California Final Walkthrough: Room Checklist & Problem Examples

By Vikas Shah | CA DRE #02235333 | 408-650-3463Reviewed September 29, 2026 A final walkthrough is your opportunity to compare the home's condition with the purchase agreement before closing: check agreed repairs, included items, new damage and the agreed possession arrangements. It is not a replacem

How Much Income Do You Need to Buy a Home in Santa Clara in 2026?

By Vikas Shah | CA DRE #02235333 | 408-650-3463Market context reviewed October 4, 2026; six-month price sample retrieved September 26, 2026. Cover is illustrative. Using the March 27–September 26, 2026 Santa Clara sale medians, our illustrated annual household-income estimates are about $183,400 for

Santa Clara Neighborhoods: Home Prices, Schools & Daily Life

Cover is an illustrative composite, not a photograph of specific properties. By Vikas Shah | CA DRE #02235333 | 408-650-3463Substantively updated September 26, 2026. Sales research and school ratings checked September 26, 2026. Start with Rivermark if you want a compact grocery, restaurant, park and

California Earnest Money: Deposit Amounts, Timing & Refund Risks

By Vikas Shah | CA DRE #02235333 | 408-650-3463Updated September 29, 2026 Earnest money is the deposit a buyer commits under a home purchase agreement to demonstrate commitment to the transaction. When the purchase closes, it is credited toward the buyer's funds due; it is not an extra charge on top