San Jose Home Buyer Resources

At Ventura Barnett Properties, we know that buying a home can be overwhelming. Buying a home is a big financial commitment, contract terms can be confusing, and what about all those inspections, deadlines and financing options?

Don’t worry, we are here to help!

We have created the Ventura Barnett’s San Jose Home Buyer Guide so you can become familiar with the home buying process. But remember, no guide can replace the expertise of your Ventura Barnett Realtor®. We are San Jose real estate experts and we are here to work with you every step of the way. So when it’s time to start your home search, give us a call.




This is a very exciting time and we look forward to guiding you smoothly through this process, providing you with good information and helping you find the home of your dreams.

The San Jose Home Buyer Guide is designed to introduce you to the home buying process. When you work with Ventura Barnett to represent your best interests, we know your search for a new home will be very successful.


The first step in purchasing your new home is arranging for financing. Home Buyers who start by getting pre-approved for a mortgage are in the best position to move forward when they find their dream home.

Buy getting pre-approved for a mortgage, you can determine how much of a mortgage payment you are comfortable paying each month and then focus your home search.

You can discover any errors in your credit report that would prevent you from obtaining the best rate. By discovering these errors early, you have time to correct them.

Could your credit score use a boost? Many Lenders have programs to repair less than perfect credit scores. By starting early, you have the best chance at qualifying for a lower interest rate.


There are several different types of mortgages available. The two main types are a Fixed Rate Mortgage and an Adjustable Rate Mortgage. (ARM).

So which one is right for you?

A Fixed Rate Mortgage is the traditional way to finance a home. Since the interest rate stays the same over the term of the loan – usually 15 or 30 years - your monthly mortgage payment stays the same each month.

With an Adjustable Rate Mortgage, your interest rate can change over the life of the loan, so your monthly mortgage payment can increase. Most ARM loans now have a lifetime cap on increases in interest rates, but they all can increase by a certain amount.

Usually an ARM starts out at a lower initial interest rate than a Fixed Mortgage, but with a Fixed Mortgage, your monthly mortgage payments are predictable.


What are the expenses that you need to be aware of when purchasing your new San Jose Home?

Down payment

Most homeowners will put a down payment on their new home. This will be a percentage of the purchase price. The larger the down payment, the smaller your monthly mortgage payment will be.

Closing Costs

What are some of the Closing Costs that you should expect as a home buyer?

Don’t forget to factor into your budget these costs of Homeownership.

Now that you have been pre-approved and have a budget, its time to start looking at neighborhoods and homes in the San Jose Area. But hold on – before you jump in the car, it helps to know what you are looking for in a community and your new home.

So what is most important to you? Make a list and then discuss your needs with your Ventura Barnett Realtor®. Together you can select the type of neighborhoods that appeal to your lifestyle and find your dream home.


One of the biggest advantages to working with a Ventura Barnett Realtor® is that we can narrow down the list of available homes to just those that meet your criteria. Why waste your time looking all over the Internet for homes for sale only to find out that the information is old or inaccurate.

Use our Interactive Home Search and you know you will be getting only up-to-date information.


Aside from our personal and professional knowledge, our website is also an extraordinary resource if you are moving to or from the San Jose area. With access to every home listed for sale in the entire San Jose MLS area, our website offers the most user friendly way to let you search for your home the way you want to – by community, neighborhood, or an interactive map.

Additionally, our San Jose Real Estate website offers you a variety of timesaving and informative features such as: With our guidance, we know you will be well on your way to finding and closing on your perfect home!


The Offer to Purchase and Closing

Once you have found the Perfect Home, the next step is to write an offer. Your Ventura Barnett Realtor® will recommend offer terms, prepare the offer, according to the terms and conditions you request, and present it to the Homeowner’s agent. Our job is to get you the home of your dreams on the best possible terms.

Once your offer is accepted, then the real work of closing on your home begins. The official loan application and commitment, home inspections, repairs (if any), survey, appraisal and finally the closing.

At the Ventura Barnett we welcome the opportunity to help you find your dream home. Please contact us anytime.



Buying your San Jose home is both exciting and a little overwhelming. We know you have questions, especially if you are a first time home buyer. That’s why we developed this list of frequently asked questions. By finding out more about the home buying process and working with your Ventura Barnett Realtor®, we know you will make good home buying decisions.



Start by scheduling your personal Home Consultation. Contact Us and together we will find your perfect San Jose home.