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Helpful real estate info from the pros.
First-Time Buyer Vocabulary: Cheat Sheet
Buying a home is an exciting milestone. The process can be overwhelming in itself, but sometimes you can get lost with the real estate terminologies. Don't get caught saying, “What does it mean?” during a home purchase transaction. Here are words home buyers...
5 Things Sellers Must Do Before Calling a Real Estate Agent
Are you thinking of putting your home on the market? If you are determined to sell your home, it’s a good idea to spend some time preparing it before listing it. And, hiring an experienced real estate agent will be the best decision for you in making the process...
Loan Programs to Assist Downpayment
Do you want to buy a home but you don’t have enough money saved for the down payment yet? Good news for you – here are 3 of the most common buyer-assist programs you can look into that make it easier to purchase a home in California. Loan Programs to Assist...
FHA Loans: Everything You Need to Know
Most people obtain a home through financing. You’re probably already familiar with some common types of home loans such as conventional financing through banks and veteran’s loans for active and retired military members. Some potential homebuyers who are not able to...
Who Pays Real Estate Fees?
We often get calls asking our office after rendering real estate advice or consultation, “Thanks for helping. How much do I owe you?” And we always reply with – “Nothing.” So, who pays us? A Realtor® represents either a buyer or a seller in a real estate transaction....
How to Combine Warm and Cool Colors Like a Pro
It is fair to say that color is part science and part art. Color is a form of non-verbal communication that can affect our mood and emotions, that’s why it’s crucial to create a color scheme for your space. The more you know about how color works, the easier it will...
Hands Down, Top Christmas Home Decor Items
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! If your home hasn’t caught on yet, take a look at these Christmas decor items we love from Amazon that you can have delivered in time for the holidays. Top Christmas Home Decor Items From Amazon Pre-Lit...
Are Tiny Homes Worth It?
Thinking about ‘going tiny’? You may have been inspired by the idea after seeing it in TV shows like Tiny House, Big Living, Tiny House Nation, and Tiny House Builders. With the emergence of minimalism and eco-consciousness, some people are beginning to realize that...
Market Update: Is It Better to Rent or Buy?
While there may be certain very specific reasons that someone opts to be a tenant versus a homeowner in San Diego County, homeownership during our current real estate market, may provide you with some annual savings. Watch the latest buy vs. rent analysis from San...
Can Neighbors Affect My Property Value?
In real estate, we use the term “external obsolescence”, meaning a depreciation in the value of a home due to factors that exist outside the property itself. And the neighborhood is one. Ideally, you’d want to have a community that has the following: Key businesses,...
How to Change the Size of a Room with Paint
We shared in a previous blog about the power of color and how it creates mood in a space. Now, we’ll talk about the power of paint on how it can create a visual impact on a room. The amazing people at Liven Design illustrate how you can seemingly change the physical...
Quick Morning Cleaning Routine
Busy moms, we hear you! Hate having to constantly catch up on cleaning every after work or on the weekends? A few minutes in the morning is all you need — seriously! You can achieve a clean and tidy home in a fraction of the time and here’s a cleaning plan you can...
The Difference Between Using the Bank and a Mortgage Broker
We get this question a lot from our first time buyers — are banks and mortgage brokers the same? The quick answer is no and here’s the definition and difference between the two. A bank offers you a home loan. They usually have a set rate and strict rules for approving...
Does Size Matter? Should I Buy a Big House or a Small House?
Not sure what size of home is the right one for you? We share the pros and cons of having a big house or a small house. Now, the size of a home depends on how you define it or relative to your current living situation. When we talk about small houses, we’re not...
Reasons To Speak With A Lender Even If You’re Not Ready To Buy Yet
Buyers usually start their house-hunting process just after having saved up for a downpayment. It makes perfect sense right? But did you know that you need not wait until you saved up for a downpayment before talking to a mortgage lender? The following are the...
What’s New? Smart Home Upgrades in 2024
Staying up-to-date with the latest smart home upgrades is essential for modern homeowners looking to enhance convenience, security, and efficiency in their living spaces. Let's explore some of the top smart home upgrades that are poised to revolutionize the way we...
Financial Checklist For Home Buyers
Planning to buy a home in San Diego? Let's ensure you're financially prepared with this Financial Checklist for Home Buyers. Financial Checklist For Home Buyers Do a financial check up. Know your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and...
How to Make Your Bedroom a Place Of Comfort
Struggling to catch some z's? Many factors might cause this to be challenging such as stress, poor sleep habits, medical conditions, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors. In this blog, we’ll talk about the environmental factor — a.k.a. your...