by Mary Pope-Handy | Sep 1, 2022 | First time homebuyers, Finance Information
One of the more confusing elements for home buyers attempting to anticipate their closing costs is the property tax prorations, which are referenced in the purchase agreement or contract, but not explained. As most Silicon Valley real estate consumers know, home...
by Mary Pope-Handy | May 11, 2022 | Buying tips, Finance Information, First time homebuyers
Is ten percent down enough to be able to buy a home in Silicon Valley? Right now our real estate market is having some hyper inflation, and that makes it hard to compete in the bidding wars, even with twenty percent down! Just the same, the market isn’t equally...
by Mary Pope-Handy | Sep 18, 2016 | Buying tips, Finance Information, First time homebuyers
Do you need earthquake insurance? If you live in Los Gatos, Saratoga, San Jose, or anywhere in Silicon Valley, you are probably aware that it is very likely that we’ll experience a violent temblor within the next 30 years. The San Francisco Bay Area is woven...
by Mary Pope-Handy | May 29, 2015 | Buying tips, Finance Information, First time homebuyers
Due to the fact that Silicon Valley home buyers often don’t really know the exact amount of their loan or closing costs until they are at the closing table, there can be both the appearance and unfortunately the occasional reality of loan abuse. Although this...