09/26/2026
The 30-year fixed hit 7.03% on September 24 — the first reading above 7% since January 2025.
That is the fourth consecutive weekly increase, and Orange County is already showing the effect. Homes in escrow fell to 1,793, the fewest since February 16. Active inventory held roughly flat at 5,045.
What it means if you are selling. The buyer pool got smaller this month, and it shrinks a little more with every rate increase. Your list price on day one is now the single biggest decision in the sale. Homes priced at the market are still going in 40 to 46 days. Homes priced ahead of it are the ones sitting past 60 and taking a reduction later.
What it means if you are buying. Rates cost roughly $483 more per month on a $1,000,000 loan than they did a year ago. What you get in exchange is leverage. Above $2.5M, sellers are closing an average of $152,465 below asking — 3.4%, up from 2.3% the week before. In the $2M-and-up band there are 1,291 active listings and a 59-day median. That is the softest part of this market.
Figures as of September 21 and September 24, 2026.
Twenty minutes, your address, your numbers: calendly.com/jasminesayeedbroker
Jasmine Sayeed, Broker | Founder, Melati Real Estate Group · DRE #02051340
