should I buy a home in California?
142220
I live here and I would say; Sure if you have $500,000 you would like to spend on a small 3/2 in a so so area, come on over, its great here.  The sun always shines and you can see it through the smog most of the time.
923978
I would say go for what you want and not for what other people want. It sounds like a good area though. Maybe you should research that area and who knows you might find some interesting things that you would like. Hope things work out. Have a safe trip. By the way California is so beautiful
463182
That depends a lot on where you want to live.  Here in Southern CA, I don't think it will.  First of all, LA & San Diego are slowing due to the latest fed hike in interest rates.  But, because the demand is so much larger than the supply, the pressure for new, affordable homes is still strong.  Unfortunately, with the median price of a home at around $550,000, the income necessary to support monthly mortgage payments is above what most in the middle class make right now.  \n\nBut, you are starting to see some slowing and stagnation in less desirable markets.  That is where "the bubble" will burst, first.  Places like Cleveland, Louisville, Nashville, St. Louis, etc.  Watch as the interest rates go up, more houses will dump on the market because people with variable rates cannot afford the increases monthly.
552702
Of course you can, but seriously with a high Interet rate. All you need is 11% as a down payment for the house, otherwise the interest rate can go more higher.\nI am a Loan officer in CA so i can help you with that, feel free to write me at refinance@inbox.com do remember to give me your contact information in the mail so that i can get back to you.\nThanks and Good luck
235973
Buy either. The market is great and will continue to be so as the LA area moves north up the coast.
560723
California is very expensive.  Even a modest house can cost a million dollars.  Land is at a premium because of heavy development.  Since you have a professional skill, it shouldn't be very difficult for you to submit your CV to potential employers, who can help you line up a work visa.  check out http://www.state.gov for more information on visas, or visit your nearest U.S. consulate or embassy.\n\nThere are numerous sports academies to be had.  Hell, in the urban coastal cities, whatever you want, you'll probably be able to find it.  But if I were you I'd avoid living in the really big cities like L.A., San Francisco, and San Diego.  They are crowded, impersonal, and have become dog-eat-dog business centers.  The outlying suburban towns and villages surrounding the major cities are much more likely to be receptive to a new immigrant.\n\nBear in mind, many people who were born and raised in California (like me) have left.  It has become chaotic, crowded, and expensive.  If you want to move to the U.S., please research other parts of the country that might be better for settling in.  Particularly consider medium-sized cities like Denver, Omaha, or Kansas City, where housing is more affordable and the job market isn't quite so cut-throat.
72496
BUYIN HOME IN ALBANY IS A GOOD OPTION.THE HOUSE OVER THERE ARE STILL LESS EXPENSIVE AS COMPARED TO REST OF THE STATE AND THEY ARE CATCHIN UP PRETTY FAST.SO IF YOU BUY A HOUSE NOW YOU CAN BUILD UP SOME EQUITY REALLY FAST AND CASH IT LATER IF YOU WANT TO.I'M SAYIN THIS FROM EXPERINCE SINCE I'M A REAL ESTATE AGENT IN NY.
1101783
California definitely has the higher cost of living.  The sales tax you pay is can be as high as 8.75%.  Here in Ohio the sales tax is usually no higher than 7%.  Gas in some parts of California is well over $3.00 a gallon.  Gas in Cincinnati yesterday was $2.69.  Housing is much more expensive in California.  My parents were wanting to retire in southern California and gave that up since they could only buy a shack for the same price their house is here in Ohio.
136903
It all depends on where you want to purchase in Northern California.  It would definitely help to raise your FICO score.  However, the score is just one aspect.  The meat of the report will also help determine if you can get a loan.  (Have you had any mortgage lates, how many trade lines do you have.. etc)  What do you think you want to spend on a house?  I think 600-700k will be quite out of your ranger.  However, if you want something in the 250-400k range... you may have a shot.  email me if you want a more specific answer.  matt@eastbaylending.com
1011680
Keep in mind...........\n\nTimes and markets are changing!\n\nIn California with average homes selling well over $500,000, a 20% decline is $100,000! In any market 'timing is everything'! So, could you afford a loss of 25% of your investment all because of poor timing???\n\nThis last up cycle was 10 years in many parts of the country. The downcycle now started in CA, Wash DC, NYC, Vegas and other hot areas of the past are all soft and getting softer.\n\nFrom 1990 to 1996, the average home in San Diego lost 20% of its' value! The cycle we are now enterng looks like it could well exceed that on the downside!\n\nWith all the 100% financing, interest only loans, EZ qualifing etc...even a slight decline will cause many to be unable to sell for the amount due on their loans!\n\nFor some great 'insider' articles on the San Diego real estate market, which I believe will apply to any of the hot real estate markets of the past five years.....visit:\n\nhttp://www.downtown-san-diego-real-estate.com/san-diego-real-estate-article-index.htm\nhttp://www.brokerforyou.com\nhttp://www.san-diego-for-sale-by-owner.com\nhttp://www.la-jolla-ca-del-mar-san-diego-real-estate-encinitas-california.us\nhttp://www.brokerforyou.com/blogger/index.html\nhttp://san-diego-coastal-real-estate.blogspot.com\nhttp://sandiegofsbo.blogspot.com\nhttp://downtown-san-diego-real-estate-views.blogspot.com
213151
California is a BIG state!  There is a lot of difference between northern and southern California.  If you like the sun and the beach, then move to southern California.  Otherwise, go north to San Francisco, San Jose or Sacramento.  Have you heard of the Silicon Valley? Maybe you should check over there with your IT background. There's also IT jobs in the south. Make sure you get the job first before you move here because the cost of living here is waaaaaaay high! Over $1500 a month for a one bedroom apartment in most major cities.
681102
Despite what some people here said, moving to California would be a stupid thing to do. Home prices are the highest in the nation at an average of $391,000. Gas prices are the second highest at $3.29 per gallon. So, if you can't afford to live in Michigan, you certainly couldn't afford to live in California.\n\nWhat do I think you should do?\n\nDO SOME RESEARCH!\n\nMICHIGAN ISN'T THE POOREST STATE...\n\nMichigan ranks 18th highest out of 50 states in average houshold income (and it is higher than the national average). And, because the cost of living is quite low, it is even better than it seems at 18th. For example, New Jersey is the highest, but the cost of living is very high there. The median home price in New Jersey is $291,000, more than twice as high as Michigan's $145,000. \n \nMICHIGAN DOESN'T HAVE THE HIGHEST TAXES\n\nRegarding taxes, Michigan's current taxes are $2405 per person per year. That is just $213 more than the national average. 14 states have higher taxes per person per year. The highest is Vermont at $3600, the second highest Hawaii at $3478.\n\nMICHIGAN DOESN'T HAVE THE HIGHEST GAS PRICES\n\nRegarding gas prices, Michigan's current gas price is $2.85 per gallon. 23 states are more expensive. Eight states have gas prices over $3.00 per gallon, with the highest being Hawaii at $3.38, the second highest California at $3.29.\n \nMICHIGAN DOESN'T HAVE THE HIGHEST CIGARETTE PRICES\n\nRegarding cigarette prices, Michigan's current cigarette price is $5.50 per pack. Just 6 states are more expensive, so you have a point there. The highest is Massachusetts at $6.46 per pack, the second highest New Jersey at $6.06 per pack. But, you shouldn't smoke anyway. \n\nPlus, Michigan is inexpensive in many other ways. Home owners insurance is low compared to the norm. Do you realize how much people pay in the hurricane prone areas, for example? Water bills are low compared to the norm due to the plenty fresh water. Do you realize the that there are water shortages in the west (Neveda, Arizona, California, for example)? I could go on, but it is getting late...
832516
in general in cal, you can agree to anything, unless the law says ou can't.\nwith such a general question it is dificult to get specific.\nthe bay area counties are among the most restrictive in ca, and rent control is a fact of life, where the rest of the state is more relaxed.\ncontact the local board of realtors for better info.
725804
Keep in mind...........\n\nTimes and markets are changing!\n\nIn California with average homes selling well over $500,000, a 20% decline is $100,000! In any market 'timing is everything'! So, could you afford a loss of 25% of your investment all because of poor timing???\n\nThis last up cycle was 10 years in many parts of the country. The downcycle now started in CA, Wash DC, NYC, Vegas and other hot areas of the past are all soft and getting softer.\n\nFrom 1990 to 1996, the average home in San Diego lost 20% of its' value! The cycle we are now enterng looks like it could well exceed that on the downside!\n\nWith all the 100% financing, interest only loans, EZ qualifing etc...even a slight decline will cause many to be unable to sell for the amount due on their loans!\n\nFor some great 'insider' articles on the San Diego real estate market, which I beli\neve will apply to any of the hot real estate markets of the past five years.....visit:\n\nhttp://www.brokerforyou.com/brokerforyou\n\nhttp://www.downtown-san-diego-real-estate.com/san-diego-real-estate-article-index.htm\n\nhttp://www.brokerforyou.com\n\nhttp://www.san-diego-for-sale-by-owner.com\n\nhttp://www.la-jolla-ca-del-mar-san-diego-real-estate-encinitas-california.us\n\nhttp://www.brokerforyou.com/blogger/index.html\n\nhttp://san-diego-coastal-real-estate.blogspot.com\nhttp://sandiegofsbo.blogspot.com\nhttp://downtown-san-diego-real-estate-views.blogspot.com\nhttp://san-diego-coastal-real-estate.blogspot.com\nhttp://sandiegofsbo.blogspot.com\nhttp://downtown-san-diego-real-estate-views.blogspot.com\nhttp://www.brokerforyou.com/san-diego-real-estate-sales.html\nhttp://www.poway-real-estate.info\nhttp://www.del-mar-real-estate.info\nhttp://www.la-jolla-real-estate.info\nhttp://www.los-angeles-real-estate-brokers.com\nhttp://www.san-jose-real-estate-brokers.com\nhttp://www.orange-county-real-estate-brokers.com\nhttp://www.san-francisco-real-estate-brokers.com\nhttp://www.sacramento-real-estate-broker.com
366512
This isn't perfect or exact but this should be a pretty close representation of a typical family:\n\nhttp://www.bls.gov/ro9/cexphoe.htm\n\nIf you're in California or the east coast then I'd expect housing to be a lot closer to 50%-60% of income.
105542
YES YES YES.  I am a retired California Realtor who was able to retire early thanks to a housing market similar to NY's.  You won't be able to retire off flipping one place, but you'll come out way ahead.  I don't know the specific prices in your market but you might check with my "source".
626095
If you're in California you may want to visit CalHFA. They have a variety of 1st time home owner assistance program