The fed funds rate was lowered by half a percentage point for the first time since 2020. The central bank’s latest move and its plan on future rate reductions will benefit homebuyers and home sellers in the coming months. With mortgage rates remaining near the lowest level in two years, housing activity could pick up in the fall.

California home sales bounced back to the highest level in five months in July, while more listings became available. With mortgage rates reaching the lowest level since May 2023, the market should see more sales and an increase in housing supply in the second half of the year. Meanwhile, the economy is expected to slow but continues to see positive growth in Q3.

California home sales bounced back to the highest level in five months in July, while more listings became available. With mortgage rates reaching the lowest level since May 2023, the market should see more sales and an increase in housing supply in the second half of the year. Meanwhile, the economy is expected to slow but continues to see positive growth in Q3.

With inflation easing more sustainably in the last couple months, interest rates have been trending down to the lowest level in the past five months. Despite having a softer-than-expected first half in 2024, the housing market should improve in sales in the next six months. Join C.A.R. economists in this episode as they discuss the latest trend in the market and the impact of recent developments in the economy.

The Federal Reserve decided to keep rates unchanged in the latest FOMC meeting but signaled that at least one rate cut is still on the table. Meanwhile, rate volatility has stabilized over the past couple weeks and more properties continued to be listed on the market. Home sales in the California housing market remain soft but are expected to improve in coming months.

Active listings at the state level continue to climb, with new for-sale properties rising for the fourth straight month in April. Housing supply remained tight, however, and continued to put upward pressure on prices. The statewide median price surged more than 10% from last year and set a new record high in April. As the market continues to speculate on the next Fed’s rate move and its outlook on future rate cuts, interest rates will likely remain volatile in the coming month.

With interest rates rising further in 2023, housing affordability continued to deteriorate for all ethnic groups last year. While the affordability gaps had narrowed between groups, they remained wide. The disparity will not likely improve much this year, as home prices are expected to increase moderately in 2024.

Join C.A.R. economists as they discuss the Fed's rate movement, the latest market report, and recent updates on the economy. Fed officials still expect rates to come down by 75 basis points this year, despite sticky inflation in the past few months. Meanwhile, the market continues to do better as home sales grew month-over-month and year-over-year. Inventory and affordability will remain issues in coming months, but consumer sentiment is gradually improving.

California had a good start in 2024 with both housing supply and buyer demand showing signs of improvement in January. The housing market could face headwinds in the coming months though, as mortgage rates remain on the rising trend. Inflation is expected to stabilize throughout the next 12 months, however, and rates could ease again starting in the second quarter.

California had a good start in 2024 with both housing supply and buyer demand showing signs of improvement in January. The housing market could face headwinds in the coming months though, as mortgage rates remain on the rising trend. Inflation is expected to stabilize throughout the next 12 months, however, and rates could ease again starting in the second quarter.