When people hear “California real estate,” affordable usually isn't the first word that comes to mind. San Francisco. Orange County. Los Angeles. San Jose. Marin. In many of California's best-known housing markets, buyers have become accustomed to home prices approaching — or easily exceeding — $1 million. But California isn't one housing market. Not even close. A recent affordability analysis ranked Porterville as the most affordable city in California, with a medi

Buying a home in Northern California can require a substantial amount of cash, but you may not need to save a 10% or 20% down payment before becoming a homeowner. Eligible buyers may have access to down payment assistance programs that can help cover some or all of the required down payment and, depending on the program, certain closing costs. The key is understanding that down payment assistance is not one universal program. To qualify, you'll generally need to meet re

If you're trying to buy a home in Petaluma but the down payment is holding you back, you may have more options than simply waiting another few years to save more money. California has several programs that can help eligible homebuyers with a down payment and, in some cases, closing costs. Some programs are designed specifically for first-time buyers. Others can potentially be used by repeat buyers as well. The important thing to understand is that "down payment assistance

If you're buying your first home in Sonoma County, one of the first decisions you'll probably face is whether to use an FHA loan or a conventional loan. The short answer: neither one is automatically better. FHA can be a great fit when your down payment is limited, your credit profile needs some flexibility, or your debt-to-income ratio makes conventional financing difficult. Conventional financing can be the better choice when your credit is stronger, you qualify for a 3% or