Who we work with
ORI Homes represents buyers across the full range of life stages and situations. We have the patience for first-time buyers who need every step explained, and the speed for experienced buyers who already know what they want. We work with:
- First-time buyers — including buyers using FHA, VA, conventional, and California-specific assistance programs.
- Move-up buyers coordinating the sale of one home and the purchase of another.
- Relocators moving into California from other states or returning to California after time away.
- Investors acquiring income properties — see Invest for our investor-focused services.
The process
Every transaction is different, but the path tends to follow the same broad shape. Here is what working with us looks like:
-
1
Initial conversation
A 20–30 minute call to understand your goals, timeline, and constraints. We talk about what you want, what you can spend, and what kind of place fits both. No commitment.
-
2
Financing alignment
If you already have a lender, we coordinate with them. If you do not, we can introduce you to OriLoan Financial Inc. or to other lenders — your choice. A solid pre-approval is what turns a strong offer into an accepted offer.
-
3
Search
We build a custom search across MLS and off-market sources. We tour properties together, share honest opinions on each, and refine the search as we learn what is actually in the market.
-
4
Offer & negotiation
When the right home appears, we write an offer designed to win without overpaying. We negotiate on your behalf, manage counter-offers, and handle the back-and-forth so you can think clearly.
-
5
Inspections & due diligence
We coordinate inspections, review disclosures with you in plain language, and identify what is normal, what is fixable, and what is a deal-breaker.
-
6
Closing
We walk you through escrow, final walk-through, and the closing-day mechanics. You leave with the keys and a clear picture of what you just bought.
What is different about working with us
Most agents have to refer their buyers to a lender they barely know. We do not. OriLoan Financial Inc. is our parent company, which means a buyer's pre-approval, rate-lock question, or contingency strategy can be answered in real time by people we work with every day. When the financing side and the property side actually talk to each other, offers get stronger and closings get smoother.
Common questions from buyers
How much home can I afford?
Affordability is a combination of price, down payment, interest rate, taxes, insurance, and HOA dues — plus your other financial obligations. We can walk you through a realistic monthly cost picture in the first conversation, and a lender can give you a hard pre-approval number.
Do I need to be pre-approved before we start looking?
Not for the first conversation. But before we write an offer, yes — a strong pre-approval is what makes your offer competitive in California's market.
Who pays the buyer's agent commission?
Following the 2024 NAR settlement, commission terms are explicitly negotiated upfront in a written buyer-broker agreement. We will walk you through the structure transparently before you sign anything.
I am moving from out of state. Can we start the search remotely?
Yes — much of our early-stage work with relocators happens over video. We tour properties on your behalf and share recorded walk-throughs until you are ready to visit in person.