Harv Balu's blog

The Bay Area housing market has been navigating a high interest rate environment, with 30 year mortgage rates climbing above 7% in 2023 and 2024...

The Bay Area housing market has been navigating a high interest rate environment, with 30 year mortgage rates climbing above 7% in 2023 and 2024. This surge in borrowing costs, combined with pandemic era price gains, has stretched affordability to near record lows. In late 2025, however, rates have eased to around the low 6% range. Policymakers and forecasters...

Home appraisals are a critical part of buying or selling property.

A Bay Area home appraisal is an unbiased estimate of a property's market value conducted by a licensed appraiser. Lenders require an appraisal to ensure the home’s value justifies the loan. This process protects buyers (so they don’t overpay) and lenders (so they don’t lend on an over-valued property). For sellers, a smooth appraisal is essential to close the sale at the agreed price. Understanding how real estate appraisals work, and how to navigate them, helps both buyers and...