Myths Buyers Still Believe in 2026
Kim Deol • March 5, 2026
Myths Buyers Still Believe in 2026
(And the Truth You Need to Know)
Buying a home in 2026 looks very different than it did just a few years ago. Interest rates, inventory levels, and buyer competition have all shifted — yet many buyers are still making decisions based on outdated advice.
Let’s clear up some of the biggest myths I’m still hearing this year.
Myth #1: “I Need 20% Down to Buy a Home”
The truth: Most buyers put down far less.
While a 20% down payment can help you avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI), many loan programs allow much lower down payments:
- Conventional loans: as low as 3–5%
- FHA loans: as low as 3.5%
- VA & USDA loans: potentially 0% down for qualified buyers
Waiting to save 20% could mean missing out on years of equity growth.
Myth #2: “I Should Wait for Rates to Drop”
The truth: Timing the market is nearly impossible.
Yes, rates fluctuate. But when rates drop, competition often increases — which can drive prices up and lead to bidding wars.
Many buyers in 2026 are using a smart strategy:
- Buy now at today’s price
- Refinance later if rates improve
You can refinance a rate — you can’t refinance the price you paid.
Myth #3: “Homes Aren’t Negotiable in This Market”
The truth: Builders are offering strong incentives.
In many markets, builders are:
- Offering rate buydowns
- Paying closing costs
- Including upgrades
Sometimes new construction can be competitive — or even less expensive long-term — than resale homes.
Myth #4: “New Construction Is Always More Expensive”
The truth: Online estimates aren’t the full picture.
Websites like Zillow and Redfin are helpful tools, but automated valuations don’t account for:
- Interior condition
- Renovations
- Neighborhood micro-trends
- Local demand shifts
A local real estate professional can provide more accurate pricing insights and off-market opportunities.
Myth #5: “I’ll Just Start Looking Online First
The truth: Online estimates aren’t the full picture.
Websites like Zillow and Redfin are helpful tools, but automated valuations don’t account for:
- Interior condition
- Renovations
- Neighborhood micro-trends
- Local demand shifts
A local real estate professional can provide more accurate pricing insights and off-market opportunities.
Myth #6: “I Don’t Need a Buyer’s Agent”
The truth: In most cases, having representation protects you.
A buyer’s agent can:
- Negotiate on your behalf
- Help structure competitive offers
- Coordinate inspections and timelines
- Protect you contractually
Buying without representation may expose you to costly mistakes.
Final Thoughts
The real estate market in 2026 isn’t “bad” — it’s just different. Buyers who succeed are the ones who rely on current data, not outdated advice.
If you’re thinking about buying this year, the smartest move isn’t waiting for the “perfect” time — it’s understanding your options and making an informed decision.
What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know in Dublin, Pleasanton, Livermore, and the Tri-Valley
Moving to a new home is a big decision, especially when your four-legged family members are part of the equation. For many buyers, finding a home in a great neighborhood is only part of the search — having convenient access to veterinary care, boarding, grooming, dog parks, and other pet-friendly services can make a community feel like home. If you’re considering a move to Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore, San Ramon, or the surrounding Tri-Valley area, you’ll find plenty of options for caring for your pets. 🐾 Veterinary Care Close to Home Having a trusted veterinarian nearby is one of those things you may not think about until you need one. Tri-Valley residents have access to a variety of veterinary hospitals and animal clinics offering routine wellness visits, vaccinations, dental care, surgery, and emergency services. When looking at homes, consider how close your preferred veterinary office is and whether it offers the services your pet needs. Tip for buyers: If you have an older pet, a puppy, or a pet with special needs, researching nearby veterinary services before choosing a neighborhood can be especially helpful. 🏡 Going on Vacation? Boarding Options Matter Planning a family vacation doesn't have to mean leaving your pets behind without good care. The Tri-Valley has several pet boarding and daycare options where dogs and cats can stay while their families travel. Depending on the facility, services may include: Overnight boarding Dog daycare Playtime and exercise Grooming Individual attention Medication administration Pickup and drop-off services Pro tip: Popular boarding facilities can fill up quickly around holidays and school breaks. If you're planning a trip after moving into your new home, it's a good idea to tour the facility and make reservations early. 🐶 Dog-Friendly Communities The Tri-Valley is a great place for pet owners who enjoy getting outside. Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore, and surrounding communities offer parks, walking trails, open spaces, and neighborhoods where residents regularly enjoy walks with their dogs. When touring homes, don't just look at the house. Take a walk around the neighborhood and ask yourself: “Would I enjoy walking my dog here every day?” Look for sidewalks, nearby parks, trails, green spaces, and safe areas for daily walks. 🐱 Don't Forget About Cats! Pet-friendly living isn't only about dogs. Cat owners may want to consider the layout of the home, available windows and natural light, quiet spaces, and whether there is room for litter boxes, scratching posts, and climbing areas. A home with a bonus room, laundry room, enclosed patio, or extra storage area can sometimes provide the perfect space for your furry family member. 📍 What Should Pet Owners Look for When Buying a Home? If you're buying a home with pets, add these items to your house-hunting checklist: ✔ Fenced yard – A secure yard can be a huge convenience for dog owners. ✔ Flooring – Consider durable and easy-to-clean flooring if you have pets. ✔ Nearby parks and trails – Convenient outdoor spaces make daily walks easier. ✔ HOA rules – If you're purchasing a condo or home in an HOA community, check pet restrictions, breed restrictions, and limits on the number of pets. ✔ Local pet services – Research veterinarians, groomers, boarding facilities, and pet supply stores. ✔ Neighborhood traffic – A quieter street may be preferable for families with dogs or cats. ✔ Home layout – Think about where food, beds, crates, litter boxes, and pet supplies will go. 🏠 Finding the Right Home for Your Whole Family Your home should work for everyone in your family — including the furry members! Whether you're looking for a home with a large backyard in Livermore, a walkable neighborhood in Pleasanton, a newer community in Dublin, or a home close to parks and trails in San Ramon, the Tri-Valley offers a variety of options for pet-loving homeowners. If you're thinking about buying or selling in the Tri-Valley, I'm happy to help you find a home that fits your lifestyle — pets included! Looking for your next home in the Tri-Valley? Contact Kim Deol with INTERO for help finding the right community and home for your family.
New to Dublin or Pleasanton? Welcome home! 🎉 Moving to a new city is exciting, but getting settled can also mean figuring out a long list of phone numbers, utilities, services, and local resources. Whether you’ve just purchased a home, are relocating to the area, or are considering making Dublin or Pleasanton your next home, having the right contacts in one place can make the transition much easier. Here’s a handy local resource guide to help you get started. 📞 EMERGENCY & SAFETY 🚨 Emergency — Police, Fire & Medical 911 For emergencies requiring immediate police, fire, or medical assistance, always call 911 . 👮 Non-Emergency Police Dublin Police Services 📞 925-833-6670 Pleasanton Police Department 📞 925-931-5100 For situations that are not emergencies but still require police assistance, use the appropriate non-emergency number. 🔥 Fire & Medical — Non-Emergency For fire department information or non-emergency services, contact your local fire agency. Alameda County Fire Department 📞 925-833-3473 💧 WATER & UTILITIES One of the first things you’ll want to do after moving is make sure your utilities are transferred or established in your name. 💦 Zone 7 Water Agency Zone 7 provides wholesale water and manages important water resources throughout the Tri-Valley. 🌐 zone7water.com 🚰 Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD) DSRSD provides water and wastewater services to much of Dublin and surrounding communities. 📞 925-828-0515 🌐 dsrsd.com 💧 City of Pleasanton Utilities Pleasanton residents should check the City of Pleasanton’s utility information for water, sewer, garbage, and related services. 🌐 cityofpleasantonca.gov 🗑️ GARBAGE, RECYCLING & ORGANIC WASTE ♻️ Pleasanton Garbage Service For garbage, recycling, and organics collection in Pleasanton: 📞 925-846-2042 🌐 pleasantongarbageservice.com ♻️ Dublin Garbage & Recycling Dublin residents should check the City of Dublin's current waste-services information for collection schedules, recycling, bulky-item pickup, and other services. 🌐 dublin.ca.gov ⚡ ELECTRICITY & GAS ⚡ PG&E For electricity and natural gas service, account transfers, outages, billing, or starting service: 📞 1-877-238-0092 🌐 pge.com 💡 Tip: When purchasing a home, contact your utility providers before your closing date so services can be transferred or established without interruption. 🏠 HOME SERVICES YOU MAY NEED Once you become a homeowner, you’ll quickly discover that having a few trusted service professionals on hand is extremely helpful. Consider keeping contact information for: 🔧 Plumber ❄️ HVAC company ⚡ Electrician 🏠 Roofing contractor 🌳 Landscaper/gardener 🧹 House cleaner 🐜 Pest control 🔑 Locksmith 🚪 Garage door repair 🛠️ Handyman 🌊 Water/sewer service Pro tip: Don't wait until something breaks to look for a service provider. Ask your Realtor, neighbors, HOA, or local community groups for recommendations before you need one. 🏫 SCHOOLS & EDUCATION If you have children, school information will likely be one of your top priorities. 🎓 Dublin Unified School District 🌐 dublinusd.org 🎓 Pleasanton Unified School District 🌐 pleasantonusd.net School boundaries can vary by address, so always verify the assigned school for a specific property directly with the school district. 🏥 HEALTHCARE It's also a good idea to identify nearby medical facilities, urgent care centers, pharmacies, and your preferred primary-care provider after moving. For emergencies, always call 911 . For non-emergency medical needs, contact your health insurance provider or local healthcare system for participating providers and locations. 🏛️ CITY SERVICES 🌳 City of Dublin For information about permits, parks, recreation, community events, utilities, public works, and other city services: 🌐 dublin.ca.gov 🌳 City of Pleasanton For city services, permits, parks, recreation, community programs, public works, and more: 🌐 cityofpleasantonca.gov 📦 MOVING & SETTLING IN Once you're unpacked, don't forget to update: ✅ DMV address ✅ USPS mail forwarding ✅ Banks and credit cards ✅ Insurance companies ✅ Employer ✅ Schools ✅ Voter registration ✅ Medical and dental offices ✅ Online shopping accounts ✅ Subscriptions and memberships YOUR LOCAL REALTOR CAN HELP Moving to a new community involves much more than finding the right house. It's about learning the area, understanding the neighborhoods, finding local services, and feeling comfortable in your new community. If you're new to Dublin or Pleasanton , don't hesitate to ask your Realtor for local recommendations and resources. A good local Realtor can be a valuable resource even after the keys are handed over. Thinking about buying or selling in Dublin, Pleasanton, or the surrounding Tri-Valley? 📞 Kim Deol | INTERO DRE #01458721 📱 510-760-0970 📧 kimdeol@gmail.com 🌐 kimdeol.com
