Buying a home, with a contractor on your side
Get ready first, see what your budget buys in each town, and have a licensed contractor look at every house you're serious about.
What buying a home here really takes
Buying a home in Santa Maria, Orcutt, Lompoc, or nearby starts with a simple truth: the house you lose is usually the one you weren't ready to write an offer on.
The second truth is that every town here is its own market. The same budget buys a very different house in Santa Maria than in Nipomo, and a very different lot in Orcutt than in Lompoc.
And the third: the listing photos never show you what the house is going to cost you after you move in. That's where I come in.
How I help buyers
I'm Lisa Bognuda, a REALTOR® with eXp Realty of California and a licensed general contractor. Most agents see bedrooms and bathrooms. I see what the house is going to cost you.
On any home you're serious about, I look at it as a contractor: the roof, the foundation, the plumbing, the electrical. On one home, I caught a $15,000 foundation problem before my clients were locked into a contract.
That never replaces a professional home inspection and pest report. I always recommend both. What it does is tell you early, before you've spent money or fallen in love, whether a house is worth chasing.
I'll also show you what's really out there in your price range in each town, so you can choose where to look with your eyes open.
What you get, step by step
- A first conversation about what you want, your timeline, and what matters most.
- Ready before we tour: pre-approval with a licensed lender you choose, and our written agreement, the BRBC. What that means.
- A town-by-town reality check on what your budget buys.
- An MLS search set to your real criteria, so new matches come straight to you.
- Showings where I tell you what I see, and a contractor's look at every house you're serious about.
- Offer strategy and negotiation, decided together.
- Escrow, the inspection period, and closing, with the inspection report read and priced as a contractor. How the end works.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need before I start looking?
A pre-approval from a licensed lender, and our signed buyer agreement, the BRBC. Then you're ready to move when the right house comes up.
Does your walkthrough replace a home inspection?
No. It tells you early whether a house is worth chasing. I always recommend a professional home inspection and pest report too.
Which town should I buy in?
It depends on your budget, your commute, and how you want to live. I'll show you what your money buys in each town so you can compare honestly.
How is a buyer's agent paid?
It's spelled out in our written agreement before we start. Compensation is negotiable and we agree on it together.
Buying a Home by neighborhood
Keep exploring
Ready to make your move with Lisa Bognuda?