Can you trust real estate listing photos anymore?

With editing software and AI tools becoming more advanced, it is easier than ever to alter images of a property before it hits the market. That is exactly why California Assembly Bill 723 (AB 723) is going into effect on January 1, 2026.

In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty is joined by Chris O’Donnell, owner of Selling Image and one of Bakersfield’s most trusted real estate photographers, to break down what AB 723 really means for buyers, sellers, and agents.

AB 723 requires a reasonably conspicuous disclosure on any listing photo that has been digitally altered or AI-generated in a way that changes physical elements of a property. It also requires access to the original, unedited images through a link, URL, or QR code. The goal is transparency and protecting buyers from misleading property images.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What counts as a “digitally altered” real estate photo
• How AI is changing real estate photography
• What must now be disclosed under AB 723
• How this law impacts virtual staging
• Why transparency in listing photos matters
• What buyers should watch for when viewing homes online
• How agents and photographers are adapting to the new requirements

If you are buying, selling, or simply browsing homes online, this is a conversation you need to hear.

Tune in to understand how AB 723 will change real estate listings in California and what it means for the future of real estate photography.

Is Bakersfield still affordable for home buyers heading into 2026? In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, we break down what affordability really looks like right now and what buyers, sellers, and renters should be paying attention to this year.

Laurie McCarty digs into the latest housing data, including a new Realtor.com report ranking California markets by affordability, and explains where Bakersfield stands compared to the rest of the state. The conversation also covers interest rates, Federal Reserve leadership changes, and how potential rate shifts could impact monthly payments and buyer confidence in the months ahead.

This episode also features the monthly Open House, Open Mic special, highlighting some of the top open houses happening across Kern County and hearing directly from the agents hosting them. Plus, we explore rental trends, including short-term rentals, luxury apartment demand, and what new developments like Greyhound Flats say about how people want to live in Bakersfield.

Whether you’re thinking about buying, selling, investing, or just trying to understand where the market is headed, this episode offers real insight, local perspective, and practical context for navigating the 2026 housing market.

Closing escrow is an incredible moment, but the real work of homeownership starts the second you get the keys. In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty shares the 15 must-do steps after closing escrow that can protect your home, protect your privacy, and prevent the most common (and most expensive) move-in surprises.

You will learn what to handle first, what can wait, and why small tasks can save you major frustration later.

Whether you are a first-time buyer or you have owned homes before, this is a fast, practical checklist you will want to keep handy, and it is the kind of episode you will want to share with anyone closing escrow soon.

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