Globella Buyers Realty Resources > Buying a Condo in San Diego
 

Buying a Condo in San Diego - 4 Tips and Resources for San Diego Homebuyers

If you are planning on buying a condo in San Diego, there are several things you should consider. 

I often tell my clients that buying a San Diego condo is like putting together a thousand-piece puzzle... There are so many things to do, there is so much to learn, and the order you choose to do it all in makes a great difference.

One of the most important things you can do is simply start the process (take action), and here are my top four tips and suggestions for buying a condo in San Diego:


 

San Diego Condo-Buying TIP #1: First things first...

It's generally best to start with (A) hiring your buyer's agent, (B) getting pre-approved for your loan (or liquidating your assets if you're paying cash), and (C) beginning to do your preliminary research on areas, price ranges, etc. - in that order.

These are the most important steps (the first few pieces of the puzzle). These steps are so important, in fact, that I've devoted a separate article about this
process at the following link: 5 Tips for Buying a Home or Condo in San Diego in 2022.


 

Free Buyer Strategy Session


 

San Diego Condo-Buying TIP #2: Understand this... 

If you're buying a condo in San Diego, learning about the "financial health" of the HOA will be as (or more) important to you than conducting your professional property inspection.
 


The reason an HOA's financial health is so important is that an HOA in San Diego has the legal authority to send you and the other homeowners a special assessment if the HOA doesn't have enough money to pay its bills. 
Do you want to be surprised by a $5,000 or $25,000 bill in the mail after you buy your condo? Heck no!

Do your research and learn about all the documents and information you can review before buying a condo.

If it makes you feel any better, I've received professional training on condos and the financial health of HOAs, AND I've even earned a professional designation called Certified Condo Specialist (CCS)

 


San Diego Condo-Buying TIP #3: Learn how litigation (by or against an HOA) can affect you... both as a homebuyer AND as a homeowner.

Many San Diego home owner associations have been (or will be) involved in lawsuits of all different types. 
Litigation can affect (A) your ability to buy a condo, (B) the soundness of your investment, and (C) your bank account (if there ends up being a special assessment as a result of the litigation).
 


San Diego Condo-Buying TIP #4: Before you start touring condos in-person, hire an Exclusive Buyer Agent (EBA) to represent your best interests.

Exclusive Buyer's Agent (definition): A buyer's agent who eliminates the possibility of
the conflict of interest known as dual agency

 
Your first hint about the difference between an exclusive buyer agent and a "sometimes buyer's agent" is the information you are reading here on this website. 

Many of my clients tell me that they've worked with other buyer agents in the past who never brought up these sorts of topics with them. 

 
The whole point of working with a buyer's agent when you buy your San Diego condo is having an expert guide on YOUR SIDE of the transaction. 


 
What kind of San Diego condo buyer's agent do you want to hire?

Do you want a "sometimes buyer's agent" who is trying to sell you a condo, OR an
expert buyer's broker who is truly helping you through the process of buying a condo every step of the way? 

The best way to reach me is to call or email me and set up a time for us to meet for a no-obligation interview/buyer strategy session. 
 

Justin Gramm, Broker
Globella Buyers Realty
Ph: 858.437.2662
CA 92102 US
CA DRE License # 01714813
www.Globella.com
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