Buying with Diane
Your guide to buying a home.
Buying a home is one of the most rewarding steps you will take, and it should never feel overwhelming. Here is how I walk first-time buyers, growing families, and everyone in between through the process, in plain language.
The process
Six steps to your new keys.
01
Get clear on your numbers
We start with what you can comfortably afford, including your down payment, monthly payment, and closing costs. No guesswork, just honest math.
02
Get your financing in order
A pre-approval tells you, and sellers, that you are serious. I can point you to lenders who know the local market.
03
Pick your neighborhood
We narrow your search by schools, commute, and community, whether that is a first home, a condo at Village South, or a North Laguna single-family.
04
Tour with a plan
Before every tour, we settle the written buyer agreement so you always know what to expect. Then we look at homes with a clear checklist.
05
Offer with confidence
I help you price a strong, fair offer and negotiate the terms that matter to you.
06
Close smoothly
From inspection to appraisal to final keys, I keep the details moving so the finish line feels as good as the start.
An honest answer
Please explain the new compensation agreement.
This is the question I hear most often. Since the 2024 practice changes, offers of compensation to a buyer’s broker can no longer be advertised in the MLS. Instead, compensation is negotiated directly between the parties, and buyers sign a written buyer-broker agreement before touring a home.
Practically, this means buyer-agent pay is now an explicit, written part of your agreement, rather than an assumed default. In California, that agreement is the Buyer Representation and Broker Compensation Agreement (BRBC), required by state law since January 2025, and California DRE regulations effective January 1, 2026 (Title 10, Sections 2906.1 through 2906.3) require the signed agreement before you are shown any property. A seller may still choose to offer a credit toward the buyer’s side of the deal during negotiation, but it cannot be advertised on the MLS. These rules are still in force in 2026: the federal settlement behind them won final court approval in November 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed the settlement on August 19, 2026, denied rehearing on September 24, 2026, and issued its mandate on October 2, 2026, formally closing the appeals. California also caps the initial term of a buyer-broker agreement, and any renewal, at three months: the DRE regulation (Title 10, Section 2906.1) defines that cap as 90 calendar days starting the day after the last party signs, unless the agreement sets a later effective date. The key is that you know exactly what your agreement says before you start touring.
I walk every buyer through their agreement clearly and early, so there are no surprises and the tour is a pleasure. Let’s talk about how I can help you understand your options.
The difference
You buy with a guide, not alone.
A good buyer’s agent does more than open doors. I keep your budget honest, your paperwork straight, and your negotiations fair. With over 30 years in South Sacramento and Elk Grove, I know what makes a home worth its price.
