California’s housing market held steady through late October with slight gains in closed sales but continued cooling in new escrows, according to the California Association of REALTORS®.
The statewide report, covering data through October 25, shows REALTORS® managing an average of 540 closed sales per day, up slightly from earlier in the month. Pending sales averaged 528 per day, while new listings climbed to 590 daily, suggesting sellers are returning to the market after a slow summer.
REALTORS Report Stable Closings, Fewer Escrows
Roughly 24.2 percent of REALTORS closed a sale in the previous week, a 0.4 percent increase, marking mild but positive movement. Yet, new buyer activity softened: 16.9 percent entered escrow, a 6.4 percent drop, signaling continued hesitation amid affordability concerns and fluctuating mortgage rates.
Meanwhile, 25.8 percent listed new properties, down 1.4 percent from the prior week. The mix of slightly higher sales and fewer escrows points to a market stabilizing rather than expanding—a trend that has defined much of the fall season.
Modest Optimism for Coming Weeks
Looking ahead, REALTORS remain cautiously optimistic. About 12.4 percent expect sales to rise in the week ahead, though that figure is 2 percent lower than the previous survey. Another 5.9 percent forecast higher prices, a 1.6 percent dip, while 28.8 percent anticipate more listings, off 16 percent from earlier expectations.
Despite softer sentiment, the outlook remains more upbeat than this time last year. Rising inventory may bring renewed balance to a market that has leaned heavily in favor of sellers since 2020.
Local Impact in the San Gabriel Valley
In the San Gabriel Valley, including El Monte, Baldwin Park, and Temple City, agents report similar patterns—steady buyer interest paired with cautious offers. “We’re seeing more listings come online, but affordability remains the biggest challenge,” said one local broker.
Recent statewide data mirrors regional MLS reports showing that median home prices have largely plateaued since late summer, giving prospective buyers more room to negotiate.
As the market enters the final quarter of 2025, housing activity remains shaped by mortgage rate fluctuations and seasonal slowdowns. While sellers may find competition increasing, stable sales volume indicates continuing demand across many California communities.
For complete statewide housing statistics, visit the California Association of REALTORS at https://www.car.org/.
