Harv Balu's blog

Ask ten renters what it takes to buy a home and most give the same number: 20% down. On a typical Bay Area home that is close to $300,000 in cash, and it is the single most expensive myth in real estate. For most buyers, 20% down was never the rule. Here is the whole thing in about five minutes.

► Watch the explainer on YouTube

• The myth vs the reality: the average first time buyer nationwide puts down about 9%, less than half the 20% figure most people assume they need.
• Your real options: Conventional 97, HomeReady, and Home Possible start at 3%, FHA at 3.5%, and VA...

The Fremont housing market just posted its June 2026 numbers, and the short version is this: it is still a seller's market, and a tight one. Here is where things stand for single family homes.

• Median sold price: $1,715,000, down 2.56% from last month.
• Days on market: a median of 11 days, essentially unchanged from last month.
• Sold to list: 102.6% of list price, so the typical home closed over asking.
• Supply: 1.73 months of inventory, well under the 6 month balanced line.

I broke the whole picture down, the price pipeline, the five year price and value context, and a...

The Union City housing market just posted its June 2026 numbers, and the short version is this: it is still a seller's market. Here is where things stand for single family homes.

• Median sold price: $1,327,500, down 7.7% from last month.
• Days on market: a median of 15 days, homes are still moving fast.
• Sold to list: 102.1% of list price, buyers are still paying over ask.
• Supply: just 1.76 months of inventory, well under the 6 month balanced line.

I broke the whole picture down, the price pipeline, the five year trends, and a free printable report, on my market reports...