Blog
California’s Economy Faces Mounting Challenges in 2026
2026 Economic Outlook California’s Economy Faces Mounting Challenges in 2026 Adapted from a San Francisco Chronicle report by Roland Li San Francisco Chronicle By Lianne McLean California and the Bay Area enter 2026 confronting a complex and shifting economic landscape. While pockets of growth provide hope, many indicators point to significant headwinds that could shape... Read More
The Scammer Series Part Two–Vacant Land Scams Are Real
Vacant Land or Ghost Lot Scams Are Real — Here’s How Buyers and Landowners Can Protect Themselves Vacant land can feel like a “simple” real estate transaction. There’s no tenant, no showing, no home inspection — just land and paperwork. Unfortunately, that simplicity has made vacant land a prime target for a fast-growing form of... Read More
The Scammer Series Part One–The International Man of Mystery
By Lianne McLean The Scammer Series Part One: The International Man of Mystery *this post is geared towards the realtors in my network but has information that is useful to buyers as well. I admit it—I got scammed. It’s embarrassing to say out loud, but it happens. Even to people who consider themselves reasonably intelligent... Read More
Why I Don’t “Double-End” or Do Dual Agency Deals
Why I Don’t “Double-End” or Do Dual Agency Deals — And Why That’s a Good Thing for You By Lianne McLean In California, dual agency — when one real estate agent represents both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction — is legal. You might also hear it called “double-ending” or “back-ending” a... Read More
Your Escrow Questions Answered
Your Escrow Questions Answered Introduction You may have heard the phrase going into escrow many times without really understanding what it’s referring to. The escrow process can vary from state to state in some of its finer details, but overall it is a relatively straightforward series of events that must be completed before a property... Read More
Some Basics about Title Insurance
Some Basics about Title Insurance What is Title Insurance? The purchase of a home is one of the most expensive and important purchases you will ever make. You and your mortgage lender will want to make sure the property is indeed yours and that no one else has any lien, claim or encumbrance on your... Read More
Part 1: Your First-Time Homebuyer’s Guide
Part One: Your First-Time Homebuyer’s Guide As shared in the second edition of Your First Home, written by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan: Introduction “Buying a home is a big decision – particularly your first home – but it is one of the best choices anyone can make. It’s a place that is entirely your own.... Read More
Part 2: Your First-Time Homebuyer’s Guide
Part Two: Your First-Time Homebuyer’s Guide As shared in the second edition of Your First Home (Second Edition), written by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan: Introduction In First-Time Homebuyer’s Guide (Part One) we covered key elements such as deciding to buy, finding your agent and securing financing. In part two, we will explore three more components... Read More
Part 3: Your First-Time Homebuyer’s Guide
Part 3: Your First-Time Homebuyer’s Guide Introduction If you’ve completed parts one and two of the series, you’re practically a first-time homebuyer pro as we’ve covered a lot, including: financing, how to find your home, partner with a real estate agent, and more. In the third installment of this series, we’ll continue to add to... Read More
Part 4: Your First-Time Homebuyer’s Guide
Part 4: Your First-Time Homebuyer’s Guide What to Expect During Closing You’ve made it to the fourth, and final installment of Your First-Time Homebuyer’s Guide. In this section, we will cover the home stretch of your homebuying experience, “closing,” as shared in Your First Home (Second Edition), written by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. Even though the... Read More