Laura Mogannam

As with everything it is imperative that you do your homework! Make sure you consult with a professional who is familiar with San Rafael and knows what is going on there. It is important to study the prices of comparable homes that have sold in the area to make sure that the asking price is realistic. Try to find out how long the property has been on the market and why it is being sold. Next consider your situation. How much do you like the home? Are you planing to stay there for a while? Would you be devastated if someone else got it instead of you? How serious of a buyer are you? Are you also being realistic? If you visit several homes for sale in the same area you will get a good feel for tthe accuracy of the price. After this research if you plan to write an offer you might want to offer the asking price or slightly below and begin the conversation with the seller. If they are not happy with your offer they might counter or reject your offer. A rejected offer doesn't mean you can't come back again in the near future.
Looking for a single family home versus a condo is a bit different. When looking for a home you can visit the home and the surrounding neighborhood, look at the disclosures provided by the seller regarding the condition of the home. There is a little more freedom and flexibility. When buying a condo or a Single Family Home in a Planned Unit Development (PUD) it is very important to READ all the CC&R's and HOA documents to make sure that you can abide by the laws governing the property. All the best, Laura Mogannam, in San Rafael - Sun May 4 2008, 22:17