Step-by-Step Home Buying Checklist for San Ramon and Tri-Valley Buyers

Use this as a working checklist for first-time and move-up buyers in San Ramon and the Tri-Valley. Confirm CalHFA only through official sources and an approved lender. Treat SRVUSD as a district boundary. Sign buyer representation before any offer.

Kirill Kayer (CA DRE #02395131, eXp Realty) is San Ramon based and hosts other agents' listings. A hosted listing is not your representation. Request a consultation when you want the steps below applied to a specific address. For recent activity, open the San Ramon market report.

Before you tour

• Pull credit and pause new accounts until after recording.
• Interview more than one lender. If you may be a first-time buyer under CalHFA's definition, include at least one CalHFA-approved lender and read current program rules on that site (income limits and rates change).
• Get a full pre-approval, not a soft pre-qual.
• Write must-haves for San Ramon, Dougherty Valley, Dublin, Pleasanton, or Danville (housing type, commute, HOA comfort).
• Note that SRVUSD serves San Ramon and Dougherty Valley (and Danville). Dublin and Pleasanton are different districts. Verify the address later.

San Ramon and Tri-Valley notes for each phase

1. Finance. CalHFA first mortgages and deferred junior loans (including MyHome Assistance) are statewide tools. They are not a San Ramon grant and not a promised rate. Confirm occupancy, first-time status, education, and county income rules with the approved lender. Conventional, FHA, VA, and jumbo files are all used in the Tri-Valley. Match the product to the property, not the other way around.
2. Search. Compare housing type on purpose: Dougherty Valley (Gale Ranch, Windemere) versus older San Ramon streets such as Twin Creeks, versus Dublin or Pleasanton. Check I-680, I-580, and Dublin/Pleasanton BART against your actual job. Read HOA and Mello-Roos documents on master-planned addresses.
3. Offer. Sign buyer representation first. Then review TDS, SPQ, NHD, HOA, and tax disclosures. Do not write on a hosted listing without your own agent.
4. Inspect. Order the general inspection you need, plus pest and any specialist check the property type calls for. Re-confirm SRVUSD or other district assignment for the address if schools are part of the decision.
5. Escrow. Deposit earnest money on the contract timeline. Send the fully executed contract to the lender the same day. Bind homeowners insurance early, especially if the NHD flags wildfire or earthquake concerns.
6. Close. Verify wire instructions by phone using a number you already trust. After recording, file the Homeowners' Exemption with the county assessor so it can appear on the property tax bill.