Trying to buy a home in San Diego County? Experts say to do these things first

Buying a home in San Diego County is not for the faint of heart.

The area’s median home price has increased 10.2 percent since the coronavirus pandemic began. That makes the process of purchasing a house stressful for even the most hard-core money savers. While interest rates are at historic lows — an average of 2.89 percent in September — it’s hard to find many scenarios in which it is cheaper to buy than it was a year ago.

A drop in available homes for sale, also cited as the biggest reason for increased prices, has meant bidding wars that drive up the price, pushing many homebuying candidates out of the market.

Local experts and Zillow weighed in on steps buyers can take to get an edge.

Get pre-approved for a mortgage

Having financing in order before the price war begins is key because it helps potential buyers act quickly on a house for which there are multiple offers….