Mobile Logo
 

Blog

January 28, 2026
Real Estate

The True Cost of Homeownership: What You Pay Beyond the Mortgage

When most homebuyers calculate whether they can afford a new home, they focus almost exclusively on one number: the monthly mortgage payment. It's the figure lenders qualify them for, the number discussed during showings, and the benchmark used to determine budgets. The average annual cost of owning and maintaining a single-family home in the U.S., excluding the mortgage itself, is estimated at around $21,400 in 2025—roughly $1,800 per month.1 When you factor in these national average ownership expenses, a $2,500 monthly mortgage can grow to over $4,000 in total housing costs. Qualifying...

View More
by Cari Gennarelli
0 Comments
December 23, 2025
Blog Light buying a home Real Estate Selling Your Home

2026 US Housing Market Forecast: Will the Market Find Its Footing?

Will 2026 finally bring buyers and sellers back off the sidelines? With forecasts ranging from modest to robust growth, the housing market appears to be thawing after years of uncertainty. Mortgage rates are expected to ease slightly, inventory may improve, and price growth is slowing to more normal levels—signs that the market is transitioning out of the pandemic era and into a more balanced rhythm....

View More
by Cari Gennarelli
0 Comments
Cari Gennarelli & Hilary Davis
December 15, 2025
buying a home Marin County Real Estate Relocating to Marin County Selling Your Home

How a Lifetime of Local Knowledge and Creative Problem-Solving Transformed a Real Estate Career

Cari Gennarelli brings more than real estate expertise to every client relationship — she brings lifelong Marin County roots, calm problem-solving, and a genuine belief that real estate is about people, not transactions. With a background spanning property management, construction, and design, Cari guides buyers and sellers with clarity, creativity, and a commitment to building relationships that last well beyond closing....

View More
by Cari Gennarelli
0 Comments
November 25, 2025
buying a home Real Estate Selling Your Home

Planning Your 2026 Real Estate Moves: A Guide to the Best Buying and Selling Seasons

Timing isn’t everything in real estate, but it can mean the difference between saving $20,000 or paying a premium, selling in 30 days or waiting three months, and negotiating from a position of strength or uncertainty. As we look toward 2026, understanding seasonal patterns has become more critical than ever. With inventory levels normalizing and market conditions continuing to evolve, knowing when to make your move can dramatically impact your outcome. Whether you're a first-time buyer watching every dollar or a seller trying to maximize your profit, the season you choose...

View More
by Cari Gennarelli
0 Comments
October 31, 2025
Blog Light Real Estate Selling Your Home

Can You Really Trust Online Home Estimates?

For millions of homeowners, checking their Zillow Zestimate has become as routine as checking a stock portfolio—a quick hit of seeing your home's estimated value, right at your fingertips. With 178 million monthly users and over 100 million homes covered, the platform's instant, free, and convenient appeal is undeniable. But here's a famous cautionary tale: Spencer Rascoff, Zillow's former CEO, sold his own home for a staggering 40% less than its Zestimate. This story highlights a critical fact that many homeowners don't realize: Zillow itself calls its Zestimate a "starting point...

View More
by Cari Gennarelli
0 Comments
September 29, 2025
Blog Light Management Real Estate Real Estate Investing

How to Spot Real Estate Scams (and Protect Your Investment)

Real estate scams are targeting more victims than ever before, and they're becoming increasingly sophisticated. Nearly 10,000 Americans fell victim to real estate fraud in 2024, losing over $173 million according to FBI reports.1 Even more concerning, about one in four home buyers or sellers encounter suspicious activity during the closing process, and one in 20 end up victims of wire fraud.2 These aren't isolated incidents targeting the naive or unprepared—they're professional operations that can fool experienced investors and savvy consumers alike. Scammers have adapted to modern technology and remote transactions,...

View More
by Cari Gennarelli
0 Comments
Bay Area Modern Real Estate