Kern County Real Estate Review

Laurie McCarty
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Business
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. Sep 21

    Living Near an AI Data Center: What Could It Mean for Your Home’s Value?

    AI data centers are expanding across the country, and major projects are now being proposed right here in Kern County. But what could that mean for Bakersfield-area homeowners, surrounding neighborhoods and property values? In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty takes a closer look at the rapidly growing world of AI data centers and the real estate questions that come with them. What exactly happens inside these massive facilities? Why is Kern County attracting this type of development? And if an AI data center is built near your home, could it make your property harder to sell or affect what a buyer is willing to pay? Laurie breaks down two major local proposals, the RB Inyokern Data Center near Ridgecrest and the Golden Valley Technology Hub at Elk Hills west of Bakersfield, and examines the issues homeowners are asking about, including noise, water use, electricity demand, traffic, infrastructure and the visual impact of large industrial developments. Most importantly, we look at what the housing data actually says. Early research has not found a broad decline in home prices around existing data centers, but that doesn't tell the entire story. Distance from the facility, what a homeowner can see or hear, buyer perception and the marketability of an individual property can all matter. Plus, Laurie explains what homeowners and buyers should investigate when a major development is proposed nearby and why the answer isn't as simple as “data centers hurt home values” or “data centers don't matter.” If you own real estate in Bakersfield or Kern County, are considering buying a home near a proposed development, or have been wondering how the AI boom could eventually affect the housing market, this is an episode you'll want to hear. The Kern County Real Estate Review with Laurie McCarty of The McCarty Group at Coldwell Banker Preferred, Realtors.

  2. Sep 7

    Building Homes in a Factory: Inside Plant Prefab's Approach

    What if the future of homebuilding looks less like a traditional construction site—and more like a factory floor? In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty sits down with Steve Glenn, CEO and founder of Plant Prefab, to explore how prefab and off-site construction are changing the way homes are built. With Plant Prefab’s factory and headquarters located right here in Kern County, this innovative approach to construction is happening much closer to home than many people realize. What exactly is a prefab home, and how is it different from the manufactured or mobile homes many people picture when they hear the word “prefab”? Can building portions of a home inside a controlled factory environment really make construction faster or less expensive? And does factory-built mean homeowners have to sacrifice customization? Steve takes us inside Plant Prefab’s approach and explains what happens in the factory versus at the homesite, where off-site construction can save time and money, and how the process can impact quality and sustainability. Laurie also asks about financing, appraisals and insurance for prefab homes, and whether this type of construction could realistically play a role in addressing California’s housing shortage. The conversation goes beyond new home construction, including Plant Prefab’s work rebuilding homes lost in the Southern California wildfires, healthcare clinics being built in Kern County, and the bigger question: Could building homes in factories eventually become a normal part of homebuilding in California? If you’ve ever wondered whether prefab homes are really faster, cheaper or as customizable as traditionally built homes—or what the future of construction could look like—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

  3. Aug 31

    What If You Could Take Your Mortgage Rate With You? The MOVE Act Explained

    What if selling your home didn’t mean giving up your 2% or 3% mortgage rate? A new proposal in Congress called the MOVE Act is putting the idea of “portable mortgages” in the spotlight. In theory, homeowners could take their existing mortgage rate, terms and remaining balance with them when they move to a new home — potentially removing one of the biggest reasons millions of Americans feel financially locked into the homes they already own. But could it actually work? On this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty breaks down the MOVE Act, the growing problem of mortgage-rate lock-in, and what portable mortgages could mean for homeowners, home buyers and the housing market. Local lender Nicole Hale joins the conversation to explore how a portable mortgage might work in the real world, including qualification requirements, additional financing, appraisals, fees and potential complications. They also discuss who could benefit most, whether portable mortgages could encourage more homeowners to sell, how the proposal might affect housing inventory and first-time buyers, and why homeowners with low mortgage rates shouldn’t assume they have to stay put forever. The MOVE Act is still only a proposal, but if you have a low mortgage rate and have wondered whether you’ll ever be able to afford to move again, this is a conversation you’ll want to hear.

  4. Aug 24

    City Lights Bakersfield: What’s Coming to the Former East Hills Mall Site

    What’s happening at the former East Hills Mall site in Bakersfield? After years of plans, speculation and waiting, the property is finally being transformed into City Lights Bakersfield—and this week, we’re getting an inside look at what’s coming. Laurie McCarty is joined by Vincent Roche, Executive Director with Cushman & Wakefield, who brings more than 40 years of commercial real estate experience to the conversation. They discuss what is being developed at City Lights, where construction stands, the timeline for opening, which businesses and retailers are coming, and what still remains to be added to the project. But this episode goes beyond the question everyone wants answered: “What stores are coming to the old East Hills Mall?” Vincent takes us behind the scenes of how major retail developments come together, what national retailers look for when deciding whether to open in Bakersfield, why certain locations attract investment, and what retailer interest in City Lights may say about the Bakersfield market. Plus, Laurie and Vincent explore what the redevelopment of this long-vacant property could mean for the surrounding area, whether City Lights could spur additional commercial development and investment nearby, and how shopping centers have changed over the last several decades. If you’ve driven past the former East Hills Mall and wondered what they’re building, what businesses are coming, when City Lights will open, or what this major Bakersfield development could mean for the community, this is the episode you’ll want to hear.

  5. Aug 17

    Is Solar Still Worth it in California in 2026?

    Is solar still worth it in California in 2026? With changing PG&E billing rules, NEM 3.0, battery storage, evolving solar incentives and plenty of conflicting information, homeowners may be wondering whether installing solar still makes financial sense. In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty talks with Marshall Dunn of Sunrun about what California homeowners need to know before going solar in 2026. They break down how solar has changed over the last several years, how PG&E credits homeowners for excess electricity today, what NEM 2.0, NEM 3.0 and the Net Billing Tariff actually mean, and why battery storage has become such an important part of the solar conversation. They also tackle some of the biggest questions and misconceptions surrounding solar: Will solar eliminate your PG&E bill? Does solar still save money under California’s new rules? Who is—and isn’t—a good candidate for solar? What should homeowners know about current tax credits and incentives? And how could growing electricity demand from AI data centers affect the grid, utility costs and the future role of residential solar and battery storage? Plus, if you may sell your home someday, you’ll want to hear the real estate side of the conversation. Laurie and Marshall discuss what happens when you sell a house with solar panels, the differences between owned, financed and leased systems and power purchase agreements, what happens if your roof needs to be replaced, and the questions homeowners should ask before signing a solar contract. Whether you’re considering solar, already have panels on your home, are thinking about adding a battery, or simply want to understand why your PG&E bill looks the way it does, this episode offers a timely look at residential solar in California in 2026—and what homeowners should know before making their next move. Contact Marshall: https://bestcompany.com/reps/marshall-dunn/t/sales/profile

  6. Aug 10

    The 5 Stages of Foreclosure Grief: How to Take Action Before the Clock Runs Out

    Foreclosure Isn’t Just Financial—It’s Emotional When a homeowner starts falling behind on mortgage payments, the biggest obstacle to finding a solution isn’t always money. Sometimes, it’s the emotional process that comes with facing the possibility of losing a home. In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty breaks down what she calls the Five Stages of Foreclosure Grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Drawing from more than 30 years of experience helping homeowners through financial hardship, Laurie explains how each stage can influence the decisions people make—or prevent them from making any decision at all. Why do homeowners ignore letters from their lender? When does hope turn into dangerous delay? How can anger, fear, or shame quietly cost someone valuable time and home equity? And why can accepting the reality of the situation actually be the moment a homeowner begins taking back control? Laurie also shares the practical steps homeowners can take when they’re struggling with mortgage payments, including contacting their lender or loan servicer, understanding foreclosure deadlines and hardship options, determining how much equity they have, and talking with a trusted Realtor before their choices become limited. If you’re facing financial hardship, worried about falling behind on your mortgage, or concerned about someone who may be at risk of foreclosure, this episode offers an important reminder: the sooner you understand your options, the more choices you may still have.

  7. Aug 4

    More Choices for Buyers, More Competition for Sellers: Kern County Market Update

    Is the Kern County real estate market shifting in favor of buyers, or is it simply returning to a healthier balance? In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty breaks down the latest Bakersfield and Kern County housing market numbers, including a modest increase in available homes, stable asking prices and what just over three months of inventory means for today’s buyers and sellers. Buyers may finally have more room to compare their options, but well-priced and well-presented homes can still attract strong interest. Laurie also examines a recent report on California housing affordability—and explains why Ridgecrest, Rosamond, Delano and the Bakersfield area ranked among the most attainable communities in the state. Later, Courtney Montoya, Lead Designer with The Staging Standard, joins the show to reveal how professional home staging helps properties photograph better, makes rooms easier for buyers to understand and allows a listing to stand out in a more competitive market. She also shares advice for occupied homes, explains which rooms deserve the most attention and discusses the difference between decorating for yourself and staging for a future buyer. Plus, local Realtors take listeners inside several Bakersfield open houses and highlight homes currently available throughout the community.

  8. Jul 27

    How AI Is Changing Real Estate

    Is artificial intelligence replacing Realtors—or simply changing how real estate professionals serve their clients? In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty explores how AI is transforming the home-buying and selling process, from property valuations and smarter home searches to listing descriptions, virtual staging, negotiations, and personalized marketing. Laurie explains why an AI-generated home value can be a helpful starting point but may overlook renovations, location, property condition, buyer preferences, and other factors that influence what a home is actually worth. She also shares why successful real estate negotiations require more than numbers, how digitally enhanced listing photos can cross the line into misrepresentation, and what buyers and sellers should know about increasingly convincing AI-powered scams, fake emails, voice cloning, and wire fraud. The episode also explores how experienced Senior Real Estate Specialists help older adults and their families navigate downsizing, assisted living transitions, home improvements, cash-sale options, and traditional home marketing. AI can provide information, but can it replace local knowledge, professional judgment, trusted relationships, and decades of real estate experience? Listen to learn how technology and human expertise can work together to help Kern County homeowners, buyers, and sellers make smarter, safer decisions.

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About

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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