From the journal

Cody Wilson

Cody Wilson | November 9, 2026

Scope the Sewer Line Before You Buy

Your general home inspection doesn't look inside the sewer line. In older San Diego neighborhoods, that pipe can turn into a five-figure bill that's entirely yours.

Cody Wilson | November 2, 2026

The Headline Market Isn't Your Market

Every report says San Diego is cooling. At first-time buyer prices, I'm seeing something else, and it changes how you should write your offer this quarter.

Cody Wilson | October 26, 2026

The Seller Wants Something Besides Your Money

You might not have the biggest offer, but you can still win the house. Here's the question I ask the listing agent before writing anything.

Cody Wilson | October 19, 2026

See the House at the Wrong Time

Saturday at noon is when a house looks its best, and it's not when you'll be living in it. Here's why your second visit should happen at the most boring hour you can find.

Cody Wilson | October 12, 2026

What a Seller's Fresh Paint Is Telling You

How a seller got their house ready tells you more about your room to negotiate than the list price does. Here's how I read it in Clairemont.

Cody Wilson | October 5, 2026

The Property Tax on Zillow Isn't Yours

That annual tax number on a San Diego listing belongs to the seller, and in California it can be thousands off from what you'll actually pay. Here's how to figure out the real number before you start touring.

Cody Wilson | September 28, 2026

Fall Is When San Diego Sellers Get Realistic

Price cuts are up, seller credits are back, and the buyers still shopping in November are the ones getting taken seriously. Here's what I'd do this quarter.

Cody Wilson | September 26, 2026

Check the Condo Before You Fall for It

Plenty of San Diego condos can't be bought with an FHA loan, and most first-time buyers find out after they've already picked the paint colors in their head. Here's the five-minute check I want you to run first.

Cody Wilson | September 7, 2026

What Sellers Won't Tell You About Price

The listing price isn't always the real price. Here's how to read what's actually happening on the other side of the deal.

Cody Wilson | August 31, 2026

You're Trusting the Wrong Home Inspection

Most first-time buyers think hiring any inspector checks the box. The inspector you pick changes everything about what you actually learn.

Cody Wilson | August 24, 2026

San Diego Inventory Is Finally Moving

Something shifted in the San Diego market this spring, and if you're a first-time buyer sitting on the sidelines, you should pay attention.

Cody Wilson | August 17, 2026

Your First Offer Will Probably Be Wrong

Most first-time buyers treat their first offer like a final answer. It's actually a conversation starter, and misunderstanding that costs people houses.

Cody Wilson | August 10, 2026

What Sellers Actually Owe First-Time Buyers

If you're buying your first home, understanding how sellers think gives you a real edge. Here's the other side of the table.

Cody Wilson | August 3, 2026

You're Overthinking the Wrong Neighborhood

First-time buyers spend hours researching school ratings and walkability scores. Most of them miss the one neighborhood factor that actually matters to their daily life.

Cody Wilson | July 27, 2026

Your Budget Isn't What You Think

The number your lender approves you for and the number you should actually spend are two very different things. Here's how I help first-time buyers figure out the real one.

Cody Wilson | July 20, 2026

Stop Skipping the Inspection to Win

Waiving inspections to compete is one of the most common mistakes I see first-time buyers make in San Diego. Here's why it's not worth it.

Cody Wilson | July 13, 2026

Rate Drops Won't Save You Right Now

Mortgage rates dipped slightly this quarter, and buyers are reading that as a green light. Here's what's actually happening on the ground in San Diego.

Cody Wilson | July 6, 2026

You're Probably House Hunting in the Wrong Order

Most first-time buyers start by browsing homes online. That feels productive, but it's actually the step that trips people up the most.

Cody Wilson | June 29, 2026

Your Lender Letter Matters More Than You Think

Most first-time buyers grab a pre-approval and move on. But the letter itself can quietly make or break your offer.

Cody Wilson | June 22, 2026

Summer Inventory Is Giving Buyers a Window

San Diego's summer inventory bump is real this year, and if you're a first-time buyer who's been sitting on the sidelines, the next few months look different than the last twelve.

Cody Wilson | June 15, 2026

How to Price Your Home Without Guessing

Most pricing advice online is vague and unhelpful. Here's what I actually tell my sellers before we list.

Cody Wilson | June 8, 2026

The Offer That Wins Isn't Always Highest

Most first-time buyers think the biggest number wins. In San Diego right now, that's not always how it plays out.

Cody Wilson | June 1, 2026

What Sellers Won't Tell First-Time Buyers

If you're buying your first home in San Diego, here's what the other side of the table is actually thinking about pricing and negotiation.

Cody Wilson | May 25, 2026

San Diego's Spring Market Has Shifted

Inventory is finally creeping up in San Diego, and if you're a first-time buyer, this quarter feels different than the last two years.

Cody Wilson | May 18, 2026

Stop Waiving Your Inspection Contingency

First-time buyers in San Diego keep making the same mistake to win bidding wars. Here's why I push back every time.

Cody Wilson | May 11, 2026

San Diego's Spring Market Isn't What You'd Expect

If you're a first-time buyer in San Diego right now, the numbers might surprise you. Here's what I'm actually seeing on the ground this quarter.