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Consider Bike Scores When Buying a Home in Foster City

We all know the mantra when looking to buy a new home, Location, Location, Location. When buying a home location is what matters most — and for good reason, too In fact, the concept of Walk Score was created just for that purpose. Dedicated to the idea that “less time in the car means more…Read More »

Americans Still Prefer Buying a Home to Renting – San Mateo CA

Owning a home still has more appeal than renting for Americans, according to Fannie Mae. A sign of stability, safety, family and community, home ownership is an essential component of the “American Dream” of success and happiness and has been for many generations. The recent National Housing Survey (Q4, 2011) conducted by Fannie Mae found…Read More »

Terms to Know When Buying or Selling a Home

The real estate industry, like most others, uses jargon that is sometimes difficult to understand. Consider this a primer to learning a few of those terms. Here’s a step by step definition that will make you sound “in the know” when buying or selling a home. “CLOSING” - Closing refers to the final steps in securing…Read More »

Here’s Where to Get More Data When Buying a Home: Foster City CA

Realtors are prohibited by federal law from steering buyers to locations or homes, and included in what we can not say is what the demographic of a community is all about. Sure we can give nuances and use buzz words that are benign but give an idea to some, but we really can never tell…Read More »

The 10 Things NOT to do Before You Buy Your Home

Things Not to Do When Buying a Home Here are Ten Things a future Home Buyers Should Never Do Before Closing on a Home. If you do any one of them, it could cause a huge delay in your closing. Lenders are very tough on borrowers today and they check and double check your credit…Read More »

A New HomeBuyer Assistance Program in Millbrae

It’s sure been a while since I’ve seen anything like this one, so if you want to buy a new home and are in need of some financial assistance to do so, you just might want to check this out. If you qualify, there’s a $15,000 cash assistance program for you. There is a catch, though. Isn’t there always one? You must be buying a new condo at Belamor Millbrae Paradise and it must be done before November 30,2011.

$4,320 Down to Buy a $432,000 Home, Really? : San Mateo CA

Thanks to the California Housing Financing Agency (Cal HFA), first-time home shoppers can finance the purchase of their home with just about the same amount of money needed for a security deposit and first month’s rent required to move into a rental home.

Cal HFA currently provides 1.0% down payment, below market interest rate financing along with a little closing cost assistance to help home buyers finance the purchase of their first home. This program combines the Cal HFA FHA 30 year fixed rate mortgage currently (as of December 17, 2010) at 4.0% (APR 4.81%) with the California Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program (CHDAP) simple interest, silent mortgage at 3.25% (APR 3.25%).

Attend a Webinar about First Time Home Ownership Tomorrow

Home Ownership Workshops (HOW) are a series of free web classes designed for First Time Home buyers to educate them on different aspects of the home buying process. The webinar will cover the following topics:

Only 65 Days Left to Qualify for the $8000 Tax Credit – San Mateo CA

There are exactly 65 days left to qualify for the $8000 First Time Buyer’s Credit. You must be in contract by April 30,2010 and close escrow by June 30th. You can buy a home up to $800,000 and have an income as high as $225,000 for a couple or $125,000 for a single person. We have homes to show you, so why aren’t you looking? Seriously. This price range is hot, hot, hot and we are seeing multiple offers, once again, which means you must be out looking every weekend.

Rates Will Be Moving Up This Year, Don’t Wait to Buy: Foster City, CA

Conforming Rates – 30 Yr Fixed

Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s been a good ride. Low interest rates have been here for a long time. Beginning with Greenspan’s Fed, and continuing through to today. But folks, they won’t stay for much longer. My crystal balls,