Pat and Linda Duffy

How Do You Know When a Building Permit is Necessary?

You know exactly what you want to do to improve your home: a kitchen renovation, a bathroom remodel, a finished basement . . . the list can go on. But having a vision and making it come to fruition isn’t as easy as hiring a contractor and picking out your finishes. There are plenty of steps – and obstacles – along the way, one of which is obtaining building permits.

Buying? Must-Have Contingencies to Include in Your Real Estate Contract

A home purchase is not like buying a dishwasher – you can’t just “return” it if things don’t pan out the way you planned a few weeks down the road. Once you’ve sealed the deal, you’re stuck. And while this is usually a good thing when you find the right home, it’s important to place a few contingencies in the contract before you agree to take over ownership and commit yourself to a mortgage.

5 Reasons to Beef Up Your Down Payment

Nowadays, there are options for homeowners to put a minimal down payment towards the purchase of a property. Amounts as little as 5%, 3.5%, and even zero percent have been pretty popular, particularly with first-timers who are trying to break into the housing market for the first time and don’t have the funds from a previous property to put towards another purchase. But while small down payments are definitely an option, they’re not the best choice if you want to be free of mortgage payments sooner rather than later.

Are Foreign Investors Upping the Competition With American Buyers?

Not only is there a serious lack of inventory in many parts of the US, there’s also a housing affordability issue at play. And depending on where you live, both of these matters combined spell trouble for the average American who is looking to get into the real estate market but can’t find the right property at the right price.

How much do foreign investors have to do with this scenario?

Why Are Millennials Still on the Fence About Getting Into the Housing Market?

Millennials now make up the largest proportion of the population in the US at over 80 million. With so many of these 20- and 30-somethings, one could only assume that they’d simultaneously make up a large part of the real estate market. But that’s not necessarily the case. Millennials are taking their time testing the waters of the housing market, for a variety of reasons.

What’s Driving California Housing Prices Up?

Housing prices in California have long been higher than most other states in the US, and the gap just seems to be getting bigger. Unfortunately, that’s driving many blue-collar and middle-class residents out of the state.

What’s the Difference Between a Mortgage Pre-Qualification and Pre-Approval?

Real estate agents will often recommend that their clients get pre-approved for a mortgage before embarking on a home search. It gives buyers a better idea of how much they can comfortably afford, and gives sellers the peace of mind knowing that there’s a good chance that the buyers will be capable of obtaining financing for a streamlined deal.

Why Now is a Great Time to Buy Into California’s Housing Market

If there’s any state in the US that has experienced a sizzling hot real estate market over the recent past, it’s California. 2015 was a stellar year that brought significant growth and milestones in California’s housing’s recovery.

How to Sell Your Place While Your Tenants Are Still Living There

Whatever your reason for wanting to list your rental property for sale, having a tenant still living there while selling the place can definitely make the process a little more complex. But it’s not impossible, nor does it have to be a total nightmare if you play your cards right. While it might be a lot easier to wait until the lease expires and your tenants have vacated the premises, you might not necessarily have the luxury of time. Not everyone can necessarily afford to have the place vacant with zero income while the property is up for sale.

How Common Are All-Cash Sales in San Francisco?

All-cash sales have surged across the country, and Bay Area cities are realizing some of the biggest spikes.