Category: Buying A Home

Are you a millennial? Hey, me too! Do you know the number one reason that so many millennials aren’t getting into the housing market in Oakland? Often, it’s all about that stubborn student loan debt. Grr, education! ::shakes fist:: In fact, a recent study by the Federal Reserve claims that the 12 million of us millennials in our 30s with student loan debt owe more than those in their 20s. ::shakes fist again:: The average student loan balance for the former sits at slightly more than $34,000 and most of us are, or were, grad students, according to U.S. News

One of the East Bay’s most anticipated summer events is coming up this weekend (Saturday, July 29 – Sunday, July 30). That’s right, I’m talking about the 2017 Berkeley Kite Festival. This huge FREE outdoor event at the Berkeley Marina is famous for its larger-than-life octopus kites and is the annual gathering site for kite lovers throughout the Bay Area, from novices to pro kite flying teams. If you’re looking for a great date idea or memorable family outing, look no further. The 2017 Berkeley Kite Festival should be on everyone’s summer bucket list. You can even bring your furry four-legged

The Bay Area housing market is moving at warp speed, with homes that are in decent condition and priced right flying off the market in a matter of days. When it will end, nobody knows. One thing that is certain is that the percentage of homes on the market being sold by owner sits at around eight percent, nationwide. So, after being mortally wounded in the bidding wars, many buyers are tempted to pursue FSBOs – pronounced “fizzbo,” and short for for-sale-by-owner. Sure, buying directly from the owner may seem attractive, at first glance. But, there are very real problems

I love open houses. An open house brings a listing to life. It’s an opportunity for potential buyers in all parts of the homebuying process to picture their lives in that home, to open all the closet doors, and to ask all sorts of questions. As an agent, open houses are an opportunity for me to meet the community, answer questions, and help people in their homebuying journey however I can.  Sometimes an open house will see just a few people stop by during an entire afternoon. Other times, over a hundred groups may come through. Regardless, I highly recommend

  The real estate industry has done a bang-up job on letting consumers know they’ll need some cash when they purchase a home. Typically, it’s the down payment that’s mentioned. Seldom are closing costs brought up, so they end up a major surprise for homebuyers. Between the two of those huge chunks of money are other cash outlays you’ll need to consider. Earnest Money Deposit You found the home you want to buy and we’ve structured the perfect purchase agreement. In it, you’ll find a section dealing with your earnest money deposit (EMD). We’ll list the amount you are paying and

It’s Sunday evening, and John and Mary Homeseller and their agent Anita Deal are sitting at the dining room table, ready to confront a pile of purchase agreements. The Homesellers were smart to listen to Ms. Deal’s advice and decided to entertain all offers simultaneously, rather than have them trickle in, piecemeal. It’s a hot market, and the Homesellers own an attractive home, priced right. One of these offers will win the day. But which one? And, why is your offer the one that didn’t? What does your competition have that you don’t? 1. They have loan pre-approval Even a