There is a housing problem in California that almost nobody talks about enough. A lot of homeowners simply are not moving. Not because they love every part of their current house. Not because they do not want to downsize. But because the next move can feel financially worse. AARP reported last week that nearly 1 in 3 baby boomers who own homes say they may never sell. AARP In California, the issue is especially visible in places like Marin County, where more than a third of r

Yes. A buyer can be fully qualified for a mortgage while the condominium project itself fails the lender’s requirements. When you buy a condo, the lender may evaluate two separate things: You, the borrower The condominium project That means excellent credit, strong income, adequate assets and a solid down payment do not necessarily guarantee that a particular condo can be financed. I see this surprise buyers and real estate agents all the time. Watch: You Qualify. The Condo D

Buying a home in California is an exciting journey, but it can also feel overwhelming. From understanding loan options to managing paperwork, the process requires clear guidance. I’m here to walk you through the essentials of the home loan process California buyers face. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking to refinance, this guide will help you feel confident every step of the way. Understanding the Home Loan Process California Buyers Face The home loan process in Ca

Mortgage rates finally got some good news. The September jobs report came in substantially weaker than expected Friday morning, and the bond market responded almost immediately. Only 29,000 jobs were added in September, compared with expectations around 90,000. But the headline wasn't the only weak part of the report. Previous employment estimates for July and August were revised lower by a combined 60,000 jobs. The unemployment rate increased from 4.1% to 4.2%, while annual

California condos have always been the “more affordable” way into a lot of expensive markets. But there is a problem getting harder to ignore: The monthly mortgage payment is only part of the cost. HOA dues are rising. Insurance costs are rising. Buildings are aging. Reserve accounts are getting tested. And some owners are getting hit with massive special assessments. The Los Angeles Times reported today that owners at a San Clemente condo complex were recently assessed $26,0

California has spent years making it easier to build accessory dwelling units. But there has been a pretty ridiculous problem hiding in the process: You can get the ADU designed. You can get it permitted. You can get it built. And then you can still wait months for the utility hookup. California just took a swing at fixing that. Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 1196 on September 27, directing the California Public Utilities Commission to establish clearer timelines for utility

Vacation homes were one of the hottest real estate trades of the pandemic era. People wanted space. Rates were low. Short-term rental income looked amazing. And suddenly every cabin, beach house and mountain property seemed like an “investment.” That story is changing. Recent reporting shows vacation-home markets around the country cooling hard, with some sellers cutting prices aggressively and short-term rental owners dealing with more competition, softer occupan

If someone tells you what “the Bay Area housing market” is doing right now, my first question would be: Which part? Because August produced two numbers that almost seem like they belong to different markets. New listings in San Jose jumped 25.5% from a year earlier. Meanwhile, San Francisco home sales increased 9.5% year over year — the largest increase among the major metros Redfin tracked. Same Bay Area. Very different story. And for buyers, sellers and agents, that differe

For the past several years, insurance has become one of the biggest headaches in California real estate. Homeowners have faced rising premiums. Some carriers reduced their exposure. Some stopped accepting new customers. Buyers discovered that obtaining insurance could become an unexpected obstacle during escrow. Now there is finally a development worth watching. On September 18, 2026, the California Department of Insurance announced that State Farm and Allstate filed plans to

California Homeowners: Check Your Insurance Before the Rain Starts Most homeowners understand that they need homeowners insurance. What many people don't realize is what their homeowners policy may not cover. Flooding is one of the biggest examples. On September 22, 2026, the California Department of Insurance urged residents to review their insurance as the state prepares for potentially significant El Niño storms. The Department specifically warned that homeowners and rente

Is the Orange County housing market going up or down? The answer depends on which number you're looking at. September 2026 data from Realtor.com shows a fascinating split. Orange County's median listing price was $1,299,000, down 3.01% from one year earlier. But the median sold price was $1,225,000, up 5.15% year over year. At the same time, active listings were up 2.84% year over year, reaching 8,078 homes. Same county. Same month. Very different headlines. Asking Price and

Why So Many of California’s Richest Suburbs Are in the Bay Area California has wealthy communities from San Diego to Orange County to Los Angeles. But one region dominates a recent ranking of California's richest suburbs: The Bay Area. A San Francisco Chronicle analysis of Census income data and Zillow home values found that eight of California's 10 richest suburbs were in the Bay Area. Los Altos topped the ranking, followed by a group that included Alamo, Orinda, Saratoga, M

For several years, buying a home often meant competing with multiple offers, shortening contingency periods and asking the seller for as little as possible. That conversation is changing. According to Redfin, sellers provided concessions in 44.7% of U.S. home sales in August 2026, up from 42.6% one year earlier. Redfin defines a concession as something the seller provides that reduces the buyer’s total cost of purchasing the home, such as help with closing costs, repairs or a

If someone tells you what “the Bay Area housing market” is doing right now, my first question would be: Which part? Because August produced two numbers that almost seem like they belong to different markets. New listings in San Jose jumped 25.5% from a year earlier. Meanwhile, San Francisco home sales increased 9.5% year over year — the largest increase among the major metros Redfin tracked. Same Bay Area. Very different story. And for buyers, sellers and agents, that differe

Buying a home in California is an exciting journey, but it can also feel overwhelming. One of the biggest steps is finding the right mortgage loan. With so many options out there, how do you know which one fits your needs best? I’m here to help you navigate this process with clear, friendly advice. Together, we’ll explore what makes a mortgage loan great, how to find the best deals, and what to watch out for along the way. Understanding the Best Mortgage Loans California Offe

The bond market just crossed another major threshold. On Thursday, the 10-year Treasury yield reached 5.22% — its highest level since 2007. This is a significant increase, considering the 10-year has risen roughly 0.60% in just the last month. Mortgage-backed securities have sold off sharply alongside Treasuries, creating one of the most challenging stretches for mortgage pricing we've experienced this year. So, what's happening? And perhaps more importantly for homebuyers an

There is a window in real estate that buyers routinely underestimate. It is not January. It is not the spring frenzy. And it is definitely not the weekend when every other buyer suddenly decides they are ready. For several markets — including San Francisco — late September has historically been one of the better periods for buyers to find negotiating opportunities. That does not mean every house is suddenly cheap. It means the balance between seller motivation and buyer compe

A condo can look perfect. Great location. Updated kitchen. Ocean view. Monthly payment works. You love the unit. But here's something I've learned after nearly 24 years in the mortgage business: When you buy a condo, you aren't only buying the condo. You're buying the HOA too. And that distinction can affect far more than your monthly HOA dues. It can affect your insurance costs. It can affect special assessments. It can affect your ability to finance the property. And eventu

There is a weird thing happening in housing right now. Nationally, buyers have more negotiating power than they have had in years. But if you are buying in California, where you are buying matters enormously. Redfin reported that sellers gave concessions in 44.7% of U.S. home sales in August, the highest August share in its data going back to 2020. Concessions can include help with closing costs, repairs or mortgage-rate buydowns. Now look at California. Riverside:

California buyers already have enough to think about. Price. Payment. Down payment. Closing costs. HOA dues. And now there is another line item becoming impossible to ignore: Homeowners insurance. This is no longer just a wildfire-zone issue either. Recent reporting shows insurance availability problems spreading into newer Inland Empire communities that historically would not have been considered the obvious “hard-to-insure” areas. That changes the homebuyi