The California housing market entered early 2026 with steady buyer activity, rising listings and cautious expectations among real estate professionals, according to new data released by the California Association of Realtors.
The February 2026 report, based on weekly statistics from multiple listing services across the state, shows an average of 332 closed sales per day for the week ending Jan. 31. Pending sales averaged 471 per day, while new listings reached 560 per day, signaling continued seller confidence despite ongoing affordability pressures.
Statewide data offers useful context for the San Gabriel Valley, where local agents continue to report competitive conditions in cities such as El Monte, Baldwin Park and Rosemead. While mortgage rates and prices remain elevated, steady transaction volume suggests buyers are still active, particularly in entry-level and midpriced segments.
Recent Realtor Activity Reflects Slower Escrows
Survey data from Realtors statewide indicates a mixed performance during the previous week. About 24.2 percent of respondents reported closing at least one sale, a slight increase from the prior reporting period. At the same time, only 16.9 percent said they entered escrow, a decline of 6.4 percent compared with the previous quarter.
Roughly 25.8 percent of Realtors reported listing a property during the week, though that figure also marked a modest quarterly decrease. The numbers suggest that while homes are still coming to market, fewer deals are moving into contract at the same pace.
Local brokers in the San Gabriel Valley have echoed this trend, noting that buyers are taking more time to commit and are increasingly selective. Homes priced accurately continue to attract attention, while overpriced listings often see longer market times.
Realtors Expect Listings To Increase
Looking ahead, Realtors expressed tempered expectations for the coming week. Only 12.4 percent believe sales activity will increase, down two percentage points from the previous quarter. Just 5.9 percent expect home prices to rise, reflecting continued concerns about affordability and buyer resistance.
In contrast, 28.8 percent of respondents expect listings to increase, even though that outlook dropped sharply from the prior quarter. An uptick in listings could provide some relief to buyers in tight local markets, including Temple City and Arcadia, where inventory remains limited.
For sellers, the data reinforces the importance of pricing homes realistically and preparing properties carefully. For buyers, growing inventory may offer more options and slightly improved negotiating power as the year progresses.
While statewide figures do not capture every neighborhood-level shift, they outline broader forces influencing housing decisions across the San Gabriel Valley. Local buyers and sellers in cities such as El Monte, Baldwin Park and Arcadia continue to navigate a California housing market shaped by inventory growth, cautious pricing expectations and steady demand.
The data, released by the California Association of Realtors, offers a benchmark for understanding where conditions may head next as the spring market approaches. Full statewide statistics and methodology are available at https://www.car.org.
