‘Our Experience Seems Virtually Pain Free’

We purchased our home in November 1995, and our experience seems virtually pain-free compared to numerous homeowners we’ve spoken to since.

In May 1995, we first met with Fred and Gail Piazza of the Homebuyer’s Discount Club in Costa Mesa, a discount real estate broker. They assessed our “mental readiness” to buy a home, reviewed our credit history and made suggestions on how to save for the down payment. They told us what we needed to do to get pre-approved for a mortgage.

By September, we were ready to buy. The Piazzas put together a list of homes for us to see. One thing that impressed us was that they actually looked at the homes first--before driving us there. By doing this, they eliminated several homes that sounded much better in print then they were in reality.

Every time we met, they gave us a detailed description of each home, a photo of it and the home’s location charted on a map. This enabled us to see as many homes as possible within a specific city or neighborhood and make notes and comparisons.

After looking at about 40 homes (new and pre-owned, gated and non-gated, one-story and two-story, etc.), in several cities, we finally found the one we wanted.

The Piazzas guided us through each step of the offer and counteroffer process. When our offer was accepted, they coordinated the home inspection, termite inspection and appraisal.

We spent Thanksgiving weekend moving into our new home. And what’s more, we got a rebate check from the Piazzas, who give part of their commission back to their buyers.

We think our experience was a positive one because a lot of preparation was done on the front end--getting our finances in order and obtaining a pre-approved loan.

We suggest familiarizing yourself with the lingo (escrow, points, PMI, loan-to-value ratio), so you’ll understand what everyone is talking about and what is expected.

We also recommend jotting down notes on your impressions, pluses and minuses, immediately after viewing each home. After the first 20, they start to become a big blur.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions; remember, you’re the one who will be living in the home--and paying for it.

STEPHANIE and TODD DAVIS

Tustin