FAQ

What is my first step in my home buying journey?
The first place to start is setting up your personalized "listing alert" that is called a Collection. This creates a daily email sent to you with all available homes for sale in the communities you are considering. It will include Compass off market homes, Coming Soon homes and all active MLS homes for sale. Your search criteria can be modified any time you want. Read more about Collections here.

What is my first step in my home selling journey?
The place to start is to contact us so we can better understand your objectives and timing. Every home seller has a story that is motivating them to consider selling their home. We want to learn what your story is. Click here for more home seller resources.

What mistakes do first time home buyers make?
There are mainly 5 common mistakes we see first time home buyers make.
They are: Not getting pre-approved early in the process, underestimating the true cost of homeownership, skipping home inspections, letting emotions override logic, and ignoring long-term value and location
Read here on more info on how to buy a house.

What is the best time of year to sell a home?
While many homeowners assume spring or summer is the best time to sell home, data from East Bay markets the past 36 years shows the strongest price-per-square-foot results occur in the first quarter of each year - January through June
Early in the year, inventory is typically at its lowest while serious, pre-approved buyers are actively searching—creating stronger competition and upward pressure on prices. We’ve written a full breakdown of the data, trends, and what this means for sellers planning ahead. Read more here →

What is the difference between pre-qualification and per-approval?
Prequalification for a mortgage is a quick, general estimate of what you might be able to afford for your home purchase, based on self-reported info, while preapproval is a lender's conditional commitment to lend you a specific amount funds for your home purchase after verifying your finances (income, assets, credit) with documentation and a credit check, making you a much stronger, serious home buyer in a competitive market. Prequalification is a simple first step for budgeting, but preapproval shows sellers you're truly ready to buy, making your purchase offer more attractive.
Because of decades in our industry, we have reputable and trustworthy contacts in all of the major banks for mortgages, along with independent loan brokers. Let us know if you need a referral.

What happens when I inherit a home in California?
When you inherit a home in California, you typically go through probate, unless home you are inheriting was in a trust, become responsible for debts and maintenance, and face significant property tax changes due to Proposition 19, which often triggers reassessment unless you move into the home within a year and claim an exclusion as your primary residence. Key steps involve securing the property, handling mortgage/liens, understanding the "stepped up basis" rules for capital gains tax, and deciding whether to sell, rent, or live in the home, all while navigating new tax rules.
It is important for you to seek professional tax and legal advice when making decisions on what to do with inherited real estate.

Why do people move to the East Bay?
There are a few main reasons families continue choosing the East Bay as their home. The first is the quality of education. In the East Bay, schools have rockstar status. Children do not need to attend private school to have an exceptional education. Second is the affordability. Believe it or not, the East Bay is rather addorable compared to other regions in Northern California such as the Peninsula, Silicon Valley, and San Jose. The third reason is the quality of life. The East Bay has over 200 miles of outdoor trails, numerous state and regional parks, and a wonderful climate. Click here to read more about why families love the East Bay.

Do I need a real estate agent to buy a home in California?
No, you are not legally required to have a real estate agent to buy a home in California. However, it's highly recommended for most home buyers due to the complexity of contracts, negotiations, and disclosures, with over 90% of home buyers using one for guidance. While you can represent yourself, agents provide crucial expertise in finding homes, understanding complex paperwork like contingency clauses, negotiating price and repairs, and navigating local market specifics, preventing costly mistakes. Connect with us for a free consultation.

Why work with a Compass real estate advisor?
Compass is a preferred choice for many home buyers and sellers due to its tech-driven, ene-to-end platform that offers integrated client tools, data-driven marketing, and unparalleled national and global network, allowing agents to provide streamlined and stress free experiences, while its private listing network (Compass Private Exclusives) gives home sellers early, discreet exposure, appealing to buyers who want an edge in competitive real estate markets.
In addition, in our region of the San Francisco Bay Area, Compass has a market share of almost 25% with home sellers and home buyers.