01
Get your numbers straight
Before we look at a single house, we get you pre-approved so you know exactly what you can buy. I also walk you through the full cost picture, not just the price tag.
Buying guide
Buying a home, explained from A to Z
Buying in Marin and Sonoma is a competitive game of details, and details are my specialty. This is exactly how a transaction with me works, from your first question to the keys in your hand.
The process
Six steps to a confident close
Every step is explained thoroughly, and I answer questions day and night. You always know where you stand.
02
Define what you actually want
Must-haves, nice-to-haves, and deal-breakers. We talk neighborhoods, commute, school needs, and the life you plan to live there, so we do not waste a single showing.
03
Search with local intelligence
Twenty-one years in this market means I know the blocks, the builders, and the values. I keep you ahead of new inventory and tell you honestly what a home is worth before you fall in love with it.
04
Offer with a strategy
As a Certified Negotiation Expert, I structure your offer around the seller's real situation: timing, competition, and price. The goal is a deal you feel good about, not a guess.
05
Inspect with a mechanic's eye
This is where buyers get stuck, and it is my favorite part. I arrange the inspections, walk the property with you, and translate every finding into plain language: what matters, what does not, and what to negotiate.
06
Close the deal, smoothly
I personally oversee the details through escrow, keep you updated regularly, and coordinate the contractors and specialists so the finish line feels as calm as the start.
The mechanic's eye
Roof, foundation, wiring, drainage: I catch the problems others overlook.
Where buyers get stuck
How are inspections handled the right way?
The inspection period is where most transactions go sideways. Terms get confusing, reports get scary, and buyers do not know what to push on. That is exactly why I spend my career here. I arrange the inspections, walk the property with you, sit with the specialists, and turn the report into a short list of what matters.
- I coordinate inspectors, contractors, and specialists for you
- Every finding is translated into plain language and priority order
- Negotiation leverage that is factual, not emotional
- Country properties: wells, septic, soils, and drainage handled by experts I trust
Before you call
Questions buyers ask before reaching out
How long have you been a realtor?
I have been a licensed California real estate agent for 21 years, and I have sold more than 100 homes in that time. Before that I spent about 20 years owning and operating an automotive repair business, which is where I learned to look at problems the honest way.
Are you local to the area?
Very much so. I was born and raised in Marin County, lived 46 years in Novato, and have lived in Petaluma for more than 16 years. I work both sides of the county line every week.
Who is the best agent for Marin and Sonoma?
You should pick the agent who spends the most time in your price range and your neighborhoods, and who answers the phone. I cover Novato, Petaluma East and West, and the surrounding Marin and Sonoma markets from roughly $400,000 to $4,000,000, and my clients would tell you the difference a local makes.
What should I inspect or fix first?
Start with safety and structure: roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, and drainage, plus site-specific items like hillside and retaining walls. On country properties, wells, septic, and soils come first. I walk every flagged item with you after the report.
How much should I offer?
An offer is built from evidence: recent comparables, condition, market timing, and the seller's situation. I show you the numbers behind the number, then structure the strongest offer for your specific circumstances.
The direct answers are free
I have been a licensed realtor for 21 years, I have lived in this area my whole life, and I answer my phone. Ask me anything: (415) 328-2637 or send a note below.
(415) 328-2637Ready to start the search?
Tell me what you are looking for and where. I will send you homes that fit before they hit the open market, and answer every question along the way.
Prefer to talk now? Call or text (415) 328-2637 or email pjschardt@gmail.com. I answer quickly, day or night.