How to Buy a Luxury Home in Burlingame

Burlingame, California, is a small coastal city located on the San Francisco Peninsula. In Burlingame, residents can enjoy peaceful, shoreside living without sacrificing abundant amenities and endless things to do. The community is home to plentiful walking paths, beaches, and “The Ave,” a bustling downtown lined with unique shopping boutiques and upscale restaurants. It comes as no surprise why so many homebuyers dream of owning a piece of Burlingame real estate.

Luxury housing, stunning landscaping, and ocean views transform Burlingame into an opulent dreamscape that offers living like nowhere else on the San Francisco Peninsula. However, the area’s competitive real estate market causes many buyers to hesitate before purchasing. Rest assured, with the help of an experienced local real estate professional, you can make your dreams of owning a luxury home in Burlingame a reality.

Luxury homes often come with substantial price tags, especially in a highly desirable community like Burlingame. However, these big-ticket properties can bring a huge return on investment in the future, making them well worth it for serious homeowners. If you are wondering how to buy a luxury home in Burlingame, keep reading to learn everything you need to know to get started.

When buying a luxury property, many buyers are in it for the long haul. Often, luxury buyers are looking for something specific that may not currently be on the market or may struggle to compete against others for highly desirable pieces of real estate. Understanding what the buying process will look like can help avoid frustration when faced with setbacks and can help keep you focused on the end goal.

While buying a home is often not quick or easy, it often takes longer to purchase a high-end home. First, buyers will have to search for homes in their desired area and evaluate each property’s suitability carefully. Many of the most expensive properties for sale will not make it onto the market or have traditional open houses, so working with a realtor that has connections in the local area is imperative. Once the luxury homebuyer has found and settled on the right property, there are often stringent financial checks in place so the seller can ensure the buyer can afford their property.

Even a small city like Burlingame has several distinct neighborhoods to choose from. Each one comes with its own distinct charm, real estate options, and set of amenities, so you will have to choose carefully to find the one best suited for your lifestyle. For instance, if you want to live by the coast, the Ingold-Milldale area is for you. Those looking to live among downtown vibrance may be better suited for the nearby neighborhoods of Willborough, Burlingame Terrace, or Burlingame Park. A local realtor can help you tour Burlingame’s unique neighborhoods and weigh the pros and cons of each one.

Especially when buying luxury real estate, having a top-notch buyer’s agent is imperative to the success of your search. While today most homebuyers rely on the internet to drive their home search, many of the best luxury properties will never make it onto traditional real estate searches. High-end homes are often being sold by extremely wealthy, well-known, or famous people, meaning they need privacy throughout the sale. These properties are passed around by word of mouth through a small pool of luxury realtors.

You need to work with a buyer’s agent who has experience and connections within the Burlingame community, as they stay up to date on inside knowledge and can give you access to exclusive listings. Additionally, an experienced local realtor will be able to help you get to know the area and connect you with qualified professionals throughout the buying process.

High-end homes in Burlingame go for millions of dollars. You do not want to spend that kind of money on a property that is not exactly what you are looking for. Before you start the home search, it can be helpful to make a list of your desires for your new home. Think about what you need, what you want, and anything that is a dealbreaker. This will help your realtor narrow down the homes they show you so you have a better chance of finding the perfect property sooner. After all, if you are sold on buying a waterfront property, looking at condominiums downtown will likely be a waste of time.

No matter how perfect and pristine a home looks in its photos, always be sure to check it out in person. Luxury home sellers often invest in high-quality real estate photography to make the home look bigger, brighter, and better than it does in person. Plus, any problem areas in the property will not be shown in the listing photos, so it is imperative to see the place in person before you buy. Additionally, not all luxury homes are photogenic and may not look good in their photos, so you will have to give these properties a second chance in person.

Before settling on a home, set up a tour in person first. Make sure you can see yourself living in the home and that the layout, storage, and amenities suit your lifestyle. Check for any damage in the home and see that everything appears to be in working order. It is always a good idea to get a home inspection from a certified professional to ensure the home is in satisfactory condition before buying.

Just because you are buying a luxury property does not mean you cannot try to get a deal. You can still negotiate on a high-end home, so be prepared ahead of time with evidence for getting a better price. Research the closing prices of similar properties in the area and leverage your findings in negotiations if possible. This is another area where getting a home inspection can help, as buyers can sometimes talk sellers down or negotiate repairs based on their findings.

If you are ready to make the first step to buying a luxury home in Burlingame, reach out to a local realtor you can trust to get the job done right. Carmen Miranda has been serving luxury homebuyers in the San Francisco Bay area for 30 years. Reach out to Carmen to get your home search started today.