Holiday Haze? What the Latest Data Says About California Real Estate
As we wrap up the week ending December 20, 2025, the California housing market is showing some classic holiday-season slowing. If you’ve felt the pace of business shifting, the latest data from the California Association of REALTORS® confirms you aren’t alone.
The Current Snapshot
Daily activity remains steady but lean. We are currently seeing an average of 481 closed sales per day across the state. While the wheels are still turning, the pipeline is tightening: pending sales average 378 per day, while new listings lag at 298 per day.
How REALTORS® Fared Last Week
Last week was a mixed bag for agents. About 24.2% of REALTORS® closed a sale, a slight 0.4% bump from previous figures. However, “entering escrow” took a noticeable hit, dropping 6.4% to land at 16.9%. Additionally, listing activity dipped 1.4%.
Looking Ahead: Expectations for the New Year
What’s the vibe for the coming week? “Cautious” seems to be the word.
- Sales & Prices: Optimism is dipping slightly. Only 12.4% of members expect sales to trend up, and just 5.9% expect prices to rise—both figures down from the previous quarter.
- Inventory: The most significant shift is in listing expectations. Only 28.8% of agents expect listings to increase, which is a significant 16% drop in sentiment.
Overall, the market is catching its breath as we head into 2026. Sellers may be waiting for the ball to drop before hitting the market, while buyers are likely focused on holiday festivities.
Source: California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.)