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Real Estate Market 2026 | The Markarian Realty Home Seller|Home Buyer Guide Blog

Thursday, February 5, 2026   /   by Vic Markarian

Top 3 Reasons To Buy a Home Before Spring

Top 3 Reasons To Buy a Home Before Spring
If you’re thinking about buying a home this year, it’s easy to assume spring is the moment to act. That’s when more listings appear, more buyers re-enter the market, and momentum picks up.
But here’s what often gets overlooked: buying just a few weeks earlier can give you more control, less pressure, and real financial advantages.
This isn’t about rushing a decision. It’s about understanding how timing, competition, and pricing actually work, and how that affects you as a buyer.
Below are three data-backed reasons why buying before spring can quietly work in your favor.
1. Waiting for Lower Mortgage Rates May Not Help
If you’re holding off because you’re hoping mortgage rates will drop significantly, you’re not alone. Many buyers are waiting for that signal.
The reality: most major forecasts show rates staying relatively stable.
As of early 2026, projections from Freddie Mac, Fanni ...

  home buyer, home buying, real estate market 2026, housing market 2026, home buyer tip 2026

Thursday, January 29, 2026   /   by Vic Markarian

Why More Homeowners Over 60 Are Downsizing, and Gaining More Than They Give Up

Why More Homeowners Over 60 Are Downsizing, and Gaining More Than They Give Up
If you’re nearing retirement or already in it, you’re not alone, and you’re in good company.
According to new data from the U.S. Census and Realtor.com, nearly 12,000 Americans turn 65 every single day, and that trend will continue for the next two years. A wave of Baby Boomers is stepping into the next chapter, and for many, that chapter begins with a powerful question:
“Is it time to move into a home that better fits my life now?”
For thousands of homeowners in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s, the answer is yes.
Let’s break down the top reasons more people over 60 are making the move, and why downsizing might offer more freedom than you think.
Why So Many Homeowners Are Downsizing in 2026
Retirement isn’t just about leaving your job. It’s about rethinking how you want to live.
That’s why for many people, downsizing is less about losing space, and ...

  home seller, real estate market 2026, housing market 2026, home seller tips 2026, downsizing

Thursday, January 22, 2026   /   by Vic Markarian

Mortgage Rates Just Hit a 3-Year Low. Here’s Why It Matters More Than You Think

Mortgage Rates Just Hit a 3-Year Low. Here’s Why It Matters More Than You Think
If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, waiting for a “better time” to buy, this is your signal.
For the first time in nearly three years, mortgage rates have dipped into the high 5% range. That’s a meaningful shift, not just a headline. It’s the kind of change that can directly impact your buying power, your monthly payment, and your entire financial future.
Let’s break down why this matters, and how to turn it into your advantage.
Rates Have Quietly Slipped Into the 5s – And That Changes Everything
Not long ago, buyers were battling rates near 7%, making monthly payments painfully high and qualifying limits tight, especially for first-time buyers or families trying to upgrade.
But today, that narrative has shifted. Rates have fallen over 1% from their recent peak, landing squarely in the low 6s, and in some cases, breaking into the 5s.
Why does tha ...

  home buyer, home buying process, home buying, for buyers, real estate market 2026, home buyer tip 2026, housing market 2026

Thursday, January 8, 2026   /   by Vic Markarian

Why Housing Affordability Is Finally Improving in 2026 (According to the Data)

Why Housing Affordability Is Finally Improving in 2026 (According to the Data)
If the last few years have felt like a waiting game, you’re not imagining it.High mortgage rates, limited inventory, and fast price growth forced a lot of buyers and sellers to hit pause. Many people wanted to move, they just couldn’t make the numbers work.
Now, for the first time in years, the math is starting to change.
According to leading economists and housing analysts, 2026 is shaping up to be the most balanced market we’ve seen in quite some time. Not perfect, but meaningfully better. And that improvement comes down to three key shifts happening at the same time: mortgage rates, inventory, and price growth.
Mortgage Rates: Stability Beats Waiting
Mortgage rates have already come down from their recent peak. While many buyers are still hoping for a dramatic drop, the reality is more measured, and more realistic.
Most major forecasts now show 30-year mortgage rates hovering in ...

  home buyer, home seller, real estate market 2026, home buyer tip 2026, housing market 2026, home seller tips 2026

Thursday, December 18, 2025   /   by Vic Markarian

Why Buying a Home in January 2026 Could Save You Thousands

Why Buying a Home in January 2026 Could Save You Thousands
Is January 2026 the Best Time To Buy a Home?
If you’ve been thinking about buying a home but waiting for the "right" time, here’s something that may surprise you: January may actually be one of the best months to make your move, especially if you're trying to save money.
Let’s break down why winter, and specifically January, gives you a powerful edge in today’s market.
1. January Offers Some of the Lowest Prices of the Year
Data from LendingTree and ATTOM shows that January consistently has the lowest median price per square foot of any month. In fact, in 2024, buyers who closed in January paid just $178.60 per square foot, compared to $194.20 in May.

 
For a typical 1,500 sq ft home, that difference amounts to over $23,000 in savings. Imagine using that toward your down payment, renovations, or keeping more cash in your pocket.

With affordability still top-of-mind for 2026 homebuyers ...

  home buyer, for buyers, buying a home, first time home buyers, real estate market 2026, home buyer tip 2026, housing market 2026

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Based on information from California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. as of February 8, 2026. This information is for your personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties you may be interested in purchasing. Display of MLS data is usually deemed reliable but is NOT guaranteed accurate by the MLS. Buyers are responsible for verifying the accuracy of all information and should investigate the data themselves or retain appropriate professionals. Information from sources other than the Listing Agent may have been included in the MLS data. Unless otherwise specified in writing, Broker/Agent has not and will not verify any information obtained from other sources. The Broker/Agent providing the information contained herein may or may not have been the Listing and/or Selling Agent.
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