Ben Ottmar, Realtor at Bay Homes & Estates

09/14/2026

Why do people buy second homes on the Monterey Peninsula?

In my experience, it usually starts long before they ever look at a house.

They’ve been coming for Car Week or the Pro-Am every year. Their family vacationed here when they were growing up. They’ve rented the same neighborhood summer after summer. They love the golf, hiking, fishing, or coastline. Or they simply want a cool place to spend the summer.

Eventually, visiting turns into a different question:

“Should we just own a place here?”

I’ve seen six patterns come up repeatedly over my 20 years working with second-home buyers here. I put them together in the first post of a new series about buying a second home on the Monterey Peninsula.

If you’ve ever thought about owning a place here, you may recognize yourself in one of them.

https://app.luxurypresence.com/content/site-content/blog-posts/ab4800be-b0d0-4eac-b298-35f7a365e207

08/16/2026

08/12/2026

**Carmel Valley Market Pulse | August 2026**

A quick snapshot of what we’re seeing in Carmel Valley right now, from pricing and inventory to days on market and value compared with the coast.

Here’s what the latest numbers are telling us.

06/08/2026

I'm excited to share that 125 Surf Way #305 in Monterey has officially sold for $640,000 in just 1 day!

This beachfront-adjacent condominium offered a great opportunity to enjoy the Monterey lifestyle, with easy access to Del Monte Beach and beautiful coastal surroundings.

What I'm most grateful for is how smoothly this transaction came together. We had a quick escrow, great communication from all parties involved, and a successful outcome for everyone.

Congratulations to the new owners, and thank you to everyone who helped make this a seamless closing.

If you're considering buying or selling on the Monterey Peninsula, I'm always happy to be a resource.

05/28/2026

✨ Just Listed in Pacific Grove! ✨
841 Congress | $1,699,000
🏡 4 bed | 3 bath | 2,690 sq ft
🌳 Huge parcel: 29,700 sq ft (almost 0.7 acres!)

This one is truly unique—first time on the market in 50+ years. Originally a 1920s dairy barn, later known as Otto’s Acres, it’s been a beloved gathering place for decades—weddings, holidays, and big family celebrations.

You’ll find pieces of PG history built right into the home:
✅ Solid wood doors reclaimed from the historic Pacific Grove Public Library
✅ Loft space sourced from a local Episcopal church
✅ Vaulted ceilings + a layout with room to reimagine
✅ Kitchen tile inspired by Claude Monet’s home in Giverny

Minutes to the coast and downtown, with endless possibilities thanks to the lot size and flexible footprint.

Listed at $1,699,000, MLS , 4 beds, 3 baths, 2,690 square feet, 29,700, Located in Pacific Grove and offered for the first time in over 50 years, this half-acre property carries a story that is hard to replicate. Originally a 1920s dairy barn and later known as Otto's Acres, it became a l...

05/28/2026

🚨 Just Listed in Monterey! 🚨
125 Surf Way #305 | $650,000 | Ocean view + updated + steps to Del Monte Beach 🌊☀️

If you’ve been looking for that “Monterey coastal lifestyle” spot—this one checks a lot of boxes. Updated interior, a private balcony for the ocean air, and a community packed with amenities.

✨ Inside you’ll find: stainless steel appliances, custom painted cabinetry, modern lighting, tiled kitchen backsplash, a remodeled bathroom (with extra storage), and a barn-style bedroom door that adds warmth + saves space.

🏊 Amenities: two heated pools, spas, saunas, fitness room, club/game rooms, extra storage, and even car wash areas.
🚗 Plus: a deeded garage (huge perk here).

Want the link or to come tour it? Comment “SURFWAY” or send me a message.

Listed at $650,000, MLS , 1 bed, 1 bath, 513 square feet, Wake up to the sound of the ocean, pour a cup of coffee, and take a short stroll down to the sand at Del Monte Beach. At 125 Surf Way #305, coastal living feels easy, comfortable, and connected to everything that makes Monterey spe...

04/23/2026

Did you try to buy a home last year and give up because there was nothing that really fit—or everything felt out of reach? You’re not alone, and the landscape is starting to shift.

This spring, more homes are coming on the market nationwide, and that’s starting to show up here on the Monterey Peninsula too—especially in Monterey, Seaside, Marina, and parts of Carmel Valley. That means more choice, a wider range of price points, and a better chance of finding a place that actually fits your needs.

I put together a quick blog on what this spring’s inventory bump means for local buyers and how to take advantage of it:
👉 Read more here:

Are more homes hitting the market on the Monterey Peninsula this spring? Inventory is rising in Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel, and Marina—giving buyers more options and flexibility in 2026.

04/13/2026

Mortgage rates + headlines have you wondering whether you should still buy on the Monterey Peninsula?

Here’s the local reality: for many buyers, it’s less “market timing” and more property timing (inventory + neighborhood fit). I broke down what to watch and how to build a buyer plan that holds up even when rates move. https://www.livinginmontereybay.com/blog/wondering-if-you-should-still-buy-home-monterey-peninsula-right-now-heres-what-keep-mind-april-2026/