top of page

BLOG
The latest real estate news and insights


Still Waters, Steady Heart — My 22nd Year as a Bay Area Real Estate Agent
My 22nd Year as a Bay Area Real Estate Agent This year, the RealTrends national rankings were released—an industry-recognized list...
Yvonne Yang


REALTRENDS HONOREE - YVONNE YANG
Exciting News: Yvonne Yang Recognized as a Top Real Estate Agent by RealTrends
Yvonne Yang
Search


The Bay Area Housing Market: Navigating the “Foundational Recalibration” — February 2026 Update
The frenzied days of instant offers, waived contingencies, and double-digit bidding wars are behind us. As of February 2026, the Bay Area housing market is entering what many experts are calling a “foundational recalibration.” While still one of the most competitive real estate regions in the country, today’s market feels different — more balanced, more strategic, and ultimately more sustainable. Whether you’re a homeowner , buyer , seller , or investor , this shift presents
6 days ago


The “Sub-6%” Shift: Why Bay Area Homebuyers Are Finally Making Their Move
The “Sub-6%” Shift: Why Bay Area Homebuyers Are Finally Making Their Move If you’ve been house-hunting in California (especially around the Bay Area) over the last couple of years, you know how it’s felt: soaring prices, higher mortgage rates, and that lingering thought that owning a home might just have to wait. But as we step into February 2026, something has changed — and this shift could redefine the year for both buyers and sellers. Mortgage rates have finally settled be
Feb 2


Why 2026 Already Feels Different for Homebuyers
Why 2026 Already Feels Different for Homebuyers It’s only the beginning of 2026, but the housing market is already showing signs of change — and for once, it’s change in favor of buyers. After several years of high prices, limited listings, and unpredictable mortgage rates, this year is starting from a completely different place. Here’s what’s happening right now: 1. More Homes Are Hitting the Market Inventory is up 13% compared to last year, according to national housing re
Jan 14


Buying in January Could Save You $23,000 — Here’s Why Bay Area Buyers Are Taking Advantage
Buying in January Could Save You $23,000 — Here’s Why Bay Area Buyers Are Taking Advantage If you’ve been waiting for the right time to buy a home in the Bay Area, this might be your moment. Mortgage rates hovering near 6% are motivating buyers to jump back in — but January could offer an even bigger advantage. According to a LendingTree study, buyers who purchase a 1,500-square-foot home in January could save an average of $23,000 compared to those who buy in May. Why Jan
Jan 13


Compass + Anywhere: The Bay Area’s New Real Estate Advantage
Compass’s expanded global reach powered by local expertise Big news dropped today! Compass has officially acquired Anywhere Real Estate (the parent company of Sotheby’s, Coldwell Banker, and Century 21), making us the undisputed largest residential brokerage in the world . This $1.6B merger gives Bay Area buyers, sellers, and investors unmatched local expertise backed by global reach . What Does This $1.6B Merger Mean for Our Clients Here in Silicon Valley? Sellers: More ex
Jan 9


Top Real Estate Stories of 2025: Fed Moves, Zillow Battles, and Buyer Hesitation in the Bay Area
2025 was a whirlwind year for real estate — and Bay Area homeowners, buyers, and sellers felt it firsthand. From Federal Reserve rate moves to Zillow’s listing shake-ups, the market was anything but predictable. Here’s a closer look at the stories that captured our readers’ attention — and what they mean for you as we head into 2026. 1. Navigating an Uncertain Economy For Bay Area homeowners and buyers, the Federal Reserve’s actions often set the tone for the housing market.
Jan 6


🎁 Lower Mortgage Rates Are a Holiday Gift for Bay Area Homebuyers
Christmas came early for Bay Area homebuyers — and the gift under the tree is lower mortgage rates. The average 30-year fixed rate has dropped to around 6.39% , roughly half a percentage point lower than this time last year. For anyone dreaming of a new home in 2026, this shift could make all the difference. Key Takeaways: Mortgage rates have steadied around 6.39%, the same as last week. Refinancing rates also dipped slightly , giving homeowners a window to reduce monthly pa
Dec 23, 2025


Mortgage Rates Hold Steady After Fed Rate Cut: What Bay Area Homeowners Should Know
Mortgage rates have held surprisingly steady following the Federal Reserve’s December meeting — even after a much-anticipated 25 basis point rate cut . If you were hoping this would mean instantly lower home loan rates, the reality is a bit more nuanced. Why Mortgage Rates Didn’t Drop (Yet) While the Fed’s rate decisions influence the broader economy, mortgage rates are more closely tied to the 10-year Treasury yield , not the Fed’s short-term rate directly. After the Fed mee
Dec 18, 2025


🏡 November 2025 Bay Area Market Newsletter: A Balanced Market with Rising Luxury Momentum
As we move into the final stretch of 2025, the Bay Area real estate market continues to show balance — cooler than last year’s frenzy, yet still active and competitive. While 2024 was an exceptionally heated year, this fall’s trends reveal a more sustainable pace. Buyer activity, pricing, and inventory have all settled into a steady rhythm — but the luxury segment across the East Bay, South Bay, and Peninsula has noticeably heated up. In fact, luxury home sales have reached t
Nov 25, 2025


🏡 The Housing Market Is Turning a Corner Going into 2026
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
Nov 18, 2025


Bay Area Real Estate Market 2025: The Upgraders, the Hesitators, and the AI Effect
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
Nov 13, 2025


Lower Mortgage Rates Spark Interest in ARMs, Giving Borrowers Breathing Room
The Federal Reserve’s recent decision to cut interest rates by a quarter point is offering a glimmer of relief for the housing market. Mortgage rates have dropped again — averaging 6.17% for the week ending Oct. 30 , according to Freddie Mac. That’s the fourth straight week of declines. While the Fed doesn’t directly control mortgage rates, its actions often influence them — especially adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) , which tend to react more quickly to rate changes. What
Nov 3, 2025


What Today’s Consumer Sentiment Means for Home Buyers and Sellers
Consumer confidence stayed mostly steady this month, showing that most Americans feel the economy hasn’t changed much recently. While younger consumers are feeling slightly more optimistic, middle-aged and older consumers remain cautious—mainly because of ongoing concerns about inflation and high prices. According to the latest survey from the University of Michigan , year-ahead inflation expectations dipped slightly from 4.7% to 4.6% , while long-term inflation expectations
Oct 30, 2025


Bay Area Home Prices Cool Down — But It’s Not All Bad News
The housing market is finally cooling after years of wild swings. According to the latest S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Index , home prices across the U.S. grew just 1.5% year-over-year in August — the slowest pace since 2023. And in 9 of the 20 biggest metro areas, prices are actually down. Where Prices Are Falling Most of the soft spots are in the South and West , including several big California metros — San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, and even Seattle . These markets
Oct 28, 2025


📊 Bay Area Market Diverges This Fall: A Closer Look at South Bay, Peninsula & East Bay
This fall, the Bay Area housing market paints a fascinating picture of divergence across regions and price points — driven largely by how each area is influenced by the ongoing AI boom and shifting buyer priorities. 🔹 Santa Clara County: The Tech Core Leads the Charge The South Bay continues to shine as the most active core market this season. Median single-family price: $2.0M ( +3.6% YoY ) Sales: Up 13.8% Median days on market: Just 10 days Cities such as Palo Alto (
Oct 27, 2025


Can’t Sell Your Home? This ‘Holy Grail’ Mortgage Could Help
Determine if a mortgage assumption is a viable option for selling your home. If your home has been sitting on the market with little...
Sep 23, 2025


Economic Outlook: Prices, Listings, and Sales Surge Amidst Growing Uncertainty
Welcome to our Real Estate Market Newsletter! In March 2024, the real estate market experienced significant activity, with notable...
May 2, 2024
bottom of page