09/17/2026
More Homes Hit the Market as Demand Cools | Southern California and Orange County California
With over 36 years guiding clients through Southern California’s real estate landscape, I’ve seen how shifts in inventory and buyer demand can create opportunities on both sides of the transaction. In the four weeks ending August 23, new US listings ticked up by 0.4%, and total homes for sale rose by 0.5%, reaching their highest point since early Q2. Yet, even as choices expanded, pending US home sales dipped 1.1% to a six-month low—proof that steep housing costs are still keeping many buyers on the sidelines, despite more options nationally. The median US sale price climbed 1.9% year over year, topping $400K, with average mortgage rates hovering around 7%, nearly a 13-month high. In this environment, active buyers are finding more flexibility—more room to negotiate price cuts or concessions, especially on homes that have been listed for several weeks. For sellers, realistic pricing (rather than holding out for last year’s highs) remains the key to success. Navigating these subtle shifts is where long-term local expertise truly pays off.