The Monterey Peninsula in Summer

If you have just moved to the Monterey Peninsula or are about to, you are arriving at a moment that tells you certain things and withholds others. Summer here is specific. It is not what the photographs suggest, and it is not what June or July in most California coastal towns feels like. It is its o

How Property Taxes Are Calculated in Monterey County

Property taxes are one of the largest ongoing costs of owning real estate on the Monterey Peninsula, and they are also one of the least understood. Most new buyers know their annual tax bill approximately — it appeared on the net sheet, it factors into the carrying cost model — but far fewer underst

Home Warranties: Are They Worth It?

A home warranty is not an insurance policy. It's a service contract that covers repair or replacement of specific home systems and appliances when they fail due to normal wear and use. It is one of the most commonly misunderstood components of a real estate transaction, offered by sellers as a marke