Buyer & Seller FAQ

Plan on the real estate commission (negotiable), escrow and title fees, county transfer tax, any repairs or credits you agree to, and prorated property taxes or HOA dues. We give you an estimated net sheet before you list.

Start with our free home value page. You can get an instant estimate or book a 15-minute call for a real number based on recent nearby sales.

Spring and early summer usually bring the most buyers, but there's less competition from other listings in fall and winter. The best time is when your home is ready and priced right.

No. Focus on what buyers notice: clean, declutter, small repairs and curb appeal. We coordinate cleaning, junk removal, repairs and pre-inspections, and depending on your listing package, we pay for them. You can also sell as-is.

Often, yes. It surfaces issues before buyers find them, so you can fix, disclose or price for them, which means fewer surprises and renegotiations in escrow.

California sellers typically complete the Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS), a Seller Property Questionnaire (SPQ), a Natural Hazard Disclosure (NHD) report and others depending on the home. We walk you through each one.

Many homeowners don't. If you lived in the home as your primary residence for 2 of the last 5 years, you can generally exclude up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for married couples filing jointly). Check with a tax professional.

Yes, most sellers do. Your loan is paid off from the sale proceeds at closing through escrow.

Escrow opens, the buyer deposits earnest money and completes inspections and their loan and appraisal within the contract deadlines, and then you sign, the sale records, and you're paid. It's typically about 30 to 45 days.

It depends on your finances and the market. Options include selling with a rent-back, buying with a contingent offer, or bridge financing. We'll map out the timing with you.

They add exposure, especially in the first week. That's why our 7-Day Marketing Blitz includes a mega open house alongside YouTube and social ads.

In August 2026, homes in Clovis and Fresno sold in a median of about 43 to 44 days. Our fastest sale went under contract in 1 day.

If a home sits, it's almost always price, condition or exposure. We review the feedback and data weekly and adjust. That's also why our marketing front-loads the first week.

If the home is in a trust, the successor trustee can usually sell it like a normal sale. If it's in probate, the court process applies. See our probate & trust guide.

Online estimates can't see your upgrades, condition or lot and are often off by a meaningful amount. A local comparative market analysis is much more reliable.

A lender can tell you exactly, but a common guideline is keeping your total monthly debts, including the new payment, under about 43% to 45% of gross income. Start with a pre-approval.

As little as 3% for many conventional loans, 3.5% for FHA, and 0% for VA and USDA. See our first-time buyer guide for assistance programs.

Roughly 580 and up for FHA with 3.5% down, and about 620 for most conventional loans, though each lender has its own rules.

Usually about 30 to 45 days once you're in contract. Cash purchases can close faster.

It's not required, but your agent negotiates for you, handles contracts and deadlines, and protects your deposit. Since August 2024, buyers sign a written agreement with their agent before touring, which spells out how the agent is paid.

A condition in your offer, like an inspection, appraisal or loan contingency, that lets you cancel or renegotiate within a set time if something goes wrong.

It depends on recent comparable sales, days on market and competition. We'll pull comps and talk strategy for every offer.

A general inspection covers the structure, roof, plumbing, electrical, HVAC and more. Termite, roof, pool and sewer-line inspections are often added.

Special assessments in a Community Facilities District, common in newer communities, that fund local infrastructure. They're added to your property tax bill.

When the appraisal comes in below your offer price, the difference has to be covered by renegotiating, paying the gap in cash or canceling under your appraisal contingency.

Yes, with VA or USDA loans for eligible buyers, or by combining a low down payment loan with assistance programs. You'll still have some closing costs unless they're covered by credits or programs.

New builds offer warranties and modern design, while resale homes often come with bigger lots, mature landscaping and lower HOA or Mello-Roos costs. See our new construction guide.

Yes, lenders require it, and in some California areas it's harder to get, so start shopping early in escrow.

With a condo you typically own the interior space and share ownership of common areas. With a townhouse you usually own the unit and the land under it. HOA dues and rules apply to both.

A neutral third party that holds funds and documents and makes sure every contract condition is met before the sale closes.