Monthly notes on the Bay Area real estate market, in plain English.https://michaelfielden.com/en-ushttps://michaelfielden.com/blog/the-brbc-in-plain-english/https://michaelfielden.com/blog/the-brbc-in-plain-english/Since August 2024, California buyers and their agents sign a written representation agreement before touring homes. It exists to protect both sides. Here's what it is and what to expect.Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTbuyersprocesscontractsmfielden@luxuriantrealty.com (Michael Fielden)https://michaelfielden.com/blog/welcome-to-the-journal/https://michaelfielden.com/blog/welcome-to-the-journal/A new home for honest notes on Bay Area real estate — what I'm seeing, what I'm reading, and what I'd tell a friend.Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTmetabay-areamfielden@luxuriantrealty.com (Michael Fielden)https://michaelfielden.com/blog/inspection-came-back-bad-cancelling-in-the-contingency-window/https://michaelfielden.com/blog/inspection-came-back-bad-cancelling-in-the-contingency-window/An inspection during your contingency window turned up a serious issue. This is exactly what the contingency is for. Here's the simple process for cancelling, getting your earnest money back, and moving on.Sat, 23 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTbuyerscontingenciesprocessmfielden@luxuriantrealty.com (Michael Fielden)https://michaelfielden.com/blog/cancelling-after-removing-contingencies/https://michaelfielden.com/blog/cancelling-after-removing-contingencies/Once your contingencies are removed in writing, your earnest money deposit is at risk. Cancelling after that point is a real conversation, not a checkbox. Here's what to expect and how to think about it.Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTbuyerscontingenciesprocessmfielden@luxuriantrealty.com (Michael Fielden)https://michaelfielden.com/blog/what-a-clean-disclosure-package-actually-looks-like/https://michaelfielden.com/blog/what-a-clean-disclosure-package-actually-looks-like/Most first-time buyers in California have never seen a disclosure package before they're handed a hundred and seventy pages and asked to make a million-dollar decision. Here's what's in one, what to read carefully, and what 'clean' actually means.Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTbuyersdisclosuresprocessmfielden@luxuriantrealty.com (Michael Fielden)https://michaelfielden.com/blog/the-real-math-on-waiving-contingencies/https://michaelfielden.com/blog/the-real-math-on-waiving-contingencies/Bay Area buyers regularly waive inspection, loan, and appraisal contingencies to win competitive offers. Here's what each one actually protects you from, and what you're actually betting when you drop it.Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTbuyersoffersstrategymfielden@luxuriantrealty.com (Michael Fielden)