One of the most frustrating things for a home buyer is to search a national website such as Trulia or Zillow, get excited about a home for sale and discover that the home really ISN’T for sale. It is not my intention to trash the national websites but to give you an option to double [...]
Read More Home buying process, house hunting, Tips for buying a home
The unseen costs of a home purchase are the utility costs. To help buyers make accurate comparisons of the TOTAL cost of home ownership (including utility bills), the California Energy Commission is encouraging sellers or buyers to obtain a Home Energy Rating. Why? Over 50% of homes currently for sale are considered “old stock” as [...]
Read More Energy Efficient Homes, Home buying process, Home improvement, Tips for buying a home
Many buyers believe that buying a foreclosure is the best way to get a bargain price. But are foreclosures really a bargain? Unlike a normal sale, bank-owned foreclosures are exempt from many of the required property disclosures because the bank never occupied the home. It is entirely up to the buyer to investigate the property [...]
Read More FHA 203k Rehabiitation, Foreclosure, Home Inspections, Tips for buying a home
When the mortgage balance is greater than the sales price, it is a short sale and requires the mortgage lender’s approval to proceed with the transaction. Here are 6 tips to protect yourself financially and emotionally when buying a short sale. Get Help From a Short Sale Expert Not all short sales are approved. A [...]
Read More Home buying process, mortgage preapproval, short sale, Tips for buying a home
As you consider purchasing a home, it’s important to know the things a real estate agent can’t tell you. Real estate agents are required to show you all homes that meet your housing criteria (number of bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, style of home, lot size and price range). Real estate agents are not permitted, under [...]
Read More Home buying process, Tips for buying a homeThe neighborhood has a significant impact on the current and future value of any Contra Costa East Bay home you buy so it’s important to know some key characteristics to which you should pay attention. Quality of the schools Crime rate Traffic Sidewalks and street lighting Proximity to parks, employment, public transportation and shopping Future [...]
Read More Home buying process, Neighborhood, Tips for buying a home
Visiting Open Houses is a great way to get a sense of home prices in different market areas and neighborhoods. Here is a comprehensive resource to Search Contra Costa – East Bay Open Houses by City provided by the Contra Costa Association of Realtors. After viewing numerous Open Houses on a single day, you will [...]
Read More Open House, Tips for buying a home
If you are an active home buyer, you’re already aware that the market has changed. Low inventory of Contra Costa homes and resulting multiple offers force a change your house-hunting strategy. Here are a some helpful tips to help you buy a home in the current market. Keep your mortgage pre-approval constantly up-to-date. Provide your [...]
Read More Home buying process, Tips for buying a home, Viewing a Home for Sale
My buyer said it perfectly, “In the end, buying a Walnut Creek home is a combination of dress-up, online matchmaking, speed-dating and chess.” I had to laugh because that one line summarizes the home buying process perfectly! Think about it. The home is first dressed up (de-cluttered, thoroughly cleaned and staged) and posted online looking [...]
Read More Home buying process, Tips for buying a homeNo buyer intentionally sabotages their mortgage approval but there are 5 ways to sabotage your mortgage approval by mistake. Change jobs – even if it’s for more money. I know this seems odd because you would think that mortgage lenders would be pleased with a higher income but income is only one part of the [...]
Read More mortgage financing, mortgage preapproval, mortgage prequalification
