The journal
Monthly notes, in plain language.
What I'm seeing in the market, what I'm reading, and what I'd tell a friend.
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June 29, 2026
From renter to owner: a first-time buyer's month-by-month timeline
A realistic, month-by-month timeline of buying your first home, from deciding to buy through getting the keys, written for first-time Bay Area buyers.
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June 27, 2026
Property taxes, supplemental bills, and Mello-Roos in California
How California reassesses property at purchase, why a supplemental tax bill arrives after closing, and how to find out if a home has Mello-Roos.
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June 24, 2026
Negotiating repairs and credits after the inspection
After inspections, you have a few good options for handling what they found. Here's how repairs, credits, and price reductions compare and how to stay reasonable.
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June 20, 2026
What a home inspection does and does not cover
A clear look at what a general home inspection includes, what it leaves to specialists, and how to decide which extra inspections to order.
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June 17, 2026
Closing costs for Bay Area buyers, line by line
A plain-language walk through the closing costs Bay Area buyers pay, the common line items, and how to budget for them before you ever write an offer.
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June 13, 2026
Reading an HOA package before you buy a condo or townhome
What's inside an HOA package, why the reserve study and meeting minutes matter most, and what to discuss with your agent before you buy.
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June 11, 2026
The final walkthrough: your last look before the keys
What the final walkthrough is, when it happens, and exactly what to check before you close on your new home.
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June 9, 2026
How earnest money works, and how to wire it safely
A plain-language look at the earnest money deposit, when it goes into escrow, when it's at risk, and how to wire it safely.
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June 6, 2026
Natural Hazard Disclosure: flood, fire, and fault zones
What the Natural Hazard Disclosure report tells Bay Area buyers about flood, wildfire, and earthquake zones, and what to do with that information.
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June 3, 2026
The preliminary title report, explained
A plain-language guide to the preliminary title report: what it shows, why you read it, and how title insurance protects your purchase.
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May 26, 2026
The Buyer Representation Agreement (BRBC), in plain language
Since August 2024, California buyers and their agents sign a written representation agreement before touring homes. It exists to protect both sides. Here's what it is and what to expect.
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May 26, 2026
Welcome to the journal
A new home for honest notes on Bay Area real estate: what I'm seeing, what I'm reading, and what I'd tell a friend.
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May 23, 2026
The inspection came back bad. Now what?
An inspection during your contingency window turned up a serious issue. This is exactly what the contingency is for. Here's the simple process for cancelling, getting your earnest money back, and moving on.
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May 22, 2026
What happens if you need to cancel after contingencies are released
Once your contingencies are removed in writing, your earnest money deposit is at risk. Cancelling after that point is a real conversation, not a checkbox. Here's what to expect and how to think about it.
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May 19, 2026
What a clean disclosure package actually looks like
Most first-time buyers in California have never seen a disclosure package before they're handed a hundred and seventy pages and asked to make a million-dollar decision. Here's what's in one, what to read carefully, and what 'clean' actually means.
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May 12, 2026
The real math on waiving contingencies
Bay Area buyers regularly waive inspection, loan, and appraisal contingencies to win competitive offers. Here's what each one actually protects you from, and what you're actually betting when you drop it.
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