Tag Archive for: buying a home

No Down Payment, No Problem (Down Payment Assistance Programs)

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WHEN BOOMERS ARE WRONG… For years, I downplayed the efficacy of down payment assistance programs, saying they were too slow to close, too expensive, and/or too off-putting for sellers (so they would not accept offers). BUT – I was wro… I was wron… I was wrong… (I had trouble admitting it). I was wrong for […]Read More

VA Jumbo Loans in California

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VA loans are a great real estate purchase option for eligible veteran borrowers. Unlike conventional or FHA loans, VA loans allow borrowers to obtain purchase loans with a $0 down payment. Borrowers can even obtain jumbo loans over the county loan limit with no downpayment required. Interest rates on VA loans are very competitive as well.Read More

Income Needed to Buy $450,000 and $1 Million Homes?

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Per a request from an agent, here are some estimates of the income necessary to buy a $1 million home in California and a $450,000 home in Texas. We used $1 million for California because that is close to the median home price in all too many towns and cities (and interestingly, it is much […]Read More

iBuyers Vs. Real Estate Agents – What’s The Difference?

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What Are iBuyers? The real estate landscape is always changing. One of those changes is the rise of iBuyers and the rejection of the traditional real estate process (with the use of a Realtor or Real Estate Agent). Both iBuyers and Real Estate Agents share the same goal of assisting in the sale of homes; […]Read More

Why CA Is So “Hot;” Median Home Prices

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MEDIAN HOME PRICES If the CA housing market was not appreciating at all, but every buyer suddenly decided they would only buy 4,000 square foot, $1 million homes in 2021 after only buying 2,000 square foot, $500,000 homes in 2020, the median home price would double. And this would lead many people to mistakenly believe […]Read More

Six Home Loan Tips For The Self-Employed

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Applying For a Home Loan as a Self-Employed Business Owner There was a time when lenders would accept whatever income you put on your application as accurate and true. These were called “stated income” loans; for many obvious reasons, they no longer exist. There were also loan programs where the lender would accept a record […]Read More

Why A Home Inspection Is Crucial For Homebuyers

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Many homebuyers have found the perfect home, signed the paperwork, and may think they’re good to go. However, that is not the case. Even if you’ve done your research and saved your money and made an offer on the perfect house, you need to have a home inspection. Unfortunately, to save a little cash, some […]Read More

How To Reduce Stress When Buying & Selling A Home

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If you are simultaneously buying and selling a home, you are probably experiencing major stress levels. Is there a way to make this process less stressful? Here are three strategies to help you stay calm and focused while buying and selling a home. Have a Detailed Buying and Selling Plan A lot of the stress […]Read More

Is Renting Or Buying Better For You?

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Many people want to know if renting or buying a home is right for them and their finances. There are pros and cons to renting and buying a home. To find out if you should continue to rent or if you’re prepared to own, check out the rest of this blog. Pros Of Renting Possible […]Read More

When Is The Best Time To Buy A House?

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Are you considering buying a home in the Bay Area? Are you unsure of when the right time to buy is? There are many variables in the homebuying process, the first of which is deciding when to move. Many homebuyers want to time the market and take advantage of the seasonal nature of real estate. […]Read More

When Getting A Loan Is As Easy As Buying A Fridge At Best Buy

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In 1999, I needed a new car. Not being particularly into cars, I asked a buddy, who was into cars, what kind of car he recommended. At that time, he said the best buy on the market was a Lexus GS400, and he gave me a detailed list of options and specs I should look […]Read More

Four Steps to Prepare for Closing Day in Dallas, Texas

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Closing day is the last step for Dallas homebuyers in their loan process. All their paperwork gets finalized and the deed of the Dallas property is officially transferred to the new owner. Here are four steps to help Texas homebuyers have an easy closing day! 1. Start saving! One of the best ways Dallas homebuyers […]Read More

Buyers Can’t “Roll Closing Costs” Into Their Loan; Options?

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Total closing costs for a purchase transaction can vary from $5,000 to $30,000, depending on purchase price, loan amount, type of loan, month of the transaction and location of the transaction. This is b/c closing costs include not only the standard title, escrow, appraisal, underwriting fees, etc.; closing costs also include prepaid interest and property […]Read More