How Steve Vail Turned Rent into a Down Payment
Steve Vail did not purchase his current home through a completely traditional deal. He rented it first. His agreement allowed him to rent the house for twelve months before buying it. Half of the $1,500 he paid each month was credited toward his future down payment. By the end of the year, he had built […]
That Bargain House May Not Be a Bargain After All
The opening bid is $250,000. Online estimates place the property’s value near $1.2 million. At first glance, it sounds like the deal of a lifetime. But what if someone is still living there? What if taxes are overdue, the insurance is unusually expensive, or the house needs $100,000 in repairs? These are the questions Steve […]
The Real Cost of a Home Is Not Always in the Asking Price
A beautiful kitchen, a generous backyard, and an attractive asking price can make a property feel perfect. Yet some of the most important details aren’t visible during a quick viewing. In So Where Do You Want to Live?, Northern California real estate broker and mortgage/financial broker Steve Vail draws upon more than four decades of […]