How to find a buyer's agent in south bay (West/South San Jose, Campbell)? (days on market)

[snoopyworld]

I want to find a buyer's agent in south bay who specializes in West/South San Jose, Campbell, etc.
I don't know where to start from and feel overwhelmed when I did a google search.
How did you guys find your agent besides asking for friend's referral?
How many agents did you interview before you choose him/her?
thanks

[snoopyworld]

Also, where did you learn about the basics (bay area market, the buying procedures) etc.?
Do you all self-teach, and if so are there good websites that you recommend?

[derekjones]

There are easily thousands of buyers agents out there to search through so it's usually not recommended to google search it. A referral from a friend/family/coworker is usually best. If you cannot find an agent that way, find a home you like through whatever search tool you are using and click the request info link for that home and an agent will contact you. Have them show you the home and see if you guys click! See if they can give you any market details about the area. Median price, days on market, etc.

As far as the buying process, I would recommend contacting a few local lenders and meet with at least one of them so they can go over the financial portion of buying a home. Once you know the financial side and how much you can afford then I would recommend getting a Realtor. All of the mayor home buying websites can give you the home buying steps and more information on each step though sometimes it differs based on state.

In general:

1. Get preapproved
2. Find Realtor
3. Look for houses
4. Make an offer (submit offer with pre approval letter and earnest deposit)
5. Offer accepted
6. Start signing all the disclosures, get a home inspection, house gets appraised
7. Loan gets funded, everything gets recorded and you get keys.

In reality it is not as simple as I put it, but it's a general overview.

[snoopyworld]

This is so extremely helpful. Thanks so much Derekjones! !!

[quote=derekjones;36150562]

[derekjones]

Sorry forgot the links:

Real Estate Answers – Home Buyer Realty Tips – First Time Home Buyer
http://www.realtor.com/advice/10-ste...uying-a-house/
Advice Buyers Guide - Zillow
Home Buying Topics - Trulia Voices
Buying a Home/U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Most of these sites will recommend finding a Realtor or searching for a home then getting pre-approved. IMO it's backwards and you should get Pre-approved first (unless you are paying cash), so you know what price range to start looking in. Nothing worse than looking at $700k homes just to find out you only qualify for a $300k home and now none of the $300k homes you look at compare to the $700k homes.

Here is a link for California home buyers assistance program:
CalHFA - Loan Programs - CHDAP

There are obviously more links but this should be a good start. You may want to also check with your local association of Realtors as sometimes they have home buying seminars available.

[snoopyworld]

Thanks again, Derekjones! You're so kind and knowledgeable. This will not only help me but also tons of other first time homebuyers here.

[Wintermomma]

I used yelp.

[heretoo]

We went to several open houses and talked with the agents showing the house. We just knew we wanted to work with our agent when we met her and talked with her. She did prove to be wonderful.