Real Estate By Kristen Services

Real Estate Team · Costa Mesa, California

12:56 PM in Costa Mesa Directions

Here is what working with Real Estate By Kristen in Costa Mesa typically covers, from the first consultation to closing day. Services and terms vary, so confirm the details in your written agreement.

Buying a home

Buyer consultation and agreement

Budget, timing, must-haves and the written buyer agreement required before touring.

Home search and private showings

Tours of homes for sale in and around Costa Mesa, including new listings as they hit the market.

Writing and negotiating offers

Pricing an offer from recent nearby sales and negotiating repairs, credits and timelines.

Contract-to-close management

Tracking deadlines for inspection, appraisal and financing until the keys change hands.

Selling a home

Listing price strategy

Comparable sales and current competition used to set a realistic asking price.

Getting the home market-ready

Staging suggestions, small fixes and scheduling professional photos.

Marketing the listing

MLS exposure, online listing portals, signage and open houses where they make sense.

Showings, offers and closing

Scheduling showings, reviewing offers and managing the contract to closing.

How a typical transaction works

ConsultA first conversation about goals, budget and timing — and a written agreement that spells out services and compensation.
PrepareBuyers get pre-approved; sellers review a pricing analysis and prepare the home for photos.
Market & tourListings go live on the MLS; buyers tour homes and compare recent sales.
NegotiateOffers, counteroffers, inspection requests and appraisal issues are worked through.
CloseFinal walk-through and signing with the title or escrow company under California rules.

Typical costs on a Costa Mesa home

Illustrative figures for a home at the local typical value of $1,411,696. Real numbers depend on your agreement, lender and title company.

Item	Rate	On $1.41M
Listing-side commission (negotiable)	2.5–3%	$35,292–$42,351
Buyer-side compensation (negotiable)	2–3%	$28,234–$42,351
Buyer closing costs (lender, title, escrow)	2–5%	$28,234–$70,585
Home inspection	flat	$350–$600

Every percentage above is negotiable and is set in the written agreement. Typical value from the Zillow Home Value Index (August 2026).

Areas around Costa Mesa

Newport Beach, CA1.6 mi · $3.7M Huntington Beach, CA4.8 mi · $1.35M Irvine, CA5.8 mi · $1.49M Santa Ana, CA7.8 mi · $868K Tustin, CA9.0 mi · $1.16M Garden Grove, CA9.3 mi · $1.01M Laguna Beach, CA10 mi · $2.99M Orange, CA11 mi · $1.13M

Questions about these services

How are real estate agents paid in California?

Compensation is negotiable and set out in writing. Sellers sign a listing agreement; since August 2024 buyers sign a written buyer agreement before touring homes with an agent, stating what the agent will be paid and by whom.

Does Real Estate By Kristen work with both buyers and sellers?

Most agents and brokerages represent both, but not in the same transaction without written consent. Ask how Real Estate By Kristen handles dual agency or designated agency under California law.

What should I prepare before the first meeting?

Buyers: a mortgage pre-approval, a target budget and a list of must-haves. Sellers: your mortgage payoff estimate, a list of upgrades with dates, and any HOA or survey documents.