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

A quick update for Monterey County real estate market ending December 17, 2025

A quick summary of a new anti-money laundering law that will take effect in early 2026.

As a longtime realtor and advocate for homeowners across Monterey County, I have heard some terrible stories about homeowners getting scammed, usually when they are under financial stress. Two scams in particular—Equity Skimming and Mortgage Elimination—are targeting homeowners who are trying to stay afloat. Let’s break down what these scams look like and how you can protect yourself and your property. Equity Skimming: Equity skimming happens when a bad actor convinces a str

When mortgage rates fall, the ripple effects across the housing market can be significant. Whether you're a first-time buyer, seasoned investor, or homeowner considering a move, understanding these shifts can help you make smarter, more confident decisions. Lower rates mean lower monthly payments, which translates to increased affordability. For many buyers, this opens the door to homes that were previously out of reach. A drop from 7% to 6.15% on a 30-year fixed mortgage, fo

A quick update for Monterey County real estate market ending September 19, 2025

Here's a quick breakdown the real estate impact of the government shutdown

As the first autumn rain arrives on the Monterey Peninsula, it’s a clear reminder that the dry season is ending and it’s time to prepare....

A quick update for Monterey County real estate market ending September 19, 2025