As of early 2025, the Bay Area real estate market is one of the most competitive housing markets in the country. Because of this, many home buyers in the area choose to waive their contract contingencies when making a purchase…
Home buyers tend to have a lot of questions about the mortgage underwriting process in California. That's partly because this process happens without their direct involvement, for the most part. But what is underwriting? What does the underwriter do? How…
This article is part of an ongoing series that explains the VA loan process in California. Today, we will cover some of the standard paperwork and documents that are required for VA home loans in California. Here are the six…
Some Bay Area home buyers use the adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) loan to finance their purchases. These loans have unique features that are useful in some situations but less appropriate in others. These mortgages are given the "adjustable" label to differentiate…
Mortgage insurance is a common source of confusion for home buyers in California. First-time buyers, in particular, tend to have a lot of questions about how mortgage insurance works, when it's required, and when it's not. In this article, we…
The San Francisco Bay Area is a highly competitive real estate market. You probably know that already. In fact, you might've heard from friends or acquaintances who have purchased homes that it's hard to buy a house in the Bay…
Over the past two years, home prices have risen gradually in most California cities. This has increased home equity for a lot of homeowners, putting them in a good position to refinance. Summary: This guide explores the mortgage refinancing process…
Home buyers in the San Francisco Bay Area typically use earnest money deposits to show sellers they are serious about buying. That's just one of several ways to make an offer stand out in a competitive housing market. But what…
Lately, we've been blogging about some of the different real estate markets in the East Bay portion of the San Francisco Bay Area. In previous blog posts, we looked at cities like San Pablo and Antioch. Today, we will explore…
"Will California home prices rise or fall in 2025?" This is one of the most frequently asked questions among home buyers in the Golden State, and rightfully so. After a few tumultuous years for the real estate market, home prices…
