Buy your first home in the East Bay
Real numbers, real neighborhoods, and honest answers from an agent who lives here.
See what you can affordComp image, not licensed. Photo: Skyline Scenes / Bill Cobb.
What can you actually afford?
Most first-time buyers guess too low or too high. Put in four numbers and get a real range in about ten seconds.
This is an estimate, not an approval
A real number comes from a lender who looks at your credit and your pay. This tool gets you close enough to know where to look.
Down payment help can change your range
Grants and second loans can cover part of your down payment. Many East Bay buyers qualify and never find out.
Rates change, so this page changes
The rate used in this tool is listed under your result. We update it every month.
Every city is a different market
A guide is only useful if it is specific. We publish a city page only when it has the agent's video, the agent's written take, and real local numbers. No filler pages.
First-time buying in Oakland
Big range of prices and the most first-time buyer programs in the East Bay.
Read the Oakland guide →
First-time buying in San Leandrofilming next
Lower prices than Oakland and a shorter drive than most people expect.
Live once the video and the numbers are ready.
First-time buying in Haywardfilming next
One of the last places in Alameda County where a starter home is still in reach.
Live once the video and the numbers are ready.
An agent who shows you the street, not a stock photo
Most sites send you a list of homes. This one shows you the block, the numbers, and what the last ten buyers actually paid.
[Agent Name] walks each neighborhood on camera, explains what is really happening with offers, and answers questions before you ever fill out a form.
Video loads only when you click it, so the page stays fast.
The East Bay Market Truth Report
Every quarter we publish what buyers actually paid, pulled from real closings. Not a national average. Not a guess.
Average over asking
Offers per home
Days on market
Waived the inspection
The three questions we get every week
How much do I really need for a down payment in the East Bay?
You do not need 20 percent. Many first-time buyers in the East Bay put down 3 to 5 percent and use a grant or a second loan to help cover it. The trade off is a higher monthly payment and mortgage insurance until you build equity.
Is it cheaper to rent or to buy in the East Bay right now?
It depends on the city and how long you plan to stay. In most East Bay cities, buying costs more per month in the first few years than renting the same home. It starts to pay off if you stay past roughly five to seven years.
What credit score do I need to buy my first home?
Many first-time buyer loans start around a 620 score. A higher score gets you a better rate, which changes your monthly payment more than most people expect.
Ask a real question, get a real answer
No pressure and no spam. Tell us where you are in the process and you will hear back within one business day.