Blog & local notes

Market notes, how-tos, and Peninsula life—in plain English.

This is where I collect articles worth keeping: refreshed local reads, buying and selling notes, and outdoor pieces for the Monterey Peninsula. No fluff, no gated PDFs.

Want the monthly pulse instead of a one-off article? The Balog Report is my take on what’s selling here—or book a short call.

Featured
Buying & selling
Peninsula life
Balog Report

Featured / refreshed

Reads I’ve already rewritten.

These are the stronger pieces—rewritten in my voice or rebuilt as proper pages. Start here if you want something that doesn’t sound like stock SEO.

LifestyleUnusual things in Carmel-by-the-SeaQuieter village rhythms, Point Lobos mornings, and day trips I actually send friends to.Explore →LifestyleDog-friendly restaurantsWhere you (and your dog) can actually sit down around Carmel-by-the-Sea and nearby.See the list →LifestyleWhere to watch the sunset in MontereyLocal spots in Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach, with fog, timing and parking tips.Find a spot →DiningThe Bench, Pebble BeachA local note on The Bench at The Lodge—worth knowing if you’re hosting or visiting.Read more →PrivacyRemove old listing photosStep-by-step for when a past listing’s photos are still floating around on Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin.Follow the steps →EssayThe Price You Pay for WaitingA longer read on timing, opportunity cost, and sitting on the sidelines on the Peninsula.Read it →NewsletterThe Balog ReportMy monthly take on what’s selling here, what it means, and what I’d watch.Read the latest →

Buying & selling

How-tos and market notes that still help.

Some of these older posts are still stock SEO and will get a full voice rewrite later—same honesty as my Helpful Guides hub. Until then, they’re open links to real pages. For the fuller guide set, start at Helpful Guides.

SellingHome selling tipsPractical prep and positioning notes if you’re thinking about listing on the Monterey Peninsula.Read →Lifestyle homesLuxury homes with poolsA look at Peninsula homes where outdoor living (and a pool) is part of the draw.Read →MarketDollars and Sense: price reductionsHow to read a price cut here—without assuming the market just “crashed.”Read →Buying7 steps to luxury negotiationA clearer walkthrough of negotiating on the Monterey Peninsula luxury market.Read →AdviceHow to choose an agent in Carmel-by-the-SeaWhat to ask, how "top agent" lists count sales, and how to check any license yourself.Read →HubHelpful GuidesOpen buyer/seller guides, tools, and local reads—no gated PDFs.Open the hub →

Peninsula life

Trails, beaches, and days outdoors.

Living here isn’t only about the transaction. These outdoor and lifestyle posts are still live; a few are older stock and will get voice rewrites when their turn comes.

OutdoorsHiking in Monterey BayTrail ideas around the Bay—useful context if you’re visiting or newly moved here.See hikes →OutdoorsBig Sur trail notesA scenic overview of popular Big Sur hikes, access, and what to plan for.Explore →OutdoorsHorseback riding on the beachBeach ride spots along the California coast, including Peninsula-adjacent options.Read →

Jonathan Balog, Compass Broker Associate in Carmel-by-the-Sea

My take

Why I keep a blog.

I don’t write to fill a content calendar. I keep notes here so buyers, sellers, and locals can find a straight answer without sitting through a pitch. Some posts are already in my voice; others are older stock SEO that I’ll rewrite when their turn comes.

For the monthly pulse—what’s selling, what it means, and what I’d watch—read The Balog Report. I’m a Broker Associate at Compass in Carmel-by-the-Sea (DRE# 01980970), licensed since 2015. I’ve been involved in nearly 1,000 transactions on the Monterey Peninsula.

Jonathan

Newsletter

One email a month on the Monterey Peninsula market—plain English, free, easy to leave.