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Flooding in California: An Underestimated Danger

Warning: California is riddled with climate and natural disasters. While wildfires and earthquakes are frequent headlines, homeowners must also be wary of flooding. From atmospheric rivers to rising sea levels, floods are a growing risk in Central Valley areas, the state's capital, Sacramento,...

Comprehensive Guide to First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Programs  

Achieving your dream of homeownership in California is no joke. Want the Hollywood glamour? Prominent residential real estate brokerage Compass reported their Q3 2024 prices and discovered you do, in fact, have to be a millionaire to purchase many homes. Single-family homes in...

Why Do I Need a Realtor If MLS Does the Work?

So you're looking for a new home as a first-time buyer, downsizer, or up-sizer. You've considered new construction, active adult community living, country clubs with all the bells and whistles, and multi-acre ranches. Your real estate searches include multifamily, freestanding houses in open...

Want to Buy a New Home in 2025? A Step-by-Step Guide to Have You in Your New Home by Year’s End

Tired of throwing away your money on rent? Outgrown your current home? It is time to buy a new home. Before you say that you can’t afford it or you don’t have the time, take a minute to read this– a step-by-step plan...

Understanding Closing Costs: A Complete Breakdown for Buyers and Sellers

Whether buying or selling a home or simply refinancing your existing mortgage, it is critical to understand the closing costs of this often complicated transaction. Some closing costs can be negotiated between buyers and sellers. You can shop around for some services required...

Unlocking Supplemental Property Taxes in California for First-Time Buyers

Welcome to the nation’s most expensive market, where $800,000+ gets you the average. As of November 2024, Redfin reported the average median home price up 4% from $827,100 to $827,100.  Life’s most significant expense tends to be taxes. If you’re purchasing a home...

Adjustable-Rate Versus Fixed-Rate Mortgages: Risks and Rewards

In a high-rate mortgage environment like the one we’re currently experiencing, it can be very tempting to choose an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) loan instead of a fixed-rate mortgage loan. The hope is that you get a slightly lower rate for the short term,...

Is the Worst House in the Best Area Right for My Family?

"Look for the worst house in the best area!" Real estate economists scream it from their virtual "rooftops" at every opportunity, and realtors back them up, telling their homebuyers daily, "Location, location, location, that's all that counts!" Guaranteed, if you're searching for a...

What to Know Before Buying Your First Home in California

California Dreaming, are we? The challenge is real when faced with the obstacle of purchasing your first home in the nation’s most expensive housing market—a $ 829,700 sticker price on an average median home price in the Golden State. The coastal living of...

9 Reasons Why Irvine, CA, Is a Great Family-Friendly City to Raise a Family

Nestled in the heart of sunny Southern California, Irvine has earned a reputation as one of the best cities in the United States to raise a family. Not only has Irvine been my home for the better part of the last three decades,...

Top 11 Destinations Californians Are Moving to for a More Affordable Life

California has long been synonymous with dreams of opportunity, sunshine, and success. However, in recent years, an increasing number of Californians have decided to throw in the towel and leave the Golden State, opting to sell their high-value homes and move to more...

9 Ways to Pay Off Debt and Buy Your First Home

So, you want to buy your first home, however, you have some debt that feels like an immovable mountain standing between you and your dream. Whether it’s credit card balances, student loans, or car payments, that looming debt can make homeownership seem out...

Understanding Inflation: Its Impact on Everyday Life and the Housing Market

As we prepare to welcome 2025, the term "inflation" has become increasingly familiar, dominating headlines and conversations over the past several years. While many people understand inflation as rising prices, fewer grasp how deeply it can influence major aspects of life—particularly the housing...

Will Mortgage Rates Ever Drop to 3% Again?

It wasn’t so long ago that homebuyers could lock in jaw-droppingly low mortgage rates—some as low as 3%. For those lucky enough to secure such a deal, it felt like winning the housing lottery. These historically low rates made homeownership more accessible, slashing...

How to Save for Your First Home in California

Saving for your first home is a big deal, especially in a state like California, where the housing market is as competitive as it is expensive. I’ve called California home since 1997, and I can tell you there is so much to enjoy...

First Time Home Buyer

home warranty

What Is a Home Warranty and Is It Worth It?

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Buying or selling a home can feel like navigating a maze filled with unexpected expenses, and a broken appliance or failing HVAC system can...

What Does “Under Contract” Really Mean? – What Happens Between an...

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When an offer is accepted and the paperwork is signed, many people breathe a sigh of relief — and then wonder, “So, what now?” The...

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