As your local Bay Area real estate expert , I’ve seen one thing make all the difference between a quick, successful sale and months of frustration: How well sellers adapt to today’s market from the very start. After a few years of shifting mortgage rates, lifestyle changes, and tech-driven relocations, many homeowners in Silicon Valley and the greater Bay Area  didn’t get the results they hoped for in 2025. But it’s not because the market is broken — it’s because their expect

After years of high mortgage rates and hesitant buyers, the housing market is finally showing signs of life. Sellers are returning. Buyers are re-engaging. And for the first time in a long while, there’s real movement again. It’s not a sudden boom — but it is  a steady shift. One that’s laying the foundation for a stronger, more balanced housing market in 2026. So, what’s behind the comeback? Let’s look at three key trends shaping the housing market right now. 1. Mortgage Rat

California has just passed a few new ADU-related bills — AB 462, AB 1154, SB 543  — which, together with the already-effective SB 9 , make up California’s newest push to expand housing and simplify ADU development. In short: building an ADU or JADU is becoming easier, faster, and more predictable — and cities have less power to create extra hurdles. Here’s what each law does, and what it means for Bay Area buyers, sellers, and investors. ▍ AB 462: A Green Light for Coastal &

Are You Stuck in the 'Wait and See' Trap? Many prospective buyers are currently holding their breath, waiting for mortgage rates  to dip just below 6%. The logic is simple: who wouldn't want a better rate? While seeking optimal home affordability  is smart, this "wait and see" approach is often based on a misunderstanding of the current housing market  dynamics. That small rate drop you’re hoping for might not save you as much as you think—and waiting for it could cost you fa

There was a time when buying property in the Bay Area felt like a sure bet — “close your eyes and you’ll still make money.” But that era has shifted. Today, we’re seeing a sharp divide in the Bay Area real estate market : 🏡 Luxury homes over $5M  in Los Altos and Palo Alto are still drawing multiple offers, while entry-level townhomes under $2M  are quietly turning from “for sale” to “for rent.” This growing gap signals that the Bay Area housing market has entered a new, mor

If it feels like you’re seeing new construction signs everywhere in California, you’re not imagining it. Builders have been active — and that’s left many homeowners asking: “Are we heading for another housing bubble like 2008?” The short answer: No.  While it’s true that homebuilding activity has picked up in recent years, the numbers show something very different from what happened before the last crash. (Related read: Housing Market Predictions for 2025: When Will Prices Dr

If you’ve served in the U.S. military—or if your spouse has—you have access to one of the most powerful homebuying benefits available: the VA home loan . This unique program gives qualified Veterans and active-duty service members the opportunity to buy a home with no down payment , no private mortgage insurance (PMI), and often better loan terms than traditional mortgages. But here’s the surprising part: Nearly 70% of Veterans don’t even know they qualify for this benefit ,

After a hot few years, the 2025 housing market  is showing signs of cooling. Slower price growth, rising inventory in key regions, and slightly lower mortgage rates are giving buyers some breathing room. But experts say major price drops may still be out of reach—at least for now. Fed Rate Cuts and Mortgage Relief In October 2025, the Federal Reserve  made its second rate cut of the year , lowering the federal funds rate to 3.75%–4.00% . While mortgage rates have dipped to th

There’s been a lot of talk lately about how a government shutdown impacts the housing market. You might be wondering: Is it causing everything to grind to a halt? The short answer? No. The housing market doesn’t stop. It keeps moving. Homes are still being bought and sold, contracts are still being signed, and closings are still happening. The difference is that a few parts of the process may slow down a little, but overall, the market continues to function. Here’s What Typi