Real Estate Articles and Resources

Listed below are some links to articles that pertain to buying and selling a home in California generally. Some of these are ours, for others, we're grateful to the National Association of Realtors® for their reprint rights.

First Time Buyers

First Time Buyer Tips
These ten tips for first time buyers will help make your first time buying experience less of a hassle.

Oakland First Time Buyers - Initial Consultation
Home ownership may be within your grasp. Why not find out? Learn more about our first time buyer programs or schedule a FREE first-time buyer initial consultation.

General Buyer Information

Buyers' Closing Costs
Read about the common closing costs that buyers pay, so you'll be prepared to understand these costs before close of escrow.

10 Steps to Take The Trauma Out of Home Buying
Buying a home can be stressful. There's the stress of moving, of negotiating a larger transaction than you're likely to do on an everyday basis, etc. These tips can help take the trauma out of the transaction.

Your Whole House Inspection
Learn about many of the systems and "parts" of your home that a whole house inspection should cover. These are things your inspector should be looking for.

Your Final Walkthrough
Learn what a final walkthrough inspection is -- and isn't -- for, and what things to watch out for.

Mortgage Resources

How Your Loan Choices Impact You
Learn about the various loan choices available today and how the choice of loan type affects what you'll pay.

Documents Your Lender Will Need From You
Getting organized is the key to a successful loan process.

Factors that Make Up Your Credit Score
Many of us have found our credit scores online or have heard FICO scores talked about, but what goes into these scores? Find out here.

Eight Simple Steps to Get Your Finances In Order
You don't have to be a doctor to improve your financial health. Just follow these simple steps.

Improve Your Credit Score
These DOs and DON'Ts for improving your credit score help you get a score that you -- and your lender -- will love.

Seller Resources

Eight Critical Mistakes to Avoid
This important article tells you common mistakes that sellers make when putting their home on the market and how to avoid them.

Does Moving Up Make Sense?
Find out if moving up is the right thing to do in your situation. Six simple questions help you decide.

Twenty Low Cost Fixes
Spruce up your home to bring top dollar -- without spending your fortune in the process.

Ten Tips to Make Your Home More Saleable
Sell your home faster and for more money with these low cost tips.

Tips for a Successful Yard Sale
Hold a yard sale to get rid of items you'd rather not move and help your home sell by reducing clutter.

Seven Tips to Prepare for an Open House
Getting ready for an open house? These seven tips will help you get ready.

Ten Tips To Make Your Home Irresistable
You've gotten your home ready -- now make it really stand out for buyers.

Twelve Tips for Hiring a Remodeling Contractor
Generally speaking, you want either remodel or sell. Often you don't get remodeling costs back when you sell. If you've decided to remodel, here are tips for hiring the right contractor.

Moving Tips for Sellers
Take some of the hassle out of your move by checking out these tips for a successful move. The key to success is planning.