July on the Monterey Peninsula arrives with its familiar marine layer — cool mornings, fog‑softened afternoons, and a calendar full of music, art, and outdoor fun. Here are the top highlights for the month, plus a couple of Fourth of July favorites. Fourth of July Monterey 4th of July Parade & Lawn Celebration Old Monterey’s biggest community tradition, followed by live music and local food on the Colton Hall lawn. Monterey Firefighters Pancake Breakfast A cozy, fog‑frien

A quick update for Monterey County real estate market ending June 25, 2026

Relying on AI can create more confusion than clarity. Here are some thoughts about the dangers of using AI for real estate advise

A brief explanation of contingencies and cancellations in the 2026 real estate market.

June on the Monterey Peninsula always feels like a fresh start. School wraps up, the days stretch a little longer, and the whole community seems to shift into “summer mode.” If you live here, you know the drill: fog in the morning, sunshine by lunch, and a calendar full of things worth getting out for. This month brings a great mix of food events, local traditions, live music, and family‑friendly gatherings. Here are some of the highlights happening around our towns. Carmel-b

A quick update for Monterey County real estate market ending May 28, 2026

May on the Monterey Peninsula is a great time to get out and enjoy the area — the weather is warming up, events are picking up, and we’re still a few weeks away from the busy summer season. Here are some highlights for the month: The first big event coming up is the Carmel Art Festival, running May 15–17 in Devendorf Park. It’s one of Carmel’s most loved traditions, bringing more than 60 plein‑air artists into the village and along the coastline. Throughout the weekend, you’l

A quick update for Monterey County real estate market ending April 30, 2026

Practical, effective ways to reduce water use at home without sacrificing comfort or curb appeal.

Big Sur Marathon - April 26, 2026 April is one of the most vibrant months on the Monterey Peninsula, with spring blooms, major festivals, and plenty of coastal activities to enjoy. Here’s a quick look at what’s happening this month. Monterey Peninsula Food & Wine Festival — Wrapped Up Last Weekend The month kicked off with the Monterey Peninsula Food & Wine Festival, which took place last weekend. Guests enjoyed chef demos, local seafood, boutique wineries, and pop‑up dinner

If you purchased a home last year, tax season comes with one extra to‑do — and it’s an important one. Before you file, make sure you locate your final closing statement (also called the settlement statement or Closing Disclosure). This document holds the key details you’ll need to accurately report your home purchase and any deductible expenses. Why Your Closing Statement Matters Your closing statement is essentially the financial snapshot of your home purchase. It outlines:

A quick update for Monterey County real estate market ending March 30, 2026

Staging isn’t about decorating, It’s about storytelling. It helps buyers understand how a home lives, how it flows, and how they might feel in it. Here are some quick tips to help you make a decision....to stage or not to stage.

With this week’s unusual heatwave, it’s a timely reminder that even in spring, fire prevention needs to be on our radar. CAL FIRE describes this moment as the “seasonal green‑up,” when grasses and fine fuels are at their lushest and growing rapidly. The challenge is that all this beautiful growth becomes fuel later. As summer approaches, those same tall grasses and fast‑spreading weeds dry out quickly, creating ideal conditions for fire to ignite and move. For those of us liv

Women’s Month is a reminder of how recently many of the rights we now consider fundamental were won. The right to vote and the right to access credit, mortgage, and loans on their own. Here's a brief history.

Some helpful hints to prepare and protect during winter storms on the Central Coast

Here's a look at today's market trends for the Monterey Peninsula

Zone Zero is California’s newest defensible‑space requirement, designed to protect homes from wind‑blown embers—the leading cause of structure loss in wildfires. It focuses on the first five feet around a home. Zone Zero was mandated by Assembly Bill 3074 (2020), but the regulations were delayed as the State Board of Forestry was working on rules and implementation. It's expected to go into effect this spring. So, what is ZONE ZERO?.... It's the zone between 0 to 5 feet fr

A quick update for Monterey County real estate market ending January 22, 2026

Each year, federal housing agencies adjust loan limits to reflect changes in home prices, and for 2026 both FHA and conforming (conventional) loan limits have increased across California. These updates are especially meaningful for Monterey County, where rising home values have pushed more buyers toward the upper end of financing thresholds. The new limits expand buying power, help more borrowers avoid jumbo loans, and create additional opportunities for first‑time and modera