Kern County Real Estate Review

In this Fourth of July episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty takes a closer look at one of the most powerful ideas in American life: the American Dream of homeownership. For generations, owning a home has represented more than a place to live. It has stood for freedom, stability, independence, family, opportunity, and the chance to build something lasting. But how did homeo...

Should you ever skip a home inspection when buying a house? In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty is joined by Jacob Freeman of Signature Property Inspections for an important conversation every buyer should hear before closing on a home. Whether you are a first-time home buyer or you have purchased before, the home inspection process is one of the most important pa...

Think down payment assistance is only for first-time homebuyers? Not always. In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty is joined by local loan officer Kelly Carrera to break down the GSFA Platinum Program and how it may help qualified California homebuyers with down payment and closing cost assistance. Laurie and Kelly discuss who may qualify, how the assistance works,...

Have you ever wondered what it would actually take to move abroad? In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty sits down with Bethany Quinn from GTFO Tours to talk about the real process behind relocating to another country. They discuss visas, housing, cost of living, healthcare, schools, retirement, family considerations, and the financial planning that should happen be...

In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty shares a timely Bakersfield housing market update and breaks down what today’s numbers mean for both buyers and sellers. Laurie discusses the latest local market trends, including home prices, inventory, buyer demand, affordability, and why Bakersfield continues to stand out compared to much of California. She also explains why...

Kern County summers can send utility bills soaring, and in Part 2 of this conversation, Laurie McCarty continues sharing practical ways homeowners can save money without sacrificing comfort or curb appeal. This week, Laurie and Adlai focus on one of the biggest summer expenses for local homeowners: water. From lawns, landscaping, pools, gardens, and irrigation systems, water usage can climb quickl...

Kern County summers are tough on homeowners, and they can be even tougher on utility bills. In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty breaks down practical ways homeowners can lower summer electricity costs while keeping their homes comfortable. Laurie and Adlai talk about why utility bills are part of the true cost of homeownership, especially when air conditioning is...

Could your fireplace affect the sale of your home? This week on the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty is joined by Cassandra Melching, Outreach Representative with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, to talk about Rule 4901 and what Bakersfield homeowners need to know about wood-burning fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, and compliance when selling a residential prope...

Why isn’t your home selling? In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty breaks down the real reasons homes sit on the market — and what sellers need to understand about today’s real estate market in Bakersfield and throughout Kern County. From overpricing and poor first impressions to weak marketing and buyer psychology, Laurie explains what causes buyers to scroll past...

In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty breaks down what buyers and sellers need to know about the current Kern County housing market, including the latest numbers for homes for sale, homes sold, average days on market, average sold price, and months of inventory. This Open House, Open Mic episode highlights local open houses happening around Kern County, giving buyer...

If you’ve been wondering whether buying a home in Bakersfield is still possible, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty sits down with Sharon Edgar, Deputy Director of Golden Empire Affordable Housing, to talk about the City View Homes Development—a new community bringing affordable new construction homes to Bakersfield....

Bad neighbors can do more than create frustration. They can impact your home’s value, your ability to sell, and even create legal issues if they are not handled properly. In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, we break down one of the most overlooked factors in real estate. How neighbors affect your home. You will learn practical ways to handle difficult neighbors, when it may make...

Not every home is what it seems. In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, we’re taking a closer look at a growing issue in California that many buyers don’t even realize exists until it’s too late: illegal marijuana grow houses and the homes left behind. From the outside, these properties can look completely normal. Inside, they can tell a very different story. We’re breaking down wh...

What actually makes a buyer say “yes” to a home? It’s not always price—and it’s not always upgrades. In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty breaks down one of the most overlooked factors that can influence how quickly a home sells and how buyers respond the moment they walk in. With the spring real estate market in full swing, presentation matters more than ever. Lau...

What if one of the biggest real estate opportunities in California has been hiding in plain sight for decades? In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, we take you inside California City —a place with one of the most fascinating and misunderstood real estate histories in the country. Originally envisioned in the 1950s as a massive desert metropolis that could rival Los Angeles, Calif...

What would happen if one spouse suddenly had to manage everything alone? In this powerful episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review , Laurie McCarty shares the essential financial and real estate planning steps every couple should take before life takes an unexpected turn. From understanding your mortgage and insurance policies to organizing household systems and important documents, this epis...

What happens to the house after losing a spouse or going through a divorce? In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty walks through one of the most difficult and often overlooked situations homeowners face — navigating real estate decisions after a major life loss. From understanding your financial picture to deciding whether to keep or sell the home, this conversation...

In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty breaks down what’s really happening in the Bakersfield housing market and answers the question many buyers and sellers are asking right now: Is now the time to buy a home? Laurie and Adlai discuss the latest real estate market trends in Bakersfield and Kern County, including rising buyer activity, limited inventory, and how quic...

Is what you think you know about the housing market actually true? In this special Real Estate Pop Quiz episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty puts common housing market beliefs to the test with a fast-paced true-or-false game covering pricing strategy, buyer psychology, negotiations, and today’s real estate trends. If you’re thinking about buying or selling in Bakersfield o...

Does staging actually help a home sell faster and for more money? Or is it just about making a home look nice? In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review , Laurie McCarty explores why preparation is one of the most important steps when selling a home in today’s Bakersfield and Kern County real estate market. With buyers paying more per month and becoming more selective, presentation can...

Can you trust real estate listing photos anymore? With editing software and AI tools becoming more advanced, it is easier than ever to alter images of a property before it hits the market. That is exactly why California Assembly Bill 723 (AB 723) is going into effect on January 1, 2026. In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty is joined by Chris O’Donnell, owner of Sel...

Is Bakersfield still affordable for home buyers heading into 2026? In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, we break down what affordability really looks like right now and what buyers, sellers, and renters should be paying attention to this year. Laurie McCarty digs into the latest housing data, including a new Realtor.com report ranking California markets by affordability, and expl...

Closing escrow is an incredible moment, but the real work of homeownership starts the second you get the keys. In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty shares the 15 must-do steps after closing escrow that can protect your home, protect your privacy, and prevent the most common (and most expensive) move-in surprises. You will learn what to handle first, what can wait,...

Most people hear “solar” and picture rooftop panels and a major installation. This episode covers a very different option: portable, plug-in solar that can work for renters and homeowners, without putting panels on your roof. Host Laurie McCarty is joined by Cora Stryker, co-founder of Bright Saver, to break down plug-in solar in plain English, including what it is, how it works, and why it is an...

Thinking about moving out of California? Do not make a move until you hear this. In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty breaks down what you need to know before you relocate, with two guests who bring real, on-the-ground perspective from the place many Californians are moving to. Laurie is joined by Margaret Edmonston of The McCarty Group, who recently relocated to S...