budget, financing, and contingencies
A realistic picture of the money keeps the search efficient and keeps your offers credible. Tim is not your lender or your attorney; this only frames the search and the strategy.
How will you pay? Select one Financing with a mortgage All cash Mostly cash, small loan Selling a home to fund the purchase Gift or family funds plus a loan Not sure yet
Pre-approval status Select one Fully pre-approved (underwritten) Pre-approved letter in hand Pre-qualified only Have not started Cash, no loan needed
Have you budgeted for closing costs (roughly 1% to 2% of price for buyers)? Select one Yes Roughly No, please explain
Reserves after closing (savings left over) Select one Under 3 months of expenses 3 to 6 months 6 to 12 months More than a year Prefer not to say
Is this purchase contingent on selling a home you currently own?
If the seller will not accept a sale contingency, what would you do? Select one Sell first, then buy Use a bridge loan or HELOC Buy first and carry two payments Rent back or short-term rental in between Walk away from that home
Loan types you would like to know more about (optional)
Your understanding of the process
No wrong answers. This tells Tim how much time to spend on the mechanics versus the search itself. In this engagement Tim is your real estate agent, not your attorney; the outline below is general information, not legal advice.
How well do you understand the California home buying process from offer to keys?
What is required of a buyer, start to finish Get pre-approved. A lender reviews income, assets, and credit and issues a pre-approval letter. Sellers in coastal OC rarely take an offer seriously without one. Cash buyers substitute proof of funds.Sign a buyer representation agreement. California law and MLS rules now require a written agreement, and Tim signs it with you before touring homes. It spells out what Tim does for you and how he is compensated. Read it; ask questions.Search and tour. Tim curates listings, sets up showings, and pulls comparable sales so you know what a fair number looks like before you fall in love with a house.Write the offer. The California Residential Purchase Agreement covers price, deposit, financing, contingencies, timelines, and what stays with the house. Your earnest money deposit (typically 3 percent) goes into escrow, not to the seller.Negotiate to acceptance. Counteroffers go back and forth on price and terms. Once both sides sign, you are in contract and the clock starts on every deadline.Open escrow and wire the deposit. A neutral escrow company holds funds and documents. Your deposit is usually due within 3 business days. Wire fraud is real; always confirm wiring instructions by phone with escrow.Investigate the property. Your inspection contingency period (often 17 days, negotiable) is your window to order a general inspection plus any specialty inspections: roof, sewer, termite, chimney, pool, geological. You review the seller disclosures, the natural hazard report, HOA documents if any, and the preliminary title report. This is where you renegotiate, request repairs or credits, or walk away with your deposit.Appraisal and loan approval. Your lender orders an appraisal. If it comes in low, you renegotiate or cover the gap. Underwriting issues final loan approval; do not open new credit or change jobs during this window.Remove contingencies. When you remove contingencies in writing, your deposit becomes at risk if you back out for reasons not covered by the contract. This is the point of real commitment.Final walkthrough, signing, and funding. You verify the home is in the agreed condition, sign loan and closing documents (usually with a mobile notary), wire your down payment and closing costs, and the lender funds the loan.Recording and keys. The county records the deed, escrow confirms, and you get the keys. In California that is usually the same day as recording. Then: transfer utilities, file for the homeowner exemption, and change the locks.Every one of these steps has paperwork, a deadline, and a decision. Tim manages the calendar and explains each document before you sign it. For legal questions about the contract itself, the Law Offices of Timothy M. Stuart is a separate engagement.
Which of these would you like Tim to spend extra time on?
Do you understand that once you remove contingencies your deposit is generally at risk if you cancel?
Are you aware California requires a written buyer representation agreement before an agent tours homes with you?
Anything about the process that worries you or that went badly in a past purchase?
The home itself
Size, shape, and type.
Property types you would consider
Minimum bedrooms Select one 1 2 3 4 5 6 or more
Minimum bathrooms Select one 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 or more
Minimum square footage Select one Under 1,000 1,000 to 1,500 1,500 to 2,000 2,000 to 2,500 2,500 to 3,000 3,000 to 4,000 Over 4,000 No minimum
Lot size preference Select one Small, low maintenance Average for the area Large yard Estate or acreage No preference
Stories Select one Single story only Two story fine Primary bedroom on main floor No preference
Garage Select one 1 car 2 car 3 or more Carport OK Street parking OK
Age of home Select one New or nearly new Built after 2000 Built after 1980 Any age if well kept Love older character homes
Condition you will accept Select one Turnkey only Light cosmetic work OK Moderate renovation OK Full gut renovation OK
Architectural styles you are drawn to (pick the closest) Select one Coastal contemporary Mid-century modern Spanish or Mediterranean Cape Cod or beach cottage Craftsman Traditional Modern farmhouse No strong preference
Must haves, nice to haves, and no thanks
This is the heart of the questionnaire. Be honest about what is truly non-negotiable versus what you would trade for the right house.
Views and setting
Leave a row blank if you have no opinion.
Outdoor space
Leave a row blank if you have no opinion.
Inside the home
Leave a row blank if you have no opinion.
Systems and efficiency
Leave a row blank if you have no opinion.
Ownership factors
Leave a row blank if you have no opinion.
Dealbreakers and open questions
Anything that would end the conversation on a property, plus anything Tim should know.
Absolute dealbreakers (things that rule a home out no matter what)
Things you are on the fence about and want Tim's perspective on
Questions for Tim before your first meeting
Anything else?