My Theo

MyTheo is an amazing app I recommend to my clients looking to buy a home in Marin. It’s professional grade data you can rely on to make the biggest decision of your life.  Through saved searches, property notes, favorites, in-app chat communications, and auto-notifications, myTheo is a system to keep you organized.

AFFORDABILITY CALCULATOR

Use this calculator to determine how much house you can afford. By entering details about your income, down payment, and monthly debts, you can estimate the mortgage amount that works with your budget.
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Mortgage Help

Down Payment

The typical rule of thumb is to pay 20 percent of the home's price as your down payment, although some mortgage loans require as little as 3.5 percent down. Your down payment reduces the total amount of your mortgage loan, so the more money you put down, the lower your payments will be - or the more expensive a house you can buy.

Loan Term

Your loan program can affect your interest rate and monthly payments. Choose from 30-year fixed, 15-year fixed, and more in the calculator.

Loan Type

There are several types of mortgage loans, but the most commonly used are fixed-rate and adjustable-rate loans. Fixed-rate loans have the same interest rate for the entire duration of the loan. That means your monthly payment will be the same, even for long-term loans, such as 30-year fixed-rate mortgages. Two benefits to this loan type are stability, and being able to calculate your total interest up front. Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) have interest rates that can change over time. Typically they start out at a lower interest rate than a fixed-rate loan, and hold that rate for a set number of years, before changing interest rates from year to year. For example, if you have a 5/1 ARM, you will have the same interest rate for the first 5 years, and then your interest rate will change from year to year. The main benefit of an adjustable-rate loan is starting off with a lower interest rate.

Interest Rate

This field is pre-filled with the current average mortgage rate. Your actual rate will vary based on factors like credit score and down payment.

Property Tax Rate

The mortgage payment calculator includes estimated property taxes based on the home's value. You can edit this in the advanced options.

Home Insurance

Home insurance or homeowners insurance is typically required by lenders, depending on the loan program. You can edit this number in the mortgage calculator advanced options.

HOA Fees

A homeowners association fee (HOA fee) is an amount of money that must be paid monthly by owners of certain types of residential properties, and HOAs collect these fees to assist with maintaining and improving properties in the association.

All you need to know

How much do I need for a down payment on a home?
The amount you need for a down payment depends on the type of loan and your financial situation. While 20% is a common benchmark, many buyers put down less—some conventional loans allow as little as 3%, and FHA loans require just 3.5%.

What’s the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval?
How does my credit score affect my mortgage rate?
What are closing costs, and how much should I expect to pay?
How long does the homebuying process usually take?
Can I buy a home if I’m self-employed or have irregular income?
What’s included in my monthly mortgage payment?

What is a 2-1 buydown, and how does it work?

Who pays for the 2-1 buydown—the buyer, the seller, or the lender?

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Off-market opportunities

Off-market homes are properties that are sold without being publicly listed on the MLS. Rather than being broadly exposed online, they are shared privately through trusted agent relationships, qualified buyer networks, and select agent communities. For buyers, this can mean access to opportunities that never reach the public market. For sellers, it can offer greater privacy, flexibility, and control over how a home is introduced. Off-market is not always the right strategy for every property, but in the right circumstances, it can be a powerful advantage. True off-market opportunities are generally relationship-driven rather than publicly marketed.

How it works

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Private network access

Off-market homes are shared through established agent relationships and private networks instead of public home-search sites.

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Qualified buyer connections

Buyers are introduced to homes based on fit, timing, and readiness, creating a more focused and intentional process.

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Strategic & discreet transactions

When the right match is found, terms can be discussed privately, often with more flexibility and less public pressure.

Why it matters

For buyers, off-market access means exploring every possible avenue in the search for the right home. It can also mean less competition and a more thoughtful process.

Frequently asked questions

What is an off-market home?

An off-market home is a property that is available for sale without being publicly listed on the MLS or widely advertised online.

Why would a seller choose to sell off-market?

Why do buyers want access to off-market homes?

Does off-market mean a better deal?

Unlock off-market opportunities

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REVIEWS

David T.

Brian gave us outstanding guidance in the challenging Marin real estate market. He worked tirelessly, was always available, and maintained a positive and optimistic outlook. Through a very contentious deal, his wisdom and white knuckle negotiating skills got us the house wanted at a great price.

Denise H.

I knew nothing about buying a house, let alone a "fixer upper". Brian was extremely patient with my husband and I, was a great resource to us and ultimately helped us purchase the home of our dreams - at the price that we could afford. When I am ready to move onto another home, the first person that I will call will be Brian Byers.

Adam & Lena E.

We had a great experience with Brian. Not only is he a great guy to spend time with weekend after weekend, he had a great sense of the local market. This allowed us to be strategic about our offers. Brian also impressed us during negotiations, where he was truly awesome! The real estate market in Marin functions very differently than in SF and we relied heavily on Brian to help us navigate unfamiliar territory. If you are looking to buy or sell, he is a great agent to work with.