In California, offering a closing credit often underperformed modest pre-listing updates because buyers responded more strongly to homes that already felt move-in ready.
Well-presented California listings typically drew 2 to 4 offers, while homes needing even cosmetic work created less urgency and weaker competition among buyers.

California's statewide median listing price reached $725K in Late-Q3, down ~3% yearly, showing sellers adjusted expectations after stronger pricing in prior periods.
On a sq-ft basis, California's median listing price was $456 in Late-Q3, about ~1% below a year earlier, reinforcing a broader statewide pricing reset.
Several California markets appeared among notable recent single-family decliners across California, including Oakland, Hayward, Sacramento, Stockton, SF, San Diego, and LA areas.
Several California condo markets also ranked among notable recent decliners across the state, including Oakland, Hayward, Contra Costa County, Fremont, and San Mateo County.
The bigger takeaway for California: asking prices and closed-sale prices both softened, pushing the market toward more realistic seller expectations and clearer price discovery.

The “11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" of 1918 signaled the end of World War I.
It's honored as Veterans Day to remember the men and women who have served, and continue to serve during times of war, conflict and peace.
Salute to all heroes, and thank you for your service.personnel who served the United States in all wars, particularly living veterans.
To those in uniform serving today and to those who have served in the past, we honor you today and every day.
For your service, your bravery and your hard work, we thank you.

The ballot measure proposed a California down payment loan program of up to $25B, funded by bonds and repaid through loan income, not taxes.
It said borrowers had to buy a newly built or never-sold home in California, contribute at least 3% down, and could borrow up to 17%.
The measure did not require first-time buyer status, but income could not exceed 200% of local median, with county-based caps and sales-price limits.
Support came from labor groups, a Real Estate trade group, and a state political party; opponents said the measure would subsidize costly construction.
Other terms still needed details, including the second mortgage rate; the policy center said it likely would exceed conventional 30-yr mortgage rates near 7%.

Palm Desert — Most Affordable homes for October 2026.

Listings (sorted by price):
1. Listing IV26233751 — $215,000
2. Listing SR26175470 — $240,000
3. Listing SR26206598 — $260,000
4. Listing PW26178373 — $275,000
5. Listing PW26200107 — $275,000
6. Listing 26997635 — $279,000
7. Listing PW26194054 — $285,000
8. Listing SB26203063 — $295,000
9. Listing 26105568PS — $309,500
10. Listing PW26100137 — $315,000
11. Listing 26668991PS — $325,000
12. Listing 26856415 — $325,000
13. Listing IV26228143 — $325,000
14. Listing NDP2605222 — $325,000
15. Listing PW26232363 — $329,000

In California, wildfire hardening helped some owners move beyond the state's insurer of last resort, showing mitigation can improve access to conventional coverage.
A state pilot offered qualifying households free assistance and up to $40K for approved measures, while financing efforts aimed to make mitigation more affordable.
One credit union prepared unsecured loans up to $25K on 5-to-7-yr terms near 7%, with potential support lowering costs to ~4% for owners.
Consumer advocates saw more relief as major insurers reopened business, another eased agent restrictions, and one carrier rewarded wildfire preparedness certification statewide.
Looking ahead, one major carrier planned >38K added California policies long term, while the state's insurer of last resort scheduled a ~29% avg. hike.