“He explained the process in a way I could understand. Jim knows his stuff, from having a good working relationship with the various other parties to knowledge of comparisons.”
- Home
- Buy a Home
Buying a home
or acreage
Homes in Petaluma, Sonoma County, and northern Marin, with the costs and responsibilities of ownership in view.
Bodega Bay, Sonoma County
Jim Lanatti represents buyers with Century 21 Epic in Petaluma. Alongside price and location, a search can involve water, septic, access, and upkeep on rural parcels.
The buying process
Representation & budget
Discuss your budget, timing, and search area. Review the written buyer representation agreement, including services, duration, compensation, and cancellation terms. Compensation is negotiable; a seller contribution is not guaranteed.
The search
Agree on the property types and locations to include. Share listings with Jim and compare what fits your needs. Search homes with Century 21 Epic, then discuss the properties that interest you with Jim.
Showings
A straight read on condition, location, and what the place will cost to own.
The offer
Compare price, financing, contingencies, and timing before deciding what to offer.
Inspections, appraisal, and loan
Jim keeps the calendar and explains each step as it comes.
Keys
Complete the final walkthrough, closing documents, and key handover.
Before arranging tours, discuss the required agreement with Jim. California DRE explains buyer representation and compensation.
Choosing a location
Start with the life you want, then test it against real properties. Map the places you go every week and drive the route at the hours you would drive it. Decide what any extra land is for, and how much upkeep you want. Compare what each place costs to own, not only its asking price.
- Petaluma
- West side, east side, and the edges where lots turn into acres.
- Rohnert Park, Cotati, Penngrove
- Compare city services, the commute, and parcel jurisdiction; Penngrove is unincorporated.
- Santa Rosa & Sebastopol
- Homes and small acreage across the county.
- The rural west county & northern Marin
- Land, ranches, and country property. Same person, a different checklist: see Ranch, land & rural.
First home
“This was my first time buying a home, and Jim’s expertise and advice was invaluable. Jim was extremely helpful, and maintained great communication throughout the entire process.”
“We must have looked at 25 houses and sent Jim listings almost daily over the course of months … Jim was with us every step of the way; through renegotiations and inspections, clearly laying out every possibility.”
Questions about buying
What should I know before buying acreage?
Confirm water supply, septic or sewer service, access, boundaries, and permitted uses with the appropriate records and professionals. Start with the rural property checklist.
Do I need to be pre-approved before we look?
A lender can explain your borrowing range, cash needed, and loan conditions before you shop. Discuss the evidence of financing needed for a particular offer with Jim and your lender.
Does Jim work with buyers across the whole county?
Petaluma and the towns around it are the center; the record includes Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Penngrove, and Cloverdale. Ask about anywhere else in Sonoma or Marin.
Start a buyer conversation.
Call or text (209) 481-8346, or send a note.