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A housing economist says the condo market is stabilizing after prior weakness, with some metros now seeing condo price gains outpace single-family homes.
Improved affordability is drawing buyers back toward condos, creating a practical option for shoppers seeking lower entry points in active markets today.
Mortgage rates are higher than earlier in 2026, but a housing economist says they remain comfortably below yearly levels for buyers now.
Lower mortgage rates are expected to help more potential buyers qualify and obtain financing, widening access as affordability conditions improve for households.
Buyers should watch condo choices and mortgage qualification closely, because both themes point to more practical paths for entering active markets now.

California estimates it needs ~180K new homes yearly to meet demand, yet actual construction remains a little less than half that pace.
Even with ~$24B in state housing subsidies, California's median house price is pushing $1M, underscoring how affordability efforts have not closed the supply gap.
In Orange County, one new development was approved recently after ~50 yr in review, illustrating how long entitlement timelines can stall new supply.
For an avg. new home, approvals can add ~$40K, while multiple agencies can block projects even when no single decision-maker can say yes.
State leaders backed an $11.25B bond measure headed to the Early-Q4 2026 ballot, partly to fund tens of thousands of approved affordable units statewide.

California lawmakers passed measures aimed at better insurance coverage for smoke-damaged homes and financing for upgrades that help protect residences from future fire damage.
Several bills also sought to help fire victims navigate burdensome insurance requirements after disasters while increasing prevention efforts, with the package sent to the governor.
Two companion bills were approved to make sure smoke-contaminated homes are properly remediated before residents move back in, creating clearer expectations for recovery.
After intensive late-stage negotiations, advocates said added protections brought the insurance measure into harmony with the standards bill and left supporters satisfied.
A companion insurance bill would require insurers to follow those standards and act promptly on claims, taking effect only if both bills are signed.

In California, work valued at $500+ generally requires a state-licensed contractor, making license checks an essential first step before comparing any roof repair quote.
State guidance recommends at least three written bids on the same scope, because matching assumptions about decking, flashing, and underlayment makes price comparisons far clearer.
California home-improvement contracts cap down payments at 10% of the contract price or $1K, whichever is less, helping homeowners manage payment risk.
Licensed California roofing contractors must carry workers' compensation insurance or approved self-insurance, adding another credential homeowners should verify before signing any contract.
For California roofing jobs, confirm permit rules with your local building department, since the state's current building standards code took effect on January 1, 2026.

In California, eligible Veterans with full VA entitlement can buy with nothing down, challenging the belief that no savings means no path to ownership.
The approach emphasized realistic planning: measure carrying costs in California's high-tax, high-insurance market, then identify where seller concessions and lender credits may help.
Speed also mattered. Pre-offer outreach to listing agents, completed underwriting, and proactive updates were presented as ways to strengthen a Veteran buyer's position.
Many borrowers still misunderstood full entitlement, causing them to narrow searches prematurely or dismiss California neighborhoods they might actually afford with guidance.
Winning in California was framed as combining advantages: temporary rate buydowns, smart seller negotiation, lender credits, suitable loan terms, and careful property selection.
California is expected to stay among the hardest markets to buy in, making fast lenders, skilled agents, and long-term cost planning esp

California owners 55+ can sell a longtime primary home, buy a replacement anywhere statewide, and carry over the old assessed value up to three times.
The transfer works best when the new home costs the same or less; if it costs more, the transferred assessment rises by that difference.
The law also covers severe disability and wildfire or declared-disaster losses, but age and disability transfers count toward the three-use lifetime limit.
Both homes must be principal residences, and owners must buy or build within two years, then file the county claim within two years.
Families planning ahead should note this benefit stays inside California, and inherited low assessments now usually require the heir to live there.

In Santa Clara County, homes with severe or extreme climate risk were priced at 78% of lower-risk homes on a price per sq-ft basis.
Those higher-risk Santa Clara County listings also drew 48% more views per listing, showing that buyer attention stayed strong even when climate exposure was greater.
Santa Clara County stood out because buyer interest stayed elevated even though severe or extreme risk homes carried a clear price discount versus lower-risk properties.
For Santa Clara County buyers, purchase price was not the only factor worth weighing; future insurance costs and coverage availability also mattered before closing.
In Santa Clara County, a higher-risk home could still make sense for affordability or lifestyle, as long as buyers made an informed choice.