Tri-Valley Real Estate Blog

Should We Buy a House Before a Recession?

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Should We Buy a House Before a Recession?

The word recession might scare some people but this is definitely not the 2008 housing market. Still, anyone looking to buy a house may want to do so before the recession, of course. The last thing you want is for the tides to turn the minute you buy only to now owe more than your home is worth. And since nobody knows for sure and we can only go on economic predictions, conventional indicators such as unemployment rates, mortgage rates, and construction levels are currently very healthy. [Read more…]

10 Questions You Should Ask When Buying a Condo

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Buying a condominium or a townhouse for that matter is very similar to a single-family home but there are distinct differences. You will be dealing with the homeowners association when you buy into a condo or a townhouse community, very similar to a subdivision that might be gated or part of an HOA. Not only will you be paying a monthly mortgage payment along with principal, interest, and homeowners insurance but you’ll also be paying fees directly to the homeowners association. There are specific questions you should ask before buying a condominium. With so many townhouse/condo associations and developments throughout the Tri-Valley area, this is a common issue that I have with a lot of homebuyers. It’s best to understand the implications and the details of buying a condo before jumping into the transaction. [Read more…]

Buyer’s Agent, Dual Agency and the Difference You Need to Know

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Most people understand what a real estate agent is and does.  A real estate agent is not just simply a job but a licensed position that requires continuing education to maintain their license and keep their job.For most people, the legalities and details of buying and selling property is not something that they want to deal with on their own. Many homeowners feel that they can try to sell their property on their own first, and if that doesn’t work,  hire the help of a real estate professional. Many first-time homebuyers don’t even realize that it can benefit them to have their own agent when buying a property, rather than going with the listing agent of the home they chose. This is where a buyers agent, a listing agent and dual agency come into play. [Read more…]

What You Have to Know Before Buying a Fixer Upper

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With the onslaught of shows like Fixer Upper, Flip That House, and other similar shows, the appeal for fixer-uppers has been more prominent than ever, but are they really a good buy? Before you launch into a full-on HGTV project, here are some things to know about a fixer-upper.

What You Have to Know Before Buying a Fixer Upper

Most amateur fixer-uppers spend a lot of time, energy, and money.

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5 Signs You’re Ready to Upgrade Your Home

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5 Signs You're Ready to Upgrade Your Home

You may have been toying with the idea of upgrading your home or upsizing for several months now, maybe even several years, how do you know you’re really ready to take on a different house? While nobody really loves the thought of moving, sometimes the idea of more space is really what will prompt you to make the move. As an agent, I’ve seen a lot of different families and experience a lot of different situations so if you’re considering moving or upgrading your home your five signs to know that you’re ready for that move. [Read more…]

Who Pays the Property Tax When You Buy or Sell a House?

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All homeowners must pay property tax. But when you buy and sell a home, especially in the middle of the year, who’s responsible for the property taxes?

Property taxes are typically paid twice a year and they are paid in advance. Payments are due on the first day of March and the first day of September. Many homeowners will have their real estate taxes and homeowners insurance wrapped into their monthly mortgage payment, even though they don’t actually pay monthly on their property taxes. An escrow account is set up to make those by annual payments and if there’s any money left over, homeowners typically get a refund. Typically, the closing on a home sale will fall somewhere between the middle of attacks. So there’s either money that’s already been paid towards taxes or money that will be left over. [Read more…]

If an Offer is Rejected, Can the Buyer Know Why?

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If an Offer is Rejected, Can the Buyer Know Why?

When an offer is rejected most of the time the buyers want to know why and if an offer is rejected because of higher-priced offers, buyers may want to know what those other offers look like. So is it okay for the buyers to first of all, no why their offer was rejected or see the other offers? [Read more…]