Buy Or Sell Northern California Homes - Debbie Kalfas

08/15/2025

New price sheet just came out for Ventris Place! Contact me for a personally guided tour.

07/07/2025

How heartening is it to receive a recommendation like this?

See more: https://www.realsatisfied.com/Debra-Kalfas-1

06/28/2023

Lending Standards Are Not Like They Were Leading Up to the Crash

You might be worried we’re heading for a housing crash, but there are many reasons why this housing market isn’t like the one we saw in 2008. One of which is how lending standards are different today. Here’s a look at the data to help prove it.

Every month, the Mortgage Bankers Association releases the Mortgage Credit Availability Index. According to their website, “The MCAI provides the only standardized quantitative index that is solely focused on mortgage credit. The MCAI is . . . a summary measure which indicates the availability of mortgage credit at a point in time.”

Basically, the index determines how easy it is to get a mortgage. In 2004, the index was around 400. But, by 2006, it had gone up to over 850. Today, the story is quite different. Since the crash, the index went down because...



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You might be worried we’re heading for a housing crash, but there are many reasons why this housing market isn’t like the one we saw in 2008.

06/27/2023

Do you have a go-to vacation spot you visit each summer? If so, it may make sense to buy a home there. A second home can give you a consistent place to spend quality time with your friends and loved ones, and it ensures you always have a vacation destination. DM me to get your search started if you have the goal of buying a vacation home.



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06/26/2023

Your mortgage pre-approval is an important first step in your homebuying journey. By getting pre-approved you’ll know what you can borrow for your home loan and you’ll be able to show sellers you’re serious about purchasing their house. DM me any questions you have about how to get started on your path to homeownership.



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06/23/2023

Homeownership Helps Protect You from Inflation [INFOGRAPHIC]

Wondering if it makes sense to buy a home today even when inflation is high? When other costs go up due to inflation, buying a home helps you keep your monthly housing expense steady. Rents typically increase with inflation. Maybe that’s why, according to a recent survey, 65.1% of landlords say they plan to raise the rent of at least one of their properties within the next 12 months. Especially when inflation is up, having a stable housing payment can be helpful. Let’s connect so you can learn more and start your journey to owning a home today.

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Wondering if it makes sense to buy a home today even when inflation is high? When other costs go up due to inflation, buying a home helps you keep your monthly housing expense steady.

06/22/2023

Why You Need a Real Estate Agent When Selling Your House

Thinking of selling your house? Let’s connect so you can save time and stress when selling your house this year.



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06/21/2023

Eco-Friendly, Energy-Efficient Homes Attract Buyers

NAR shows 48% of agents or brokers have noticed consumers are interested in sustainability. If you want to upgrade your house in a way that maximizes its green appeal, you need to work with a local agent to understand what buyers in your area are looking for. The same NAR report identifies the following green home features as most important to buyers at a national level:

>>Windows, doors, and siding
>>Proximity to frequently visited places
>>A comfortable living space
>>A home’s utility bills and operating costs
While you can’t change the location of your house, you can take action to make sure it’s as comfortable as possible while also setting up the next owners for lower operating costs. ENERGY STAR shares some suggested upgrades as ones that may be worth considering:

>>Heating and cooling
>>Water heater
>>Smart ther...



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Are you planning to sell your house?

06/20/2023

Why the Median Home Price Is Meaningless in Today’s Market

NAR will release their latest EHS report later this week. This monthly report provides information on the sales volume and price trend for previously owned homes. In the upcoming release, it’ll likely say home prices are down. This may feel a bit confusing, especially if you’ve been following along and seeing the blogs saying that home prices have bottomed out and turned a corner.

So, why will this likely say home prices are falling when so many other price reports say they’re going back up? It all depends on the methodology of each report. NAR reports on the median sales price, while some other sources use repeat sales prices. Here’s how those approaches differ.

WSU explains median prices like this: “The median sale price measures the ‘middle’ price of homes that sold, meaning that half of the homes s...



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The National Association of Realtors (NAR) will release its latest Existing Home Sales (EHS) report later this week.

06/19/2023

Saving for a Down Payment? Here’s What You Need To Know.

If you're planning to buy your first home, then you're probably focused on saving for all the costs involved in such a big purchase. One of the expenses that may be at the top of your mind is your down payment. If you’re intimidated by how much you need to save for that, it may be because you believe you must put 20% down. That doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. As NAR notes, “One of the biggest misconceptions among housing consumers is what the typical down payment is and what amount is needed to enter homeownership.”

And a recent Freddie Mac survey finds, “. . . nearly a third of prospective homebuyers think they need a down payment of 20% or more to buy a home. This myth remains one of the largest perceived barriers to achieving homeownership.”

Here’s the good news. Unless specified by your loan type or l...



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If you're planning to buy your first home, then you're probably focused on saving for all the costs involved in such a big purchase.

06/16/2023

How Owning a Home Grows Your Wealth with Time [INFOGRAPHIC]

If you’re thinking of buying a home this year, be sure to factor in the long-term benefits of homeownership. Over time, homeownership allows you to build equity. On average, nationwide home prices appreciated by 290.2% over the last 32 years. That means your net worth can grow significantly in the long-term when you own a home. DM me so you can start your homebuying journey today.



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If you’re thinking of buying a home this year, be sure to factor in the long-term benefits of homeownership.

06/15/2023

Things To Avoid After Applying for a Mortgage

Make sure you’re in the best position when you get to the closing table. Let’s connect so you can learn more about the homebuying process.



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