Articles & Guides
Expert insights, tips, and guides to help you navigate your path to homeownership with confidence.
Rapid Rescore: The Trick That Might Save You Thousands
Let me say this plainly, because there’s a lot of confusion floating around: rapid rescoring isn’t some shady backdoor move, and it’s not reserved only for banks playing games behind the curtain. It’s a legitimate way to get your credit report updated faster when you’ve already done the right things — paid...
Where to Find Distressed Properties?
After 30 years in Northern California real estate — in Roseville, Sacramento, Chico — I’ve learned this the hard way: if you want to find distressed properties before everyone else, you have to think like a hunter, not a browser. People toss around terms like “fixer-upper” and “distressed listing” like...
How Much House Can I Really Afford?
Let me clear something up right out of the gate, because this mistake ruins more buyers than bad inspections ever will: the maximum price a lender approves you for does NOT mean you can afford that house. I’ve watched this play out for 30 years across Roseville, Sacramento, and Chico. Buyers get a shiny...
Is It Worth Buying a Foreclosed Home?
I’ve sold homes through multiple booms and a couple of ugly downturns in Northern California. When foreclosures pop back into the conversation, I know what’s happening: buyers are frustrated, prices feel stretched, and people start looking where others are afraid to look. Foreclosures get a bad rap. Some of it...
Don't Lose Your Hope on Finding a Perfect Home
Here’s a truth I don’t sugarcoat after 30 years selling homes in Northern California: a “perfect” home rarely exists on the first page of listings, and in a hot market it can feel like every decent option disappears in the blink of an eye. Inventory dries up. Bidding wars erupt. You lose a few, you lose a few more. You start...
Where to Get the Money for a Down Payment: Real Stories
I’ve been in this business long enough to know one thing for sure: nobody ever buys a home the way they think they’re going to. When people start saving for a down payment, the plan looks neat on paper. Then life happens. So when buyers tell me how they actually came up with funds for a down payment, the answers are all over the map...
What Do Realtors Really Give Their Clients at Closing?
After three decades helping folks buy homes in Northern California, I’ve given just about every type of closing gift you can imagine — TVs, kitchen appliances, Home Depot cards, and custom baskets filled with things buyers mentioned they’re obsessed with while we toured houses. I’ve never skipped a closing gift, not once, and I...
Why Are Buyers Using Down Payment Assistance Instead of Saving the Standard 20%?
I’ve been selling homes across Placer, Sacramento, and Butte County for three decades. Here’s a number that still catches people off guard: in 2025–2026, well over half of my first-time buyers didn’t bring a traditional 20% down payment. Some brought 3%. A few brought 1%. A couple brought nothing but strong income and a...
Shady Seller Tactics in Real Estate
Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions most people make. While many sellers act in good faith, the reality is that the home-selling process creates strong incentives for some to engage in questionable tactics. Understanding these behaviors — and knowing how to counter them — helps buyers protect...
Having a Big Backyard: Blessing or Burden?
When people imagine their dream home, few features are as evocative as a sprawling backyard: a canvas of green that promises freedom, play space, and connection to nature. But anyone who has lived with a large outdoor area knows that the reality often contains nuance. A big backyard can be a source of joy and creativity...
First-Time Home Buying for Dummies: a Practical, No-Nonsense Guide
Many first-timers enter the process thinking they only need a down payment and enthusiasm. In reality, it takes preparation, savings, patience, and the willingness to learn a few things long before you ever step foot inside an open house. New buyers should be ready for more than just the price tag on the listing. There are...
Is Buying a Home Actually Worth It? Real Experiences Behind the Decision
The Upside: Why Many Buyers Still Say It's Worth It Owning a Long-Term Asset Several first-time owners describe their home as a slow-burning investment that becomes more impressive with time. Early on, the mortgage, closing costs, and repair bills feel heavy. Years later, rising property values and paid-down...
Beyond the Listings: How Smart Buyers Choose Their Perfect Neighborhood
For first-time home buyers, selecting the right neighborhood can feel as daunting as picking the perfect house. You're not just investing in a property; you're choosing a community, a lifestyle, and a long-term foundation. Successful buyers use a strategic, three-pronged approach that moves beyond beautiful online photos and digs into the...