Our Blog
Helpful real estate info from the pros.
How Prop 19 Works
Property taxes increase when a property changes ownership. The taxable value of most properties is less than what they could be sold for. This is because the price most properties could sell for grows faster than 2 percent per year. Because of this, when a property...
Low End vs Luxury Real Estate: Which Is A Better Investment
Whether you're looking into it now or thinking about investments in the future, you might be wondering which league you want to play in the real estate investing game — the low end or high end? Much like any investment, you must know your numbers. We share the things...
Your Must-Have Homebuyer Checklist
Are you ready to buy a home? There’s more to a home purchase than picking your favorite listing and just moving in. There are several reasons why the process takes a while: the biggest reason is that it’s tough for home buyers to find their dream home at their dream...
Caring for the Most Neglected Parts of Your Home
If your muddy dog suddenly runs inside the house, you wipe the dirt up. If the trash is full, you take it out. We all know how to care and keep our homes clean, but let’s face it -- there are areas in the house that we tend to forget. We get it — life happens, you’re...
Things To Look Out For When Viewing A Property
Are you thinking of buying a home? Aside from the things you need to prepare before making a purchase, you also need to prepare some questions and mental notes when looking around for a home. Here are some important considerations when buying a house in California....
Smart Gadgets We Are Loving Right Now (and You Will Too!)
Our homes may not look as futuristic as the ones in The Jetsons yet, but we sure have gone far, and technology continues to evolve rapidly. Now, almost everything in your home can be connected through WIFI. Our application of robotics and artificial intelligence keeps...
Selling a Home to Buy One
Purchasing a home now will give you an opportunity to get the lowest mortgage rates in history. You may be thinking of making a transition—to a bigger home, to a retirement home, or to a different neighborhood among other things. And perhaps, you may be wondering if...
Life After Coronavirus: How Will the Pandemic Affect Our Homes?
After spending most of our time at home for over a year now, and even though we’re slowly going back to normal again, we can’t help but wonder what life would be like beyond lockdown. Let’s peruse together and wonder what ‘normal’ life will be like in our homes after...
Choosing the Right Paint Finish
Updating your home with a coat of paint will bring a new vibe and freshen up the home without hurting your wallet too much. Colors give the effect and ambiance to your home but have you ever put any thought into the sheen of the paint itself? Some paint finishes...
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...
Prepare Your Home for a Real Estate Photographer
A photogenic home makes a good first impression and attracts more potential buyers. So sellers, take note — the following are ways to prepare your home for the listing photos. Make it sparkle We clean up when guests come over, right? So much more when...
How to Know if You Can Really Afford to Buy a Home
If you’ve decided to buy a home and want to learn more about the financials, then you’re in the right place. You’re probably wondering how much you can afford. The following items are the most important money matters to consider. Know Your Debt-To-Income (DTI) Ratio...
Your Annual Home Maintenance Checklist
Experts recommend an annual check-up to make sure your home is in tip-top shape and will be less prone to surprise repairs. Wrap up the year neatly and get your home ready for the coming year with the following to-dos: Ensure Main Water Shutoff Functions as Expected...
Things to Avoid After Applying for a Mortgage
We previously talked about things to avoid before applying for a mortgage, now let’s talk about what not to do after. So you've just applied for a mortgage, and now you're in that waiting game and there are a few things you wanna steer clear of during this time to...
Strange and Surprising Home Superstitions
From hanging up lucky symbols to scattering coins for good fortune, homes around the globe have their way of bringing in luck, warding off evil spirits, and keeping the vibes just right. Here are some more fascinating home-related traditions from around the world:...
The Difference Between A Traditional Sale And A Short Sale
Ever encountered the terms "traditional sale" and "short sale" but are confused as to what they mean and how these things differ from each other? Whether you’re on the buying or selling side of real estate, these concepts are helpful for you to understand. A...