Blog

In a community with as competitive of a real estate market as ours, every detail counts—particularly when it comes down to home-selling. So when seeking a listing agent, don’t focus...

May brings many, many opportunities to enjoy our sunny, gorgeous Bay Area outdoors! Explore the Bay Area’s incredible live music scene at one of many concerts and festivals below, and...

As the days get longer and the scent of jasmine fills the air, it’s time to start thinking about your backyard as an extension of your home. Here are four...

Looking for ways to make this year’s Easter weekend special? Whether you’re spending time with little ones or just soaking up the spring sunshine, the Bay Area has no shortage...

Spring into the outdoors this April! Take your pick from a local food & wine festival, a free concert, or a cultural event near you. And with the hillsides at...

In times of rising interest rates and stock market volatility, making decisions about your home can feel overwhelming. It’s essential to have a trusted advisor by your side when you...

The Bay Area’s mild climate allows us to enjoy varieties of blooms all year-round, but like most of the nation, springtime is the season for witnessing truly spectacular displays of...

Warmer temperatures, longer days, and bursts of color decorate the Bay Area as we officially welcome spring on March 20. Immerse yourself in a garden of dazzling cherry blossoms at...

Homeowners often ask me, “Carolyn, when is the best time to sell?” The truth is, the best time is when it makes sense for you. Over the years, Bay Area...

Five years ago, I left a career of selling pre-construction new developments and decided to start my own business helping buyers and sellers achieve their real estate dreams, concentrating my work around...

Winter skies offer some of the clearest views of the stars, and the South Bay has some incredible spots for just that. During this season of love, consider taking your...

Fall in love with these entertaining events all around the Bay Area this February! Whether it’s observing Lunar New Year celebrations as they light up the night, or joining thousands...

The new year brings exciting opportunities to explore Bay Area festivals perfect for the whole family. Here are four can’t-miss events to jumpstart your 2025:     Napa Lighted Art...

Now that we’ve entered Northern California’s cooler-but-still-temperate version of winter, we find ourselves trying to make our spaces as cozy as possible until the warmth of spring returns. Here are...

Happy New Year! Whether you prefer to glide into the new year with ease or dive in with renewed vigor, there are delightful events throughout the Bay Area this month...

The holiday season doesn’t stop on December 25 in the Bay Area! From magical gardens to sparkling light displays and festive downtown celebrations, there’s plenty of post-Christmas Day cheer to...

Believe it or not, the winter holidays are a fantastic time to start preparing your home for the spring market—which is traditionally the busiest season in real estate. Here are...

It’s officially the holiday season! To celebrate, the Bay Area is aglow all month long with massive holiday light displays, parades, and multicultural events. One of the simplest pleasures for...

Millennial buyers are making waves in the real estate market, and their tastes are reshaping home design in significant ways—some of which I discussed in this post from Spring 2023....

Thanksgiving in the Bay Area isn’t just about food and family—it’s also a fantastic time to get outside and stay active! As an avid outdoors girl myself, I love seeing...

The holidays are coming! Grab your friends and family and celebrate a beautiful Bay Area fall at one of many colorful (and delicious!) events near you. Wine strolls, performing arts,...

Gathering season is fast approaching, so it might be time to prepare your great room for entertaining while keeping it cozy for everyday living. A well-designed great room combines style,...

Fall is the perfect time to explore the Bay Area’s vibrant farmers’ markets, where you can find everything from seasonal produce to unique artisan goods. Here are three exceptional markets...

Ahhh, fall! Apple orchards and pumpkin patches all around the Bay Area are bursting with color and packed with no shortage of fun things to do. It’s a wonderful time...

As fall approaches, now is the perfect time to give your interiors a light, cozy refresh. Here are four simple yet stylish ways to invigorate your living spaces:   1....

If you have a passion for fine dining, you’re in for a treat! Last month, three local restaurants were recognized in the prestigious Michelin Guide, each offering a unique culinary...

September is undeniably one of the best times of the year to bask in the golden days of late summer while enjoying our mild Mediterranean climate. Catch a live NFL...

A lingering effect of the pandemic has been the trend of pursuing personal wellness at home. Instead of gym memberships or routine spa visits, homeowners are investing in amenities that...

Few times throughout the year is the Bay Area’s rich diversity more evident than summertime, when residents from all over the world hold festivals commemorating their cultures and traditions. Here...

Whether you’re a music lover, foodie, vinophile, art maven, or car aficionado, this August there is an event happening somewhere in the Bay Area that is just for you. I...

While searching for the Bay Area home of your dreams, you may note that many of the best options around here are situated in luxury communities. Whether an urban complex...

Summers in the Bay Area may get hot, but fortunately we have quite a few family-friendly places where we can find reprieve. Of course, living so near the coast gives...

July is prime concert season and filled with fairs, festivals, and outdoor fun! Firework extravaganzas and star-spangled celebrations lead the way as communities across the Bay Area gather to celebrate...

Summer is here, and it’s high time to take advantage of Northern California’s fantastic weather, extra hours of sunlight, and great outdoors! Rooftop venues are expanding across the Bay Area...

A term you will hear often when home-shopping, particularly in planned communities, is “HOA,” or homeowner association. For many years I’ve assisted both buyers and sellers in HOA communities, so...

Oh hello, Summer! Jump right into the season and celebrate the glorious long days ahead by exploring our diverse and colorful Bay Area. From cherry-picking to large music festivals, to...

Something I’m looking forward to this summer is the plethora of art-and-wine festivals that will be popping up all around us. There are many, many options this time of year,...

In today’s homes, most builders install standard fittings for storage instead of truly taking into consideration the needs of whomever may buy the home. If you (like the majority of...

Our sunny California weather is back, and along with it arrives plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors of our gorgeous Bay Area! Head to the ballpark by the water...

There is so much to see and do here in the South Bay—arts, entertainment, dining, hiking, you name it!—so I thought I’d share a few not-so-famous spots that capture the...

Spring has sprung in the Bay Area, and that means it’s time for our backyards and patios to start getting some serious use. Add an upgrade or two this season...

Happy April! Along with dazzling displays of blossoms, fun celebrations of our region’s wine and food are at the forefront of this month’s lineup of festivities. Check out one of...

Springtime is upon us, and one of my favorite activities this time of year is visiting at least one of the many beautiful gardens throughout the Bay Area. Here are...

As one of the most frequently used rooms in a home, your kitchen should be efficient and stylish, and it’s never a bad idea to introduce a sense of luxury....

Bright yellow daffodils emerging from the earth signal that spring is on its way. This month, see what’s blooming as the weather warms up at the magnificent Filoli estate and...

Having beautiful landscaping is so important for your home’s curb appeal—but it can get so expensive in the Bay Area because of our long dry season. However, there is a...

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and the South Bay has so many wonderful places to take your loved ones to celebrate! Here are a few suggestions of special...

There are so many events to fall in LOVE with this February! Niner fans begin the countdown to Super Bowl LVIII, golf enthusiasts get a Signature Event on the PGA...

Carefully preparing your home for sale is not something I take lightly. I want you to have the highest ROI as possible without investing in unnecessary improvements. Simple fixes to...

It’s a new year, and that means it’s time for new adventures! If you’re like me, then one of your resolutions for 2024 is to get outdoors a lot more...

Wintertime in the Bay Area offers a ton of activities to help you kickstart 2024! How about tackling a fitness goal and participating in San Francisco’s Hot Chocolate Run on...

The Bay Area real estate market is ever changing, so it can be difficult to decide when to buy your new home. Friends and family may advise you to buy...

Every December, San Francisco takes center stage as the region’s most dazzling showcase of all things holiday. To get your annual dose of Christmas cheer, I highly recommend making a...

The Bay Area is all aglow in December with massive holiday light displays, parades, and multi-cultural events. And not to be missed is the cherished pastime of simply walking the...

Picking a geographic area of focus should be one of the first decisions you make when shopping around for your next home. As your lifestyle Realtor, I highly encourage you...

California is the land of beaches, sunshine, and palm trees—but contrary to popular belief, we also enjoy our fair share of the stunning foliage that is so characteristic of this...

The holidays are coming! Take part in MANY festive events happening throughout the Bay Area and celebrate the diverse bounty and beauty of where we live. November also marks the...

Can you believe it’s already harvest season? Gourds, apples, pears, cabbages, and many, many other seasonal favorites are arriving by the truckload at our local farmers’ markets, all ripe and...

Given the constantly shifting nature of the real estate market, it’s a bit of a misnomer to claim there is a PERFECT time to sell your home. But when it...

It’s fall at last! While we’re still enjoying a glorious Indian Summer, there’s a new morning chill in the air that signals a change of seasons. Apple orchards and pumpkin...

It seems technology is improving by the day! Homeowners no longer have to wait for the Space Age to arrive in order to assume hands-free control of their home. Nor...

It’s California Wine Month, and where could be a better place to celebrate September than Northern California, home to one of the greatest wine-making regions in the world? Napa Valley...

Ahhh, the beautiful late summer season—I think it’s my favorite. It’s actually the warmest and, in my opinion, the best time to visit San Francisco and the coast. Wine country...

Having a kitchen out of doors creates a LOT of convenience in your home. Not only does it protect the interior from the heat and smells of hot food preparation,...

In July, the prestigious Michelin Guide unveiled its 2023 picks for the finest restaurants in all of California. The Bay Area was very well-represented; in all, 45 restaurants were awarded...

Whether you’re a music lover, foodie, vinophile, art geek, or car aficionado, this August you will find an event that’s perfect for you somewhere in the Bay Area! And if...

It’s beach season, and in Northern California we are blessed to live near some of the most beautiful beaches in the country—perhaps even the world! It’s hard to narrow down...

Want to make every day a spa day? It doesn’t take much to get your bathroom looking, feeling, and smelling just like a home spa. Check out these easy ways...

Summer is prime for spending as much time as possible outside, and the South Bay offers some of the finest, most versatile outdoor venues in all the Bay Area. Here...

Fairs, festivals, and outdoor fun abound in the Bay Area in July! Fireworks shows and celebrations lead the way as communities across the Bay Area gather to celebrate the red,...

In the Bay Area, we enjoy a mild climate practically year-round. So why limit your living options to the indoors? Transform your patio into a tantalizing living space where you...

Oh, hello Summer! Jump right into seasonal fun and enjoy the long, glorious days ahead of exploring our diverse and colorful Bay Area. From local traditions like cherry-picking and visiting...

Studies show that real estate listings with videos receive 400% more inquiries—and that’s just one reason why I choose video marketing for my listings. On the other hand, creating custom...

Of the many potential upgrades you could make to your home, new kitchen countertops are one of the most common because they can easily deliver a high ROI (return on...

Staging a home isn’t essential in every market around America, or even throughout the rest of our state. But in the Bay Area, buyers have to pay good money for...

Play ball! Some of the best events in May in the Bay Area happen at our very own Ballpark by the Water. Now that the weather has warmed up, soak...

Space is a very high commodity in the Bay Area. Homes that thoughtfully use their square footage make buyers feel they’re getting more bang for their buck—and everyone loves getting...

Millennial buyers currently comprise the largest group of buyers in our area; in fact, millennials received over 60% of San Jose’s mortgages last year, according to 2022 studies. So what...

Spring has finally sprung, and with it are arriving all the bunnies, cherry blossoms, wildflowers, and special Easter Egg Hunts that make this time of year so wonderful. For Easter...

Getting your Bay Area home ready for sale requires a lot of strategy and coordination—but it doesn’t have to take a lot of money! Here are four of my favorite...

Warmer weather and longer days are right around the corner! Observe nature’s colorful gift of early spring blossoms at gardens near you, enjoy world-class jazz on the waterfront, or take...

In recent years, ADUs (or accessory dwelling units) have become all the rage throughout the Bay Area real estate market and beyond. Basically a small, self-contained home that shares the...

I’ve seen many, many homebuyers weigh the pros and cons of purchasing a newly constructed home versus an existing home. While there are certainly benefits to both, here are 7...

While outdoor winter attractions like skiing and snowboarding are certainly fun to embrace, I also love the quieter couple of months that follow a bustling December. This part of the...

Needing to get your home organized for the new year? Or just want a home refresh? I’ve got the answer! On January 15th, I’ll be choosing ONE lucky winner to...

In December, the South Bay is all aglow with holiday parades, multi-cultural events, and artistic celebrations that light up the holiday season. Below are some beloved holiday events that are...

The holidays are coming! This time of year, I’m particularly fond of quick trips to the beautiful South Valley wine country where the vineyards explode in color and many wineries...

Wondering if you should buy now or wait until spring? I love helping clients buy homes in the fourth quarter. Why? Because I think it’s a very synergistic time for...

I simply love this time of year when the outdoors shine and we wake to cooler mornings. Getting outside and seeing the fall beauty in our incredibly bountiful area is...

Want to know what your home is worth today? A home’s price is a moving target—based on location, market conditions, whether it has that trendy open kitchen or expansive master...