Buyer's Guide

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Buyer's Guide What should I know about ADUs? An ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) is a smaller secondary home on the same lot as a primary residence and, on the Monterey Peninsula, it can affect everything from permits and site constraints to value, resale, and buyer demand. For buyers and sellers, the main issue is not just whether an ADU exists, but whether it […]
Buyer's Guide How do I compare neighborhoods? Choosing the right neighborhood is one of the most important parts of a real estate decision. The property can be changed over time; the location cannot. On the Monterey Peninsula, neighborhoods can differ sharply in climate, zoning, noise, and long-term value within just a few blocks. A clear, structured comparison helps buyers avoid surprises and […]
Buyer's Guide What should I know about older homes? Older homes can be a good fit, but they need a different level of attention than newer construction. Buyers should look past charm and focus on condition, permits, safety updates, and long-term maintenance; sellers should expect those same issues to affect pricing, disclosure, and negotiation. What are the biggest risks in an older home? The […]
Buyer's Guide What should I know about unpermitted work? Unpermitted work is one of the most important issues to understand in a California home purchase or sale because it can affect safety, insurance, financing, disclosures, and your ability to sell later. In the Monterey Peninsula market, it also matters because local building departments can require permits, inspections, and sometimes exposure of concealed work before […]
Buyer's Guide What should I look for during a showing? A property showing is where you confirm what the listing suggests and uncover what it does not. Photos and disclosures set expectations, but the showing is where you evaluate condition, risk and how the home actually lives. What you notice in person should directly inform your offer, your inspection strategy, and whether the property makes […]
Buyer's Guide What happens after my offer is accepted? An accepted offer puts you into contract, and starts a tightly managed process with deadlines, risk decisions, and multiple points where the deal can change or fall apart. In California, and especially on the Monterey Peninsula where housing stock is often older and conditions vary widely, what happens next directly affects whether you close, how […]
Buyer's Guide Should I waive contingencies? Only in the right situation, and only after you understand exactly what protection you are giving up. In Monterey County, where many homes have age, maintenance, permit, or disclosure issues that are not obvious at first glance, waiving contingencies can make an offer stronger but can also expose a buyer to real financial and legal […]
Buyer's Guide How do I make a strong offer? A strong offer is not just about price. It is about giving the seller confidence that your deal will close cleanly, on time with as little friction as possible. How do I make a strong offer? A strong offer starts with knowing your numbers before you get emotional about a house. In the Monterey Peninsula […]
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Buyer's Guide What Are Closing Costs? Closing costs are the fees and prepaid items needed to complete a real estate sale, separate from the purchase price. In a Monterey Peninsula transaction, they matter because they affect cash needed at closing, negotiation strategy, and the final net for both buyer and seller What are closing costs? Closing costs are the expenses tied […]
Buyer's Guide How much do I need for a down payment? A down payment is not one fixed number. In Monterey County, the right answer depends on the loan program, the price point, and whether you need to keep cash available for closing costs, repairs, and reserves. What is the minimum I need? For many conventional loans, buyers can put down as little as 3%, and […]
Buyer's Guide What is Pre-Approval? A mortgage pre-approval is a lender’s preliminary decision that you are likely to qualify for a home loan up to a certain amount, based on a review of your credit, income, assets, and debts. In a Monterey Peninsula market, it matters because it helps buyers shop with a clear budget and gives sellers more confidence […]
Buyer's Guide What buyers should know before starting their home search Before you start touring homes, determine what you can afford, how long you expect to stay, and what kind of property fits your life, not just your wish list. On the Monterey Peninsula, that means thinking early about financing, inspections, disclosures, coastal and zoning issues and, potentially, HOA rules. Where do I actually want to […]
Buyer's Guide Pacific Grove: Neighborhood Guide #1: The Retreat #2: Lighthouse District and Corridor #3: Forest and Pine #4: Washington Park / Marino Pines #5: The Beach Tract / Fairway Homes #6: Asilomar #7: Grove Acres #8: Sunset Drive #9: Hillcrest #10: Candy Cane Lane #11: Del Monte Park / Seaview #12: Country Club Gate / Forest Grove
Buyer's Guide Pacific Grove, City of Neighborhoods, #12: Country Club Gate / Forest Grove Country Club Gate / Forest Grove sits at the southern border of Pacific Grove, centered on the Country Club Gate shopping district and the lots behind Pebble Beach near the mouth of Highway 68. Forest Grove is part of the same broader area and includes the elementary school zone that serves this side of town. […]
Buyer's Guide Pacific Grove, City of Neighborhoods, #11: Del Monte Park / Seaview Del Monte Park is an inland Pacific Grove neighborhood built out in the postwar period, with residential streets laid in close relation to the Forest Avenue shopping district near the entrance to Highway 68. This section is bisected by Forest Avenue, with Del Monte Park west of Forest and Seaview to the east. Seaview is […]
Buyer's Guide Pacific Grove, City of Neighborhoods, #10: Candy Cane Lane Candy Cane Lane (formally, Country Club Heights) is centered around Platt Park and the surrounding blocks that form a triangle between Morse Drive, Beaumont Avenue and Forest Avenue. It is locally known for the annual holiday display created by residents, with decorations in front yards and in Platt Park during the season. What sets it […]
Buyer's Guide Pacific Grove, City of Neighborhoods, #9: Hillcrest The Hillcrest Tract was developed in 1911 alongside the new high school and was marketed as a residential tract for families with close access to the school corridor. The tract was laid out on the hillside above the school area, with the original subdivision pattern still readable in the way the neighborhood was planned. Today, […]
Buyer's Guide Pacific Grove, City of Neighborhoods, #8: Sunset Drive Sunset Drive is the route connecting the city to Highway 68, the Pebble Beach Gate, and the Asilomar Coast, and home to Pacific Grove High School. The school’s sprawling campus occupies a significant amount of the neighborhood, with Breaker Stadium and the athletic fields extending that presence across a wide block. That campus footprint is […]
Buyer's Guide Pacific Grove, City of Neighborhoods, #7: Grove Acres Grove Acres developed during Pacific Grove’s 1927–1945 growth period when several larger parcels were broken into smaller subdivisions to create today’s parcel map. Today, Grove Acres is mostly about established homes on larger residential parcels, with an irregular street pattern reflecting its layered development. Owners value the area’s large and flexible lots, and the prvacy […]
Buyer's Guide Pacific Grove, City of Neighborhoods, #6: Asilomar   Asilomar is the western coast of “America’s Last Hometown,” famous for its rocky shoreline, sandy dunes and historic lighthouse. What makes Asilomar distinct is not just that it is coastal, but that so much of the neighborhood is shaped by land that stays open and public; notably, Asilomar State Beach, a narrow one-mile stretch […]

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