Sponsored content provided by Prevu Purchasing your first home is an exciting prospect. From figuring out the right neighborhood to narrowing down what amenities you need out of a home, it is gratifying to close a deal on “the one.” But there are many steps between starting a search and getting the keys to your dwelling. […]
Purchasing your first home is an exciting prospect.
From figuring out the right neighborhood to narrowing down what amenities you need out of a home, it is gratifying to close a deal on “the one.” But there are many steps between starting a search and getting the keys to your dwelling.
First-time buyers searching for homes in San Diego can find themselves overwhelmed by the homebuying process. Searching is the fun part. But the market is very competitive and negotiating with sellers requires expert guidance. Otherwise, homebuyers risk losing out on their dream home.
To help new buyers on their homeownership journey, the team at Prevu Real Estate compiled a list of tips to help first-time buyers.
Hire a local expert
Hopping on the homeownership ladder is no easy feat.
Advancements in property search technology make finding a condo in the Gaslamp Quarter easier than ever. Yet, the backend of a deal requires a delicate touch, and having an expert realtor in your corner goes a long way. Even if you haven’t begun saving yet, an agent can explain how much you may need for a down payment.
But once you are ready to attend property tours, a local buyer’s agent can help narrow down which San Diego neighborhoods and homes fit your search. Plus, your agent helps get you through those final miles of negotiations and can connect you with services for home inspections and more.
But not all buyer’s agents are the same.
Ask for a commission rebate
Technology has democratized the search process for home buyers.
First-time buyers relied on agents to provide listings, but now agents guide buyers through the finer points of the transaction process. Californians now own the discovery process, and modern buyer’s brokers pass along savings through commission rebates at closing.
These are money-saving tools for first-time homebuyers in San Diego. Commission rebates are legal in California and 40 other states, allowing agents to provide clients with a portion of their buyer’s broker fee at closing.
Prevu Real Estate offers homebuyers the largest rebate in San Diego – totaling up to two-thirds of the buyer’s agent commission as a rebate. These funds go a long way towards covering closing costs, furnishing the home, or funding a remodeling project.
Start saving well before searching
Purchasing a home is no walk in the park. Lenders and banks finance most of the transaction, but buyers still need a sizable down payment.
It is enticing to jump into a property search and check out listings near the beach or in Downtown San Diego. But first-time buyers can get caught off-guard when they realize they need more than just a down payment to buy a home. There are additional closing costs, so it’s important to start saving early.
There are ways to actively and passively squirrel away money to save up for a down payment. Buyers should set up automatic deposits every pay period, putting aside extra funds in an account that will blossom sooner than you think. A more active way to save is cutting excess spending like big trips or fancy dinners.
Don’t wait to see open houses
Once savings are in order, it is time to find the one!
When first-time buyers exploring houses in San Diego see a listing they like, make an appointment with your agent as soon as possible to check out the house. Buyers waiting for the weekend can miss out on that stucco-sided home near the water in La Jolla, as other buyers might scoop it before you do.
Sellers want to offload their properties sooner than later. And considering how tight inventory is, buyers are competitively making offers after just one visit to a property. Whether on your lunch break or right after work, use whatever time is available to get your foot in the door. Acting quickly and decisively can give you a major advantage.
Prevu Real Estate, Inc. is a licensed real estate broker in California, license number 02134758.
First time homebuyer tips for san diegans
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SEPTEMBER 9, 2026
Meet ArtsConnect, UC San Diego’s Invitation to SoCal Arts Lovers
ArtsConnect brings those experiences into view, helping residents discover what they can see, hear and create at UC San Diego while experiencing the campus in a new way.
Ask most people what UC San Diego is known for, and the arts may not be the first answer. Yet this fall, San Diegans can watch Ghostbusters with a live orchestra, try their hand at glassmaking and wander among more than 20 works of public art woven throughout the university’s La Jolla campus.
ArtsConnect brings those experiences into view, helping residents discover what they can see, hear and create at UC San Diego while experiencing the campus in a new way.
Courtesy of UC San Diego | Photo Cred: Erik Jensen
“The arts are at the heart of UC San Diego’s student-centered mission and vision,” says Alysson Satterlund, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life. “Whether creating, participating in, or experiencing performances, the arts are essential to a healthy and truly fun Triton student experience.”
That invitation often begins where the arts intersect with other fields.
“Some of the most innovative work and discovery happen where disciplines don’t usually share a stage,” says Cristina Della Coletta, Dean of the UC San Diego School of Arts and Humanities. “So through our unique intersection of the arts with science, technology, and medicine, we are improving lives, physically and emotionally.
Take The Inaudible Ocean, a collaboration between Department of Music Professor Lei Liang and Scripps Institution of Oceanography Assistant Project Scientist Josh Jones. Over eight years, the pair recorded earthquakes, ship noise, whale songs and other sounds in remote underwater locations. They transformed those recordings into a live music experience that allowed audiences to hear the ocean in an entirely new way. The work premiered on campus in May and continues to evolve.
The arts also connect the campus to the global art world and diverse perspectives. Chief Campus Curator Jessica Berlanga Taylor recently curated the Mexico Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale, featuring RojoNegro, the collective formed by Noé Martínez and María Sosa. The collective will unveil a compelling new permanent installation for UC San Diego’s celebrated Stuart Collection later this fall.
ArtPower offers another easy entry point, bringing touring performers to venues including the outdoor Epstein Family Amphitheater and the intimate Loft. The nearly three dozen performances featured through its 2026-2027 season span music, dance, film, theater and conversation.
Among the fall highlights is Ghostbusters in Concert on Sept. 25, pairing the beloved 1984 film with a live performance of Elmer Bernstein’s score. Tickets start at $35, and the amphitheater is located next to the UC San Diego Blue Line trolley station.
“Every member of our community should have access to world-class art, so we work hard to remove the barriers that stand in the way,” says Colleen Kollar Smith, executive artistic director of the Campus Performances and Events Office. “That means affordable ticket prices, and performances, voices and experiences where people see themselves reflected on stage and know they belong.”
The arts at UC San Diego are not only something to watch. The Craft Center offers public classes and workshops in ceramics, jewelry, woodworking, culinary arts and even surfboard shaping. At the new Glass Center, beginners and experienced makers can explore glassmaking through classes, demonstrations and studio experiences.
Whether you want to attend a performance, make something yourself or spend an afternoon exploring public art, there is an easy way in. And the invitation extends well beyond students and alumni.
Kollar Smith says it best: “Visit, participate, spectate or create. You’re invited, and we hope you’ll connect with us soon.”
Growing up, Laika Nur, MD, Scripps Clinic sports medicine specialist, loved watching beach volleyball when the Association of Volleyball Professionals tour came to her hometown of Chicago. A talented volleyball player herself, she remembers sitting in the stands all day, and once, even got a couple autographs. Years later, Dr. Nur was attending a professional event focused on women’s sports, and the discussion turned to a new professional women’s volleyball league. The general manager and coaching staff for San Diego’s team, the Mojo, happened to be in attendance, and Dr. Nur took the opportunity to ask them if they needed a team doctor. Flash forward to the Mojo’s inaugural 2024 season, when Dr. Nur officially became the team physician. Click here to read more about Dr. Nur and how she incorporates lessons she learned on the court into her practice.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
Your feet and ankles probably aren’t something you give much thought to—until something goes wrong. Orthopedic surgeons at Scripps Clinic are on the leading edge of foot and ankle reconstruction, treating patients with sports injuries, deformities, traumatic injuries and other conditions. That includes repairing torn Achilles tendons with a minimally invasive procedure that shrinks the incision site to less than a centimeter, and performing advanced ankle replacement on some patients with ankle arthritis. Read more about Scripps’ innovations in foot and ankle care here.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
Mai Vue was just 34 weeks pregnant when she delivered her baby. Her pregnancy had been complicated, and she’d had a recent second trimester pregnancy loss, which led to her receiving specialized care from Sean Daneshmand, MD, a Scripps Clinic perinatologist who oversees high-risk pregnancies. Dr. Daneshmand and his team took care of Mai during her pregnancy, through the birth of her healthy baby girl and beyond. Mai was part of a program Scripps launched to provide support to new moms in the weeks and months after delivery. The postpartum program, known as Scripps Health’s Fourth Trimester Continuum of Care, provides care for women with high-risk pregnancies to optimize their health after childbirth and reduce the risk of complications in future pregnancies. Click here to learn more.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
It’s estimated that one in five people in the U.S. will develop skin cancer at some point in their lives. When you factor in living in a sun-soaked city like San Diego and the outdoorsy lifestyle that comes with it, that figure can jump to as high as one in three, which makes early detection and intervention all the more important. Dermatologists at Bighorn Mohs and Dermatology Center are using innovative imaging methods and advanced surgical techniques to diagnose and treat skin cancer. For certain cancers in sensitive spots, like the face, dermatologists perform Mohs surgery, removing skin tissue layer by layer until reaching healthy, cancer-free tissue. They also use a process called immunohistochemistry to view tissue samples taken during Mohs surgery in far greater detail than previous methods. Read more about how Scripps is advancing skin cancer care here.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
When endurance athlete Isaac Sanchez learned he had cancer, he felt blindsided. He was healthy, surfed often and was training for an Ironman triathlon. But he had to put that on hold to undergo treatment. His physicians at Scripps Cancer Center developed a plan to treat the cancer in his tonsil and lymph nodes that included six-and-a-half weeks of near-daily radiation and weekly chemotherapy. He also worked with a Scripps Cancer Center dietitian to enhance his nutrition to promote strength and healing. Today, Isaac’s back to doing what he loves. Read more of his story here.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
