REALTOR® · the Bay Area, CA
Learn the money side first. Then buy in the Bay Area
I'm a REALTOR® and a licensed loan officer. Before you look at a single house, I show you what you qualify for, what help exists, and what a seller can pay toward your costs.
About me
Hi, I'm CeCe
I'm Chaitali Cherian, and most people know me as CeCe. I'm a REALTOR® with eXp Realty and a licensed loan officer, so I can help you with the home and the loan on the same purchase. When I act in both roles, I tell you in writing, and you're always free to use a different lender.
Before real estate, I spent 20 years in software engineering, project management, and program management. I bring that same planning to every sale and purchase: a clear plan, a timeline, and a backup plan for the parts that can go sideways.
- 20 years in software engineering and program management before real estate
- Two licenses: REALTOR® (CA DRE #02316205) and loan officer (NMLS #2590353)
- Three languages: English, Hindi, and Bengali
- 24 hours: a sale and a purchase closed for one client, back to back
Why this works
Financing first, and a plan for every step
Most buyers start by touring houses, and most sellers start by picking a list price. I start with the numbers. I'm a REALTOR® and a licensed loan officer, so I see the offer and the financing together and build a plan that fits both.
The E.P.I.C. selling method
How I sell your home
Every sale I run follows the same four steps, so each decision has a reason, you see the numbers first, and you always know what happens next.
Equity: know what your home can sell for
I build your price from recent sales nearby, the homes you're competing with today, and current buyer demand, not an online estimate. You see the numbers and make the final call.
Presentation: show your home at its best
We walk through with a buyer's eyes and do the small fixes that pay you back. Every listing gets professional photos and video, and staging only when your home needs it.
Impact: put your home in front of every buyer
The MLS, Zillow, social media posts, paid ads, emails to other agents, a printed flyer, and open houses, all from the same launch day.
Campaign: launch, negotiate, and close
A timed launch, then I read every offer the way a lender does, so you can see which buyer is most likely to close on time. I track every date until closing day.
The R.E.A.L. buying method
How I help you buy a home
Most buyers start by touring houses. With me, you start by learning how the money works, so you're ready when the right home appears.
Ready: get your money and your plan in place
Before the first showing, we go through your income, savings, and credit, what you may qualify for, and our buyer agreement, so you can act when the right home appears.
Educated: know what your budget buys
You learn what your budget buys where you want to live, and the monthly payment you'd feel good about, before you fall for a home outside it.
Aligned: search on what matters to you
Fewer homes, and better ones. I look past the photos to the condition, the disclosures, and, for a condo, the HOA.
Locked: write the offer and close calmly
I build your offer around your numbers, keep the standard inspection, appraisal, and loan contingencies, and track every escrow date until you get your keys.
Where to start
Start where you are
Whether you're buying your first home or selling the one you have, pick the page that fits you.
01 / FIRST-TIME BUYERS
Learn the money side first
Learn the financing first from a REALTOR® who is also your loan officer, then search with a real budget.
02 / FREE GUIDE
Before You Look at a Single House
A plain-language guide to what decides your budget, down payment help, and seller credits.
03 / SELLING
How I sell your home
A price built on data, a home shown at its best, and marketing on every channel buyers use.
Financing first. A plan for every step. Your agent and your loan officer in one person.
From the blog
Local market insight
2026-09-22 · 6 min read
5 HOA Red Flags East Bay Condo Buyers Miss
Buying a condo in the East Bay? Look past the monthly HOA dues. Here are five HOA red flags that can cause financing problems, surprise bills, or resale trouble later.
2026-09-22 · 7 min read
What Actually Increases Home Value Before Selling in the Bay Area?
Thinking of selling in Fremont or Pleasanton? The upgrades that move your sale price are usually a refresh, not a remodel. Here's where to spend and where to save.
Your agent and your loan officer, in one person
I'm Chaitali Cherian, and most people call me CeCe. I'm a REALTOR® with eXp Realty and a licensed loan officer through Nexa Lending. I can use both licenses on the same purchase. When I act in both roles, I tell you in writing, and you are always free to use a different lender.
Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions of your life. If it feels like everyone else has this figured out, you're not behind. Most buyers were never shown how the money side works.
Before real estate, I spent 20 years in software engineering, project management, and program management. So I treat your purchase like a project: a clear plan, a timeline, and a backup plan. You always know the next step, and nobody rushes you.
I work with clients in English, Hindi, and Bengali.
Financing first, then the home search
Before we look at houses, I teach you how the financing works. We go through what you qualify for, which down payment assistance programs might fit, and what a seller is allowed to pay toward your costs.
Many first-time buyers think they need 20% down. Plenty of loan programs ask for less, and some buyers qualify for help with the down payment, subject to underwriting approval. You deserve to know your options before you fall in love with a house.
Then we search with a real budget. When you find the one, I build the offer around credits and structure on purpose. See how it works on my first-time buyer page or walk through my buying process step by step.
When selling and buying have to line up
If you already own and have outgrown your home, the hard part isn't the market. It's the timing. Sell first and you may have nowhere to go. Buy first and you may carry two mortgages.
That timing has a plan. I've closed a sale and a purchase for the same client within 24 hours, and kept it together when the deal almost fell apart a week out. If that's your situation, read how I plan a sale and a purchase together, or ask me what your home is worth.
I also take the deals other agents pass on, like condos with HOA issues, and I help investors check whether the numbers work before they buy.
Where I work
I work across the Bay Area, including Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, San Leandro, Castro Valley, Dublin, Pleasanton, Newark, San Jose, and Tracy.
I also help clients in San Ramon, Alamo, Union City, Morgan Hill, and San Francisco. If your town isn't listed, ask. I'll tell you plainly whether I'm the right fit.
What clients say
The word clients use most about me is responsive. A first-time buyer who bought a condo in Newark wrote on Zillow: “As a first-time homebuyer, I really appreciated that she took the time to explain each step.”
You can read my full reviews on my Zillow profile.
Start here
Buying? We start with a conversation about the money side, before any showings. Selling, or selling and buying? We start with what your home is worth and how the timing could work.
Send me a message or call (510) 610-0124. I'll reply personally and we'll figure out your next step together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the same person be my real estate agent and my loan officer?
Yes. I hold both licenses, CA DRE #02316205 and NMLS #2590353. When I act in both roles on one purchase, I disclose it to you in writing. You are always free to use a different lender.
Do I need 20% down to buy a home in the Bay Area?
Not always. Many loan programs allow a smaller down payment, and some buyers qualify for down payment assistance. What fits you depends on your income, credit, and the home, subject to underwriting approval. That's the first thing we go over together.
What does it cost to talk to you?
Nothing. The first conversation is free and there's no obligation. We look at your situation and I tell you what I'd do in your place.
Thinking about a move?
Let's figure out your next step together. No pressure.