First Home - California

May 03 2024 32 mins 2

First Home - California Podcast artwork

Whether you’re a young professional looking to invest in your future, a couple ready to settle down and start a family, or someone starting a new chapter in your life, buying a home is a significant milestone. But, it can also be an overwhelming and complex process. That’s why the Department of Real Estate has created this podcast, First Home California – to provide you with knowledge and insights. Our goal is to help you get to a place where you know what to expect during the homebuying process, and to help you make sure you’re ready to make informed decisions about what will likely be the biggest purchase of your life. Each episode will focus on a specific part of the homebuying process and provide consumer protection tips.

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110 - Tratos Deshonestos

May 03 2024 21 mins

Jueves, 2 de mayo de 2024 Fecha del episodio: jueves, 2 de mayo de 2024 Únanse al Departamento de Bienes Raíces (DRE) de California para conocer una historia real sobre estafa y fraude inmobiliarios, así como consejos para la protección del consumidor. En este episodio: Tratos deshonestos, les contamos un caso lleno de engaño y malas acciones premeditadas que ocurrió en el su

110 - Dishonest Dealings

Apr 12 2024 16 mins

Episode Date: Friday, April 12, 2024 Join us, the California Department of Real Estate, for a true story of real estate fraud and deception, along with consumer protection tips. In this episode, Dishonest Dealings, we take you through a case full of misrepresentation and calculated wrongdoings that took place in Southern California across two years. Just when prospective homebuyers

109 - How Escrow Works

Jan 04 2024 22 mins

In this episode we talk about how escrow works. When you’ve made a final offer on a home and reached an agreement with the seller, you start the escrow process in which a neutral third party manages funds and assets, and ensures all conditions of the sale are met before the property changes hands. Topics covered include: When escrow officially starts The mindset a first-time home

108 - How Real Estate Appraisals Work

Dec 13 2023 23 mins

In this episode we talk about how home appraisals work. In California, real estate appraisers are regulated by the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers (BREA), and today we’re joined by BREA’s Bureau Chief Angela Jemmott. Topics covered include:• What an appraisal is, why it’s needed, and who pays for it• Whether homeowners can choose the appraiser• What an appraiser does d

107 - Legal & Documentation Matters

Nov 29 2023 55 mins

In this episode we talk about what’s likely the most complex and most important part of the homebuying process. Topics covered include: The legal paperwork you’ll need to review and sign before buying a new home. The information that needs to be disclosed to you before a sale. The mindset a homebuyer should have when approaching disclosure documents. The different types of disc

106 - Making an Offer

Nov 15 2023 59 mins

In this episode we talk about one of the most stressful and exciting parts of the homebuying process, making an offer on a home. Topics covered include: The mindset a first-time homebuyer should have about making an offer What’s an earnest money deposit, how much should you put down for this type of deposit, and what are the advantages/disadvantages of putting down more or less t

105 - How to Find a Real Estate Agent

Nov 01 2023 56 mins

There are a lot of professionals who are going to be involved in your home purchase. But, none is going to be more important to you than the one we talk about in Episode #105. This episode covers how to find a real estate agent. Topics covered include: The difference between a real estate agent and a realtor Typical responsibilities handled by a buyer’s real estate agent How a bu

104 - First-Time Homebuyer Programs

Oct 18 2023 17 mins

In Episode #104 we take a deep dive on all the assistance programs available to first-time homebuyers here in California. A representative from the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) joins us. Topics covered include: CalHFA Down Payment Assistance Programs MyHome Assistance Program California Dream for All Shared Appreciation Loan Program Please note: On October 13, 2023, E

103 - How Down Payments Work

Oct 04 2023 28 mins

Episode #103 gives you a close-up look at how down payments work. A National Association of Realtors survey in 2021 found that 29% of first-time homebuyers said the down payment was the most difficult step in the home buying process. Topics covered include: Why your down payment is important to you Why it’s important to your bank Why it’s okay if you aren’t able to put down 2

102 - How Mortgages Work

Sep 20 2023 37 mins

We take a deep dive into home mortgages. This includes conventional, FHA and VA mortgages, as well as fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, and interest-only. We also discuss the difference between interest rate and annual percentage rate, pre-qualified and pre-approved, what's an amortization school, what's an impound account, how a mortgage buy down works, and what happens if your new hom