What’s your San Diego home style? 🏡 The roofline, porch, windows and materials tell a story. This guide breaks down 13 recognizable looks—from Spanish Colonial Revival and Craftsman to French Eclectic, Cape Cod, California Bungalow and Coastal Contemporary. Save it for your next neighborhood walk or home tour. Which one feels most like you? These labels can overlap: a California bungalow may have Craftsman details, and Coastal Contemporary describes a design approach rather than a fixed historic style. Many homes combine influences. Looking for a home with character in San Diego? DM “HOME STYLE” and let’s explore your options. Samantha Pizano | REALTOR® Coldwell Banker West | DRE #02200227 619-430-5208 | https://unlocksandiego.com Sources: National Park Service architectural history; Washington DAHP Architectural Style Guide (https://dahp.wa.gov/historic-preservation/historic-buildings/architectural-style-guide); City of San Diego historic-resource surveys. Images are original AI illustrations of representative homes, not actual listings or documented historic properties.

A proposed $50,000 federal down payment match has people talking. Here’s what the Homeownership Promise Act would actually do if enacted: HOW THE MATCH WORKS For every $1 an eligible first-time buyer personally saves, the federal government would contribute $5, up to $50,000 in federal funds. A buyer who personally saves $10,000 could therefore reach a $60,000 account balance. Employer and nonprofit contributions could count toward the account’s $10,000 nonfederal limit, but the 5-to-1 match applies specifically to the buyer’s personal contributions. WHO WOULD QUALIFY The bill defines a first-time buyer as someone who has never owned a principal residence and has completed HUD-approved housing counseling. The home would need to be a principal residence, with a purchase price at or below the area’s median single-family purchase price as determined under the bill. The bill text does not set an income ceiling. WHAT THIS MEANS TODAY This is proposed legislation, not an active down payment assistance program. No one can apply for this match now, and the terms could change as the bill moves through Congress. For San Diego buyers, the local purchase-price limit would be an especially important detail if the proposal ever becomes law. Save this post for updates, and send me a message if you want to talk through your current buying options. Source: Senator Jeff Merkley’s September 23, 2026 announcement and published bill text. Samantha Pizano | REALTOR® Unlocking Doors. Opening Possibilities. #SanDiegoRealEstate #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #DownPayment #HomebuyerEducation #SamanthaPizano

What’s your San Diego home style? 🏡 The roofline, porch, windows and materials tell a story. This guide breaks down 13 recognizable looks—from Spanish Colonial Revival and Craftsman to French Eclectic, Cape Cod, California Bungalow and Coastal Contemporary. Save it for your next neighborhood walk or home tour. Which one feels most like you? These labels can overlap: a California bungalow may have Craftsman details, and Coastal Contemporary describes a design approach rather than a fixed historic style. Many homes combine influences. Looking for a home with character in San Diego? DM “HOME STYLE” and let’s explore your options. Samantha Pizano | REALTOR® Coldwell Banker West | DRE #02200227 619-430-5208 | https://unlocksandiego.com Sources: National Park Service architectural history; Washington DAHP Architectural Style Guide (https://dahp.wa.gov/historic-preservation/historic-buildings/architectural-style-guide); City of San Diego historic-resource surveys. Images are original AI illustrations of representative homes, not actual listings or documented historic properties.

Your San Diego plans for October 26–November 1 🍂 From neighborhood farmers markets and live music to Halloween nights and Día de los Muertos celebrations, save this guide for the week ahead. Swipe for one day per page, and share it with someone you’d like to explore San Diego with. Which event is on your calendar? Samantha Pizano | REALTOR® Coldwell Banker West | DRE #02200227 619-430-5208 | unlocksandiego.com Event times, tickets and availability may change. Confirm with the organizer before heading out. All times are local; daylight saving time ends November 1. Sources: All For Logan / DoSD (dosd.com/events/2026/11/1/4th-annual-dia-de-muertos-en-barrio-logan-tickets); California State Parks (parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31340); Belly Up (bellyup.com/mobile-calendar/); City of San Diego (sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/event-calendar); San Diego Natural History Museum (sdnhm.org/calendar/for-adults/); San Diego Gulls (sandiegogulls.com/games); San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance; LEGOLAND California; San Diego County Farm Bureau (sdfarmbureau.org/farmers-market/); Downtown Chula Vista (downtownchulavista.com); San Diego Wine Classic (sandiegowineclassic.com/dia-de-muertos-gala/); Full Circle Saloon. Artwork: AI-painted illustrations.

Your San Diego plans for November 2–8 ✨ Swipe for concerts, farmers markets, film festivals, food + wine events and more around San Diego County. Save this guide and share it with your weekend crew. Confirm tickets, hours and availability with each organizer. #ThisWeekInSanDiego #SanDiegoEvents #UnlockSanDiego

Why do Kensington’s homes have such a recognizable look? In 1926, San Diego architect Richard Requa guided Kensington Heights’ design, drawing on Spanish and Mediterranean traditions. Arched entries, clay-tile roofs, iron grilles, and rounded chimneys helped shape its character. The Ken Cinema was Kensington’s single-screen movie theater, known for independent, foreign, and classic films from 1946 until its cinema run ended in 2020. Explore the canyon setting and Adams Avenue favorites in this guide. Considering a home here? Let’s compare architectural details, renovation history, and each property’s setting. Samantha Pizano | REALTOR® Coldwell Banker West | DRE #02200227 619-430-5208 | https://unlocksandiego.com #KensingtonSanDiego #SanDiegoHomes #SanDiegoRealEstate Cover painting based on my own photograph. Interior AI illustrations are representative, not archival photos or exact property views. Sources: San Diego History Center; Save Our Heritage Organisation; City of San Diego; Kensington-Talmadge Business Association.

Hillcrest’s story goes well beyond its nightlife. Since the 1970s, LGBTQ+ residents, businesses, and organizations have helped make Hillcrest a center of community, advocacy, and belonging. The 65-foot Pride Flag at Pride Plaza marks a gathering place for celebrations, rallies, and events. Every Sunday, Hillcrest Farmers Market brings more than 175 vendors together from 9 a.m.–2 p.m., rain or shine. Browse the market, explore the shops, and stop at Bread & Cie, Great Maple, insideOUT, or Gossip Grill. Thinking of buying or selling in Hillcrest? Let’s compare your options block by block—from parking and HOA costs to building details and nearby activity. Samantha Pizano | REALTOR® Coldwell Banker West | DRE #02200227 619-430-5208 | https://unlocksandiego.com #HillcrestSanDiego #SanDiegoNeighborhoods #SanDiegoRealEstate Cover painting based on my own photograph. Interior AI paintings are illustrative, not archival photographs or exact depictions of named businesses. Sources: San Diego History Center; Hillcrest History Guild; Hillcrest Business Association / Fabulous Hillcrest.

California just expanded property-tax relief for qualifying disabled veterans. 🇺🇸 SB 296 was signed into law on September 28, 2026. Beginning with the January 1, 2027 lien date, most eligible claimants may receive a 50% exemption on the first $1 million of their home’s full value. Eligible households at or below the statutory income limit—$83,474 before annual adjustments—may receive a 100% exemption on that first $1 million. The property must be the claimant’s principal residence, and the law covers qualifying 100% disabled veterans, certain other severe service-connected disabilities, and some unmarried surviving spouses. The benefit runs for 2027–2031 lien dates unless extended. Important: this does not always create a $0 tax bill. Mello-Roos, special assessments and other direct charges may remain. Eligibility and savings depend on the homeowner, assessed value and documentation filed with the county assessor. Save this and send it to a veteran homeowner who may benefit. If buying or selling is part of the conversation, DM “VETERAN” and I’ll help with the real-estate side and connect you with the right professionals. Samantha Pizano | REALTOR® Unlocking Doors. Opening Possibilities. #CaliforniaVeterans #VeteranHomeowners #SanDiegoRealEstate #PropertyTaxRelief #SB296 Sources: California Legislative Information, SB 296 (Chapter 727); Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, Sept. 28, 2026. Information only—not tax or legal advice.