Kern County Real Estate Review

Hosted by Laurie McCarty

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165

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Jun 2026

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About the show

The Kern County Real Estate Review is your weekly look at Kern County real estate, homeownership, and the local issues shaping life in Bakersfield and Kern County. Host Laurie McCarty breaks down housing trends, home prices, market shifts, lending updates, and community news with clear, practical insight. If you want to understand what is happening in Kern County and how it affects your home and community, this show delivers.

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60 recent

June 9, 202659 min

Bakersfield Housing Market Update: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know

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 today’s buyers have more choices, why sellers need a stronger marketing strategy, and how presentation can make a major difference when listing a home for sale.This episode also features Open House, Open Mic, where local real estate agents highlight homes available to tour in Kern County. Plus, Laurie shares real examples of how staging, professional marketing, and strategic open house preparation are helping Bakersfield homes sell faster and attract stronger offers.Whether you are thinking about buying a home in Bakersfield, preparing to sell your home in Kern County, or simply want to understand what is happening in the local real estate market, this episode offers practical insight from one of Kern County’s most trusted real estate experts.

June 1, 202659 min

How to Lower Your Summer Utility Bills Without Sacrificing Comfort, PT. 2

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 quickly once the heat settles in. Laurie explains where homeowners should start, including how to check for leaks, broken sprinkler heads, running toilets, irrigation issues, and signs that water may be wasted without you realizing it.They also talk about smart watering habits, drip irrigation, smart controllers, drought-tolerant landscaping, artificial turf considerations, mulch, plant choices, and why homeowners should check with their water provider before starting a project that may qualify for rebates or conservation programs.Plus, Laurie shares a real estate history spotlight on the charming Cinderella Homes, highlights a featured Stockdale Estates listing as the Home of the Week, and closes with an Equity Boosting Tip for homeowners.If you want to keep your home comfortable, your yard looking cared for, and your summer bills from taking over your budget, this episode is for you.

May 25, 202657 min

How to Lower Your Summer Utility Bills Without Sacrificing Comfort

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 running for hours a day and families are already feeling the rising cost of everyday expenses. Laurie shares what homeowners should know about AC maintenance, filters, smart thermostats, solar screens, window tinting, rate plans, appliance usage, pool pumps, energy-efficient upgrades, solar panels, and battery storage.They also discuss how buyers are paying closer attention to monthly homeownership costs and why sellers should understand how efficiency, comfort, and maintenance can affect buyer perception.If you have ever opened a summer electric bill and wondered if there was a mistake, this episode is for you. Listen for practical, realistic steps Kern County homeowners can take to stay cool, save money, and make smarter decisions about their homes.

May 18, 202659 min

Could Your Fireplace Delay Your Home Sale? What Bakersfield Home Sellers Should Know

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 property.Laurie also breaks down a new report showing Bakersfield homes are 18% more affordable than the statewide average and what that means for local buyers, sellers, and homeowners watching the market.In this episode, we’re talking about what makes a wood-burning device non-compliant, what options homeowners have, how the change-out incentive program may help with costs, and why it’s better to know about these requirements before you’re already in escrow.If you own a home in Bakersfield or Kern County, are thinking about selling, or just want to stay informed about local real estate issues that could affect your property, this is an episode you’ll want to hear.Listen to the Kern County Real Estate Review with Laurie McCarty, your trusted source for Bakersfield real estate, Kern County housing news, and practical guidance for local homeowners.

May 11, 202659 min

Why Isn't It Selling? Reasons why your home is sitting on the market

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 a listing, skip a showing, or hesitate to make an offer. She also shares why the first week on the market matters so much, how staging and presentation impact a home’s value, and the biggest mistakes sellers make when trying to “test the market.”If you’re thinking about selling your home in Bakersfield, wondering why your home hasn’t sold, or simply want to better understand the current Kern County real estate market, this episode is packed with valuable insight.Topics include:• Why homes sit on the market• Pricing strategy in today’s market• Home staging and preparation tips• Real estate marketing mistakes• Buyer psychology• Bakersfield real estate trends• How to sell your home faster and for more money

May 4, 202659 min

Kern County Real Estate Update: Open Houses, Rates & Buyer Affordability

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 buyers a closer look at homes they can tour this weekend while creating more exposure for sellers and their listings.Laurie explains the Federal Reserve’s latest decision to hold rates steady and what it could mean for mortgage rates, homebuyer affordability, and seller strategy. While the Federal Reserve does not directly set mortgage interest rates, its decisions can heavily influence the real estate market, buyer demand, and the cost of borrowing.The conversation then turns to the Middle-Class Homeownership Act, a California ballot measure aimed at helping middle-income Californians purchase newly constructed homes with 3% down while encouraging new housing construction across the state.Whether you are buying a home in Bakersfield, selling a home in Kern County, watching mortgage rates, or trying to understand where the local real estate market is headed, this episode offers practical, local insight to help you make a smarter move.Listen to the Kern County Real Estate Review for weekly updates on Bakersfield real estate, Kern County housing trends, mortgage rate news, open houses, homebuyer programs, and local market strategy from Laurie McCarty and The McCarty Group.

April 27, 202659 min

Affordable New Construction in Bakersfield: Inside the City View Homes

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.They break down what these homes will look like, where they’ll be located, who may qualify, and what the process looks like for buyers who are interested. You’ll also learn what “affordable housing” really means and why opportunities like this are becoming so important in today’s market.If you’ve felt priced out or assumed new construction was out of reach, this episode may change the way you think about your options.

April 20, 202659 min

What to Do About Bad Neighbors and How It Affects Your Home

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 sense to involve an HOA or local enforcement, and how to recognize when a situation has gone from manageable to something much more serious.We also take a closer look at what buyers are actually noticing during showings. From noise and property condition to activity in the neighborhood, these details can quickly influence how a buyer feels about a home.If you are thinking about selling, this episode is especially important. We cover when neighbor issues may need to be disclosed, how they can impact your home’s value, and the risks of not addressing known problems upfront.We also discuss real situations that can cause deals to fall apart, including ongoing disputes, police activity, and property line conflicts.Whether you are buying, selling, or currently dealing with a difficult neighbor, this is information every homeowner should understand.

April 13, 202657 min

Inside California’s Illegal Grow House Problem — And the Homes Left Behind

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 what actually happens inside these homes, including electrical tampering, plumbing alterations, hidden mold, and structural damage that can cost thousands to repair. We also walk through the warning signs buyers should be looking for, how these properties end up back on the market, and why some homes that seem like a “deal” may come with serious risks.If you’re currently house hunting, investing, or even just keeping an eye on the market, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Knowing what to look for could save you from making a costly mistake.In this episode, we cover:What illegal grow houses really look like insideRed flags buyers should never ignoreThe true cost of hidden damageHow these homes impact property values and neighborhoodsWhat buyers and sellers need to know before moving forwardWhether you’re buying your first home, searching for an investment property, or planning to sell, this episode will give you the insight you need to make confident, informed decisions in today’s market.Listen now to the Kern County Real Estate Review with Laurie McCarty.

April 6, 202659 min

The #1 Thing That Makes Buyers Say Yes (It’s Not What You Think)

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. Laurie explains how something as simple as cleanliness can shape a buyer’s first impression, impact perceived value, and ultimately affect your bottom line.Joining the conversation is Erika Gonzalez, owner of Crystal Clean, sharing practical, expert-level cleaning strategies that go beyond surface-level tidying. From the areas buyers notice first to the biggest cleaning mistakes sellers make, this episode is packed with actionable advice for homeowners preparing to sell—or anyone wanting their home to feel refreshed and more functional.If you’re thinking about selling your home in Bakersfield or Kern County, or just want to understand what today’s buyers are really looking for, this is a must-listen.In this episode, you’ll learn:What truly influences a buyer’s first impressionWhy cleanliness plays a bigger role than most sellers realizeThe most important areas to focus on before listing your homeCommon cleaning mistakes that can hurt your home’s appealPractical, time-efficient cleaning tips from a professionalThe Kern County Real Estate Review airs every Saturday at 11 a.m. with an encore Sunday at 8 a.m. on KNZR, and is available on all major podcast platforms.For more information or to connect with Laurie and The McCarty Group, visit TheMcCartyGroup.com or call 661-665-SOLD.