Buying a home involves key steps: determining your must-haves, choosing a home type, estimating mortgage affordability, and planning for down payment and closing costs. Shop for homes and lenders, get pre-approved, submit competitive offers, and conduct home inspections. After closing, maintain the property, save for emergencies, and continue retirement savings. First-time buyers may qualify for...
In Q1 2026, owner-occupied real estate value reached a record $48.7 trillion, up $810 billion from the previous quarter and $1.2 trillion over the year. Mortgage debt hit an all-time high of $13.8 trillion, growing 2.8% annually but slower than recent years. Home equity rose to $34.9 trillion, or 71.6% of property value, providing a strong cushion against potential home price declines. Continue to...
A new home-search feature helps US buyers compare long-term ownership costs, adding maintenance, utility, and replacement estimates for newly built and resale homes. An accompanying analysis found newly built homes save buyers avg. $25.3K over the first 10 yr of ownership versus 20-yr-old homes nationwide. The shift reflects affordability decisions moving beyond...
A current housing expectations survey points to modest US price growth through 2028, giving buyers and sellers a calmer planning baseline today. Panelists expect US home prices to rise ~2% in 2026, ~2% in 2027, and ~3% in 2028, signaling steady appreciation, not a rapid surge. Price trends touch buyers, sellers, and homeowners differently, so even modest...
In San Diego, listed homes remain far above local house-buying power, keeping existing-home sales well under pre-pandemic norms even with homes listed. More supply can help San Diego buyers, but affordability decides whether extra options become closed sales instead of just active listings locally. For San Diego sellers, pricing near realistic buyer budgets...
California’s median existing single-family home price reached a record $930.3K in Mid-Q2, ↑3.1% yearly as competition supported pricing across constrained supply conditions. Statewide existing single-family sales ran at a seasonally adjusted annualized pace of 268.8K in Mid-Q2, ↑5.1% yearly, showing stronger buyer activity statewide. Higher-priced segments...
Starting July 1, Senate Bill 79 requires cities in eligible California regions to allow denser residential development near major transit stops, unlocking zoning capacity for over a million homes. The law applies to several large urban counties and aims to boost housing supply, support transit ridership, and reduce emissions by overriding certain local zoning restrictions near rail and bus rapid transit...
Key home upgrades for 2026 with high ROI include fresh exterior paint to protect against weather and pests, modern insulated garage doors for improved appearance and energy efficiency, and new windows to reduce energy loss. Upgrading the front door enhances curb appeal and efficiency. Central AC improvements with high SEER ratings balance cost and savings. Solar panels can save on energy bills if sized...
Mortgage rates remain higher than pandemic lows, impacting affordability for homebuyers. Understanding mortgage processes like rate locks, pre-approvals, and loan options is crucial. Rate locks secure interest rates for a set period, protecting against increases. Pre-approval involves detailed financial review, aiding stronger offers. Down payment assistance and low-down-payment loans help buyers....
San Diego RevPAR is pacing ↑~21% yearly, signaling strong short-term rental momentum as travelers keep choosing coastal California stays for summer trips. Occupancy is pacing ↑~14%, while avg. nightly rates are ↑~6%, showing pricing power and booking strength across San Diego’s premium market this summer. Demand comes from international tourists and...
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