Don't Just Search
for a Home.
Find the Right One.
Financing, preparation, inspections, and negotiation. The full strategy behind buying a Bakersfield home with confidence and zero surprises.
What's Inside.
Everything we cover during a buyer consultation, organized for easy reference. Tap any topic to jump straight to it.
Get Your Finances in Order
Plan for up to 6.5% of purchase price total (down + closing)
How Much Money Do I Need?
It's more than just the down payment. Buyers are responsible for all purchasing costs, even when sellers often help.
Sellers often offer credits or cover some closing costs, but this is negotiable, not guaranteed. Agent commissions are often covered by the seller but must be confirmed in your agreement.
Define Your Home Needs
The Right Home.
The Right Guidance.
Most buyers think the process is simple: find a home online, make an offer, move in. The reality is that buying in today's Bakersfield market involves financing strategy, negotiation tactics, inspection expertise, and legal disclosures that can cost you tens of thousands of dollars if navigated incorrectly.
We don't just open doors. We represent your interests at every step, from pre-approval through closing.
"Our purpose is to help our clients turn their dreams into reality through the power of real estate."
Meet the Guerrero Team.
Jonathan Guerrero
Jonathan is a natural creative and the founding cornerstone of Rockhouse Agency. His background in technology and real estate drives his passion for business.
Jonathan's vision for his clients is to provide incomparable service and value through his real estate and marketing expertise. Rockhouse Agency is an innovative and expanding brand under Jonathan's expert leadership.
Tanya Guerrero
Tanya is passionate about helping and educating her clients. Her educational background gives her an edge in communication and negotiations.
Tanya's vision for her clients is that they are well informed, understand the market, and feel entrusted in her knowledge and dedication in guiding them through all their real estate transactions. Tanya brings warmth to client interactions that is evident in her smile and her desire for families to reach their goals of homeownership.
The Buyer Representation Agreement
Before we tour homes together, we put our partnership in writing. The Buyer Representation Agreement makes us your agents: we work for you, not the seller and not the builder, on every home we look at together.
Questions about any line in it? Ask us before you sign. We would rather explain it twice than have you sign something you are unsure about.
Showings &
Appointments.
New Construction
Representation
Read this before visiting any builder or model home.
We will introduce you to all areas of Bakersfield and all possible new construction builders. We are here to represent your interests, not the builder's.
You must have us accompany you on your first visit to any new construction site. If you visit without us and do not inform the builder's agent that you are represented, the builder will register you as unrepresented.
Market pricing, builder incentive negotiation, upgrade strategy, contract contingency review, all advocating for you at no additional cost when done correctly.
Resale Homes:
Do Not Contact the Listing Agent
Contract to Closing
Offers & Negotiations
Competitive price based on market research · Flexible closing date · Solid earnest money deposit · Pre-approval letter attached
Home Inspection & Your Investigation Period
Once your offer is accepted, your investigation period begins. This is your opportunity to learn as much as possible about the home before moving forward.
We strongly recommend a general home inspection, but your investigation does not stop there. If something is important to you or raises a concern, we can help you bring in the appropriate professional to evaluate it further.
Your contract gives you a set number of days to do all of this, usually 17. The home is sold as is, so the seller is not automatically required to make repairs. A general inspection starts around $425 and is not refundable.
A general home inspection cannot uncover every possible issue. We are also not contractors, engineers, roofers, plumbers, or other property specialists. Our job is to guide you through the process, help identify concerns, and help you bring in the right professionals when something needs a closer look.
If something matters to you, investigate it before removing your inspection contingency.
Other things may also need to be verified: permits, property boundaries, insurance availability, additions or improvements, neighborhood conditions, and anything else that is important to you.
When you buy an existing home, you are buying it in its current condition. Unless something is advertised as new, recently replaced, or fully remodeled, assume it has age and normal wear. Neither we nor the inspector can predict when a system will need repair or replacement. It could run for years or fail shortly after closing.
A home warranty can add peace of mind, but it does not cover every repair. Maintenance, repairs, and the occasional replacement are a normal part of owning a home, especially an older one.
The Appraisal
A written report determining market value using comparable sales within ~1/4 mile. Cost: $500–$850, non-refundable. The lender bases your loan on the appraised value, not your offer price.
Neither the realtor nor lender controls appraiser selection. Contingency: 17 days, often extended.
Loan contingency. The lender continues reviewing the buyer's finances to ensure the loan will be approved.
Underwriting Review
The lender's underwriting team reviews all documents, the appraisal, and the buyer's financial information.
Loan Approval & Conditions
The lender issues a conditional loan approval and may request additional documents.
The Closing Disclosure
The lender provides the final loan terms and closing costs.
Clear to Close
Once all loan conditions are satisfied, the lender issues a Clear to Close.
The Final Walk-Through
The buyer performs a final walk-through of the home to confirm the property is in the expected condition.
Sign Loan & Escrow Documents
The buyer and seller sign the final closing documents, including loan papers.
Funding & Closing
The lender wires the loan funds to escrow and the transaction officially closes.
Recording of the Deed
The county records the new deed and ownership is transferred to the buyer.
Receive the Keys
The buyer receives the keys and can move into the home.