Working with Karina

Last updated October 29, 2026 · Karina Somenzari, REALTOR®, eXp Realty · DRE# 02248263

Services

Buying a home

Karina represents buyers anywhere in San Diego County, from the first conversation through closing: the search, tours, offers, negotiation, inspections and escrow. She works with first-time buyers, move-up buyers and people relocating. Start with San Diego first-time home buyer programs or how much house you can afford.

Selling a home

Karina helps owners price, prepare, list and sell their homes, then manages offers, negotiation and escrow through closing. See selling a house in San Diego: costs, disclosures and timeline or get a home value estimate.

Renting a home

Karina helps renters find and lease houses, condos, townhomes, apartments and ADUs. Tell her what you need on the rental search form and she sends you homes that fit.

Leasing out your home

For landlords, Karina markets the home, shows it, helps you review applications and puts the lease in writing. She does not manage properties after the lease is signed.

Investment property

Karina helps investors find and buy rental property, from homes with an ADU to small multi-unit buildings, and points out the local rules that affect rentals. See buying rental property in San Diego.

Buying, selling or moving from abroad

Karina works with people who live outside the US, including Brazilian buyers and sellers. Read buying a San Diego home from abroad, moving to San Diego from Brazil and selling as a foreign owner and FIRPTA.

How Karina's fee works

Real estate fees in California are not set by law. They are fully negotiable, and Karina agrees on hers with you in writing before she starts work. There is no charge for the first conversation or for the tools and forms on this site.

• Selling: Your listing agreement states Karina's fee. It is usually paid from the sale proceeds at closing. You also decide whether to offer to pay any part of the buyer's agent's fee.
• Buying: California law (AB 2992, in effect since January 1, 2025) requires a written buyer representation agreement as soon as practicable and no later than when you sign an offer. The agreement states Karina's fee. You can ask the seller to pay some or all of it as part of your offer, and the seller can say yes or no.
• Renting: In most cases the landlord pays Karina's fee. If a fee would ever apply to you, she'll tell you in writing before you tour.
• Leasing out your home: Karina's fee is agreed with you in writing before she markets your home.

How the process works

Buying

1. A free first conversation about your goals, budget, timing and areas.
2. Pre-approval from a lender, or proof of funds if you're paying cash.
3. A written buyer agreement that sets out Karina's services and fee.
4. The search and home tours.
5. Your offer and the negotiation.
6. Escrow: inspections, appraisal, loan approval and disclosures.
7. Closing and the keys.

Selling

1. A free consultation and a pricing review based on recent nearby sales.
2. A listing agreement that sets out Karina's services and fee.
3. Preparing the home: repairs, cleaning, staging and photos.
4. Seller disclosures.
5. Listing the home and showings.
6. Offers and negotiation.
7. Escrow and closing.

Renting

1. You send the rental search form.
2. Karina confirms your budget, timing and areas, then sends homes that fit.
3. Tours.
4. Help putting together a complete application.
5. A review of the lease with you before you sign.

Leasing out your home

1. A conversation about the home, the rent and your timing.
2. A written agreement that sets out Karina's services and fee.
3. Marketing the home and showings.
4. Reviewing applications with you.
5. Preparing and signing the lease.

Policies

• Reply time: Karina replies to every call, text, WhatsApp message, email and form within one business day.
• Language: She works in English and Brazilian Portuguese. Contracts, disclosures and escrow documents are in English, and she explains each one in Portuguese when you'd like.
• Fair housing: Karina follows federal and California fair housing laws and treats every client equally. The area guides on this site describe places, not the people who live there.
• Limits of her advice: Karina is a real estate agent, not an attorney, tax advisor, lender or immigration advisor. For those questions she will point you to a qualified professional.
• Property management: Karina helps landlords lease their homes, but she does not manage properties.
• Your information: Anything you share is used only to help with your purchase, sale or lease. Details are in the privacy policy.
• License and brokerage: Karina is a California real estate salesperson, DRE# 02248263, and a member of the National Association of REALTORS®. Her responsible broker is eXp Realty of California, Inc., DRE# 01878277, and she is part of the Whissel Beer Group team. More about Karina.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• California Department of Real Estate, Consumer Alert: Changes to Real Estate Buyer Representation and Compensation: https://www.dre.ca.gov/Consumers/ConsumerAlert_20241114_Changes_to_Real_Estate_Representation.html
• National Association of REALTORS®, What the NAR settlement means for home buyers and sellers: https://www.nar.realtor/the-facts/what-the-nar-settlement-means-for-home-buyers-and-sellers

General information. This page describes how Karina works. It is not legal or tax advice. Your written agreement with Karina controls the services and fee for your transaction.