Real Estate Brokerage Blog

Almost all first home buyers will acquire a mortgage loan to help them purchase their new property.  A few will purchase with all cash, and no mortgage financing.  But in high-cost areas like the California coast, it’s usually necessary to get a mortgage loan.  So you’ll need to find a great mort...

What makes your house a home?  The warmth of the atmosphere, as reflected in your home furnishings.  Each decoration is part of an intricate ensemble. Some ways to update your home, making it feel fresh while keeping your favorite pieces of furniture: Choose a consistent design, theme, overall fe...

A well-designed landscape is a pleasure to the family, enhances a community, and adds tremendously to a property’s value. Landscape design involves much more than placing trees, shrubs, and other plants on the property.  It is an art which creates conscious arrangement or organization of outdoor ...

I know what you are thinking right now.  You are saying, “I have a zero down payment loan with 100% financing.  Why do I need to save money?”  Well, even if your loan is financed 100% by the bank, you may have closing costs, inspections, and reports.More importantly, you will need to put down an ...

Put aside money for your “rainy day” emergency fund.  I suggest that at least 10% of your income go directly to savings.  It is a relief to know that if your car breaks down or if you get sick, you have some savings to draw from, and you do not have to take money from important bills like your ho...

Confusing?  Here’s a quick rundown of agent terms:Agent - An agent is a person who is hired to work on behalf of another (the agency relationship should always be in writing).  An agent has a fiduciary duty to act in their client’s best interest.  A person who is hired as a real estate agent must...

Eliminate consumer debt by making additional principal payments or paying off as much as possible.  If you cannot pay it off right away, make substantial payments to reduce your debts.  Some people would advise you not to pay off your credit cards and close the accounts, because you need to have ...

Get your credit card balances as low as possible, and consumer debt paid off.  What are the best ways to eliminate consumer debt? Pay off consumer debt by making extra principal payments Do NOT make any purchases on credit Do NOT apply for credit cards Here is my challenge to you:  Pay off your c...

What determines your interest rate on a home loan? Your credit score! When you apply for a loan, the lender runs your credit report and receives your payment history summarized as a number, called a FICO score. Each of the 3 major credit bureaus rate you according to your FICO score, between 300 ...

Always be respectful inside a homeowner's personal residence.  Do not touch things, do not sit on their furniture, do not open their refrigerator, and do not peek inside drawers, cupboards, or medicine chests.  Hopefully, you did not bring your children with you, but if you did, make sure they do...