15-Year vs. 30-Year Mortgage: Which Makes Sense for Nevada County Buyers?
If you're shopping for a home loan right now, you've probably run into the 15-year vs. 30-year mortgage question at least once. It comes up in nearly every conversation I have with buyers here in Nevada County, whether they're closing on a place in Grass Valley, buying their first home in Nevada Cit
Should You Use a Piggyback Loan to Buy in Nevada County?
If you're shopping for a home in Nevada County this year and your purchase price is creeping toward $800,000 or more, you've probably run into two annoying words: jumbo loan. A piggyback loan is one way around that, and it's worth understanding before you write an offer. I get asked about this more
Why Bay Area Families Are Choosing Nevada City Over the Suburbs
I've had more Bay Area families reach out about Nevada City this year than any other point in my 20-plus years doing this. It's not a coincidence. Bay Area families choosing Nevada City over their current suburb has become a real, steady pattern, and once you put the numbers side by side, it's not h
What to Know About Insurance Before You Buy in Nevada County, CA
(Watch the video here) One thing to build into your plan when buying in Nevada County: get an insurance quote before you close escrow, not after. Some carriers have pulled back from writing new policies in high fire-risk areas, but that doesn't mean you can't get covered -- it means you shop for it
Does Home Staging Really Help Sell Your Nevada County Home?
I get this question in almost every seller consultation: is home staging in Nevada County actually worth the time and money, or is it just something HGTV convinced everyone they need? I have sold homes across Grass Valley, Nevada City, Lake of the Pines, and the rest of the Sierra Foothills for over
Should You Tap Home Equity Instead of Selling Your Nevada County Home?
I have had more homeowners ask me this question in the last few months than almost any other: should I tap my home equity or just sell? With home values in Nevada County still holding up and HELOC rates sitting close to 7.3 percent, it is a fair question, and the honest answer comes down to real num
Why Sacramento Families Are Choosing Grass Valley Over the Suburbs
I've had more Sacramento-area buyers call me this year asking about Grass Valley than any other point in my 20-plus years doing this. It's not a fluke. Sacramento families moving to Grass Valley have become one of the steadiest trends I see, and once you look at the numbers side by side, it's easy t
How to Price Your Nevada County Home to Sell Right Now
I sit down with sellers almost every week who ask some version of the same question: what should we actually list this house for? It's the single decision that shapes everything else about how a sale goes, and I've watched it play out both ways over 20 years in this market. Price your Nevada County
Buying Land vs. Buying a House in Nevada County: True Costs
I hear this question at least once a month, usually from a buyer who's tired of competing for the same handful of listings: what if I just bought land in Nevada County and built the house I actually want? It's a reasonable question, and with acreage sitting on the market longer than finished homes r
