In a previous blog post, we talked about credit scores and how they can affect California home buyers when applying for a mortgage loan. Today, we'll examine credit reports and the types of information they contain. These two subjects go hand-in-hand,…
In California, home buyers typically pay closing costs that range from 1.5% to 5% of the purchase price. But this can vary due to a number of factors, including the type of loan you use and where you live. This…
For many months now, we've heard how the San Francisco Bay Area is a seller's market. And it's true. Tight inventory conditions coupled with strong demand have made the Bay Area real estate market highly competitive. As a result of…
If you're planning to buy a home in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2022, and you need a mortgage loan to make that happen, you might want to expedite those plans. Mortgage rates have risen steadily over the past…
Update: This guide was updated in the summer of 2024 to include the latest down payment averages among California home buyers. Home prices continue to climb steadily across the state of California, as we move into the second half of…
You're prepared to buy a home in the San Francisco Bay Area. You've got your financing lined up. You've chosen a real estate agent to assist in your search. And you just found a house that meets your needs and…
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…
Bay Area home buyers typically use the earnest money deposit to show sellers they are serious about purchasing a property. Earnest money is one of several tools buyers can use to make their offers stand out in a competitive real…
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…
