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Dream For All Loan Program

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 23:20:27 GMT

Dreaming about buying a house? Free state program offers 20% down-payment assistance

Dreaming about buying your first house? Being a homeowner and building a better financial future?

A new state program could help make that dream a reality.

The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) will start accepting applications on February 24 for Dream For All, a shared-appreciation loan program that offers as much as 20% in down-payment assistance – up to a maximum of $150,000.

The program has already helped thousands of families become homeowners – and you could be next.

Applicants must meet several requirements, including:

· Be a first-time homebuyer

· At least ONE of the applicants must be a first-generation buyer – their parents cannot have owned a home.

· Meet the household income limit of less than $295,000 in San Mateo County

· A minimum credit score of 660

· Provide specific documents, including a government-issued ID, proof of residence and other items.

· Work with a CalHFA-approved lender to obtain a pre-approval letter.

Under Dream For All, homeowners pay back the down payment plus 20% of the appreciation when they sell the home or refinance their mortgage. The money is returned to CalHFA and will help more families become homeowners through Dream For All loans.

If you are interested in applying for the program, or want to learn more, please visit https://www.calhfa.ca.gov/dream/ I've also included the news release with more information below. Please note, applications will be drawn through a random selection process, reviewed to ensure applicants meet eligibility requirements and then vouchers will be issued. However, CalHFA offers other programs for first-time buyers that can open the door to homeownership.

The dream of homeownership may be possible for you, and as a licensed REALTOR with 20 years of selling and buying real estate, I can help guide you along the way.

Office Exclusive VS Full Market Listing

Tue, 06 May 2025 00:01:07 GMT

Should You Not Advertise On The MLS?

In the news lately, we’re reading about office exclusive listings (aka “pocket or private” listings) where a house/property is listed for sale, but not publicly advertised through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Is this a good practice, will the house/property sell for more money than a full market listing? There is also the case for a “delay” in going public, but that’s another blog. Let’s look at 4 issues regarding these types of sales, and if you are a seller, if this is right for you:

1. Exposure Drives Price

Full market listings are placed on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), syndicated to numerous websites (Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, etc.), and are visible to all cooperating brokers and their buyers
Office exclusive listings are marketed only within one brokerage or even to just one agent’s personal network, limiting exposure
What less exposure may do = fewer buyers = less competition = lower likelihood of bidding wars or top-dollar offers.

2. Buyer Competition

In a full market listing, more buyers are aware of the property, potentially driving up the price through multiple offers or bidding wars
Office exclusives rarely create that competitive environment because fewer buyers know the home is for sale

3. Perceived Fairness and Market Confidence

Buyers and their agents may be suspicious of off-market or exclusive deals, worrying about transparency or fairness in pricing. The buyers agent will do their due diligence
This may result in lower offers or more negotiation hurdles

4. When It May Make Sense

There are rare scenarios where an office exclusive might make more sense:

High-profile sellers (celebrities, executives) want privacy and/or security concerns
Potentially negotiating a lower commission?
A potential sense of exclusivity for a high-end property. A perceived value for buyers, but needs to be the “right” property
Gauge public interest
Highly specialized properties that appeal to a narrow buyer pool known to the brokerage
The brokerage already has a ready buyer willing to pay top dollar — though this should be scrutinized to ensure it's truly the best offer possible

Bottom Line: If the seller's goal is to get the highest price possible, going to full market is almost always the better strategy. Office exclusives may sell, but they typically do not outperform full market listings in terms of price. Call me to find out what a “fair” price is for your home, and/or what “office exclusives” I know about. Also, ask me about “Coming Soon” listings where you can get a sneak peek before the general public has a chance to view.

Are There "Deals" In Probate Purchases?

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 18:08:43 GMT

Are Probate Purchases For You?

What is Probate? Probate property can possibly be a good deal for buyers. Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate, according to their will or California State laws if there’s no will. Some properties are sold under market value to encourage a faster closing process. The one pictured above is marketed as a fixer and should sell under value. There are pluses and minuses with these types of properties, but as a certified probate property specialist, I can help you navigate the purchase process, or if you know someone I can help with the selling process, thank you in advance!

Sold 2024 Vs 2025 San Mateo County

rafaelcastrojr@gmail.com — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 22:12:13 GMT

2024 Vs 2025 Solds So Far

For San Mateo County, we see prices increasing compared to last year, generally across the Bay Area, but not in every city. The number of new listings and closed sales are historically on par with what we’ve seen the other past couple of years around this time of the year. It's a good time to see what's out there, fixers? Long DOM? Must sell properties? Probate properties?

Sold 2024 Vs 2025 Santa Clara County

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 22:12:09 GMT

Comparing 2024 Vs 2025 So Far

For Santa Clara County, prices remain generally strong, including an all-time high in March 2025. Both closed sales and new listings have increased over the past 90 days in this first quarter (Jan-March). Inventory is increasing but demand is less if you consider sale to list price.

5 U.S. Markets Where Homes Sell For Less Than Asking

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:44:44 GMT

5 Markets Where Homes Sell For Less

According to the RE/MAX National Housing Report of January 2025, the close to list price ratio across 52 markets was 98%, the same as one month and one year ago. Here are the 5 markets that saw the lowest close to list price ratios, according to the data:

Miami, Florida

Average Close-to-List Price Ratio: 92.8%
Average Median Sales Price: $500,000
Average Days on Market: 81

Tampa, Florida

Average Close-to-List Price Ratio: 96.4%
Average Median Sales Price: $355,000
Average Days on Market: 71

New Orleans, Louisiana

Average Close-to-List Price Ratio: 96.4%
Average Median Sales Price: $282,150
Average Days on Market: 74

Houston, Texas

Average Close-to-List Price Ratio: 96.6%
Average Median Sales Price: $325,000
Average Days on Market: 59

Bozeman, Montana

Average Close-to-List Price Ratio: 96.9%
Average Median Sales Price: $749,950
Average Days on Market: 87

What does the Close-to-List Price mean? This market statistic is a metric to evaluate home sale activities. The ratio is calculated by dividing the sell price by the list price. If the outcome is above 100%, the sell or closing price was more than what the home was listed for. And obviously, if the number is below 100%, the home sold for less than asking. There are other variables in why a home sells for less, your neighborhood will have these ratios also, I have them and would be happy to share them. If you are a seller you want to be at or above 100%, and if you are a buyer, you are looking to see what your money can buy, and what a “Good” offer looks like. If you want to learn more about your market and your housing conditions, give me a call.

February 2025 Housing Stats

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:42:21 GMT

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As you can see above, single family home prices were up 13% in February compared to last year.

And, condo/townhouse sales prices were up 8%!

Average Days on Market of homes and condos, we see it close at 21 and 36 days compared to last year.

So, the demand is there, and there is a 5% drop-in single-family homes for sale and a whopping 30% drop in condo/townhouse for sale. Are Sellers waiting for the warmer months to put their properties on the market? Is there too much uncertainty with interest rates and/or the economy?

I will continue to keep you informed as we move through the spring market into the summer.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

What Can You Buy For $670,000?

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 04:22:29 GMT

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Prepare To Sell Your Home

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 04:20:44 GMT

What You Need or Should Do?

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5 Years: $150,000 Richer

Sat, 07 Dec 2024 01:15:13 GMT

Increasing Home Owner Wealth

Despite the dramatic changes in the real estate market, homeowner wealth has gone up by nearly $150,000 in the last five years. The pandemic initially slowed real estate, but it was followed by a great demand in purchasing, which lead to price increases, scarcer inventory and rising interest rates. However, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), reports that home increases have slowed down. The national median home price increased by 3.1 percent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2024, which marks a 5 percent increase seen in the second quarter. Sold prices are still high, but this deceleration of prices may show a more balanced year 2025.

Where were the sold price increases? According to NAR, nearly 90 percent of major U.S. metro areas saw home price increases in the third quarter of 2024. Prior to 2024, mortgage rates had been steadily rising, reaching a peak above 7 percent, which affected buyer affordability and buyer sentiment. Late this year, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has since averaged in the mid-6 percent range, improving buyer sentiment and affordability. For example, a 20 percent downpayment home loan, on a typical existing single-family home decreased by 2.4 percent year-over-year in the third quarter.

So what to do now? If you’re a buyer, get prepared appropriately, use a good loan, and have the right Realtor find and negotiate the terms. If you’re a seller, selling to move up or down or invest in a second home, this is an ideal time now, before sold prices continue to increase, more buyers come into the market and inventory continues to be historically low.

How to Prevent (Home) Buyer’s Remorse

duda@secondgen.com — Tue, 31 May 2022 19:51:39 GMT

By: Lynn Ettinger

You can make a successful offer on a home even in a competitive market — with the right information and help.

When you’re house hunting, the pressure of competition can move you from “Hmm, I like that, but it’s too pricey,” to “I have to have that!” You think, so what if paying for this house will put me way over budget? I can cut back somewhere else, right? But that kind of thinking can get you into trouble. Trouble that’s totally avoidable.

Whether you’re in the middle of a home bidding war or facing down a list of must-haves, don’t lose sight of your budget and the risks. That way, you can own a house without home buyer’s remorse. And you’ll have money left to enjoy things like new furniture, entertainment, and just plain having fun.

Who Has Home Buyer’s Remorse and Why?

A competitive real estate market can set buyers up to purchase a home that’s either beyond their budgets —sometimes hugely beyond — or doesn’t meet their needs, according to a 2021 survey by Bankrate and YouGov. The survey found that recent home buyers, including 64% of millennials, had regrets about their home purchase. The top reason? They were unprepared for maintenance and other home ownership-related costs. On top of that, 13% percent of millennials said they think they paid a higher sales price than they should have.

“Things in homes always break down, so people should put aside a budget for anything that will need fixing,” says Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of REALTORS®. “A rule of thumb is to anticipate 1% or 2% of the home price for potential maintenance,” he explains. “So, for a $300,000 home, that means setting aside $3,000.”

One reason home buyers may be tempted to go over budget is they’ve been influenced by the beautiful homes on TV, according to an NAR report on home staging. “The shows can create unrealistic expectations for the home buying process and how homes should look,” says Brandi Snowden, NAR director of member and consumer survey research. In time, buyers can view features that used to be luxuries as necessities. They believe everyone has them and they should too. One solution: Work with a REALTOR as early as possible in the process. “Make sure your agent knows your budget, so they can help you set expectations and stick to them,” she advises.

How to Navigate House Hunting in a Competitive Market

In addition to pressure to exceed their budgets, buyers are facing hurdles like these five:

1. Requests to Waive Contingencies

Tamara Suminski, a real estate agent at Beach Real Estate Group in Manhattan Beach, Calif., is seeing not only bidding wars but also sellers wanting buyers to waive contingencies. “With an appraisal contingency, if the appraisal comes in low, the buyer has choices. They can choose to try to renegotiate with the seller, bring in the difference, or cancel. When they remove that contingency and its protection, and if the home doesn’t appraise at the right level, the seller is not very likely to renegotiate with them. And the buyer has waived their right to cancel. If they cancel anyway, they’re risking their deposit.”

Some buyers are also waiving contingencies related to home inspections. These investigations are an opportunity to have a home inspector view the home based on disclosures and for the buyer to use findings as a bargaining tool, Suminski says.

Eliminating these protections can end up costing money for buyers. And the more offers the buyer writes and loses, the more risk they will tolerate. So, they may waive contingencies and regret it later, says Suminski. Talk to a buyer’s agent who will guide you through this and explain the risks of removing protections and unknown variables, she advises.

2. Speed Showings and Decisions

Bryan Yap recently bought a home in an expensive and highly competitive market — Orange County, Calif. He found that with the pandemic, each showing lasted only 15 minutes. That was one of the biggest hurdles. “We’d see three, four, or five homes in one day. It’s hard to keep track of what you like and don’t like with each house. What I would do differently is take notes immediately after viewing a home. If you’re able to prepare beforehand, create a list of wants and requirements in priority order. Immediately after seeing each home, rank it based on the list.”

3. Focusing on the Top of Your Price Range

“If you’re looking in a micromarket where listings are achieving multiple offers and homes are going above asking price, don’t set your on the houses at the top of your price range,” Suminski says. If $300,000 is your upper limit, look at houses priced at $250,000 or $275,000. Otherwise, you’re going to be outbid from the gate every time.”

That was the process Yap used when he was looking. “I would look for homes $25,000 under my max budget. I went on Zillow and looked at homes that were sold recently and tried to calculate the average over-listing price those homes were being sold for and factor that into my offer price.”

4. The Need to Compromise

Yap’s must-haves were three bedrooms, two baths, and being closer to the city center of Anaheim. “I was able to get three beds, two baths, but I did have to compromise on location. I also had to compromise on price, which was doable because I could still afford it. To compete with all the potential buyers, I knew that we had to either offer an over-list price or remove some contingencies.”

Suminski advises adjusting your search outward geographically, even if it means a longer commute. Buyers might also have to compromise on property types and features. In addition, they should consider doing some DIY projects instead of wanting everything to be move-in ready. “They may have to be willing to look at townhouses instead of single-family homes or install carpet and paint on weekends.”

5. Information Overload

In the two years before he started searching for a home, Yap did a lot of reading. “It was a massive plan I had to come up with and stick to so that I’d be able to afford buying a home.”

Because of how hot the Orange County market is, agents scheduled showings as soon as a house was listed or showed “coming soon” status. Yap treated the home search as “almost a second job,” using lunch breaks and evenings to check emails, do online searches, and text his real estate agent about what he wanted to see. “I had to make a lot of sacrifices. People wanted to set plans with me for the weekend, but I said, ‘Sorry, I have to go view homes that day.’”

He primarily credits his real estate agents, including Sumiski, for keeping him informed. “They made all this possible. I learned a lot from them.”

Some agents, like Suminski, hold an accredited buyer’s representative designation but usually work with sellers as well as buyers. “An [agent with an] ABR has taken extensive buyer’s representation training,” Suminski says. “They’ll provide education to buyers so that they’re learning as much as they can about the market, including the risks involved with different negotiations. If buyers are going to shorten terms or remove protections, they need to be well informed about the pitfalls.”

Learn from Experiences

That access to information and guidance will help buyers making an offer on a home especially in a competitive market. “Today’s buyer has seen and written offers on many properties before they get their offer accepted,” Suminski says. “That’s common across the country. Each is a learning opportunity for buyers about what information they might need to be researching so they can move more quickly.”

When you act on advice from recent buyers and agents, you can stay well informed and get good results even in a tough market. And that’s the best way to prevent home buyer’s remorse.

It’s been a rough ride for homebuyers lately, as prices have hit the roof with little respite. All of that looks to change soon.

7 Easy DIY Home Projects That’ll Make You Say, “Yes I Can!”

duda@secondgen.com — Tue, 31 May 2022 18:51:39 GMT

By: Leanne Potts

Beautiful you-can-do-it inspirations for easy DIY projects.

As anybody who’s been inspired by HGTV can tell you, DIY home projects on TV look amaaaazing.

But DIY renovations in real life: kiiiinda the toughest thing ever. And, yet, these rookie craftsmen did beautiful, jaw-dropping work that will totally inspire you. Check out these easy DIY projects for your home:

#1 Pinterest-Worthy DIY Window Seat

An empty recess in a room is a ripe spot for a DIY project, as home improvement blogger Britt Kingery can tell you.

She and her husband, Justin, built a window seat so ridiculously Pinterest-worthy you’ll want to make one for yourself (like, right now).

It’s a roomy 10-foot beauty, so you can seat a houseful of guests without dragging chairs all over the place. And (bonus!) there’s storage underneath for stashing lots of stuff out of sight.

You can custom-create your own for about $250 if you’ve got a few essential DIY tools.

Or you can do an Ikea hack to get the same result. Just attach one of their long, horizontal storage systems to your walls. Then add cushions and preformed molding for the same custom look.

The big reveal doesn’t happen overnight, and a renovation almost always looks worse before it looks better.

Britt Kingery, home improvement blogger

#2 Miracle Makeover With Just Paint, Stain (and Patience)

“The Brady Bunch”-orange wall and abused floors in the before photo are homely enough to strike you blind.

But what a miracle paint, sanding, and stain can do! Lighter shades on the walls, trim, and floor reflect natural light, making the space so much brighter. And for very little money (about $150).

The key to such an amazing transformation, Kingery says, is to be a tortoise, not a hare.

Sanding, taping, patching holes, and waiting on stain, paint or polyurethane to dry takes care and patience if you want professional-looking results.

“The big reveal doesn’t happen overnight, and a renovation almost always looks worse before it looks better.”

#3 Instant Open Floor Plan

Cramped, dark kitchens are so very 1981.

Sarah Lemp of the “All Things With Purpose” blog turned her dated kitchen into an open, light-filled space that feels and functions like a larger room.

The cost? $300. Yep. For less than the cost of a set of countertop canisters at Williams Sonoma, Lemp worked magic.

The biggest fix? She just removed a set of overhead cabinets that blocked light and the view into the dining area, making an instant open floor plan.

Then she turned to paint, the budget remodeler’s friend. She used a soft griege (designer-speak for grayish beige) for the walls of the kitchen and dining area.

She painted the remaining upper cabinets white, and the bottom ones dark gray.

“I love the look of white cabinets, but figured a darker color was more kid-friendly,” she says.

Lemp skipped the requisite subway tile backsplash and went with peel-and-stick shiplap instead. “It was easier and cheaper,” she says.

#4 Brighter Bedroom With Paint and Wood

This may be an ugly room, but we’re not sure because it’s so dark all we can see are cheap blinds and a poofy valance that hasn’t been fashionable since the Olsen twins were toddlers.

It needed major help.

Ashley Rose and Jared Smith of the blog “Sugar and Cloth” pulled off a weekend makeover by painting the walls a lighter color and replacing the window treatments with wispy, white drapes that practically pull sunlight into the room.

A pair of wall-mounted reading lamps added a second layer of light, because a lonely overhead fixture can’t light the whole room all by itself.

And that wall behind the bed? It’s strips of reclaimed wood with an adhesive backing. Peel, stick, and you’re done. No nails. No glue. And just one tool: a level to make sure you stick the wood strips in a straight line. Awesome.

#5 An Easy-Peasy Backyard Patio

Dirt’s ugly. It’s also a pain, turning into mud when it rains, dust when it doesn’t, and sneaking into your house on the feet of dogs and kids.

Covering it with a paver patio is a great fix. Chelsea Foy of the blog “Lovely Indeed” built this one in a neglected flower bed in just 10 hours.

She used patio stones molded to look like several individual bricks, because leveling one large stone is tons easier than leveling a bunch of bricks.

Those arcs of large river rocks just off the patio make a natural-looking transition between the factory-perfect pavers and the rest of the yard. They’ll also give you less lawn to mow or flowers to tend.

#6 Fancy Wall Molding for a Bargain Price

Wall molding makes a room look so custom, so finished, so much better than boring old drywall. But it costs around $25 a square foot just for the materials.

Mysha Barton of the blog “Remington Avenue” pulled it off along her stairs for just $30 — total.

The secret? She used MDF (medium density fiberboard, aka fake wood) to keep it cheap, and didn’t mount it in the traditional way with board panels on the wall.

Instead, she put thinner “chair rail molding” directly on the wall, and painted everything white, including the wall to get that rich look of molding.

The toughest part was cutting all those angles, Barton says.

She got it done with a miter box and a handsaw. “My advice is to use scrap wood to practice your angled cuts before taking on your expensive molding pieces.”

Barton did this project in just eight hours with three small children in the house, so even if 10th-grade geometry made you cry, you can do this.

#7 A Space-Saving Workbench

A DIY workbench is a gateway project, one that can lead you to harder projects and possibly, a home improvement addiction. Make this workbench your very first project and you’ll have room to do scads of projects — money-saving ones.

It’ll fit in a small space because it’s actually a door mounted on door hinges, so you can fold it flat against the wall when you’re not using it. Be sure to buy a solid wood door, not a hollow one, so it’s sturdy enough to stand up to years of projects.

7 Easy DIY Home Projects That’ll Make You Say, “Yes I Can!

8 Simple Rules for Negotiating Your Offer and Getting That House

duda@secondgen.com — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 20:13:34 GMT

By: HouseLogic

You and your agent are going to use everything you’ve learned to seal the deal.

Here’s the dream: Your offer is perfect, you don’t need to negotiate, and you can spend the next few weeks addressing more pressing home-ownership questions, like “Why is it called wainscoting?” and “Do I want a new couch in blush or emerald green?”

And it could happen. Many sellers accept the best offer they receive, and for a variety of reasons.

But sellers are also known to reject offers for a variety of reasons. Or make counteroffers. This is especially likely if you bid low, or when you’re up against multiple competing offers.

If you do receive a counteroffer, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to accept the new contract, negotiate the terms, or walk away.

In cases such as these, look to your agent. He or she is your spirit guide. If you decide you want to negotiate — that is, make a counteroffer to the seller’s counteroffer — your agent will use their negotiating skills to help get you the best deal. This is what agents do every day.

But you’re not just going to sit there. If you understand what negotiating tactics your agent may deploy — they depend on the local market and your position — you can back them up. And cheer them on.

Here are eight rules every buyer should know before they — and their agent — start negotiating:

#1 Act Fast — Like, Now

When you receive a counteroffer, you should respond quickly — ideally within 24 hours. The longer you wait, the more space you leave for another buyer to swoop in and nab the property. Also? If a seller senses hesitation, they may decide to withdraw their counteroffer before you even have a chance to respond.

#2 Raise Your Price (Within Reason)

While you obviously don’t want to overpay for a house, you may have to up the ante — especially if you initially made a lowball offer. Lean on your agent’s expertise to determine how much money you should add to the sales price to make it more enticing to the seller.

Then, through their powers of persuasion, your agent can make the counteroffer look even more attractive by pointing out similarly priced “comps” — recently sold homes in your area that are comparable in terms of square footage and features.

As your agent negotiates, it can feel like things are escalating quickly. It’s stressful. You may feel a sudden urge to do whatever it takes to win.

Before you go overboard, there are two things you must keep in mind:

You can’t exceed the monetary confines of the pre-approved mortgage you received from your lender.
You shouldn’t overextend your budget.

Because your counteroffer has to be an amount you’re comfortable spending on a home. You want that new house and to keep living your life. Plus: You’re not out of options yet.

#3 Increase Your Earnest Money Deposit

Increasing your earnest money deposit (EMD) — the sum of money you put down to prove to the seller you’re serious (i.e., “earnest”) about buying the house — is another way to show the seller you have more skin in the game. A standard EMD is typically 1% to 3% of the sales price of the home. Making a counteroffer with a 3% to 4% deposit could be what you need to persuade the seller to side with you.

#4 Demonstrate Patience About Taking Possession

Depending on the seller’s timetable, changing your proposed possession date — the date you take over the property — could butter them up, too. If the seller wants to stay in the home for a few days after closing, try offering a later possession date. You could also draw up a “rent-back” agreement, meaning the seller pays you rent for staying in the home for a set period of time after the closing date.

#5 Let Go of a Few Contingencies — With Care

Want to give your counteroffer an even bigger boost?

Reduce the number of contingencies you’re asking for. It’s your way of saying, “Hey, look, I have fewer ways to back out,” which gives the seller more reassurance that the deal will close.

But be selective: Some contingencies are too important to give up. A home-inspection contingency — the right to have a home inspection and request repairs — gives you an out if you spot major problems with the home (and protects you from buying a total money pit).

You might waive a termite inspection if you’re in a state where the risk is lower.

But ultimately, waiving contingencies depends on your market, your loan program requirements, your risk tolerance, and the circumstances of the house in question. And if you waive contingencies and then you find a problem, the seller isn’t responsible for fixing it.

#6 Ask for Fewer Concessions

At a mortgage settlement, home buyers have to pay closing costs for taxes, lender’s fees, and title company fees. Closing costs vary by location, but you can expect to shell out between 3% and 4% of the home’s sales price. The seller pays an additional 1% to 3%. (Smart Asset and Nerdwallet have simple calculators you can use to get a rough idea of what your closing costs might be.)

When making an initial offer, you have the option to ask the seller for concessions — a settlement paid in cash to help you offset your share of the closing costs. (This move is less feasible if you’re going up against multiple offers.)

Concessions effectively lower the seller’s net proceeds from the sale. Making a counteroffer that removes the concessions you would have otherwise received at settlement puts cash back in the seller’s pocket — and can improve your bid.

#7 Pick Up the Cost of the Home Warranty

Sometimes sellers offer prospective buyers a home warranty. This is a plan that covers the cost of repairing major home appliances and systems, like the air conditioner or hot water heater, if they break down within a certain period (typically a year after closing).

A basic home warranty costs about $300 to $600 a year, according to Angie’s List. If it seems like waiving the home warranty can sweeten negotiations, but you still want the peace of mind of having one, tell the seller they don’t need to cover it — then buy it yourself.

Just keep in mind, whether you or the seller buy the warranty, you’ll need to pay the service fee (typically between $50 and $100) if something does, indeed, need to be repaired while under warranty.

Also, FYI: A home warranty is entirely separate from homeowners insurance. Homeowners insurance — the security blanket that covers your home’s structure and possessions in the event of a fire, storm, flood, or other accident — is required if you take out a mortgage. It can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000 per year.

#8 Know When to Walk

When negotiating with a seller, trust your gut — and your agent. If he or she says a deal is bad for you: Listen.

And if you don’t want to make any more trade-offs — and the seller won’t budge — it’s smart to walk. That can be a tough decision to make, and rightfully so! Negotiating is tough. It’s draining.

And losing something you’ve worked hard to get can be disappointing. But don’t worry. There’s a better deal for you out there. And after those strong feelings of frustration pass, you’ll realize: Now I know how to do this.

Choosing the proper agent will ensure you make the best decisions in your new home purchase.

03558e61

Dream For All Loan Program

Dreaming about buying a house? Free state program offers 20% down-payment assistance

Office Exclusive VS Full Market Listing

Should You Not Advertise On The MLS?

Are There "Deals" In Probate Purchases?

Are Probate Purchases For You?

Sold 2024 Vs 2025 San Mateo County

2024 Vs 2025 Solds So Far

Sold 2024 Vs 2025 Santa Clara County

Comparing 2024 Vs 2025 So Far

5 U.S. Markets Where Homes Sell For Less Than Asking

5 Markets Where Homes Sell For Less

February 2025 Housing Stats

This is a subtitle for your new post

What Can You Buy For $670,000?

This is a subtitle for your new post

Prepare To Sell Your Home

What You Need or Should Do? ﻿

5 Years: $150,000 Richer

Increasing Home Owner Wealth

How to Prevent (Home) Buyer’s Remorse

7 Easy DIY Home Projects That’ll Make You Say, “Yes I Can!”

#1 Pinterest-Worthy DIY Window Seat

#2 Miracle Makeover With Just Paint, Stain (and Patience)

#3 Instant Open Floor Plan

#4 Brighter Bedroom With Paint and Wood

#5 An Easy-Peasy Backyard Patio

#6 Fancy Wall Molding for a Bargain Price

#7 A Space-Saving Workbench

7 Easy DIY Home Projects That’ll Make You Say, “Yes I Can!

8 Simple Rules for Negotiating Your Offer and Getting That House

What You Need or Should Do?