Carriage House Real Estate

06/01/2026

Just under three in 10 (28.8 percent) U.S. homebuyers paid in all cash in March, down from 29.8 percent a year earlier. That’s tied with 2021 for the lowest March share since 2020. An all-cash purchase is one in which there is no mortgage loan information on the deed.

The prevalence of all-cash home purchases peaked at nearly 35 percent in 2023 because mortgage rates hit a two-decade high of almost 8 percent during that time. Buyers who could afford to were inclined to pay in cash to avoid sky-high monthly mortgage payments. Now, the share of homebuyers paying in cash is declining because market conditions have shifted. While mortgage rates remain elevated well above pre- and mid-pandemic levels, they eased to 6.18 percent in March from recent highs of 7 percent or above. For homebuyers, that reduces the incentive to avoid financing altogether by making all-cash purchases. At the same time, the housing market had many more sellers than buyers in most of the country, so house hunters don’t need to use all-cash offers to stand out in bidding wars. Widespread economic uncertainty is also playing a role. Some buyers are opting to finance their purchase to keep cash on hand in case of emergency.

05/30/2026

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) plans to update its policy concerning federal requirements that landlords accept tenants with disabilities having service animals or emotional support animals in otherwise animal-free properties. Under the new regulations described in a memo issued by HUD, emotional support animals would no longer qualify for exemptions in animal-free residences. Landlords would still be required to accept service animals, but the requirements for service animals would be made stricter. This change will not affect California.

The changes represent a narrowing of enforcement of a provision of the Fair Housing Act that exempts “assistance animals” from being excluded from no-pet buildings or subject to pet fees from landlords. Note, however, that some states have legal protections above and beyond federal regulations, including California. Nothing about California law or fair housing regulations have changed, and REALTORS® and housing providers still need to follow California's rules regarding support animals. For more information, go to on.car.org

05/29/2026

In the race to build housing more efficiently and affordably, 3D printing is becoming increasingly viable and popular. Financing for the homes is still a significant hurdle. However, that may soon change.

Wells Fargo, one of the nation’s largest mortgage lenders, in conjunction with Icon, the biggest player in the 3D construction space, is announcing that it will write mortgages on homes built with Icon technology and also offer an incentive to buyers. Wells Fargo will provide a 50 basis point lender credit to buyers of Icon homes using its mortgages. Historically, 3D printed homes had difficulty getting traditional mortgage financing. Lenders had concerns over the viability of the technology, the potential value appreciation of the homes, and the ability to both sell and insure the loans, but those concerns appear to be fading. Having one of the major mortgage lenders back these homes is a milestone for 3D printed houses.

05/28/2026

05/26/2026

California home sales rose in April as the statewide median home price hit a new record, fueled by lower mortgage rates early in the month and strong market activity in higher-priced segments, according to C.A.R.’s April sales and price report.

Existing, single-family home sales totaled 275,580 in April on a seasonally adjusted basis, up 3.9 percent from 265,320 in March and up 4.1 percent from 264,810 in April 2025.

The statewide median home price set a record high, rising 2.9 percent from $889,190 in March to $914,810 in April and up 0.4 percent from $911,400 in April 2025.

Year-to-date home sales remained flat in April.

05/23/2026

Over 20,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes in suburban Los Angeles as massive wildfires that ignited Monday and Tuesday continued raging in Southern California. Some 900 firefighters battled the fast-moving Sandy Fire as it raged in Ventura County, damaging at least one home in the area. More than 10,000 homes were in the mandatory evacuation zone. Fire crews are prioritizing structure defense and building containment lines, according to an update from the Ventura County Fire Department.

In addition, firefighters are working to contain the Bain Fire and Verona Fire in Riverside County, as well as the Santa Rosa Island Fire in Santa Barbara County, which was likely sparked by a flare fired by a shipwrecked sailor seeking help. Weather conditions are taking a turn, as a cooling trend began on Thursday. Onshore air flow has returned and is expected to strengthen into the weekend. By the weekend, temperatures will generally be within a few degrees of normal, and humidity should return.

05/22/2026

The California FAIR Plan — the state’s high-cost, bare-bones fire insurance of last resort — is raising rates 29 percent, on average, starting mid-October. The California Department of Insurance approved that increase just last month. That will be a sharp and expensive premium hike for some homeowners, but the Department says there’s good news to help balance this all out.

Starting October 15 — whenever after that someone’s policy is set to renew — customers will see an average 29 percent increase in their homeowners premium, meaning that some people will see an increase higher than that, and others, lower. Last year, the FAIR Plan asked for a 35.8 percent increase, but the department granted a lower 29 percent increase. The good news is that the state’s recent insurance reform is bringing insurance companies back to California. Twelve insurance companies are responsible for 85 percent of homeowners policies in the state, and of those, six have so far agreed to the Sustainable Insurance Strategy, including CSAA, Mercury, USAA and Farmers, among others. Travelers and AAA SoCal are reviewing rates, along with several other, smaller companies. The reform offers them rate-setting tools they’ve sought for years, in exchange for agreeing to write more policies in higher-wildfire-risk areas. Now is a good time to call insurance agents because you might have more options now.