Are they a good deal?: Tips on finding a home protection plan
By Dian Hymer
When something malfunctions in your home, wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could pick up the phone, request a service call, pay a nominal service charge and have the problem fixed. In theory, this is how a home protection […]
Three Simple Steps to Successfully Selecting an Agent
Buying or selling a home takes a great deal of preparation, decision-making, patience, scheduling flexibility, and in many markets, acting quickly - all the ingredients for a potentially stressful experience. A great relationship with your real estate agent helps keep this experience productive and stress […]
What Are Closing Costs and Who Pays for Them?
By Dian Hymer
The various fees associated with buying or selling a home are called closing costs. Buyers and sellers both pay closing costs but who pays what costs varies from area to area. For example, in Los Angeles, sellers usually pay for title insurance. […]
The document that spells out the terms and conditions of your home (or condominium) purchase is variously referred to as a purchase contract, deposit receipt, earnest money contract or sales contract. It’s a legally binding document that should reflect your intentions and capabilities accurately.
Purchase contracts will vary depending on the type and location of the […]
Resources Tools Library Glossary Home Sale Maximizer
HomeGain Library
If You Move Yourself…
By Edith Lank
You’ll want to take some items in your own car when you move, and […]
What Are the Hidden Costs of Home Ownership?
By Dian Hymer
Most home buyers think first of the monthly mortgage payment when they consider how much they can afford to pay for a home. They frequently forget about the cost of home maintenance. Some homes cost more to maintain than others. But all homes […]
As a buyer, what questions should I ask?
When you’re in the market for a home, it seems as if there are millions of questions to ask — and no doubt plenty more. As buyers we become so wrapped up in the physical aspects of the house — the rooms, amenities, and structure — that we […]
How Much Home Can I Afford?
Your buying power depends on how much you have available for the down payment and how much a financial institution will agree to lend you.
There is a rule of thumb that says that if you have the capacity to repay the mortgage, you can afford a single-family house that […]
How do I determine if I’m ready to buy a home in San Ramon?
The following four questions are among the most important when determining if you should consider a home purchase.
1. Do you have a steady job history?
If you have been working consistently for at least the last two years, a lender will consider […]
Despite dire speculations of escalating interest rates and an about-to-burst housing bubble, home sales in the state will escalate and prices will hit yet another record, the California Association of Realtors predicted Wednesday in its mid-year forecast.
The association predicts California’s median price of existing single-family homes will hit $523,150 this year, 16 percent more […]
