Buyer services · From List to Sold
Buying a Home with From List to Sold
From List to Sold is best known for helping homeowners sell. Brokers Michael and Anita Marchena also represent buyers, from the first conversation about budget and areas to the day you get the keys. Here is how that representation works and what you can expect from us.
400+ home sales with buyers and sellers across Southern California · Brokers Michael & Anita Marchena · My Key Real Estate
On this page: How it works · Buyer agreement · What to expect · New vs resale · Relocating · First-time & selling first · Get buyer help
Buyer representation
How we represent you, from first search to closing
When we represent you as a buyer, our job is to look out for your interests in every step: helping you decide what to buy, what to offer, and what to ask for when inspections or the appraisal raise questions.
01
Strategy and needs
We start with your goals, budget, timing and must-haves, and the areas that fit them.
02
Financing readiness
You’ll talk with a lender of your choice about preapproval, so you know your price range and can make offers sellers take seriously.
03
The search
Search listings yourself and get our help spotting the homes worth seeing, including ones that just came on the market.
04
Tours
We tour homes with you and point out what to look at closely: condition, layout, lot, neighborhood and the costs of owning it.
05
Offer strategy
We review comparable sales and the competition, then help you set price and terms: deposit, contingencies, timelines and credits.
06
Inspections
We help you schedule inspections, read the reports and disclosures, and decide what to request from the seller.
07
Appraisal
If the lender’s appraisal comes in below the price, we walk through your options under the contract.
08
Escrow
We track every deadline with escrow, the lender and the seller’s agent, and tell you what’s due next.
09
Closing
We confirm the final walkthrough, signing and key handoff so closing day goes as planned.
Your buyer agreement
A written agreement comes first
California requires a written buyer-representation agreement between you and your agent no later than when you sign an offer to buy. The initial term can’t be longer than three months, and any renewal must be in writing. The agreement describes the services you’ll receive and how and when the broker is paid. Broker compensation is negotiable.
We review the agreement with you before we start touring, so you know exactly what you’re signing and can ask questions first. California DRE: buyer-broker representation agreements.
This is general information, not legal advice. For legal questions about a contract, talk with a real estate attorney.
What to expect
What you can expect from us as your agents
Clear communication
You’ll know what’s happening and what decision comes next. We tell you about new listings, offer responses and deadlines as they happen.
Honest property evaluation
We point out what we see on a tour, from deferred maintenance to HOA or special-tax costs, and suggest which inspections may be worth ordering.
Offer terms that fit you
Price is one part of an offer. We help you weigh the deposit, contingencies, closing date and credits against how competitive the home is.
Contingencies explained
Inspection, appraisal and loan contingencies protect you only until their deadlines. We make sure you know what each one covers and when it ends.
Realistic timelines
We line up inspections, the appraisal, insurance quotes and loan conditions early, so contract deadlines don’t sneak up on you.
Your decisions
We give you the information and our recommendation. You decide what to offer, what to ask for and whether to move forward.
New construction or resale
New construction vs resale: what changes for you
Many Southern California buyers compare a builder’s new home with an existing one. Neither is automatically better. The process is different, and so are the questions to ask.
Buying new construction
- The builder’s sales team represents the builder. Builders often have their own rules for when your agent must be registered, so bring your agent on your first visit or check the builder’s policy first.
- Builders usually use their own purchase contract, which can differ from a standard resale contract. Read it carefully before you sign.
- Prices, incentives, lot premiums and option costs change often, so compare the total cost, not just the base price.
- Ask about HOA dues and any special taxes (Mello-Roos/CFD) for the community.
- An independent inspection can still be worth it, even on a brand-new home.
Buying a resale home
- Price, repairs, credits and closing date are usually negotiable with the seller.
- You receive the seller’s disclosures and can investigate during your inspection contingency period.
- Established neighborhoods mean you can see the trees, the traffic and the neighbors before you buy.
- Condition varies widely, so inspections and repair estimates matter more.
- Timing can be more flexible than waiting for a home to be built.
We don’t promote any builder or community. We help you compare the homes that fit your needs.
Relocating
Moving to Southern California from out of the area
If you’re buying from a distance, we can tour homes for you by video, share what we notice about the neighborhood, and help you plan a trip to see your top choices in person. We’ll work your purchase around your job start date, lease or home sale, and keep inspections, signing and key handoff organized even if you can’t be here for every step.
Where are you starting?
First home, or selling one first?
Buying your first home
Our first-time buyer roadmap explains each step in plain language, from budgeting and preapproval to escrow and the keys.
Need to sell before you buy?
Selling your current home and buying the next one takes planning. See the main ways to time both moves and what to prepare.
Michael & Anita Marchena
Real estate brokers · Marchena Home Team at My Key Real Estate
Who you'll work with
400+ Homes Sold with Buyers and Sellers
Michael and Anita Marchena have helped buyers and sellers with more than 400 home sales across Southern California. They are real estate brokers and lead Marchena Home Team at My Key Real Estate.
Selling is what From List to Sold is built around, and that experience helps buyers too: we know how sellers and their agents read an offer, and how to make yours clear and competitive.
From buyers we've worked with
“Michael and Anita were so amazing throughout the whole process of buying our home! They help with all questions, were super quick to respond and just made the purchase of our home a great experience! When we found out, last minute, that there were issues with our home insurance, Michael and Anita fixed it within an hour so that closing wasn’t delayed. Anita and Michael are wonderful people and very knowledgeable realtors and we can only recommend them!”
Christina P · Yelp review · buyer
“Anita and Michael were great throughout our buying process. I tend to worry and stress over everything so buying a house was no different. They put my mind at ease every time I was feeling anxious.”
Tanya S · Yelp review · buyer
Reviews are quoted as posted on Yelp. Individual experiences vary.
Buyer services
Get buyer help
Tell us where and when you’d like to buy. Michael or Anita will follow up to talk through your plans, financing readiness and next steps. No pressure, and no obligation.
From List to Sold by Marchena Home Team at My Key Real Estate.
Tell us what you're looking for
Michael or Anita will contact you by phone, text or email.