Sarah Piazza OC Real Estate

09/27/2026

California Is Building More Housing. But Is It Becoming More Affordable?
Here in California, we’ve seen a 59% jump in annual home construction since 2018—over 682,000 new homes have gone up since 2019, with a noticeable rise in multifamily options. Yet, despite this surge in building, only 19% of households can actually afford the median-priced home. As someone who’s spent over two decades guiding buyers and sellers through the ups and downs of the Orange County market, I know firsthand that more inventory doesn’t always mean more access. Affordability and opportunity remain real challenges for so many families. Strategic moves and trusted guidance make all the difference when navigating these changing conditions.


https://www.housing-trends.com/agent-news/sarah-piazza-1/1970017-California-Is-Building-More-Housing.-But-Is-It-Becoming-More

09/27/2026

Happy !

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month Editorial | By Megan McCarthy | 2 Likes SHARE Facebook Twitter LinkedIn More It’s time to celebrate Hispanic independence and heritage this September and October. From science, music, sports, journalism, and so much more–the vast and di...

09/26/2026

To use or not to use the ever-trendy weighted blanket? That is the question!

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn To Use or Not to Use: The Weighted Blanket Health | By Abigail Scardelletti | 1 Likes SHARE Facebook Twitter LinkedIn More One thing that is simple, yet helpful, is the weighted blanket. Its benefits cast a wide net on a multitude of mental health issues! What is it? A weig...

09/26/2026

What's the best housing market in Southern California?
As someone who’s spent over two decades guiding clients through Orange County’s real estate market, I always keep an eye on which local areas are thriving. Irvine continues to impress, ranking 10th in the nation for both real estate and local economic strength. Other Southern California standouts include Ontario, Murrieta, San Diego, and Chula Vista. On the flip side, Palmdale faces more challenges, ranking ninth-worst nationally. Whether you’re looking to buy smart or sell for top dollar, knowing how neighborhoods stack up can give you an edge in your real estate decisions.


https://www.housing-trends.com/agent-news/sarah-piazza-1/1974618-What%27s-the-best-housing-market-in-Southern-California%3F

09/25/2026

Are Southern California rent bargains becoming harder to find?
Navigating Southern California’s rental landscape is never dull. In August, I noticed a patchwork of trends: rents fell in 23 cities but climbed in 32 others. Overall, the region saw a modest 0.3% increase from last year. What’s interesting? Lower-cost areas offered discounts while higher-income cities pushed prices higher. For those keeping tabs: average rents now sit at $2,020 for a one-bedroom and $2,440 for a two-bedroom. My clients know that understanding these shifts is key to making smart moves—whether you’re searching for value or positioning to sell. With two decades in the Orange County market, I’m always watching for the best opportunities to help you win.


https://www.housing-trends.com/agent-news/sarah-piazza-1/1976757-Are-Southern-California-rent-bargains-becoming-harder-to-fin

09/24/2026

Childhood cereal made sophisticated!

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Homemade Breakfast Cereal Scones All Recipes | By Patterson Watkins | 2 Likes SHARE Facebook Twitter LinkedIn More These easy, fun, and whimsical scones make everyone happy—for all the kids in your life, even the adult sized ones. Makes 1 dozen large scones or 2 dozen min...

09/24/2026

Rentals Shape California's Real Estate Future
Watching the shifts in California's housing landscape, it's clear that rentals are playing a bigger role than ever before. With homeownership rates stabilizing around 55% and acquisition costs staying high, many are opting to rent—making strong rental demand the new reality. Vacancy rates are tight, hovering below 5%, and unless we see a surge in new residential construction, they're not likely to rise much above 7% in the long run. In my two decades working with Orange County buyers and sellers, I've seen firsthand how local permitting challenges, zoning restrictions, rising material costs, labor shortages, and neighborhood pushback make it tough to add enough multi-family housing. Experts predict more single renters will start consolidating into shared households as the current real estate slowdown continues, which could slowly ease vacancy rates, but renting will remain the go-to for many Californians. Urban living is expected to gain even more traction, especially for those prioritizing flexibility and convenience over ownership. As always, my role is to help clients navigate these evolving trends so they can buy smart, sell for top dollar, and move with confidence—no matter how the market changes.

09/23/2026

California Law Could Add 700,000 Homes
As someone who's spent over 20 years helping buyers and sellers navigate the Orange County market, I’ve seen firsthand how California’s efforts to address our housing shortage play out on the ground. The state’s ambitious target—over 300,000 new homes each year—still feels far off, with actual approvals lagging behind. Some headline reforms, like the lot-split measure and the church-land initiative, have produced only modest results (just 94 permitted units across California for the latter). A major challenge continues to be labor requirements and below-market mandates, which can drive up costs by around $100,000 per home—making it tough to get projects off the ground. Where I’ve seen real, practical impact is through simpler solutions: accessory dwelling unit (ADU) permits now top 20,000 annually, accounting for nearly a quarter of all statewide approvals. Even more significant are density bonuses, which now make up almost half of new multifamily housing—just under 50,000 units approved each year. For clients looking to move smart in the OC, understanding these evolving policies is key to making informed decisions and spotting opportunity.

09/22/2026

Just Sold!

09/22/2026

Ask Me Anything!
Have questions about real estate but not sure where to start?
https://www.roomvu.com/ask-me-anything?branded-user=sarah-piazza-1&share=true&c=2026-09-18