In California, earnest money is typically 1% to 3% of the purchase price, deposited directly into escrow within 3 business days of acceptance. On a $900,000 home, that’s $9,000 to $27,000 that goes into escrow before you’ve done a single inspection. If you cancel within a contingency period, you get every dollar back. If you […]
Earnest Money Deposit in California: How Much and When You Get It Back Read More »
What happens when a home appraisal comes in below the purchase price? When a home appraisal comes in below the contract price in California, buyers have three options: ask the seller to reduce the price to the appraised value, pay the difference in cash, or cancel the transaction and recover their earnest money. Under the
Low Appraisal in California: What Buyers and Sellers Do Read More »
In California, a buyer’s agent must have a signed written agreement with you before they can show you a single home. That agreement is called the Buyer Representation and Broker Compensation agreement, or BRBC. It is not a formality. It is a legally binding contract, and as of January 1, 2025, it is required by
What Is a Buyer Representation Agreement in California? (And Do You Have to Sign One?) Read More »
Move-up buyers in Cypress face the same timing problem every time: you’ve found a home you want, but you haven’t sold your current one yet. Cypress homes in the $1M to $1.4M range move fast and attract multiple offers. A contingent offer puts you at a real disadvantage. But buying before you sell means carrying
Renting a 3-bedroom home in Cypress in 2026 runs $3,500 to $4,500 per month. Buying a comparable home at $1,000,000 with 10% down, at current rates, costs roughly $6,800 to $7,200 per month in housing expenses. That’s a real gap. But the math doesn’t stop there, and this is where most rent-vs-buy comparisons get oversimplified.
Renting vs. Buying in Cypress, CA in 2026: What the Math Actually Says Read More »
On a $1,000,000 purchase in Orange County, new buyers typically pay $11,000 to $13,000 per year in base property taxes, before Mello-Roos. If the property is in a Mello-Roos district, add $1,000 to $5,000 or more annually. And in the first year after purchase, expect a supplemental tax bill of $5,000 to $8,000 that arrives
Property Taxes in Orange County: What New Buyers Need to Budget For Read More »
On a $1,000,000 home in Cypress, most sellers walk away with $915,000 to $940,000 after commissions and closing costs. That gap between your sale price and your check at the end is your net proceeds, and understanding it before you list is one of the most important conversations you can have. By Austin Criss, REALTOR®
How Much Will You Net Selling a Home in Cypress, CA? Read More »
For most first-time buyers in Orange County in 2026, the answer comes down to three things: your credit score, how much you can put down, and whether you want mortgage insurance that eventually cancels. FHA gets you into the market with less money and lower credit requirements. Conventional costs more upfront if your score isn’t
FHA Loan vs. Conventional Loan in Orange County: Which Should First-Time Buyers Choose? Read More »
California has some of the most comprehensive seller disclosure requirements in the country. Before closing, sellers must complete the Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS), the Seller Property Questionnaire (SPQ), and provide a Natural Hazard Disclosure (NHD) report. Missing or misrepresenting any of these gives buyers grounds to cancel, or, after closing, to sue. Here’s what each
What California Home Sellers Must Disclose: TDS, SPQ, and NHD Explained Read More »
You can still buy a detached home under $1 million in Orange County in Cypress, Buena Park, West Anaheim, La Habra, La Mirada, and just over the line in Lakewood. Plan on three to four bedrooms, roughly 1,050 to 1,500 square feet, priced from the mid $800,000s to about $950,000. If you are open to
Where You Can Still Buy a Home Under $1 Million in Orange County Read More »
