Lifestyle
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Senate Housing Affordability Bill Advances
The U.S. Senate approved sweeping housing legislation last week aimed at expanding housing supply and lowering costs across the country, a move that could eventually affect housing conditions in the San Gabriel Valley. The Senate passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act with bipartisan support Thursday, marking the most significant federal housing legislation in…
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San Gabriel Valley Housing Market Cools Slightly
The San Gabriel Valley housing market showed signs of cooling last week as sales activity declined across California, according to the latest statewide report from the California Association of Realtors. The weekly market snapshot for the period ending March 14 shows fewer closed sales, fewer new listings, and slightly slower buyer activity statewide, trends that…
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Credit Repair Steps Offer Path To Recovery
Many San Gabriel Valley residents face financial setbacks that damage their credit. The final installment in this six-part series looks at how people can rebuild credit and move toward financial stability. The series is sponsored by the Rio Hondo Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit based in El Monte since 2003 that focuses on housing and…
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Mortgage Rates Lift Housing Buyer Optimism
Americans are feeling more optimistic about the housing market as mortgage rates fall below a key level. Still, high home prices continue to prevent many buyers from entering the market. A recent national survey found that nearly two-thirds of Americans were aware that mortgage rates dropped below 6 percent in late February. The decline appears…
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Free Credit Repair Services Draw Scrutiny
Online ads promising free credit repair continue to attract consumers, but financial advocates warn that such offers often come with conditions and costs. In the fifth installment of a six-part community series sponsored by Rio Hondo Community Development Corporation, the discussion focuses on how residents can approach credit repair claims with caution and clear expectations.…
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Credit Repair Costs Explained For Residents
As part four of a six-part credit repair series from Rio Hondo Community Development Corporation, this installment focuses on a common question from San Gabriel Valley residents: Can credit repair really be free? The short answer is no. While some services advertise free credit repair, federal law limits what companies can charge and when they…
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California Housing Affordability Index Improves
California housing affordability showed modest improvement at the end of 2025, offering cautious optimism for homebuyers across the San Gabriel Valley. According to fourth-quarter data, the statewide Housing Affordability Index rose to 18 percent in Q4 2025. That marks a one percentage point increase from the third quarter and a two-point gain compared with the…
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California Housing Market Data February 2026 Update
The California housing market data February 2026 report shows steady sales activity and growing inventory across the state, according to the California Association of REALTORS®. The report, reflecting a daily average for the week ending Feb. 14, 2026, offers a snapshot of closed sales, pending transactions and new listings. While the data represents statewide trends,…
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How To Fix Credit Report Mistakes
Errors on a credit report can lower a credit score and raise borrowing costs. In Part 3 of our six-part Credit Repair Series, we examine how to identify and dispute inaccurate information. This report is brought to Mid Valley News readers courtesy of the Rio Hondo Community Development Corporation. Consumer advocates estimate that millions of…
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Homeownership Rate Ticks Up In 2025
The California homeownership rate rose slightly at the end of 2025, reflecting slower price growth and more moderate interest rates nationwide. New data from the U.S. Census Bureau show the national homeownership rate reached 65.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025, up from 65.3 percent in the third quarter. The figures come from the…