Team Brody · Compass · Mill Valley and Marin · 2026
Home Buyer'sJourney Guide
Here is exactly how we will advocate for you, from our first conversation to the day we hand you the keys. Tell us where you are and the guide shows your part right now.
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Everything in one place
The full buyer's guide
Every section of the guide, start to finish. Your ticks here and in your plan stay in sync.
01 · Before We BeginDefine your goals
Define your goals
Buying a home is personal. Here is exactly how we will advocate for you: customized, strategic, and unhurried, from our first conversation to the day we hand you the keys.
Before we talk strategy, let's define what home means to you: how you want to live, timing, non-negotiables, comfort zone, dealbreakers. The clearer we are on what you actually want, the more precisely we can advocate for you, and the faster we recognize the right home when it appears.
To set the foundation, we will ask you to complete a short buyer questionnaire, share how you like to communicate, talk openly about your pricing comfort, and review a buyer representation agreement. None of it is busywork; each piece sharpens the search.
Guided by Team Brody
Beth and Joseph, Compass.
For Mill Valley and Marin Buyers
94941 · 94920 · 94925 · 94939
02 · The JourneyNine steps, start to close
Nine steps, start to close
Goals to keys in hand. Tap a step to open it.
- GoalsMeet and sign
- FinancingPre-approval
- SearchTours and disclosures
- OfferOffer and escrow
- KeysWelcome home
01Meet your team
We start with a conversation, not a search: a buyer consultation so we understand your goals, timeline, and long-term plans. This is where we build the strategy, not just the search.
Two generations, one town, one team. Beth has been selling these streets since 1978, and she and Joseph are the two people with you from the first conversation to the keys. Our transaction coordinator joins once you are in contract.
Tell us what a good outcome looks like for you.
02Review and sign buyer representation
These agreements let us formally represent you with loyalty, care, confidentiality, and full transparency. The representation agreement defines our scope of service, your target property type and area, the term (at most three months, renewable), and how compensation works, which is always negotiable. We review every term together before you sign anything.
- Compass Exclusive Buyer Representation Agreement
- Disclosure Regarding Real Estate Agency Relationships
- Possible Representation of More Than One Buyer or Seller
- Broker Compensation Advisory
- Non-Solicitation Agreement (Buyer)
Review and sign securely from your phone, tablet, or computer with DocuSign.
Review the forms with us, then sign in DocuSign.
03Get financially prepared
A strong offer starts before we find the house. We will help you understand your budget, monthly comfort zone, closing costs, down payment, earnest money, insurance, appraisal, and lender requirements. Pre-approval shows sellers you are ready; full underwriting can put you in an even stronger position.
What the cash covers Notes Earnest money deposit Amount and due date are set in your purchase contract Down payment Varies by loan program, lender and your strategy Inspections Varies by property and which specialists it needs Appraisal Usually ordered by your lender; the fee varies by loan Insurance Homeowners is essential; flood or earthquake may be separate Closing costs Your lender and escrow give transaction-specific estimates Buyer-agent compensation Set in your representation agreement, explained first Talk to a lender and gather tax returns, W-2s, bank statements and pay stubs.
04Start your search with Compass One
Your entire search, in one private place. Compass One is your private buyer dashboard, the hub for favorites, comments, showings, and documents, with access to exclusive inventory you will not find on the public portals. We set up your platform and email you a link, so you can start searching Compass Collections right away.
Save favorites and comment, so we learn what matters most.
05Review disclosures
We read the fine print with you. In Marin and the greater Bay Area, many sellers provide disclosure packages before offers are due. We review them with you so you understand the property's condition, history, risks, and the points worth negotiating.
Document What it helps us understand Seller disclosures Known issues, updates, repairs, neighborhood notes Home inspection General condition of the home Pest report Wood damage, dry rot, termites, moisture issues Roof report Roof age, condition, and repair needs Preliminary title report Ownership, easements, liens, and title matters Natural hazard disclosure Fire, flood, earthquake, and environmental zones HOA documents, if applicable Rules, reserves, dues, and restrictions 06Write a winning offer
Price matters. So does everything around it. Once we find the right home, we build the offer strategically: price, terms, contingencies, timing, and presentation.
What we need from you Details Your legal name Exactly as it appears on your driver's license Underwritten loan approval If financing, a status beyond pre-approval, where the lender has fully underwritten your file Proof of funds Screenshots, or a bank letter, showing your full down payment, or the full price if paying cash Insurability confirmed Check before offering; on some properties fire insurance can be cost-prohibitive Optional letter to the seller Only if the listing allows letters. Keep it about the house: no photos, and nothing about your family, background or beliefs. We read it before it goes in. Your price and terms The offer price, terms, and anything unique to your situation Once you tell us your price, you can work with your lender to finalize the pre-approval letter. Then we review the property disclosure package and your Residential Purchase Agreement together, before we sign.
Have your offer-ready items in hand before we find the house.
07Offer accepted: escrow
Offer accepted. Now the real work begins. This is the detail-heavy stretch, and our job is to keep everything moving: deposit, inspections, lender, appraisal, title, insurance, deadlines, and closing logistics. We do not disappear after the offer.
Escrow checklist Notes Submit earnest money deposit Amount and deadline set in your contract Schedule any inspections If applicable and allowed under offer terms Finalize the loan Lender processes underwriting and appraisal Confirm insurance Homeowners, possibly flood or earthquake coverage Review title and escrow documents Confirm ownership and closing details Remove contingencies Based on agreed contract deadlines Prepare for closing Signing, wiring funds, utilities, move planning Submit your deposit by the contract deadline.
08Final walkthrough and close
One last walkthrough. Then the keys. Before closing, we walk through the property together to confirm it is in the expected condition and that any agreed repairs or seller obligations have been completed. Then we sign, fund, and finish.
Final to-dos Why it matters Complete the final walkthrough Confirms the property's condition Sign closing documents Finalizes the legal paperwork Wire closing funds Completes the funding Schedule utilities Makes move-in smoother Update your mailing address Keeps your records clean Save your closing documents Helpful for taxes and future resale Walk the house with us, sign, and wire your funds.
09Welcome home
Once the sale records, the home is officially yours. You will receive keys, codes, remotes, and closing documents, and we stay connected for vendors, move-in questions, and whatever homeownership brings next.
03 · Your Buyer ChecklistThe whole journey, on one page
The whole journey, on one page
A quick-reference companion to the nine steps. Tick each item as we go.
Your checklist: 0 of 0 done
Your ticks are saved on this device, so you can close the page and pick up where you left off.
Define your goals
Get pre-approved
Start the search
Make an offer
Due diligence and escrow
Close and welcome home
Offer-Ready Check
Here is exactly what we need from you to submit a strong, credible offer.
Get offer-ready
04 · A Quick GlossaryTerms you'll hear along the way
Terms you'll hear along the way
A plain-English reference for the words that come up most. We will always walk through them with you.
- Pre-approval
- A lender's written estimate of what you can borrow, based on a review of your finances. It tells sellers you are ready to act.
- Underwritten approval
- A step beyond pre-approval: the lender has fully verified your file, so your financing is essentially cleared in advance.
- Proof of funds (POF)
- Screenshots or a bank letter showing you hold the cash for your down payment, or the full price if you are paying cash.
- Earnest money deposit (EMD)
- A good-faith deposit set in your purchase contract, placed into escrow once your offer is accepted.
- Contingency
- A condition that must be met for the sale to proceed: commonly loan, appraisal, and inspection. Removing them moves you toward closing.
- Comparative market analysis (CMA)
- Our pricing study of recent comparable sales, used to shape a competitive, well-supported offer.
- Disclosures
- The seller's documented account of the property's condition, history, and known issues, provided for your review before you commit.
- Preliminary title report
- An early look at ownership, easements, and any liens on the property, confirming the title is clear.
- Natural hazard disclosure (NHD)
- A report identifying fire, flood, and earthquake zones that affect the property.
- Escrow
- A neutral third party that holds funds and documents and coordinates the details of closing once your offer is accepted.
No match. Ask us, we will explain it.
05 · CongratulationsYou're a homeowner. And we're still here.
You're a homeowner. And we're still here.
Keys, codes and remotes
The welcome-home moment.
Closing documents
Keep them for your records.
Vendor referrals
Team Brody remains a resource.
Ongoing guidance
We stay connected after close.
Rooted in Mill Valley. Driven by Expertise.
