New year. New home? If buying a Ventura home in 2025 made it to your resolution list, you might want to start working on your credit score now. Why? I can take several weeks to a few months to bring
Tips to Improve Your Credit Score in 2025
Ventura County Coastal Cleanup 2024
The ocean plays a huge part in our lives here in Ventura County and around the world. We must do as much as we can to take care of it and our sandy shores as possible. One way you can
VC Art Market 2024
Can you believe that it’s already April 1st? It feels like we just welcomed in the new year. But it’s already spring (not that you could tell by all of the rain we had over the weekend). Thankfully, the weatherman
FHA Loan Explained
Lenders offer a variety of loans to choose from when purchasing a Ventura home. The three most common loans are conventional, VA, and FHA. For credit-challenged buyers, an FHA loan may be their most viable option. FHA Loan Explained Government
What is Considered Qualifying Income When Buying a Home?
Buying a Ventura home involves many components. You need to save up for your down payment and closing costs. Then, do you choose a fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage? As of the writing of this post, 30-year fixed-rate mortgage sit at
Fixed-Rate Mortgage vs Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
If you plan on financing your Ventura County home purchase, you have a few different choices to make in regards to financing. Conventional? FHA? VA (for the veterans and current military)? Then, there’s fixed-rate mortgage vs adjustable. Each one offers
How an Escalation Clause May Help Buyers Get Their Dream Home
We are still experiencing a seller’s market here in Ventura. Low inventory means that buyers sometimes find themselves fighting with other buyers over a Ventura home they love. That is where an escalation clause could come in handy. What is
Priority Tasks for Your Move In
Moving into a new Ventura County home is an exciting time. You’re probably daydreaming about how to decorate it, what paint schemes to use, and maybe even new furniture. But before you get into the fun stuff, there are some
Your Guide to a Ventura County Home Appraisal
You’ve found your dream Ventura County home. Now it’s time to cross all your T’s and dot all your I’s before it’s all your own. One of the first items on your closing checklist is the home appraisal. This also
The Difference Between Homeowners Insurance and a Home Warranty
When purchasing a new Ventura County home, you must do in-depth research on all facets of the homebuying process. You need to understand how to best protect yourself and your investment if anything were to go wrong. Check out the
What to Negotiate When Buying a Ventura House
Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned veteran, the negotiation part of the transaction can be a little daunting and stressful. However, negotiating is necessary to ensure that you are getting the best possible deal for your money.
Which Down Payment Strategy is Right for You?
You’ve most likely heard this rule: “save for a 20% down payment before you buy a home”. The logic behind saving 20% is solid. It shows that you have the financial discipline and stability to save for a long-term goal
Top Tips for Ventura House Hunting Online
Hunting for a new Ventura County home online is a great place to start your search. In fact, the National Association of REALTORS® found that 90% of home buyers used their computers at some point during the home buying process
Hidden Fees to Be Aware of When Purchasing a Ventura Home
Purchasing a home is arguably one of the biggest financial decisions you will make in your lifetime. As you start your hunt, don’t forget there will be costs associated with your purchase other than the price of the Ventura home.
Home Buying Tips for Newlywed Couples in Ventura
According to wedding blog Maroo, California couples pay an average of $39,000 for their wedding. If buying a Ventura home falls next on your list, you need to save up even more money. For an $800,000 home, that means saving
How to Improve Your Credit Score in Five Easy Steps
If buying a new Ventura area home sits atop your 2022 “to do” list, you need to make sure you get your credit in order first. The higher your credit score, the better your interest rate. It might take some
How to Avoid Falling Out of Escrow
Who watched the fireworks in Ventura County this weekend? They were glorious! It is nice to see a return to some sort of normalcy here in California. Is homeownership next up on your agenda? Oxnard made Forbes’ list of the
CalHFA Helps First-Time Homebuyers in California
California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) Requirements to Qualify To even be considered for one of the California Housing Finance Agency’s loans, buyers must meet certain requirements. First, you must be a first-time homebuyer. That means that you either never owned
Preparing for Your First Year of Homeownership
Being a first-time homeowner can be exciting…and a little scary. Anytime anything breaks, no more calling the landlord. You must fix it yourself. Plus, the expense comes out of your pocket. In your first year of homeownership, the learning curve