Every week someone tells me they'd love to buy but "everything is a million dollars." Not true. Solano County's median is $575,000, and there are real, livable homes under $500K if you know where to look: Vallejo, Fairfield, Vacaville, and Suisun City.

Here's proof, from my own current inventory:

15 Falcon Dr, Vallejo: $497,000

This one is completely remodeled and move-in ready. New kitchen with quartz counters and stainless appliances, both bathrooms redone, new roof, HVAC, electrical, water heater, and dual-pane windows. Three bedrooms, two baths, and no rear neighbors. All the upgrades, none of the projects. It's live on the market now.

1354 Callen St, Unit C, Vacaville: $289,000

A condo at a price point that barely exists anymore in the Bay Area. If you're a first-time buyer or an investor, this is the kind of entry point people say they can't find. See the full details here.

Coming soon: 2242 Santa Rosa Dr, Fairfield: $469,000

Three bedrooms, one and a half baths, expected on market November 4. If you want first look when it goes live, reach out now.

How to actually win one of these:

• Get fully pre-approved first. Not pre-qualified. Pre-approved. At these price points you're competing with investors and cash, and a strong approval is your leverage.
• Move fast. Well-priced homes under $500K in Solano don't sit. When the right one hits, you want to see it that week, not "when you get a chance."
• Look past ugly photos. Some of the best deals are the ones everyone else scrolled past.

Under $500K in the North Bay isn't a myth. It's just competitive. That's very different.