Your Roadmap to Buying with Confidence

In the past year, we sold 17 homes, ranked in the top third of our 60+ agent team, and helped our buyers save a combined $460,000 through strong negotiation and smart positioning. We're among the top 1.5% of agents nationwide, but what we hear most from clients isn't about the numbers.

They describe working with us as calm, clear, and genuinely enjoyable. First-time buyers often tell us they didn't think owning in the Bay Area was possible until we walked them through it with a real strategy and honest guidance.

That experience is shaped by our backgrounds. Tiia holds a bachelor degree in International Business and brings experience from Michelin-star restaurants, restaurant ownership, and project management. Precision, timing, and execution under pressure are second nature to her, exactly what high-stakes transactions demand.

Chris is an Emmy Award–winning investigative news videographer with experience in tech design and marketing. He brings a clear and efficient communication, deep Bay Area market expertise and design knowledge, skills that directly translate to how we market homes and craft standout offers.

Together, we combine creative marketing, disciplined negotiation, and hands-on oversight from contract to close.

We're transparent about the realities of homeownership, proactive about risk, and involved in every detail: inspections, contractor coordination, timelines, and post-closing support.

We don't just close deals. We analyze long-term value, structure offers that are competitive and fair, and advocate firmly on your behalf. And we stay present long after the keys are handed over.

As parents raising our son Miles in the Bay Area, we understand that buying or selling a home is a life decision, not just a financial one. When you work with us, you get strategy paired with genuine care, and professionals who are with you every step of the way.

We protect your money. We saved our buyers a combined $460,000 last year by catching red flags, pushing back on bad deals, and negotiating hard on your behalf

We keep things clear. You'll always know what's happening, what's next, and whether you're making a smart decision.

We bring strategy, not just showings. Every offer is tailored to the property: pricing insight, smart structure, and creative positioning to help you win without overpaying

We're fast. When you find something you love, we move. In this market, speed matters

We keep you grounded. You'll lose some. You'll love ones that don't work out. We stay steady so you make clear-headed decisions, not emotional ones

We make it feel possible. Especially for first-time buyers, we've helped people break into the Bay Area who were told it couldn't be done

We stick around. Inspections, contractors, birthdays, questions six months later, we're here long after closing

This is your Home Buying Roadmap, a quick overview of the entire process from start to finish.

This is our Buyer's Guide, a comprehensive resource we've put together to walk you through every aspect of the home buying process.

John Rodrigues

Mortgage Broker

Emery Financial

(925) 383-6939

jrodrigues@emeryfinancial.com

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Kyle Beeler

ZILLOW HOME LOANS

(425) 462-6748

kylebee@zillowhomeloans.com

ZILLOW PROFILE

Padi Goodspeed

Cross Country Mortgage

916-257-9435

padi@ccm.com

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In most transactions, our compensation is negotiated to be paid by the seller as part of the overall offer structure.

A Buyer Broker Agreement is required so we can legally represent you and request that compensation within the purchase contract. This agreement outlines our duties to you, how we are paid, and ensures full transparency from the start.

As your Buyer Agent, we represent only you and act as your fiduciary, promoting and protecting your best interests every step of the way, so you know exactly who is advocating for you and how.

This is your personalized home search portal powered by RealScout. We can up your profile with your preferences and you'll start receiving curated listings that match your criteria in real time. This tool is connected directly to us, so we can see what catches your eye and fine-tune your search as we go. Take a few minutes to fill it out and let's get started!

Please note that while most homes are vacant and readily accessible, some may be owner-occupied or currently rented. In these cases, we may need to schedule an appointment at least 24 hours in advance to give the occupants time to prepare for our visit.

If you are unable to attend a scheduled home tour, please inform me as soon as possible, so we can make alternative arrangements with adequate notice.

My weekends can get quite busy, as I often work with multiple clients simultaneously. By reaching out early, I can coordinate showings efficiently and ensure that you have the opportunity to see all the homes you’re interested in.

Thank you for your understanding!

If you’d like more information after the open house, feel free to send me a text or give me a call. With multiple years of experience in real estate, analyzing reports and disclosures comes naturally to me. I’d be happy to jump on a Zoom call to review everything together if that works for you. I'm here to support you every step of the way!

In the Bay Area, the home buying process works a little differently than in most markets. Sellers typically provide a full disclosure package upfront, before offers are due. This is done to encourage stronger, non-contingent offers, which are often what it takes to win in a competitive market.

What's in the Disclosure Package

The seller's disclosure package usually includes:

The Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) and Seller Property Questionnaire (SPQ), where the seller shares what they know about the property's condition and history.

Natural Hazard Disclosures (NHD), which identify whether the property is in a flood zone, fire hazard area, earthquake fault zone, or other environmental risk areas.

Pre-listing inspection reports, many sellers will provide a general home inspection, pest/termite report, roof inspection, and sometimes sewer lateral or other specialty reports upfront.

If the property is in an HOA, the package will also include HOA documents such as CC&Rs, financials, meeting minutes, and any pending assessments or litigation.

Why This Matters

Because these reports are provided before you write an offer, we have the opportunity to review everything in advance and go in with full confidence. This allows us to craft a strong, competitive offer, often with fewer or no contingencies, while still making sure you're fully informed and protected.

We'll go through every disclosure and report together so you understand exactly what you're buying before we submit anything. No surprises.

Here's additional information about making an offer on a potential home. As we consider a purchase price, these criteria will guide our evaluation. Our offer package will encompass a purchase contract, a pre-approval letter, proof of funds, and signed disclosures.

This is a quick overview of how offer contingencies work and how we prepare thoroughly before submitting your offer so you're both protected and competitive.

After your offer is accepted, the process of closing on the home starts. Here are the usual steps:

• It's important to note that closing costs often range from 3 to 6% of the loan amount.
• Typically, the process begins within one business day after the purchase agreement is accepted. Your initial deposit, as outlined in the contract, is then placed into a designated account. The period from the acceptance of the offer to the recording of the ownership transfer generally lasts between 21 to 45 days, though purchases made entirely in cash may close faster.

A home warranty is a service contract that covers the repair or replacement of major home systems and appliances if they fail due to normal wear and tear. This can include items like the HVAC system, water heater, electrical, plumbing, and kitchen appliances.

It’s different from homeowners insurance, insurance covers unexpected damage like fire or storms, while a home warranty covers mechanical breakdowns.

For buyers, it can provide added peace of mind during the first year of ownership by helping reduce unexpected repair costs.

With offices in Los Gatos, Santa Cruz, Walnut Creek and Carmel, we are strategically positioned to serve clients across the entire Bay Area and Monterey Bay region. Our broad presence allows us to connect with a wide network of buyers, sellers, and industry professionals, expanding your property’s visibility and maximizing opportunities.

OFFICE LOCATIONS:

• 4061 Soquel Drive, Suite C, Soquel, CA
• 26366 Carmel Rancho Lane, Suite A, Carmel, CA
• 236 N Santa Cruz Ave Suite 103, Los Gatos, CA
• 1212 Broadway Plaza Suite 201, Walnut Creek, CA

Discover the unparalleled success story of our top-ranked real estate team in Northern California. With over $2 Billion in total sales and having assisted more than 3,000 families, our team boasts an impressive 700+ five-star reviews. Explore how we've achieved the #1 ranking in the region, driven by our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction, as part of the distinguished Zillow Flex program.

We are The Larson Team, and we proudly represent eXp Realty, one of the largest and most innovative real estate brokerages in the industry. With over 20 years of combined experience, our team brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the luxury real estate market.

Our extensive backgrounds in real estate equip us with unique insights and strategies to effectively market and sell high-end properties. We are committed to providing our clients with exceptional service and results, ensuring a smooth and successful experience throughout the entire process.

Thank you for considering us to represent your exceptional property. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you!

The Larson Real Estate Team stands as the most trusted and reliable name in our market, earning the confidence and satisfaction of countless clients. Our exceptional service and dedication are reflected in the overwhelming number of 5-star reviews we have received, surpassing any other real estate team in the area.