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Tips for First-Time Homebuyers

Most homebuyers start the process anxious, excited, nervous, and some are downright terrified. It’s natural. A home is the largest and most expensive purchase that most people will make in a lifetime. It can either turn out to be a complete financial disaster or a smart long-term investment.

The person standing between it being a huge financial mistake or a valuable asset is you, the agent. Still, the agent can only help as much as the buyer allows. As vital as having an experienced agent by their side is, there are things that first-time homebuyers have to do.

Here is a list of tips to help first-time homebuyers help you the agent do the best job that you can do. When you are approached by a first-time homebuyer, share this list with them to help them get off on the right foot.

  • Tell Your Agent Everything: You don’t want any surprises; neither does your agent. Let them know upfront about any financial issues on your credit report. Be as detailed as possible about your goals and be flexible.
  • Make Lists: Write out a list of the things that you want and a list of the things that you need in a new home. Share this list with your agent so that they can better help find what you are looking for. Update or add to your list as you think of things and share those changes with your agent.
  • Keep Notes: Your agent is going to keep solid records of the homes that you see. However you should also keep your own notes as you go to open houses. After each home, share what you liked and what you didn’t like with your agent. That will help him or her narrow the search down for you.
  • Organize Your Documents: Keep your documents organized and all in one place. If you have a pre-approval letter, keep that with you on house hunts in case you decide to make an offer. Any documents that you will need like inspection reports or appraisals should be readily available as you search for homes.
  • Stay Positive: Maybe the most important tip for first-time homebuyers is to stay positive. Even after you have found the home that you want, made an offer, and had it accepted, the process of closing the deal can sometimes take longer than you’d like. Stay positive. If you’ve looked at several houses and still haven’t found what you want, stay calm. Trust your agent to get it right for you.

Speaking with an Agent

An agent for first-time homebuyers is an invaluable asset. They can help you navigate the process when you are unsure of what to do next. You could call and speak with an agent if you have general questions. However, if you are ready to seriously start shopping for a home, you need an agent now. Feel free to contact us with your specific questions.

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  • I've been a tenant in this building since 1998... wow, how time flies. I just signed a new 7 year lease, so needless to say, I love this building. Has great access from the freeway, so it's really easy for my patients to get to me. It is very clean. The manager is very responsive to any needs I've had and very reasonable. Building was just painted and it looks really good and professional. Plenty of free parking all around the building.

    Rad I

  • I'm also in the business. I have worked with Sasha and Saravita on several deals and it's a pleasure every time. True professional. Always delivers. Takes pride in his work. He truly cares, which is a rare trait to find these days.

    Matthew Y.

  • SaraVita is an excellent management company. I currently live in one of their apartment buildings that has multiple units and a lot of tenants. This company is awesome! For my building, they have the best maintenance crew coming in weekly to clean the lobby windows and mirrors and to make sure everything looks nice. They also have a gardener that fixes the plants and mows the lawn. I love that they manage this building. They take such great care of the building and I am happy with my apartment and their services.

    Dennis R

  • I am the owner of a 15 unit building and this company manages my property. I love how detailed they are in taking care of the building and quickly responding to any issues the tenants have. They are excellent at communicating between me and the tenants as well. Anytime I have to rent a unit, I trust this company because they are efficient and have helped decreased my vacancy time frame. As a landlord, I think they are a fair company and they have helped me out tremendously.

    Nancy Y.

  • Sasha and The entire team there have been so easy to work with. They helped lease out our units, raise rents, reduce expenses and helped create a lot of ease in our operations. A few different instances occurred and they were on top of it immediately. The great thing was they even got some units turned over and we were able to raise the rents by almost 60%. Overall a huge win and if anyone wants to work with them they could contact me directly and I could go ahead and give them info. I also had him working on some other situations for the family with different properties and he went above and beyond dealing with a lot of family conflicts and at the end helped create a lot of major steps the resolution. Not to mention he helped out my sister with her property and I don't know how they did it but they got like 90% of the units to market rent.

    David S.

  • I have rented office space at one of Saravita's West LA properties for several years, and I hope to be here for many more. I'm a happy customer. The landlord at my previous space was extremely inflexible and unfriendly, making me jump through hoops to get even the simplest requests fulfilled. My general experience here at Saravita-- and with Sasha in particular- has been the polar opposite from day one. Sasha not only made my lease negotiations and move-in fairly seamless but also works to ensure my business's ongoing needs are met. The building itself is centrally located for almost all areas of the Westside, and it's easily accessible from the freeways and public transportation (it's walking or Lime/Bird'ing distance the Westwood Rancho Park Expo station); there's also a Trader Joe's across the street. My particular office is large, bright, and affordable-- altogether perfect for my needs, although I do wish the walls weren't so thin (nothing a small whitenoise machine can't drown out, though). Minor issues have cropped up occasionally, but that's to be expected in any office building. And besides, what's important is that the issues are promptly addressed. Sasha and his team have always been receptive to the (few) concerns that have arisen over the years, and they've always been quick to remedy the issues under their control.

    Michael S.

  • I have worked with SaraVita in two capacities- first as my broker when purchasing a home and also as my broker when I sold my home. Both times, I was impressed by both Sasha's expertise in the LA real estate market and his enthusiasm and dedication as my representative. When purchasing my condo, Sasha had the knowledge and judgment to guide me through the process of selecting a home and then through negotiation and escrow. When selling my property, Sasha knew what needed to be done to get my home sold quickly and at a price point that made me very happy. Whether you are looking to buy or sell, I highly recommend SaraVita and Sasha Rahban!

    Jasmine E.

  • This company is top notch! They manage my apartment and it's always so easy to get a hold of them for any concerns i may have. Also, Sasha, the owner, is super knowledgeable because he has experience as both an owner and a tenant. If you're looking for a management company for your property Saravita is it! I've been overwhelmed by the service and the fairness that they practice and felt compelled to write a review! Thank you Sasha, Derek, and the rest of the team at Saravita properties!

    Simon A.

  • I have been a long term tenant of Saravita Properties for my business as a practicing chiropractor/acupuncturist. I have nothing but praise and the highest commendation for the way this building is managed. I have recommended this building to other lessees that were looking for business space. What particularly impresses me about the management of this building is the attention to both the interior and exterior atmosphere. Rarely has there been a problem with this building that wasn't immediately handled and attended to with utmost professional standards. Overall, Saravita Properties is in a class of its own.

    Glenn W.

  • I have been in business for 17 years. I moved into the Saravita Properties, Inc. building on National and Westwood in February 2019. I had just moved out of a building that I had spent 9 years in. Previously, I was in a building for 6 years on Bundy and Olympic. From the very first day that I was introduced to the property manager Sasha Rahban, I was impressed. He even shared interior design ideas for the space my broker was showing me. I told him that I have a company with many food clients and that I need a kitchen. "Not a problem," he said. So he built me one. He installed beautiful counters, lovely cabinets and of course, a sink with full plumbing. He made suggestions about how to set up the suite, building a "pony wall" to create a separate reception area. New tenants, especially me, tend to have many questions, send lots of emails and make demands. Sasha's team even painted my office my signature red and it came out great. He is a manager that always has a smile. At the beginning, I wondered when the other shoe would drop. It never did. My landlords in the past were never so kind and accommodating. The office is perfect for my company. It is two blocks from the 10 freeway and about a mile from the 405. Clients love that they can park for free on the street or in the building for a low price. The office is spotless and well maintained. There is an executive suite for companies just starting out and the prices are very reasonable. Sasha is so entrepreneurial and having these small spaces is a great way to help nurture new businesses who can grow into larger spaces on the premises. I am very grateful that I found this office. My views are beautiful, I feel safe in my space and any request I make is cheerfully accommodated.

    Amy L

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