Buyers Tool Kit

Bay Area Property Search:

Search all of the East Bay Area Mutiple Listing System (MLS) for single family residential, condos, multi-unit income and land/lot. Listings are updated daily.




Daily Updates - Stay Informed

  • Sign up to receive Daily Automatic Email Property Updates
    Get the newest listings right in your email box as they come on the market.

  • Your Personal Property Organizer makes it easy to search for and keep track of properties. Simply SAVE the property to your Property Organizer for future reference and for sharing with family and friends. You can also manage your Email Updates and save your Property Searches for later use.


Bay Area Open Homes



10 Tips For for First-Time Homebuyer
  • Be picky, but don't be unrealistic. There is no perfect home.
  • Do your homework before you start looking. Decide specifically what features you want in a home and which are most important to you.
  • Get your finances in order. Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your downpayment and your closing costs.
  • Don't wait to get a loan. Talk to a lender and get prequalified for a mortgage before you start looking.
  • Don't ask too many people for opinions. It will drive you crazy. Select one or two people to turn to if you feel you need a second opinion.
  • Decide when you could move. When is your lease up? Are you allowed to sublet? How tight is the rental market in your area?
  • Think long-term. Are you looking for a starter house with the idea of moving up in a few years or do you hope to stay in this home longer? This decision may dictate what type of home you'll buy as well as type of mortgage terms that suit you best.
  • Don't let yourself be house poor. If you max yourself out to buy the biggest home you can afford, you'll have no money left for maintenance or decoration or to save money for other financial goals. Don't be naive. Insist on a home inspection and if possible get a warranty from the seller to cover defects within one year.
  • Get help. Consider hiring a REALTOR® as a buyer's representative. Unlike a listing agent, whose first duty is to the seller, a buyer's representative is working only for you. And often, buyer's reps are paid out of the seller's commission payment.


Hidden Home Defects To Watch For

No home is flawless, but certain physical problems can be expensive. Watch for:

  • Water leaks. Look for stains on ceilings and near the baseboards, especially in basements or attics.
  • Shifting foundations. Look for large cracks along the home's foundation.
  • Drainage. Look for standing water, either around the foundation of the home or in the yard.
  • Termites. Look for weakened or grooved wood, especially near ground level.
  • Worn roofs. Look for broken or missing copings and buckled shingles as well as water spots on ceilings.
  • Inadequate wiring. Look for antiquated fuse boxes, extension cords (indicating insufficient outlets), and outlets without a place to plug in the grounding prong.
  • Plumbing problems: Very low water pressure, banging in pipes


Five Factors that Decide Your Credit Score

  • Scores range between 200 and 800. Scores above 620 are considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. These factors will affect your score:
  • Your Payment History. Whether you paid credit card obligations on time
  • How Much You Owe. Owing a great deal of money on numerous accounts can indicate that you are over extended.
  • The Length of Your Credit History. In general the longer the better. How Much New Credit You Have. New credit, either installment payments or new credit cards, are considered more risky, even if you pay promptly.
  • The Types of Credit You Use. Generally, it's desirable to have more than one type of credit-installment loans, credit cards, and a mortgage, for example.

For more on evaluating and understanding your credit score, go to MyFico.com.