Recent Blog Posts

Multi-Unit Townhouse in BaltimoreMulti-unit townhouse --- 4 levels --- 3 units on month to month leases --- Main floor unit has 1 bedroom, 1 full bath, and access to the basement ground floor level; Rent: $1,100 --- Second floor unit has 1 bedroom and 1 full bath; Rent: $850 --- Third level has 2 bedrooms and 1 full bathroom; Owner occupied --- Basement is unfinished with access from the rear of the building or from the main level unit; Potential 4th unit --- House is in good condition --- With a few improvements the gross annual income could be $43,200, a gross return of over 12%.1923 McCulloh Street, Baltimore, MD 21217Price: $350,000Ground Rent: $150 per year;  Capitalized: $2500 Contact Ron Trzcinski of Samson Propertiesrontrzcinski.samsonproperties.net  09/13/2026

Clairemont Mesa Weekly Market Update August 31st - September 6th, 2026 Balboa Ridge RECENTLY SOLD Balboa Arms Drive | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 820 sq. ft. | $549,900 Canyon Rim RECENTLY SOLD Ariane Drive | 1 bedrooms | 1 baths | 810 sq. ft. | $575,000 Cole Manor RECENTLY SOLD Cole Street | 3 bedrooms | 1.5 baths | 1076 sq. ft. | $500,000 Costa Viva RECENTLY SOLD Clairemont Drive | 2 bedrooms | 1 baths | 912 sq. ft. | $369,000 Pacific Racquet Club RECENTLY SOLD Monair Drive | 3 bedrooms | 1.5 baths | 1236 sq. ft. | $449,876 09/13/2026

San Marcos Weekly Market Update August 31st - September 6th, 2026 Avocado Gardens NEWLY LISTED Grape Street | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 966 sq. ft. | $500,000 Calico Bluffs NEWLY LISTED Silverado Street | 3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1570 sq. ft. | $824,900 Candera RECENTLY SOLD Candera Lane | 3 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1649 sq. ft. | $825,000 Chateau NEWLY LISTED Circa Del Lago | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 962 sq. ft. | $365,000 Lake Park Terrace NEWLY LISTED Grandon Avenue | 2 bedrooms | 1.5 baths | 1060 sq. ft. | $525,000 Larkspur Heights NEWLY LISTED Silverado Street | 3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1570 sq. ft. | $824,900 Solaire RECENTLY SOLD Cosmo Way | 3 bedrooms | 3 baths | 1253 sq. ft. | $650,000 Springfield RECENTLY SOLD Westin Way | 3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1342 sq. ft. | $689,000 09/13/2026

Montgomery County Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage MonthMontgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will participate in several special events from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 as the County observes “National Hispanic Heritage Month.” The events will honor Hispanic and Latine immigrants who are making significant contributions to their communities.Hispanic and Latine residents make up more than one-fifth of Montgomery County’s population. According to the U.S. Census Bureaus’ 2024 American Community Survey, 21.7% of County residents identify as Hispanic or Latine, reflecting communities with roots throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.Events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month will include: Tuesday, Sept.15—Thursday, Oct. 15: A social media campaign recognizing Hispanic and Latine em... 09/13/2026

Point Loma Weekly Market Update August 31st - September 6th, 2026 Anchor Cove RECENTLY SOLD Historic Decatur | 3 bedrooms | 3 baths | 1105 sq. ft. | $619,000 Le Rondelet RECENTLY SOLD Anchorage Lane | 1 bedrooms | 1.5 baths | 830 sq. ft. | $395,000 Anchorage Lane | 3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1658 sq. ft. | $1,349,000 Anchorage Lane | 3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1658 sq. ft. | $950,000 09/13/2026

SENIOR REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST DESIGNATION COURSEPROVIDED BY CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORSWHEN: September 30 & October 1, 2026 (Wednesday & Thursday) 9:00 am-4:00 pmWHERE: Live on ZoomCOST: CAR members $240, non members $480, already SRES agents $99REGISTER: CAR website, https://www.car.org/, CAR Education Calendar, scroll to SRES courseNOTE: Course is worth 12 CE credits to Certified Senior Advisor members, NOT DRE CREDITS  09/13/2026

When homeowners talk about the value of their home, I often hear the words appraisal and assessment used interchangeably. And now, with online home values everywhere, there are even more numbers competing for our attention.But an appraisal, a town assessment, and a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) are not the same thing—and understanding the difference can help you know which number actually matters for your situation.What Is a Home Appraisal?An appraisal is a professional opinion of value completed by a licensed appraiser for a specific purpose.Most commonly, an appraisal is ordered by a lender to verify the value of a property when someone is purchasing or refinancing a home. Appraisals may also be needed for other purposes, including:❖ Estate planning or settlement❖ Divorce proceedi... 09/13/2026

The Fall Real Estate Market Is HereWhat Buyers and Sellers Can Expect as We Move from Summer into FallLabor Day has come and gone, the kids are back in school, the days are getting a little shorter, and you can already feel the seasons beginning to change here in Franklin CountyThe real estate market changes with the seasons, too.After several years when very little about real estate felt "normal," we are beginning to see a return to a more traditional seasonal market. And historically, the weeks following Labor Day mark the beginning of what I consider our second-busiest real estate season of the year.Why the Market Picks Up After Labor DaySpring is traditionally our busiest real estate season. Then July and August arrive, and life gets busy in a different way.Vacations, summer activit... 09/13/2026

Real estate video, when you run and gun roll your own, the first 48 hours is critical.Just like what happens at the crime scene, there is a critical procedure to implement if you want to maximize market exposure.Latest real estate video uploaded under 18 hours ago.11,940 views, 412 likes, 74 comments in less than 18 hours means the video reach and exposure is underway.Since shooting the video stills, loops, video overhead Friday afternoon, the video goes live in 24 hours. Real estate is a fast paced edge of your seat experience.When your local rural Maine real estate market is NOT an hour from Boston.When your buyer for property listings in Maine are looking at quite a drive up the pike, what a benefit real estate videos are.Save gas, almost instantly get to "open house on demand" tour ... 09/13/2026

A decade might seem like a long time, but there are some things that do get better with age.  Home ownership is one of those issues.  That extra decade gives you more time to build equity with every payment, more exposure to home appreciation, and more years of amortization working in your favor. It’s not just about owning - it’s about how long your money has to grow. The earlier you start, the more your future self benefits. Curious about how to get started? Send me a message!#realestate #realestateagent #financehub  09/13/2026

He isn't a broker. He isn't an agent. He has very particular skills.Rocket Companies recently chose a new CEO for Redfin, the national real estate brokerage it acquired last year.He isn't a broker. He isn't an agent. He hasn't spent his career in mortgage banking, title, housing or real estate technology.Alessio Sanfilippo comes from Meta, where he was Vice President of Insights for Reality Labs. His expertise is data science, data engineering, user research and AI.If you're in real estate, that's worth thinking about.Redfin already has an experienced real estate executive. Jason Aleem, a former broker and agent who has been with Redfin since 2010, continues to run its real estate services operation.So when Rocket searched outside the company for Redfin's CEO, it wasn't looking for some... 09/13/2026

Carlsbad Weekly Market Update August 31st - September 6th, 2026 Alta Mira II RECENTLY SOLD Paseo Del Norte | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1188 sq. ft. | $749,000 Carlsbad Crest RECENTLY SOLD Hollyhock Court | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1263 sq. ft. | $875,000 Fairways South RECENTLY SOLD Navarra Drive | 2 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1545 sq. ft. | $699,000 La Costa Fairways RECENTLY SOLD Navarra Drive | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1326 sq. ft. | $475,000 Majorca West NEWLY LISTED Altisma Way | 2 bedrooms | 1.5 baths | 1046 sq. ft. | $574,900 Meadowridge BACK ON THE MARKET Camino Capistrano | 3 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1350 sq. ft. | $699,999 RECENTLY SOLD Avenida Christina | 3 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1350 sq. ft. | $475,000 Avenida Topanga | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1135 sq. ft. | $624,900 Portico RECENTLY SOL... 09/13/2026

Everyone tells you real estate is a good investment, but not many people explain why — or what actually goes wrong when it doesn't work out. I've watched friends jump into their first rental property with nothing but excitement and a mortgage pre-approval, only to get blindsided by a leaking roof six months in. So let's talk about this properly.Property still beats a lot of other investments for one simple reason: it's tangible. You can drive past it. You can fix it up. And unlike a stock that might crash overnight on some earnings call, a house doesn't usually lose half its value in a week. That said, real estate isn't a guaranteed win either — it just fails in slower, more forgiving ways, which is part of why people trust it.Why People Keep Coming Back to Real EstateA few reasons come... 09/13/2026

Nerdin Gardens: Stuff it! As we continue to harvest the freshest of ingredients from the back yard garden, I'm encouraged to create nutritious & delicious dishes to enjoy now and some for later. One that ranks high on Mr. Green Jeans aka Mike's list is Stuffed Bell Peppers. Happy to make nutritious meals that we both enjoy, this one hits the hunger spot! In the last 90 days, we have focused on eating locally...several steps from the back door. So far, Mike has lost a total of 33 lbs. and I have shaved off 11 lbs. We both love to eat, so imagine the discipline it took to do that! Just to let you know, when this is cooking, the house smells like a warm, familiar hug! Stuffed Bell Peppers* 
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil* 
1 medium yellow onion* 
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped* 
4 oz. tom... 09/13/2026

What Is My Catonsville Home Actually Worth?By Adam Chubbuck, Team Leader, Team Alpha Charlie of Douglas Realty. Retired U.S. Navy Chief. Licensed in Maryland and Virginia.I am going to show you something that should make you skeptical of every online estimate you have looked at.Here is what the major sources reported for Catonsville in 2026: Redfin: median sale price $450,000 for the three months ending July 2026, up 7.4 percent year over year Movoto: median $434,950 as of March 2026 Zillow: average home value $428,188, up 1.1 percent RealtyTrac: median around $385,890 Another analysis: median $385,000, down 7.2 percent year over year That is a spread of $65,000 across five sources describing the same town in the same year. And they do not even agree on direction. One says up 7.4 percen... 09/13/2026

Home Inspector John Martino shares his practical advice on how Buyers are advised to look at the age of HVAC, water-heater, roof and other major home systems.  By John Martino, Master New Jersey Home InspectorLookSmart Home Inspections One of the questions I hear regularly during a home inspection is, “How much longer do you think this has?” It might be a roof, furnace, boiler, central air-conditioning system, or water heater. The equipment may be working perfectly well on the day of the inspection, but the buyer wants to know what really matters: Am I likely to be replacing this shortly after I buy the house? After more than 24 years inspecting homes throughout New Jersey, I’ve learned that age matters, but perhaps not in the way many home buyers think it does. There is no magic birthd... 09/13/2026

How to Confirm Your Absentee Ballot Was CountedMailing your ballot feels simple, but a lot happens after it leaves your hands. It travels through the postal system, arrives at an election office, gets verified, and finally gets counted. An independent researcher does not assume every step went smoothly. They check.You can check your voting record using sites like Scan.Check.Protect.org .Most states now offer a free ballot tracking tool, similar to tracking a package. You enter your name and birthday, and it shows you exactly where your ballot is: mailed, received, verified, or counted. This tool usually lives on the same website as your voter registration lookup.If your ballot shows as received but not yet counted, do not panic right away. Processing can take time, especially close to e... 09/13/2026

Oceanside Weekly Market Update August 31st - September 6th, 2026 Arbor Hill NEWLY LISTED Edgehill Lane | 1 bedrooms | 1 baths | 578 sq. ft. | $342,500 Canyon Grove NEWLY LISTED Canyon Drive | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1035 sq. ft. | $469,900 Carefree Village RECENTLY SOLD Riverview Way | 3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1049 sq. ft. | $350,000 Lakeshore Villas NEWLY LISTED Calle Montecito | 2 bedrooms | 1 baths | 806 sq. ft. | $428,000 Marina Towers RECENTLY SOLD Harbor Drive | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1364 sq. ft. | $1,425,000 Mission Meadows RECENTLY SOLD Tumbleweed Way | 3 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1474 sq. ft. | $400,000 Park Circle RECENTLY SOLD Pillar Point Way | 2 bedrooms | 1.5 baths | 1104 sq. ft. | $485,000 Rancho Rose NEWLY LISTED Circle Ranch Way | 3 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1365 sq. ft. | $63... 09/13/2026

Buying & Selling at the Same Time on the Gulf CoastPUT Charles In Charge™ — Your Guide Through the ChaosLet’s be honest — buying and selling a home at the same time can feel like juggling chainsaws. It’s overwhelming, it’s stressful, and yes… there’s risk involved. But here’s the truth: it’s also very common. According to the National Association of Realtors, 71% of repeat buyers still owned their previous home, meaning most people are navigating both sides of the transaction at once.If you time it perfectly, you hit that “sweet spot”: Sell your home → pocket your profit → roll it into your next dream home. But more often than not, real life doesn’t follow the script.Here’s how to navigate the process with strategy — and your sanity — intact. Common Challenges Gulf Coast Sellers & Buyer... 09/13/2026

GREATER PHOENIX · SURPRISE & THE WEST VALLEY Short sales. Clearer next steps. When selling feels complicated, start with a clearer picture of the home's value, the mortgage balance and the options worth exploring. Download the free homeowner guide 14-page PDF · Free to save or print · No sign-up A job change, unexpected expense or necessary move can turn a familiar home into a difficult financial decision. For homeowners across Greater Phoenix, including Surprise, Peoria, Goodyear and Buckeye, the first step is understanding what a sale could accomplish. A short sale may be an option. But difficulty making the payment does not, by itself, mean a short sale is needed. Start with these three pieces of the picture. Three things to understand first 01. What could the home sell for? Recent ... 09/13/2026