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.
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Copyright © , California Department of Real Estate
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Thursday, September 17, 2026
Top Stories
Builders are cutting prices — but buyers still aren't biting
LIEZEL ONCE, Mortgage Professional America
Builder confidence in the newly built single-family home market dropped to its lowest point in a year in September, as climbing mortgage rates, persistent construction costs, and weakening buyer traffic combined to widen a housing supply gap that has challenged brokers and borrowers throughout 2026.
National News
The New Rules for Selling Your Home With Mortgage Rates Near 7%
VERONICA DAGHER AND NICHOLAS G. MILLER, The Wall Street Journal (Subscription)
Most sellers can no longer count on a swift sale. Buyers are quick to walk away from homes that are overpriced or in poor condition. We asked real-estate agents what they are saying now that they weren’t saying five years ago about how to sell a home.
California News
New defensible space rules to harden improvements
CARRIE B. REYES, firsttuesday Journal
New defensible space rules for the area immediately surrounding structures located in a very high fire hazard severity zone or in a state responsibility area have been released by California’s Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.
State Farm to write new insurance policies for first time since 2023 — for certain homes
MEGAN FAN MUNCE, SF Chronicle (Subscription)
State Farm General Insurance Co. plans to write its first new home insurance policies in California since 2023. New policies will only be available to homes that meet wildfire safety standards set by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, a research nonprofit that offers a certification program for homeowners who take steps to reduce their wildfire risk.
San Diego homeowners: Beware of this fake tax freeze scam
ROXANA POPESCU, The San Diego Tribune (Subscription)
A newly detected property tax scam targets people who own real estate in San Diego, San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Cohen announced Tuesday.
Industry News
No stories today
Real Estate Technology
Reconciling AI Value Estimates with Real-World Expertise
FT EDITORIAL STAFF, firsttuesday Journal
AI can be a valuable tool for real estate professionals by quickly analyzing large amounts of data, but it cannot replace a real estate licensee’s professional judgment, local knowledge, and firsthand observations. Licensees remain responsible for the accuracy of their valuations and advice and should use AI to inform their work, not replace their expertise or professional responsibility.
What If Your Buyer Could Join a ‘Waitlist’ For a Home?
MELISSA DITTMANN TRACEY, NAR Realtor News
Your buyers have found the perfect house. The only problem is it’s not for sale. But what if they could get on a “waitlist” that lets homeowners know there’s interest? Could that be motivation to sell?
Property News
The 'Practical Magic' Mansion: What This Cult-Classic Home Would Actually Cost You Today
NATASHA ETZEL, SFGate
What would it cost to buy a historical home and live like Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman's witchy characters today?
In Case You Missed It
No stories today
Resources, Webinars, and Other Items of Interest
PRESS RELEASE: Board Approves First-in-the-Nation Zone 0 Policy at August Meeting
The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection today approved the final draft of Zone 0 defensible space regulations, marking another critical step in the state’s ongoing effort to better protect homes and communities from wildfire.
