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Serving, not selling. Laguna Beach & all of OC. DRE #01394509 | BayBrookRealty.net

Premier South Orange County real estate brokerage empowering buyers & sellers with expert market insights, honest strategy, and local care.

11/01/2026

ORANGE COUNTY REAL ESTATE | WEEKLY MARKET UPDATE October 26 – November 1, 2026

Here's what happened this week:

You know it's the end fo the month when you see expired and canceled listings shoot up. It happens every month, and while many of those may be done for the year, you will see some come back next week as new listings, and quite possibly with new pricing.

Although demand is down, the same number of homes went under contract last week, so people are still buying.

Mortgage Rate Update:
We also saw a little relief in borrowing costs. According to Mortgage News Daily, the national average 30-year fixed rate finished Friday at approximately 7.27%, down from 7.33% the previous Friday.

It's encouraging to see rates ease, and if the job market shows some softness, we may see a dip soon. This week's elections could add market uncertainty, but once the dust settles, regardless of what happens, it could add more clarity to future agendas, and because people like stability, we may see a year-end dip in rates. I am just trying to be a little positive here, thinking ahead. Don't hold me to it.

What Could Move Rates Next Week?
The economic calendar is busy, with manufacturing data, job openings, private-sector employment numbers, and Friday's October jobs report. Jobs will be a big one, and I've noticed many companies do layoffs towards the end of the year, so if that gets factored into the numbers, it could be good for rates.

My takeaway?
Orange County real estate remains a market where preparation, realistic pricing, and understanding your local neighborhood really matter. Countywide trends are helpful, but the market for a coastal home can look very different from a condo or a 55+ community.

If you're thinking about buying, selling, or simply wondering how these numbers relate to your own home, I'm always happy to help you make sense of it all.

Grateful for the opportunity to serve.

Brandon Brown
Broker/Owner
BayBrook Realty
DRE #0134509
Serving NOT Selling

10/25/2026

Orange County Market Update | October 19–25, 2026

Fewer new listings, more pending activity, and a slight easing of mortgage rates.

Rates were the week's silver lining, though they remain elevated.

Freddie Mac’s national 30-year fixed average eased to 7.32% on October 22, from 7.40% the prior week.

Next week is FOMC, and while a rate hike may be postponed for at least one more month, we will be watching it closely. A December hike is already priced in, so any mention that it will change will lower rates. (I don't see that happening, though)

October 26–30:
• Tuesday: Consumer confidence, new-home sales and durable-goods orders.
• Wednesday: Federal Reserve rate decision and press conference.
• Thursday: First estimate of third-quarter GDP, PCE inflation, personal income/spending and jobless claims.
• Friday: Employment Cost Index, covering wages and benefits.

Mortgage pricing responds to the bond market. I’ll be watching the reaction to the Fed’s message and the economic reports, without assuming the Fed announcement automatically means lower mortgage rates.

My advice: Buyers, refresh your payment estimates and discuss rate-lock options with your lender.

Sellers, review your closest competition and overall choices buyers have for a similar product. Look at recent comparable sales loosely, but with the lack of demand, I prefer focusing on current competition rather than recent sales.

If you’re weighing a move for yourself or helping a parent plan one, I’m happy to talk through the local numbers with you.

No pressure, just a thoughtful conversation.

Serving NOT Selling.

Brandon Brown
Broker/Owner
BayBrook Realty
DRE # #01394509

10/21/2026

JUST CLOSED | 68 Calle Aragon C, Laguna Woods

After more than 30 years in the same home, saying goodbye is about so much more than a real estate transaction.

I recently had the privilege of representing a wonderful woman in her early 90s who had moved into assisted living. She loved her Laguna Woods home, especially its peaceful setting, and I wanted to honor that as we prepared for the sale.

Laguna Woods Village is a unique market, and not the easiest community to work in. With nearly 13,000 homes and a wide range of prices, floor plans, and conditions, buyers have options. Our challenge was to show what made this home different.

For us, the answer was clear: LOCATION.

Situated along the beautiful Serpentine Walk, with mature trees, open greenbelts, and peaceful walking paths, this expanded Maltese Cross Cordoba had something you can't renovate into a home.

You can remodel a kitchen or replace flooring. You can't recreate a setting like this.

We built our marketing around that distinction, and after just one weekend, the home was under contract for OVER the asking price!

As rewarding as that result was, the greater privilege was helping my seller move forward from a home full of memories. I'm also thankful for the wonderful buyer's agent whose professionalism made working together such a pleasure. (Nothing better than working with good agents)

To my sweet seller and family, thank you for trusting me with a home that held more than 30 years of memories. It was truly a privilege to walk alongside you through this transition.

I'm reminded again how grateful I am to do what I do. Helping people navigate these important chapters of life is a responsibility I don't take lightly.

If you or someone you love is facing a similar decision, I'm always happy to be a resource as you explore your options.

Real estate is about people first. The homes are part of their stories.

10/18/2026

Orange County Market Update | October 18, 2026.

A relatively steady week locally, with a few more listings and a few more going under contract.

Mortgage rates offered some relief. Mortgage News Daily's top-tier 30-year fixed benchmark fell from 7.48% last Friday to 7.37% this Friday, after hitting 7.33% Thursday. The surprise? Rates improved despite hot inflation reports. September CPI rose 0.6%, and producer prices jumped 1.3%.

Another Fed hike in 2026 remains on the table. Reuters reported Friday that markets favored December over October for the next increase. That leaves little time to see whether the jobs market cracks or gas prices come down. I am sure the elections play a role, too.

Next week's watch list:

• Monday: Builder confidence

• Tuesday: Housing starts, permits and pending home sales

• Thursday: Jobless claims and leading indicators

• Friday: Business activity surveys, consumer sentiment and inflation expectations.

Stronger growth or inflation signals could pressure rates higher; softer readings could help. Oil prices and market volatility also matter.

For sellers, my advice stays the same: Get a good analysis on the product you are trying to sell. Is it in demand? What qualities does it have that buyers can't find elsewhere? Price thoughtfully from day one.

For buyers, you are in control, depending on the product you are looking for. The next few months will give decent opportunities.

Thinking about selling now or preparing for next year? Im happy to help you weigh the options. No pressure, just a thoughtful plan.

Happy Sunday.

Brandon Brown
Broker/Owner
BayBrook Realty

10/11/2026

Orange County Market Update | Week Ending October 11, 2026

I won't sugarcoat it. Demand is down. Rates are ugly, and buyers are on the sidelines, waiting to see where this market goes.

BUT:

This isn't anything new; it's common. Buyers just want stability. When rates keep rising week over week, buyers wait to see where they will level out. Generally, when they level out, even if higher, they start dipping their toes back in.

I looked at my data for this exact period last year. New listings fell from 510 to 457 this week (similar to last year), while pending activity dropped from 250 to 226 and active-under-contract activity eased from 273 to 259. (Decently lower than last year). This shows the demand problem, and I don't expect that to change until at least Feb 2027.

Mortgage rates are still ugly. The national benchmark for a top-tier 30-year fixed loan finished Monday at 7.61% and Friday at 7.48%, down 0.13 percentage points from Monday, but still up at the highest levels since 2023.

Next week brings important tests:

Wednesday's CPI.
Thursday's PPI.
Friday's import prices and industrial production.
Federal Reserve commentary is also on the calendar.

My advice to sellers remains consistent: price thoughtfully from the start. Focus more on competing listings and buyer feedback to guide your decision. Yesterday's sale isn't today's comp when buyers have more options than in the last 10+ years.

If you don't need to sell before year-end, it may be worth discussing a late-January or early-February launch. Orange County has historically seen buyer activity rise after the holidays.

That seasonal pattern could create a better opportunity, but waiting also means carrying costs, potentially more competing listings, and uncertainty about mortgage rates. Your circumstances matter more than a date on the calendar.

If you're weighing selling now versus preparing for next year, I'm happy to help you think through both options. No pressure, just a thoughtful plan.

Happy Rainy Sunday.

Brandon Brown
Broker/Owner
BayBrook Realty
DRE #01394509

10/04/2026

Orange County Market Update | Week ending October 4, 2026

New listings eased from 518 to 510 this week, while pending activity stayed nearly steady at 250 versus 252. Closings increased from 344 to 467, and price changes declined from 579 to 523.

Expired listings jumped from 53 to 196 during the week that included September’s month-end. Based on my MLS observations, many of those properties have already returned to market.

Even with those relistings, eight fewer new listings suggest the flow of homes coming to market is slowing, which is typical for seasonal housing.

Mortgage rates also made affordability more challenging. Mortgage News Daily’s national 30-year fixed benchmark started Monday at 7.50% and finished Friday at 7.57%, reaching 7.60% midweek.

Next week brings services-sector data, Federal Reserve meeting minutes, Treasury auctions, and consumer inflation expectations. The Fed wants lower inflation numbers, and some of the minutes may tell us what else they are considering and hint at whether another rate increase is warranted.

For buyers, if you haven't spoken to your lender in the last month or so, you should probably get an updated qualification as your purchasing power has decreased. For sellers, thoughtful pricing remains important as buyers work through higher borrowing costs.

If you’d like help understanding what these numbers mean for your next move, I’m always happy to help.

Sincerely,

Brandon Brown
BayBrook Realty
Broker/Owner
DRE #01394509

09/28/2026

Orange County Market Update for the week of September 21–27, 2026

New listings were nearly flat this week at 518, up just six from the prior week.

Price changes rose from 539 to 579. Meanwhile, new pending sales fell from 298 to 252, and closings fell from 431 to 344.

Active under contract edged up by six, so the contract activity in this snapshot was mixed.

The rise in price changes is a good reminder for sellers to pay close attention to how their home is positioned against the competition. For buyers, it’s a reason to keep watching individual listings and their histories rather than assuming every home is moving at the same pace.

The rate news wasn't very encouraging this week. Freddie Mac’s national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose from 6.95% to 7.03% last week. The 10-year Treasury yield also moved higher, from 5.01% the previous Friday to 5.17% this Friday. Even a modest rate change can matter when you’re working through a monthly payment.

Next week brings several reports worth watching: job openings Tuesday, PCE inflation Wednesday, ISM manufacturing Thursday, and the September jobs report Friday.

If inflation or hiring comes in stronger than markets expect, bond yields and mortgage rates could face more upward pressure. Softer readings could offer some relief.

If you’re wondering what these numbers mean for your home or a move you’re considering, I’m always happy to talk it through. No pressure, just a thoughtful look at your options.

Sincerely,

Brandon Brown
Broker/Owner
BayBrook Realty

09/22/2026

Congratulations Hilary!

Not every successful sale happens quickly, and sometimes the best thing an agent can bring to the table is the willingness to step back, reassess, and adjust the strategy.

After some time on the market, Hilary and her sellers decided to temporarily pull the home, make a few thoughtful improvements, and reintroduce it with a fresh approach. And it worked.

This beautiful 5-bedroom Laguna Niguel home, with panoramic views, two primary suites, a resort-style pool and backyard, and no HOA, ultimately found the right buyer.

Congratulations to Hilary and her sellers for staying patient, adapting when necessary, and getting it across the finish line!

If your home has been sitting on the market longer than expected, it doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong with the home. Sometimes it simply takes a fresh set of eyes and the right strategy to change the outcome.

BayBrook Realty
Serving, not selling.

09/20/2026

Orange County Market Report - Week ending September 20th, 2026

Orange County inventory continues to show signs of its typical seasonal slowdown, with new listings falling from 550 to 512 this week. As we move deeper into fall and toward year-end, I’d expect fewer homeowners to bring properties to market, but demand will cool alongside supply as affordability remains the bigger challenge.

Mortgage rates moved back toward the 7% range this week, adding pressure to monthly payments and buyer purchasing power.

The Fed also raised its benchmark rate by 0.25% this week to 3.75%–4.00%, its first increase in more than three years, as inflation remains above its target. Importantly, policymakers’ latest projections indicated another rate increase could come before year-end, although future decisions remain dependent on inflation and other incoming economic data.

Buyer strategy: Higher rates can reduce competition, so focus less on perfectly timing rates and more on finding a home and monthly payment that comfortably works for you today.

Seller strategy: With demand becoming more payment-sensitive, accurate pricing and strong presentation matter even more. Buyers still have options, so the market may not reward aggressive pricing.

Knowing your competition, along with demand for certain homes/tracts/communities, is essential when you are in the home-selling and buying stages, as every home, neighborhood, and situation is different.

If you’d like help making sense of what these numbers mean for your home or your next move, I’m here. Always happy to be a resource.

Sincerely,

Brandon Brown
Broker/Owner
BayBrook Realty
DRE #01394509

Address

1590 S Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA
92677

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Tuesday	8am - 9pm
Wednesday	8am - 9pm
Thursday	8am - 9pm
Friday	8am - 9pm
Saturday	8am - 9pm
Sunday	8am - 9pm

Website

http://BayBrookRealty.net/

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