🔔One of the more important real estate changes coming in 2026 has nothing to do with rates or pricing.
There’s an important change coming that anyone involved in real estate, especially buyers using LLCs or trusts, should be aware of.
Beginning March 1, 2026, a new federal reporting requirement from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) will apply to certain residential real estate transactions.
In simple terms, when residential property is purchased without traditional financing and the buyer is a legal entity or trust, additional ownership and transaction details will now be reported at closing.
This rule is not about restricting purchases or changing how people buy real estate. It is about transparency and making sure the right information is documented upfront so transactions move smoothly.
What I am already seeing is that the best outcomes happen when these conversations start early, not at the closing table. Understanding structure, ownership, and reporting expectations ahead of time helps avoid surprises and delays.
As always, clarity before pressure is key. Thoughtful planning today makes tomorrow’s decisions easier.

A new year has a way of shifting perspective. It’s often the moment people start thinking about what’s working, what’s changed, and what could feel better moving forward, especially when it comes to home and finances.
If PMI is still part of your monthly payment, this could be a good time to revisit it. In many cases, PMI can be removed once enough equity has been built, which can make a noticeable difference each month. Refinancing is another option some people explore, whether to improve cash flow, adjust a loan term, or better align their mortgage with current goals.
Equity can also open doors when used thoughtfully. From making a move to planning updates or simply creating more flexibility, understanding how your equity works gives you more control. If the new year has you looking at your home a little differently, we’re here to help you make sense of your options and map out smart next steps.

Before the holidays fully take over, we wanted to check in.
This time of year can feel like a lot. Joy and excitement mixed with stress and exhaustion, sometimes all at once. Not everyone heads into the holidays feeling light or perfectly put together, and that’s okay. There’s also a quiet pressure to reflect, reset, and head into the new year with everything figured out, including big decisions around home, family, and what comes next.
The truth is, you don’t need to have it all solved right now. You don’t need a plan or clear answers before the year ends. Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is simply notice what feels heavy, what feels good, and what you might want to approach differently once things slow down.
When we look back on the year, the most meaningful moments rarely started with timelines or transactions. They started with people. With conversations that happened before anyone was ready to decide. With questions about selling, buying, downsizing, or staying put that began as simple “what if” talks. That’s always been the heart of how my team works. Showing up, listening, and helping people think through their options at a pace that feels right.
If you’re carrying questions into the new year about your home or what the next chapter might look like, give yourself permission to take them slowly. And know you don’t have to carry them alone. I'm always here to listen, talk things through, or help when the time feels right.

Wishing you warmth, peace, and a gentle close to the year.

Selling a home you’ve loved and invested in is a big deal — and let’s be honest, it can feel like a second job. From decluttering decades of memories to prepping for photos, showings, and endless paperwork, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before the process even begins.

That’s exactly why so many of our clients hand us their keys and say, “Take it from here.”
And that’s where we shine.

From the first walkthrough to the final signature, we manage every detail with care, precision, and strategy — so you can focus on what’s next, not what’s pending.

Here’s what that looks like:

Preparation with Purpose: We handle staging, photography, vendor coordination, and even help you decide what to keep, store, or donate — ensuring your home shows its absolute best without the chaos.

Strategic Marketing: Your property deserves more than a basic listing. We highlight its unique value across multiple platforms, attract qualified buyers, and host beautifully curated open houses that get results.

Negotiation & Closing: Offers, counters, inspections, escrow, disclosures — every moving part is tracked, reviewed, and communicated clearly. We protect your time, equity, and peace of mind through every step.

At VB Realty Group, we believe selling your home should feel seamless — not stressful. Whether you’re downsizing, relocating, or simply ready for a new chapter, hand us the keys… and we’ll handle the rest.

A lot of people take the important step of setting up a living trust. It feels like checking a major box on the “protect my family” list.🏡 But there is one part that often gets overlooked, and it can make the difference between a trust that works and a trust that falls flat when it matters.

Creating a living trust is only the first half of the process. The trust isn’t complete until your assets are actually placed inside it.

On paper, the trust might look official. It has your name, your wishes, and everything you want to protect. But unless your home is retitled into the trust and your bank or financial institutions are notified, your assets don’t automatically fall under it. 💔The trust you built can sit there quietly without serving its purpose.
“Funding” your trust simply means making sure every account, property, and asset is properly transferred. Updating your grant deed with the county, signing your bank’s trust forms, and making sure each institution knows your trust exists are the steps that bring the trust to life.

💡The good news is that once these final pieces are handled, your trust finally does what you created it to do. Your wishes are clear, your assets are protected, and your loved ones aren’t left with complicated paperwork or delays. 🫶
If you already spent the time and energy creating a trust, completing this final step gives you the peace of mind you intended from the beginning.

If you have questions or want to double check that your trust is fully funded, I am always happy to guide you toward the right resources. 🤝

Moving is rarely part of the plan… until suddenly it is.
One day you’re settled, and the next you’re on Zillow at midnight whispering,
“We weren’t planning on this, but…” 👀🏡

➡️Life shifts. Jobs change. Families grow. Relationships evolve. And sometimes your home needs to catch up. 

In California, people are feeling these shifts a lot — and the numbers totally back it up.

Here are a few of the biggest reasons locals are packing boxes (or at least thinking about it):

1. Housing Costs Are… A Lot 😅

According to a UCI survey, 51% of OC residents have considered moving, and 78% say housing costs are a major reason.
💡No shocker here — between rent jumps and rising home prices, plenty of people are asking themselves, “Do we stay, upgrade, or find something that makes sense?”

2. New Life Chapters Are Calling 📦✨

In California overall, family-related reasons account for about 26% of moves, per U.S. Census data.
For OC and LA, that looks like:
👶 Growing families needing more space
🎓 Empty nesters wanting less space
❤️ Relationship changes
🌅 New lifestyle goals

In other words… life is life-ing, and people want a home that matches the moment.

3. Work & Remote Life Are Shaking Things Up 💻🌴

Nationally, job-related moves are around 17–30%, depending on the study.
Locally, we see a lot of:

• “My employer went hybrid, and now I need a home office” 🏦

• “My commute makes me want to cry, please help” 🚗

• “I can finally live farther out and still work from home” 🤦‍♀️

Bottom line: careers change → housing needs change.

Here’s the funny part:

No one moves “just because.”
There’s always a story.
✨A nudge.
💫A shift.
🌟A moment.

And if you’re finding yourself thinking:
“We weren’t planning on this, but…”
You’re in good company — especially here in California.😎

Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, staying local, or eyeing a whole new ZIP code, we’re here to help you make the move feel less overwhelming and a lot more empowering. 🤝

Ready to explore what your next chapter could look like? Let’s talk. 🗝️✨

Let’s be real—when interest rates shift, so does the entire mood of the market. And right now? Buyers are coming back out in force.
After months of sitting on the sidelines, we’re seeing buyers re-energized as rates ease. That change is sparking more showings, stronger offers, and yes—competition is picking up again. Homes that look sharp and are priced right aren’t sitting around waiting.
Here’s the truth: lower rates mean higher affordability, and that’s exactly what today’s buyers have been waiting for. The ones who’ve been scrolling Zillow at midnight are finally stepping into open houses with serious intent.
At VB Realty Group, we don’t just put a sign in the yard and cross our fingers. We create experiences buyers can’t ignore—professional staging, polished presentation, and open houses that actually get people talking. The result? More buzz, more offers, and better outcomes for our sellers.
If you’ve been wondering whether it’s the right time to make a move, consider this your sign. Buyers are out. Rates are shifting. And opportunities are opening up.
Let’s talk about what that means for your home.

Let’s be real. this is not your average open house. No stiff greetings.  No awkward silences. And definitely no agent lurking in the corner with a sad stack of flyers and a “let me know if you have any questions”.
At a VB open house, we bring the energy and the experience. We’ve got signs up, music playing, and treats that make people stay a little longer (think ice cream carts, cupcakes, donuts, or fresh coffee). But more importantly, you’ll see our full team in action—welcoming guests, answering questions, connecting with buyers, and making your home the one they remember.
While some agents are still doing the bare minimum, we’re showing up with a plan, a team, and real results.
At VB Realty Group, we bring the energy, the execution, and the offers.
We don’t just say we do the work.
We show up and are the work.

Home equity is a powerful thing. If you’ve owned your home for a few years, chances are you’ve built up a solid chunk of equity—and it can be tempting to tap into it through a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC). Used wisely, a HELOC can help cover major expenses like home improvements, education, or even debt consolidation. But here’s the thing: it’s not free money.
A HELOC is a loan—often interest-only for a period—and it's tied to your home and the prime rate, meaning payments can increase over time as rates fluctuate. If you only focus on the short-term flexibility, it’s easy to overlook the long-term responsibility. And yes, in tough situations, you can file for bankruptcy and still keep your home—but that HELOC may stick with you, along with a big credit hit for years.
Before signing anything, read the fine print. Know what your draw period is, what the interest rate caps are, and how repayment works. We’ve seen homeowners caught off guard by balloon payments or rising interest rates because they didn’t fully understand the terms.
Managing your equity wisely starts with knowing what you’re signing—and understanding how it fits into your bigger financial picture. If you’re curious about what options make the most sense for your situation, we’re here to talk it through—no pressure, just clarity.

Real estate agent vs. REALTOR® — is there really a difference? The short answer is yes, and if you're buying or selling a home, it matters more than you might think. All REALTORS® are licensed real estate agents, but not all agents are REALTORS®. That title carries weight. It means we’re held to a higher standard of ethics, professionalism, and education as members of the National Association of REALTORS®. Working with a REALTOR® means you’re choosing someone who’s committed to putting your interests first, following a strict Code of Ethics, and advocating for you every step of the way. It’s not just about opening doors. It’s about protecting your investment, your time, and your trust. Take a look at the images to see what really sets a REALTOR® apart. Have questions or want to chat about your real estate goals? We’re always happy to connect.