Much has been written about the mortgage application and approval process in California. You'll find countless articles online that explain the different steps in the application process, the path to final approval, the paperwork and documents required, etc. But what…
Summary: A March 2022 report from Realtor.com showed a double-digit increase in rent prices in the Bay Area. The median rent for the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward metro area climbed 12.1%, year over year. We've heard a lot about the rapid rise…
This article explains how much buyers tend to pay for closing costs in Marin County, California, for a typical home purchase in 2022. Please note that your costs could differ from the range presented below, for a number of reasons…
This article is part of a series that covers the different types of real estate contingencies home buyers can use. Today, we will examine the home inspection contingency used by many California home buyers, along with the pros and cons…
There have been numerous reports over the past few weeks suggesting that the real estate market might cool down in 2022. But most of those reports have focused on the nation as a whole. At the city, metropolitan and regional…
Nearly all home buyers in Alameda County encounter closing costs. On a typical home purchase, these costs can add up to tens of thousands of dollars. So it's important to understand who pays what between the buyer and seller. This…
In California, a home appraisal contingency can give home buyers a legal exit strategy. If the home appraises below the purchase price, this contingency allows the buyer to back out of the deal without forfeiting their earnest money. Like the…
If you've been researching the home buying process in California, you've probably encountered the term "contingencies." Many borrowers choose to include contingencies within their purchase contracts. These contract add-ons protect the home buyer from losing their earnest money in certain…
Shopping for a mortgage isn't something we do every day. But it's a big financial obligation so getting it right is important. Choosing a mortgage loan can impact your financial situation long-term, so you want to do thorough research and…
Some home buyers in California worry that having gaps in their employment might prevent them from qualifying for a mortgage loan. But that's not always true. In many cases, it's possible for borrowers to qualify for a mortgage loan in…
