Imagine you've owned your California home for 20, 30 or even 40 years. You bought it when prices were dramatically lower. Over the decades, the home's value climbed — perhaps to $1 million, $1.5 million or considerably more. But thanks to California's Proposition 13, your property's taxable value may still be far below its current market value. Now you want to move. Maybe you want to downsize. Maybe you want to leave the Bay Area for a less expensive part of Califor

If you're an eligible Veteran or active-duty service member buying a home in Southern California, don't assume a VA loan is only useful when you're purchasing an inexpensive home with no money down. In markets like Orange County, San Diego and Los Angeles, the VA home loan benefit can be particularly powerful because qualified borrowers with full entitlement aren't subject to a VA county loan limit. That means VA financing can potentially be used for a $700,000 condo, a $

If you're an eligible Veteran, active-duty service member or surviving spouse buying a home in California, the VA home loan can be one of the most powerful mortgage options available. But there's a problem. A lot of buyers — and frankly, some real estate professionals — make the VA loan process sound much more complicated than it actually is. The basic process is straightforward: Confirm your VA eligibility. Obtain your Certificate of Eligibility. Get fully preapprove