California Housing Market Reports
Plain-English notes on the residential markets we appraise. These observations provide context for valuations; for a current figure on a specific property, request an appraisal.
California Inventory Keeps Rising Into Summer
For-sale supply across most California metros is running well above last year, giving buyers more leverage and lengthening the time some homes spend on market. For appraisals, more closed and active comparables generally means tighter, better-supported value conclusions.
Mortgage Rates Stabilize in the Mid-6% Range
After a choppy stretch, 30-year fixed rates have settled into the mid-6% range, steadying buyer demand. Rate stability tends to calm month-to-month price swings, which simplifies market-conditions adjustments in a report.
Why Estate Values Are Tied to a Specific Date
A date-of-death appraisal is a retrospective opinion of value as of the date a person passed — not today. We analyze only the sales available as of that date, which is exactly what the IRS expects for a step-up in basis.
Coastal vs. Inland: A Tale of Two Markets
California's coastal counties continue to show more price resilience than many inland and high-desert areas, where new construction adds supply. Understanding which submarket a property sits in is central to selecting the right comparables.
Desktop Appraisals: Credible Without a Site Visit
For many estate, tax, and planning needs, a desktop appraisal built from public records, MLS data, and photographs is both appropriate and accepted. We'll tell you when an interior inspection is genuinely warranted instead.