October 10, 2025
Today’s blog explains the process of buying real estate in Los Angeles.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or investing from abroad, understanding the flow can make your purchase smooth and worry-free.
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1. Choose Your Agent and Lender
The first step is to find a real estate agent who will guide you through the entire process.
If you’re purchasing with a loan, you’ll also need to select a lender and obtain a pre-approval letter confirming your qualified purchase amount.
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2. Start Viewing Properties
Your agent will schedule showings for homes that match your criteria and budget so you can explore your options and get a feel for the market.
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3. Submit an Offer
Once you find a home you love, your agent will help you submit an offer.
If your offer is accepted, escrow — a neutral third-party service that manages the transaction — will be opened.
Within 3 days, you’ll deposit your earnest money (usually about 3%) into escrow.
At this point, the contract is not yet final, and you can still cancel within the agreed contingency period with a full refund of your deposit.
That’s why it’s crucial to work with an agent who understands all the details and can protect your interests throughout the process.
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4. Home Inspection
The property will be inspected to check for any issues or repairs needed.
If problems are found, your agent will negotiate with the seller for repairs or credits.
This step is extremely important, so having an experienced agent who can advocate for you makes a big difference.
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5. Seller Disclosures and Final Review
The seller will provide full property disclosures.
You’ll review market data and confirm you’re comfortable with the purchase price.
If you’re financing, you’ll wait for final loan approval during this stage.
I can assist with the entire loan process in Japanese, including interpretation and documentation, to ensure everything is clear and smooth.
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6. Secure Home Insurance
You’ll choose and review your homeowner’s insurance policy before closing.
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7. Final Document Signing
Once everything is approved, you’ll sign the final documents in front of a notary.
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8. Final Walk-Through
Before closing, you’ll visit the property one last time to make sure everything is in the same condition and all agreed repairs are complete.
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9. Closing the Deal
When the remaining balance (or loan funds) is sent to escrow and the title is recorded with the County, the purchase becomes official — this is called Closing. 🎉
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10. Receive Your Keys
Congratulations! You’re now the owner of your new home.
Even after closing, I continue to support my clients with insurance, loan questions, and other post-purchase concerns — so feel free to reach out anytime.
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