Guthrie Group Homes, Real Estate

06/18/2026

Buying a Home With Family: How Multigenerational Living Works (and What to Get Right)

Multigenerational living isn't a fallback anymore — it's a deliberate strategy more families are choosing. 🏡

According to NAR, 14% of recent buyers purchased a multigenerational home. These families aren't making the best of a bad situation — they're rethinking what "home" needs to do.

Why families are choosing this path:
• Shared costs make homeownership more accessible
• Caregiving support for aging parents or young children
• Remote work makes living near family more feasible
• Daily support and shared routines that strengthen connections

If this is something your family is considering, the key is getting the strategy right from the start — the right property, clear financial structure, and honest conversations before you sign.

Multigenerational home buying is on the rise. Learn the 3 steps to success and determining if buying a family home is right for you.

06/11/2026

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐰

After a decade of all-gray interiors and sterile minimalism, buyers are looking for something completely different: warmth, texture, and homes that actually feel like sanctuaries. 🏡

Here's what's moving the market in 2026:

✨ Warm color palettes — beiges, terra cotta, sage, soft navy
🎨 Art Deco details — curves, arches, brass accents
🪨 Statement materials — dramatic natural stone, limewashed walls
🍳 Personalized kitchens — earth tones and wood-grain over all-white
🏠 Semi-closed floor plans — connection with purpose and privacy
🌿 Wellness-focused spaces — biophilic design, natural light, quiet zones
⚡ Climate-resilient features — solar, battery systems, EV charging

The takeaway? Buyers want homes that feel intentional, layered, and designed for how they actually live.

Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡 | Lic. #01117537 | Keller Williams Realty
[email protected] | 925-628-2436
Brentwood, California

In 2026, buyers want homes that feel intentional, layered, and designed for how they actually live. Read the post for all our design tips.

06/04/2026

Great rental properties aren't found by chance—they're identified through systematic evaluation, including:

🏡 Strategic location analysis
💰 Detailed cash flow calculations
⚡ Property condition assessment
🎯 Market trend evaluation
📈 Three wealth-building channels working together

Want the complete checklist? Read our full guide!



Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡
Lic. #01117537
Keller Williams Realty
guthriegrouphomes.com
[email protected]
925-628-2436

What Makes a Great Long-Term Rental Property for Investors? In this article we explore the ins and outs of choosing a great rental property.

05/21/2026

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐬 (and Protect Your Investment)

Real estate scams are targeting more victims than ever before! Nearly 10,000 Americans lost over $173 million to real estate fraud last year.

Key threats to watch for:
🏡 Wire transfer fraud at closing
💰 Fake rental listings
⚡ Title and deed theft
🔍 Impostor agents and buyers

Don't become a statistic! These sophisticated scams can fool anyone, but knowing the warning signs is your best protection.

Read our complete guide to spotting and avoiding real estate scams ➡️

Real estate scams are targeting more victims than ever before, and they're becoming increasingly sophisticated, says FBI.

05/21/2026

𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐲𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐁𝐮𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐫

Spring is here, and if you're thinking about listing your home this season, your backyard could be your biggest selling asset.

Today's buyers aren't just looking for four walls—they're searching for outdoor living spaces where they can relax, entertain, and enjoy the warmer months. Patios, decks, and well-maintained landscaping are consistently at the top of spring buyers' wish lists.

Here's a quick tip: Focus on creating defined outdoor "rooms." A simple seating area, a clean patio with potted plants, or a freshly mulched garden bed can make your yard feel intentional and inviting. You don't need a complete overhaul—just thoughtful touches that help buyers envision themselves enjoying the space.

First impressions matter, and in spring, your outdoor space is often the first thing buyers notice. A little effort now can lead to stronger offers and a faster sale.

Call/text/email us if you have questions


Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡
Lic. #01117537
Keller Williams Realty
guthriegrouphomes.com
[email protected]
925-628-2436
Brentwood, California

05/20/2026

🏡 Would You Rather: Brand New Construction or Established Neighborhood Charm?

One of the biggest decisions homebuyers face is choosing between a newly built home and a property in an established neighborhood. Both have unique advantages!

✨ Brand New Construction:
• Builder warranties and modern systems
• Energy-efficient features and smart home technology
• Customization options during the build process
• Everything is brand new—no immediate repairs needed

🌳 Established Neighborhood:
• Mature trees and landscaping
• Homes with character and unique architectural details
• Proven community with established amenities
• Often closer to city centers and developed areas

Pro tip: Consider your lifestyle and long-term goals. New construction is ideal if you want move-in ready perfection and modern efficiency. Established neighborhoods are perfect if you value location, charm, and a sense of community history.

Let us know in the comments which you prefer and why!

Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡
Lic. #01117537
Keller Williams Realty
guthriegrouphomes.com
[email protected]
925-628-2436
Brentwood, California

05/14/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

Think that online home estimate is accurate? Think again. 🏠

Millions of homeowners check their home's value online every day—it's quick, free, and convenient. But here's the reality: automated valuations can be off by tens of thousands of dollars.

Here's what you need to know:
🏡 Online estimates are called "starting points" for a reason
💰 Even industry insiders have seen 40%+ pricing misses
⚡ Algorithms can't capture your home's unique features
🎯 Your equity deserves more than an automated guess

Want to know your home's TRUE value? Understanding the difference between automated estimates and professional valuations could save—or make—you thousands.

Read the full article to discover what these algorithms miss and why local expertise matters.

https://guthriegrouphomes.com/can-you-really-trust-online-home-estimates/

Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡
Lic. #01117537
Keller Williams Realty
guthriegrouphomes.com
[email protected]
925-628-2436

Millions of homeowners check their home's value online every day. But automated valuations can be off by tens of thousands of dollars.

05/14/2026

Caregiving Is Driving This Trend 🤗

Nearly half of multigenerational home buyers say caregiving was a primary reason for their purchase — specifically, caring for or wanting to be near aging parents.

There are now more than 70 million Americans age 65 or older, and the question of how families want to handle aging parent care isn't one most people want to fully outsource. Living together — when it's set up well — gives families proximity without sacrificing everyone's independence.

For families with young kids, it works the other way too. Having grandparents nearby can be transformative for daily support, school pickups, and simply not feeling like you're navigating parenthood alone.

This isn't about making the best of a hard situation. It's about designing a living arrangement that actually supports the people you care about most — on both sides of the generational equation.

Read the full article: https://guthriegrouphomes.com/buying-a-home-with-family-how-multigenerational-living-works-and-what-to-get-right/


Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡
Lic. #01117537
Keller Williams Realty
guthriegrouphomes.com
[email protected]
925-628-2436
Brentwood, California

05/13/2026

𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 = 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐬?

Spring is officially here, and if you're thinking about listing your home this April, now's the time to prepare for peak buyer activity.

Here's the truth: buyers are out in full force during spring, but they're also comparing more homes. The difference between a good offer and a great one often comes down to how your home presents.

Three simple steps can make a big impact:

1. Declutter ruthlessly – Remove personal items, excess furniture, and anything that makes spaces feel smaller. Buyers need to envision their life in your home, not yours.
2. Deep clean everything – Don't just tidy up. Clean baseboards, windows, grout, and carpets. A sparkling home signals that it's been well-maintained.
3. Add light staging touches – Fresh flowers, neutral throw pillows, and good lighting can transform a room without a big investment.

These aren't just cosmetic changes. They help buyers emotionally connect with your space, which directly impacts offer strength.

Spring sellers who take these steps seriously tend to see faster sales and higher offers. It's not about perfection—it's about presentation.

Call/text/email us if you have questions


Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡
Lic. #01117537
Keller Williams Realty
guthriegrouphomes.com
[email protected]
925-628-2436
Brentwood, California