COVERAGE INFORMATION:
California Department of Real Estate (DRE) NEWS CLIPS service coverage:
Monday through Friday (except state holidays) each week includes electronic format articles retrieved from newspapers or news services that report real estate related news in California and some national services. Coverage is for California newspapers that are available electronically via the Internet - and any significant related breaking news.
|
Copyright © , California Department of Real Estate
|
Monday, May 18, 2026
Top Stories
Homebuilder sentiment improves on late spring surge in demand
DIANA OLICK, CNBC
After a sharp drop in April, homebuilder sentiment in the market for single-family homes rose 3 points in May to a readout of 37 on the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. Housing economists had expected the index to remain unchanged month over month. Still, anything below 50 on the index is considered negative sentiment.
Existing-home sales defy consumer gloom, NAR data shows
JESSI HEALEY, Inman (Subscription)
Consumer confidence sat near historic lows in April while the stock market climbed to record highs, and existing-home sales rose. The National Association of Realtors reported a 0.2 percent month-over-month increase in April, bringing existing-home sales to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.02 million. Sales were flat year-over-year.
National News
First-Time Buyers Stretch Affordability, Turn To 50-Year Loans And Retirement Funds
National Mortgage Professional
A new survey from TD Bank found aspiring buyers are open to alternative financing approaches, including longer loan terms, tapping retirement savings, and taking on higher monthly housing costs in pursuit of homeownership.
Redfin debuts ‘Early Access,’ giving homesellers ‘more control’
DAVE GALLAGHER, Real Estate News
Redfin has introduced a new search category on its website, an addition that the company characterized as an expansion of options for homebuyers and sellers. Redfin Early Access launched May 18. "Early Access" listings will not accrue days on market or publicly display price-drop history, Redfin said, enabling sellers to test the market while buyers gain an early look at home listings they won't be able to find elsewhere.
California News
California’s ‘extraordinary’ $33M tiny home project restarts in LA
TRISTAN NAEVERA, New York Post
California is finally making progress on a stalled program to build tiny homes to address the state’s homelessness crisis. Tiny homes, already popular with homeowners, looked like an attractive way to address homelessness. California is already one of the pioneers of the market-rate small home, and the market is expanding as more states allow them, and more financing comes to the table.
This law aims to prevent investors from flipping distressed California homes. They’re managing to anyway — and going unpunished.
JEFF MCDONALD, San Jose Mercury News (Subscription)
State law lets certain home-buyers outbid the top bidder in foreclosure auctions, in an effort to keep homes from getting bought up by institutional investors. But in several cases around San Diego and more statewide, professional buyers are flouting the law's requirements.
Rents drop in 63% of Southern California
JONATHAN LANSNER, Orange County Register (Subsdcription)
Good news, Southern California tenants: rents are down in roughly two-thirds of the region. Looking at the five cities with the largest rent declines, three are near the January 2025 wildfires. That’s a hint that whatever post-fire demand was created by the widespread housing destruction has largely evaporated.
Industry News
No stories today
Real Estate Technology
No stories today
Property News
Home Builders Are Getting Buried in Claims of Shoddy Construction
NICHOLAS G. MILLER, Wall Street Journal
The legal liabilities of some of America’s biggest home builders, including D.R. Horton and Lennar, have surged in recent years as buyers increasingly sue for damages from alleged construction defects. Mounting legal bills represent another headache for the home-building industry, which is already coping with a stagnant housing market by offering buyers significant mortgage-rate buydowns.
In Case You Missed It
No stories today
Resources, Webinars, and Other Items of Interest
No stories today
