First Home - California

Friday, April 3, 2026 Tune in to this episode, The Right Way to Handle Money in Real Estate Transactions, to gain insight around what’s the right way for real estate agents to handle the money that’s moving around in a real estate transaction. You’ll hear best practices that real estate agents should be using and some red flags to be aware of to ensure money is handled responsibly. All helpful inf...

Wednesday, September 10, 2025   Tune in to learn all about how to become licensed as a real estate salesperson or broker in California. We dive into the steps to earning your license, the benefits of becoming an agent, the various career opportunities available if you have a real estate license, and more! In this episode we chat with the California Department of Real Estate’s Assistant Commissione...

Nos reunimos con el Departamento de Derechos Civiles de California (CRD, por sus siglas en inglés) durante el Mes Nacional de la Vivienda Justa para hablar sobre todo lo relacionado con la vivienda justa, en particular de lo importante que es que conozcas tus como consumidor de bienes inmuebles. Ya seas un posible comprador de vivienda o un inquilino que busca una propiedad para rentar, debes sabe...

In this episode, we sit down with California Civil Rights Department (CRD) during National Fair Housing Month to talk all things fair housing, in particular how important it is to know your rights as a consumer of real estate. Whether you’re a prospective homebuyer or tenant looking for a property to rent, know that you have the right to be treated fairly and just. And if you believe your fair hou...

Listen in to learn all about the California Department of Real Estate audits and how they protect consumers. In this episode, listeners will learn about the DRE audit process, when and why the Department conducts audits, and some of the more interesting and common findings uncovered. Also discussed are consumer protection tips around working with real estate salespersons and brokers. Topics covere...

Jueves, 2 de mayo de 2024 Fecha del episodio: jueves, 2 de mayo de 2024  Únanse al Departamento de Bienes Raíces (DRE) de California para conocer una historia real sobre estafa y fraude inmobiliarios, así como consejos para la protección del consumidor. En este episodio: Tratos deshonestos, les contamos un caso lleno de engaño y malas acciones premeditadas que ocurrió en el sur de California en un...

Episode Date: Friday, April 12, 2024  Join us, the California Department of Real Estate, for a true story of real estate fraud and deception, along with consumer protection tips. In this episode, Dishonest Dealings, we take you through a case full of misrepresentation and calculated wrongdoings that took place in Southern California across two years. Just when prospective homebuyers thought their...

In this episode we talk about how escrow works. When you’ve made a final offer on a home and reached an agreement with the seller, you start the escrow process in which a neutral third party manages funds and assets, and ensures all conditions of the sale are met before the property changes hands. Topics covered include: When escrow officially starts The mindset a first-time homebuyer should have...

In this episode we talk about how home appraisals work. In California, real estate appraisers are regulated by the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers (BREA), and today we’re joined by BREA’s Bureau Chief Angela Jemmott. Topics covered include: • What an appraisal is, why it’s needed, and who pays for it • Whether homeowners can choose the appraiser • What an appraiser does during an appraisal • What...

In this episode we talk about what’s likely the most complex and most important part of the homebuying process. Topics covered include: The legal paperwork you’ll need to review and sign before buying a new home. The information that needs to be disclosed to you before a sale. The mindset a homebuyer should have when approaching disclosure documents. The different types of disclosures – such as th...

In this episode we talk about one of the most stressful and exciting parts of the homebuying process, making an offer on a home. Topics covered include: The mindset a first-time homebuyer should have about making an offer What’s an earnest money deposit, how much should you put down for this type of deposit, and what are the advantages/disadvantages of putting down more or less than that amount? T...

There are a lot of professionals who are going to be involved in your home purchase. But, none is going to be more important to you than the one we talk about in Episode #105. This episode covers how to find a real estate agent. Topics covered include: The difference between a real estate agent and a realtor Typical responsibilities handled by a buyer’s real estate agent How a buyer’s real estate...

In Episode #104 we take a deep dive on all the assistance programs available to first-time homebuyers here in California. A representative from the California  Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) joins us. Topics covered include: CalHFA Down Payment Assistance Programs MyHome Assistance Program California Dream for All Shared Appreciation Loan Program Please note: On October 13, 2023, Eric Johnson fro...

Episode #103 gives you a close-up look at how down payments work. A National Association of Realtors survey in 2021 found that 29% of first-time homebuyers said the down payment was the most difficult step in the home buying process. Topics covered include: Why your down payment is important to you Why it’s important to your bank Why it’s okay if you aren’t able to put down 20% as a down payment W...

We take a deep dive into home mortgages. This includes conventional, FHA and VA mortgages, as well as fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, and interest-only. We also discuss the difference between interest rate and annual percentage rate, pre-qualified and pre-approved, what's an amortization school, what's an impound account, how a mortgage buy down works, and what happens if your new home is appraised f...

There’s nothing more important when buying a home than money. This episode focuses on helping you figure out how much home you can afford, and how to be comfortable with what you’re going to spend for your first home. Our guest is Mike Shenkman, who has more than 20 years of experience in California's real estate industry. He's also a lecturer in the Urban Studies and Planning Department at UC San...

Whether you're a young professional looking to invest in your future, a couple ready to settle down and start a family, or someone starting a new chapter in your life, buying your first home is a significant milestone. It also can be an overwhelming and complex process. That's why the California Department of Real Estate has created this podcast.. to provide you with knowledge and insights, so tha...