Mortgage rates are currently stable at around 7%, with potential decreases expected in the fall due to economic conditions, although lower rates are achievable through special programs and buy-downs.

The rental market is tight with high demand and low supply, pushing rents up, as evidenced by only a few affordable options in the MLS, indicating a potential opportunity for investors in local real estate.

California plans to allow insurers to use catastrophe modeling for rate setting, potentially improving reliability and availability of insurance, and could influence market competition and the recent large-scale non-renewals of homeowners policies.

The National Association of Realtors anti-trust case is unlikely to lower home prices or commissions, as FSBO homes typically sell for less and the complexities of real estate transactions in California lead most sellers and buyers to prefer professional representation.