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February 24, 2026
Real Estate

What Actually Makes a Listing Stand Out in 2026

The playbook for selling a home has changed fast. Buyers have more options, more leverage, and they are using it. Active housing inventory rose more than 16% year-over-year in 2025 — one of the largest annual increases since the pandemic-era crunch.1 At the same time, 62% of homebuyers in 2025 paid below the original list price, the highest share since 2019, with the average discount hitting 7.9%, the biggest in over a decade.2 What does that mean for sellers? It means the days of putting a home on the MLS, snapping...

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by Cari Gennarelli
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January 28, 2026
First Time Home Buyer Real Estate

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

Most buyers focus on one number: the monthly mortgage payment. But in 2025, the average homeowner spends nearly $1,800 per month on expenses beyond the mortgage. From rising property taxes and insurance premiums to maintenance and major repairs, the true cost of homeownership is often far higher than expected. Before you fall in love with a home, make sure you understand what it really costs to own it....

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by Cari Gennarelli
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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....

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by Cari Gennarelli
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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....

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by Cari Gennarelli
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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...

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by Cari Gennarelli
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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...

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by Cari Gennarelli
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Bay Area Modern Real Estate