August 2026
Interest rates rise and fall, inventory tightens and loosens — but the fundamentals of pricing a California home correctly in week one have never changed.
After four decades across Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire, the single most reliable predictor of a strong sale is still the first ten days on market. That is when the largest pool of ready buyers sees a home for the first time, when agent previews happen, and when online interest peaks.
Homes priced to the current comparable sales — not to last year's peak — consistently draw more showings, more offers, and better terms. Homes priced above the market spend their best two weeks educating buyers about why they should wait.
Timing the market is far less important than timing your preparation: photography, staging, disclosures and pricing all ready before the first showing.