The blog
Straight talk on real estate
Market updates, buyer and seller strategy, and mortgage truth from the brokerage that works for the client, not the transaction.
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What the industry won't tell you, in writing
Plain-English breakdowns of the fine print: who pays what, who works for whom, and where the money actually goes.
How to Read a Home Valuation Report Like a Pro
More Than Just a Zestimate Home valuation is one of the most important-and misunderstood-parts of real estate. Whether you're buying or selling, understanding how a home is priced can give you a serious edge in negotiations. Too often, buyers rely on quick estimates like Zillow's Zestimate. Sellers guess based on what a neighbor's home sold […]
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Why Transparency in Real Estate Matters More Than Ever
A Broken Model Built on Secrecy Real estate is one of the few industries where massive costs are rarely questioned. Sellers lose tens of thousands to commission fees. Buyers are told their agent is "free." Meanwhile, no one's really explaining where the money goes-or why it's structured the way it is. At Arrivva, we believe […]
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How Much Commission Do Real Estate Agents Really Make?
The Commission Illusion Most people assume real estate agents make 5-6% of the final home sale price-but the truth is more complicated. Between splits, fees, and overhead, that headline number tells only part of the story. Still, it adds up to a massive cost for buyers and sellers, even if they don't see it itemized […]
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Flat Fee vs. Discount Brokerages: What’s the Difference?
When it comes to saving on real estate commissions, the debate of flat fee vs discount brokerages often comes up. A flat fee brokerage charges a fixed, transparent price for their services-regardless of the home's value. At Arrivva, for example, we charge: $9,750 to buy a home $15,750 to sell a home That price includes […]
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Flat Fee Real Estate: The Future of Buying and Selling Homes
What Is Flat Fee Real Estate? In a world where nearly everything is becoming more transparent and efficient, the traditional real estate commission model still lingers-opaque, costly, and outdated. Flat fee real estate offers a much-needed alternative. Instead of paying a percentage-based commission, typically ranging from 5% to 6%, flat-fee brokerages charge a consistent, predetermined […]
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The Smarter Way to Sell: Skip the Commission, Keep Your Equity
Selling Shouldn't Cost You Your Equity You've built equity in your home. You've maintained it, improved it, and now you're ready to sell. But before you hand over 5-6% of your sale price to agents, ask yourself: what are you really paying for? Traditional real estate commissions can cost sellers tens of thousands-even hundreds of […]
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How to Buy a Home Without Overpaying in Commissions
Rethinking the Cost of Homebuying Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make-but it shouldn't come with bloated fees and unclear pricing. Traditionally, buyers don't even question agent commissions because those costs are "paid by the seller." But here's the truth: you're still paying-indirectly-through the home's final price. How to […]
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Essential Home Buying Tips for Today's Competitive Bay Area Market
Understanding Today's Market Reality In today's hyper-competitive Bay Area real estate market, traditional home-buying approaches often fall short. Consider this: a recent Mountain View property listed at $1.99 million attracted 50 offers, with the winning bid expected to reach nearly $2.9 million. This isn't an anomaly – it's the new normal in desirable neighborhoods with […]
Listen →California Association of Realtors RPA August 2024
The California Association of Realtors have published the latest contract that you need in order to purchase a home with an agent that requires this form (which is most of them). San Francisco has it’s own form. This was published after the settlement with the realtors (NAR) and the plaintiffs in the lawsuit that say […]
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FHA Loans for Non-U.S. Citizens: What You Need to Know
Are you a non-U.S. citizen looking to buy a home in the United States? You might be surprised to learn that you may still qualify for an FHA loan. Let's break down the eligibility requirements for both permanent and non-permanent resident aliens. Permanent Resident Aliens:Good news! If you're a lawful permanent resident alien (green card […]
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The Power of Context in Real Estate: How Arrivva Navigates the Nuances
Context: the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood and assessed. In the world of real estate, context is king. From interest rates to location, from school districts to market trends, from the psychology of the market to negotiating, the value […]
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Arrivva Leads the Way in Transforming the Real Estate Industry
As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) faces mounting legal challenges and pressure to adapt to the evolving real estate landscape, Arrivva remains committed to providing innovative and affordable solutions for our clients. Recent articles in the Wall Street Journal have shed light on the growing concerns surrounding the traditional commission structure and the potential […]
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