Blog
Notes from the Huntington Beach coast.
Strategy briefs, neighborhood-level market notes, buyer and seller guides, and the deal stories behind our results. Written by humans who work this coast, and updated as the market actually moves.
Buyer guide · September 29, 2026 · 10 min read
How Far Is Huntington Beach From Los Angeles?
A factual look at the distance, drive times, routes, and transit options between Huntington Beach and Los Angeles.
The Tides · September 28, 2026 · 22 min read
Locals only summer: why October is the best month in Huntington Beach
The crowds leave after Labor Day, the marine layer clears, and the water is still warm. October is the month locals plan our year around, and almost nobody else books it.
Buyer guide · September 27, 2026 · 11 min read
Should You Get a Pre-Listing Inspection Before Selling in Huntington Beach?
What a seller inspection is, its tradeoffs, and how it affects disclosure and renegotiation in Huntington Beach.
Buyer guide · September 27, 2026 · 11 min read
What Is Huntington Beach Known For?
A factual, top-of-funnel guide to the landmarks, events, and coastal identity that define Huntington Beach.
Buyer guide · September 27, 2026 · 11 min read
Should I renovate before selling or sell as-is in Huntington Beach?
How Huntington Beach sellers can weigh the ROI of pre-sale improvements against the case for selling as-is.
Buyer guide · September 26, 2026 · 11 min read
What Is a Loan Contingency and How Does It Work in Huntington Beach?
How the financing contingency protects your earnest money and shapes your offer strategy in Huntington Beach.
Buyer guide · September 26, 2026 · 14 min read
Seacliff vs. Brightwater: Comparing Two Huntington Beach Guard-Gate-Era Neighborhoods
How established Seacliff and newer bluff-top Brightwater compare on age, location, HOA structure, views, and price in Huntington Beach.
Buyer guide · September 26, 2026 · 10 min read
How Far Is Huntington Beach From Disneyland?
A factual guide to the distance, driving routes, and realistic travel times between Huntington Beach and the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.
Buyer guide · September 25, 2026 · 12 min read
Is it better to buy or rent in Huntington Beach?
A balanced, no-pressure framework for deciding whether to buy or rent in Huntington Beach.
Buyer guide · September 25, 2026 · 9 min read
What Is the Weather Like in Huntington Beach?
A relocation-research guide to Huntington Beach's mild coastal climate, its seasons, and the marine layer known as June Gloom.
Buyer guide · September 24, 2026 · 13 min read
What Happens if a Home Appraises Low in Huntington Beach? Appraisal Gaps Explained
A plain-English guide to low appraisals, appraisal-gap coverage, and your options as a buyer in Huntington Beach.
Buyer guide · September 24, 2026 · 12 min read
Huntington Beach Neighborhoods Compared: A Lifestyle and Housing Guide
A feature-by-feature look at how Huntington Beach neighborhoods differ in housing, price, beach access, and HOA structure.
Buyer guide · September 23, 2026 · 10 min read
Is Huntington Beach Safe?
A data-referenced answer to whether Huntington Beach is safe, covering published crime statistics and ocean safety without characterizing any neighborhood or group.
Buyer guide · September 23, 2026 · 12 min read
Is Huntington Beach Good for Remote Workers?
An infrastructure-first look at whether Huntington Beach supports remote and hybrid work, from broadband to airport access.
Buyer guide · September 22, 2026 · 12 min read
Huntington Beach vs. Fountain Valley: Beachfront or Inland Value?
A balanced, buyer-focused comparison of coastal Huntington Beach and its inland neighbor Fountain Valley across price, beach access, lot sizes, commute, and geography.
Buyer guide · September 22, 2026 · 12 min read
Downtown Huntington Beach vs. South Huntington Beach: Comparing Two Sides of the City
A balanced, buyer-focused comparison of the walkable Main Street and pier area against the quieter residential neighborhoods of South Huntington Beach.
Buyer guide · September 15, 2026 · 13 min read
How much is a down payment on a Huntington Beach home?
What a down payment actually costs on a Huntington Beach home, from conventional minimums to jumbo territory, gift funds, and why 20 percent is a myth.
Buyer guide · September 14, 2026 · 11 min read
Is It Worth Moving to Huntington Beach?
A neutral, factual breakdown of the pros and trade-offs of relocating to Huntington Beach so you can decide for yourself.
Buyer guide · September 11, 2026 · 10 min read
Is Huntington Beach a Buyer's or Seller's Market in 2026?
A framework for reading whether Huntington Beach favors buyers or sellers right now, using months of supply, days on market, inventory, and price-to-list, broken out by price segment.
Buyer guide · September 11, 2026 · 13 min read
How much income do I need to buy a home in Huntington Beach?
An illustrative, dated breakdown of the income needed to buy in Huntington Beach and the levers that move the number.
Buyer guide · September 10, 2026 · 12 min read
Huntington Beach vs. Long Beach: Comparing Orange County and LA County Coast
A balanced, buyer-focused comparison of suburban coastal Huntington Beach and urban Long Beach across the county line.
Buyer guide · September 9, 2026 · 10 min read
What Disclosures Do Home Sellers Need in Huntington Beach?
The required California and coastal disclosures for Huntington Beach sellers, and what happens if you skip them.
Strategy · September 8, 2026 · 11 min read
Huntington Beach Home Value: What Your Home Is Worth in 2026
A grounded, local guide to finding your Huntington Beach home value, from online estimates to a real CMA.
Strategy · September 8, 2026 · 13 min read
Huntington Beach Home Value: What Your Home Is Really Worth
A grounded look at how Huntington Beach home values are set, why online estimates miss, and how Craig and Justin Ratowsky price a home for the current market.
Strategy · September 8, 2026 · 10 min read
Huntington Beach Home Value: What Your House Is Really Worth
A grounded look at what sets home value in Huntington Beach, why automated estimates fall short, and how Ratowsky Group prices from neighborhood-level comps.
Strategy · September 8, 2026 · 10 min read
Huntington Beach Home Value: What Your Property Is Worth Right Now
A grounded look at how Huntington Beach home values are actually set, why online estimates fall short, and how to get a private home value review from Ratowsky Group.
Strategy · September 8, 2026 · 11 min read
Huntington Beach Home Value: What Your Home Is Worth in 2026
A grounded, local look at how Huntington Beach home value is actually calculated, why online estimates fall short, and how to price your home for today's coastal Orange County market.
Strategy · September 8, 2026 · 11 min read
Huntington Beach Home Value: What Your Property Is Really Worth
A grounded look at what actually sets a Huntington Beach home value, and how Craig and Justin Ratowsky price from local comps and current demand.
Strategy · September 8, 2026 · 12 min read
Huntington Beach Home Value: What Your Property Is Really Worth
A grounded look at what sets your Huntington Beach home value, why algorithms miss, and how Ratowsky Group prices with real comps.
Strategy · September 8, 2026 · 11 min read
Huntington Beach Home Value: What Your House Is Really Worth
A grounded, neighborhood-by-neighborhood look at what drives Huntington Beach home values and how to get an accurate number.
Strategy · September 8, 2026 · 10 min read
Huntington Beach Home Value: What Your Property Is Really Worth
A grounded, neighborhood-by-neighborhood look at how Huntington Beach home values are actually set, and how Ratowsky Group prices to create demand.
Buyer guide · September 3, 2026 · 13 min read
Moving to Huntington Beach from the Bay Area: What Buyers Should Know
A grounded look at how Huntington Beach pricing, home types, weather, and airport access compare for buyers relocating from the Bay Area.
Buyer guide · September 2, 2026 · 12 min read
Huntington Beach vs. Irvine: Beach Town or Master-Planned City?
A grounded, balanced look at how coastal Huntington Beach and inland, master-planned Irvine differ for buyers weighing a move in Orange County.
Buyer guide · September 2, 2026 · 12 min read
Can you use AI to buy a home? What ChatGPT can (and can't) do for Huntington Beach buyers
A practical, answer-first look at where AI helps Huntington Beach buyers and where a local Realtor still does the work that matters.
Buyer guide · September 1, 2026 · 15 min read
What Are the Common Contingencies When Buying a Home in Huntington Beach?
A plain-English guide to inspection, appraisal, and loan contingencies for Huntington Beach buyers, including CAR RPA timelines and the real risk of waiving them.
Buyer guide · August 31, 2026 · 14 min read
Can You Airbnb in Huntington Beach? Short-Term Rental Rules Explained
A factual, non-legal guide to Huntington Beach short-term rental rules for owners and investors, with a reminder to verify the current ordinance with the City.
Buyer guide · August 31, 2026 · 12 min read
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Huntington Beach?
A factual, snippet-ready breakdown of what it actually costs to live in Huntington Beach, from housing and property taxes to HOA dues, coastal insurance, and utilities.
Buyer guide · August 30, 2026 · 12 min read
Huntington Beach vs. Costa Mesa: Which Coastal-Adjacent OC City Fits Your Move?
A balanced, factual comparison of Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa across coastline, price, housing stock, lot size, and commute to help you weigh your move.
Buyer guide · August 29, 2026 · 12 min read
Moving to Huntington Beach from Los Angeles: A Buyer's Relocation Guide
How coastal Orange County home prices, commutes, and value stack up against coastal Los Angeles for relocating buyers.
Buyer guide · August 28, 2026 · 4 min read
Westminster real estate: an Orange County buyer's overview
A grounded, Fair-Housing-safe overview of what to know about buying a home in Westminster, California.
Buyer guide · August 28, 2026 · 7 min read
Buying in Chelsea Point or Cape Cove, Dana Point: a neighborhood comparison
A side-by-side buyer guide to two gated Dana Point communities, decided by lot type and proximity rather than a citywide label.
Buyer guide · August 27, 2026 · 12 min read
What $3 Million Buys in Huntington Beach in 2026
A non-hype guide to the $3M tier in Huntington Beach, where waterfront, custom, and ocean-view homes start in earnest.
Buyer guide · August 26, 2026 · 13 min read
Equestrian and Large-Parcel Properties in San Juan Capistrano
A buyer's guide to horse zoning, land diligence, and pricing on large parcels in San Juan Capistrano and coastal Orange County.
Buyer guide · August 26, 2026 · 12 min read
What $1 Million Buys in Huntington Beach in 2026
A tier-by-tier orientation for buyers benchmarking a $1 million budget against the Huntington Beach market.
Buyer guide · August 25, 2026 · 12 min read
Fountain Valley Housing Market Trends
A grounded, source-backed look at where the Fountain Valley housing market sits and how to read it before you buy or sell.
Buyer guide · August 25, 2026 · 4 min read
What $2 Million Buys in Huntington Beach in 2026
A grounded look at the mid-luxury tier in Huntington Beach: the neighborhoods, home sizes, view premiums, and waterfront realities you can expect around a $2 million budget.
Buyer guide · August 24, 2026 · 11 min read
Restaurants Near Huntington Harbour: Waterfront Dining and Local Favorites
A grounded, local-authority guide to waterfront dining and neighborhood favorites near Huntington Harbour and Sunset Beach.
Buyer guide · August 23, 2026 · 13 min read
Gated custom-home communities in San Clemente: what to expect
A buyer's guide to HOA architectural review, ocean-view lot premiums, and single-level demand in San Clemente's gated custom-home tracts.
Buyer guide · August 23, 2026 · 11 min read
Mesa Verde and the State Streets, Costa Mesa: a buyer's guide
What single-family buyers should know before purchasing in Mesa Verde or the State Streets in Costa Mesa.
Buyer guide · August 22, 2026 · 13 min read
Schools and School District Boundaries in Huntington Beach: A Buyer's Reference
A factual, boundary-first guide to the school districts that serve Huntington Beach and how to confirm the assigned school for a specific address before you buy.
Buyer guide · August 22, 2026 · 13 min read
Development and teardown opportunities on the Balboa Peninsula
A grounded, buyer-side guide to evaluating teardown and development lots on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, from lot size to coastal permitting.
Buyer guide · August 21, 2026 · 11 min read
Fountain Valley real estate: a buyer's overview
A grounded, buyer-focused overview of Fountain Valley, Orange County: its housing stock, location, school districts, and market, from Ratowsky Group at Compass.
Buyer guide · August 21, 2026 · 13 min read
Dana Point ocean-view homes: Monarch Bay Terrace and beyond
A buyer's guide to protecting, valuing, and vetting an ocean-view home in Dana Point.
Buyer guide · August 20, 2026 · 10 min read
Brightwater Living: Coastal North Huntington Beach Lifestyle and Amenities
A grounded, local-authority guide to Brightwater, the bluff-top community above the Bolsa Chica wetlands in North Huntington Beach.
Buyer guide · August 20, 2026 · 11 min read
Huntington Beach Coffee Shops and Cafes Locals Actually Go To
A neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to the coffee shops that shape daily life in Huntington Beach, written by a third-generation local.
Buyer guide · August 19, 2026 · 13 min read
Buying a Newport Beach home with short-term rental income potential
A buyer's guide to purchasing a Newport Beach home with short-term rental income, with the permit diligence to run before you count on a dollar.
Buyer guide · August 19, 2026 · 12 min read
Off-market opportunities in Laguna Beach's guard-gated enclaves
A buyer's guide to finding private, off-market homes in Laguna Beach's guard-gated communities like Emerald Bay through relationships rather than portal alerts.
Buyer guide · August 18, 2026 · 14 min read
Downtown Huntington Beach Guide: Dining, the Pier, and Walkability
A grounded, local-authority guide to living near Main Street and the pier in Downtown Huntington Beach.
Buyer guide · August 18, 2026 · 13 min read
How do I navigate the home buying process in Southern California?
A step-by-step buyer's guide to the Southern California home buying process, grounded in Orange County and Huntington Beach specifics.
Buyer guide · August 17, 2026 · 12 min read
Selling and buying at the same time in coastal Orange County
A seller's guide to sequencing a sale and a purchase in South Orange County and Newport Beach without ending up homeless or double-paying.
Buyer guide · August 17, 2026 · 12 min read
San Juan Capistrano real estate: mission-town buying guide
A grounded, property-focused guide to buying in San Juan Capistrano, from the historic mission core to equestrian parcels and gated hillside communities.
Buyer guide · August 16, 2026 · 13 min read
Corona del Mar real estate: what makes the village different
A grounded, block-by-block guide to buying in Corona del Mar, from the flower-street grid to coastal permitting and fire-zone insurance.
Buyer guide · August 16, 2026 · 12 min read
Living on Trinidad Island: Waterfront Lifestyle, Boating, and What to Know
A grounded, local-authority guide to Trinidad Island in Huntington Harbour, covering waterfront homes, dock and boating access, seawall upkeep, nearby amenities, and how the market moves here.
Buyer guide · August 11, 2026 · 12 min read
Local Guide: Coffee, Dining, and Beaches Near Huntington Harbour
A hyperlocal, low-pressure guide to everyday life around Huntington Harbour, from morning coffee to waterfront dining, beaches, and the harbor islands.
Buyer guide · August 8, 2026 · 13 min read
Buying in a Guard-Gated Orange County Community: HOA, Gate, and Diligence
A buyer's diligence guide to guard-gated single-family communities in coastal Orange County, from CC&Rs and reserves to architectural review and gate access.
Buyer guide · July 27, 2026 · 7 min read
What Are Closing Costs for a Home Buyer in Huntington Beach?
A plain, buyer-side guide to the fees you pay at closing on a Huntington Beach home, and how to find your real numbers.
Buyer guide · July 26, 2026 · 8 min read
Homes on Golf Courses in Huntington Beach: Where They Are and What to Know Before Buying
A buyer guide to the fairway-adjacent neighborhoods around The Huntington Club and Meadowlark Golf Club, and how to read a golf-course lot before you make an offer.
Neighborhood · July 25, 2026 · 8 min read
Huntington Beach Neighborhoods: A Guide to Where to Buy and How the Areas Compare
A plain, side-by-side look at Huntington Harbour, Seacliff, Downtown, and the inland tracts, so you can orient before you ever schedule a tour.
Neighborhood · July 24, 2026 · 7 min read
Living on Trinidad Island in Huntington Harbour: The Waterfront Lifestyle and What to Know
A property and lifestyle guide to island living in Huntington Harbour, from the greenbelt loop and private docks to boat access and what a buyer should weigh before making an offer.
Neighborhood · July 23, 2026 · 7 min read
Seacliff in Huntington Beach: A Guide to the Homes, The Huntington Club, and the Neighborhoods
A plain-spoken look at Seacliff in Huntington Beach, from its guard-gated estate enclaves to the tracts and condos around The Huntington Club golf course.
Neighborhood · July 23, 2026 · 7 min read
Living on the Sand: A Guide to Beachfront Homes in Sunset Beach and Surfside
From Surfside's Row A oceanfront to the homes on the sand along South Pacific Avenue, here is how the truly beachfront properties on this stretch of the Orange County coast actually differ.
Buyer guide · July 22, 2026 · 7 min read
Buying a Waterfront Home With a Boat Dock in Huntington Harbour: What to Check
A buyer's due-diligence guide to docks, permits, seawalls, and vessel fit in Huntington Harbour, so you know what to verify before you write an offer.
Buyer guide · July 21, 2026 · 7 min read
Huntington Harbour Homes: A Buyer's Guide to the Waterfront Islands and Neighborhoods
A plain-language map of Huntington Harbour's five islands and off-water streets, and how water access shapes price and lifestyle.
Buyer guide · July 17, 2026 · 7 min read
How buyers get access to off-market and coming-soon listings in Orange County
What off-market really means in coastal Orange County, and how a buyer gets real access to homes before they go public.
Strategy · July 16, 2026 · 10 min read
Coastal Orange County Luxury: How to Compare Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna, Dana Point, and More in 2026
Luxury buyers on the Orange County coast keep asking the same question: which city fits the life I want? A cross-market read on Huntington Beach, Huntington Harbour, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, Seal Beach, and Long Beach, and how to choose.
Strategy · July 7, 2026 · 6 min read
Short-term rental rules in Huntington Beach: what owners can and cannot do
How Huntington Beach regulates short-term rentals, from permits and zones to transient occupancy tax, and why owners must check the current ordinance first.
Strategy · July 7, 2026 · 7 min read
ADUs in Huntington Beach: rules, ROI, and resale impact
How accessory dwelling units are regulated in Huntington Beach, where the return really comes from, and how an ADU affects appraisal and resale.
Strategy · July 7, 2026 · 7 min read
1031 exchanges for Huntington Beach investment owners
A high-level look at how a 1031 like-kind exchange works, the 45 and 180 day timelines, and why the qualified intermediary and your CPA come first.
Buyer guide · July 7, 2026 · 7 min read
VA loans in Huntington Beach: a buyer's complete guide
How VA loans actually work for Huntington Beach buyers, from entitlement and the funding fee to appraisal, zero down payment, and condo approval.
Neighborhood · July 7, 2026 · 7 min read
Downtown vs. Seacliff vs. Huntington Harbour: which Huntington Beach lifestyle fits you?
Three very different Huntington Beach settings compared by what they physically are: pier-side walkability, gated golf-course living, and waterfront homes with private docks.
Market · July 7, 2026 · 6 min read
Huntington Beach market report: July 2026
A dated snapshot of where the Huntington Beach market sits in July 2026: tight supply, disciplined buyers, and rate sensitivity, with a reminder to confirm live figures.
Market · July 7, 2026 · 8 min read
Is Huntington Beach a good real estate investment in 2026?
Coastal scarcity gives Huntington Beach real long-term support, but the investment case depends on your goals, your holding period, and risks you should price in before you buy.
Seller guide · July 7, 2026 · 7 min read
Staging a Huntington Beach home: what actually moves the price
Staging in Huntington Beach earns its keep when it fixes first impressions, light, and flow, not when it fills rooms with rented furniture for its own sake.
Seller guide · July 7, 2026 · 7 min read
Divorce and your Huntington Beach home: timing, pricing, and options
In a divorce, the home is usually the largest shared asset, and the choices are to sell, buy each other out, or wait, each with its own timing and pricing tradeoffs.
Seller guide · July 7, 2026 · 7 min read
Selling a home in a Huntington Beach trust: what trustees need to know
Selling a home held in a trust usually avoids probate, but the trustee has to prove authority, handle disclosures, and act in the beneficiaries' interest.
Seller guide · July 7, 2026 · 7 min read
Selling an inherited or probate home in Huntington Beach
Selling an inherited Huntington Beach home depends on whether it passes through probate, which adds court confirmation and a public overbid process to the sale.
Seller guide · July 7, 2026 · 7 min read
What it really costs to sell a home in Huntington Beach in 2026
The real cost of selling in Huntington Beach breaks down into a handful of categories, and the way to see your number is to run a net sheet, not guess at a percentage.
Neighborhood · July 7, 2026 · 6 min read
55+ living in Huntington Beach: Huntington Landmark and beyond
How age-restricted 55+ communities like Huntington Landmark work as a housing product, what the rules and HOA structure involve, and how to verify the details.
Neighborhood · July 7, 2026 · 6 min read
Huntington Beach schools by neighborhood: a Fair-Housing-safe guide
Which public school districts serve different parts of Huntington Beach, how address-based assignment works, and the single reliable way to confirm a home's schools.
Buyer guide · July 7, 2026 · 7 min read
HOA fees in Huntington Beach, neighborhood by neighborhood
What HOA dues actually cover in Huntington Beach, why they range so widely by community, and how to confirm the current figure before you buy.
Buyer guide · July 7, 2026 · 7 min read
How to verify Mello-Roos and CFD charges in Huntington Beach
A parcel-level guide to distinguishing district existence, current levies, and outstanding bonds without guessing from a city, neighborhood, or build year.
Neighborhood · July 7, 2026 · 7 min read
Seawalls and bulkheads in Huntington Harbour: cost, upkeep, and disclosure
Owning on the water means owning the wall that holds the channel back. Here is what maintenance, permits, and disclosure look like over the life of a Harbour home.
Buyer guide · July 7, 2026 · 7 min read
Earthquake insurance for coastal Orange County homeowners
Standard homeowners policies don't cover earthquake damage. Here is how the coverage works, who offers it, and how to decide if it fits your coastal home.
Buyer guide · July 7, 2026 · 7 min read
The California insurance crisis and the FAIR Plan: what Huntington Beach homeowners need to know
Carriers have pulled back across California, and more homeowners are landing on the FAIR Plan. Here is how the coast fits in and how to protect your coverage.
Buyer guide · July 7, 2026 · 7 min read
Flood zones in Huntington Beach: what every coastal buyer must know
A flood zone doesn't have to scare you off a coastal home, but you need to read the map, understand the insurance, and price it in before you write an offer.
Market · July 6, 2026 · 6 min read
The SpaceX IPO Just Minted a Wave of Millionaires. Here's What It Means for the Orange County Coast.
SpaceX went public on June 12, 2026 in the largest IPO in history. If you just became liquid and you're eyeing a coastal home, here's what happened and where that money tends to go.
Market · July 6, 2026 · 7 min read
What Wealthy Buyers Are Actually Hunting for in Newport Beach and South OC Right Now
I read the buyer needs coming through our private network of top Orange County agents every day. Here is what the money is chasing this summer, aggregated and anonymized: docks, single-story, and homes that never touch the MLS.
Strategy · July 2, 2026 · 5 min read
I Met Compass's Founder. Here's What the Biggest Brokerage in the Country Actually Does for Our Clients.
After meeting Robert Reffkin, who founded Compass, I reflected on why our team chose this brokerage. The reason a father-and-son team from Huntington Beach cares who runs Compass has nothing to do with the name on the sign, and everything to do with two things it changes for you.
The Tides · June 28, 2026 · 8 min read
4th of July in Huntington Beach: A Local's Guide (2026)
The parade, the fireworks, the parking, and how to actually do the day right, from a family that has watched it from every spot on Main Street.
Seller guide · June 16, 2026 · 8 min read
How Off-Market Home Sales Actually Work in Coastal Orange County (and When They Beat the MLS)
Private exclusives, office exclusives, coming-soon, and the quiet agent networks: what 'off market' really means in California, what Clear Cooperation allows, and the honest math on when a private sale serves you and when it costs you.
Deal story · June 9, 2026 · 4 min read
Twelve offers in eight days: what actually happened on Trinidad Island
A $3,925,000 sale. Twelve competing offers. Eight all-cash. $643,000 over asking, and about $1.475 million over Zillow's estimate. The real numbers, and the method behind them.
Seller guide · June 9, 2026 · 5 min read
Choosing a Huntington Beach listing agent: what actually matters
Beyond the marketing, the questions worth asking before you hand someone the most valuable thing you own.
Strategy · June 9, 2026 · 4 min read
How to read a Huntington Beach home value estimate
An online estimate is a starting point, not a strategy. Here is why it misses, and what a real number is built from.
Seller guide · June 9, 2026 · 5 min read
Seawall and dock inspections before selling a Huntington Harbour home
On the water, the diligence file is part of the product. Handling the seawall and dock up front protects the sale and the price.
Buyer guide · June 9, 2026 · 5 min read
How much income and down payment do you need to buy in Huntington Beach in 2026?
A practical framework for what it takes to buy on the coast, without the false precision of a number that changes every week.
Buyer guide · June 9, 2026 · 6 min read
Is Huntington Harbour a good place to buy a waterfront home in 2026?
If you want a dock, a boat, and the water at your back door in Orange County, here is what to weigh before you buy in Huntington Harbour.
Strategy · June 9, 2026 · 5 min read
Should you sell before you buy in Huntington Beach?
The sequencing of a move-up matters more than most agents will tell you. Here is how to stay in control of both sides.
Strategy · June 9, 2026 · 4 min read
Why the Zestimate misses your Huntington Harbour waterfront value
Automated estimates weight square footage and bed count. On the water, the value is in the things an algorithm can't see.
Seller guide · June 9, 2026 · 6 min read
How to sell a waterfront home in Huntington Harbour
Selling on the water is a different sale. The dock, the depth, and the right buyer pool decide the price as much as the house does.
Seller guide · June 9, 2026 · 5 min read
Should you sell your Huntington Beach home now or wait in 2026?
There's no single right answer, only the right answer for your equity, your next move, and your timeline. Here is the framework we use with sellers.
The Tides · June 7, 2026 · 5 min read
The case for June Gloom
June Gloom isn't summer running late. It's summer the way the coast does it. Issue No. 1 of The Tides: why the marine layer is a gift, the most underrated stretch of water in the county, and one honest number.
Market · April 28, 2026 · 5 min read
Huntington Beach residential market: mid-2026 read
Where prices are, what's moving, and what we're telling buyers and sellers right now.
Seller guide · April 22, 2026 · 7 min read
Why the first week on the market decides your final price
Why the opening week on market decides everything, and why the preparation that precedes it's the only thing sellers can actually control.
Seller guide · April 15, 2026 · 6 min read
What a Compass Private Exclusive actually does for your listing
A pre-market test of demand inside the largest agent network in the country, before a single public dollar is spent on marketing.
Buyer guide · April 8, 2026 · 5 min read
How to read Huntington Harbour dock sizes like a buyer
Dock dimensions, deep-water access, and the cost-per-foot premium that drives Harbour valuations.
Buyer guide · April 1, 2026 · 6 min read
What Seacliff buyers miss about the HOA layer
Fairway frontage, gated enclaves, and architectural review, and the governance details that determine whether Seacliff is the right community for your lifestyle.
Seller guide · March 18, 2026 · 5 min read
What Compass Concierge actually is, and when it makes sense
How the presale home-improvement program works, what it costs, and the situations where it changes a listing's outcome.
The Tides
One monthly read. No fluff.
Subscribe to The Tides, our monthly market letter for the Huntington Beach coast. Sent the first week of every month.