Closing 2025, Opening 2026: What the Central Coast Real Estate Market Is Really Telling Us
- Brie Camacho
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
By Brie Murillo, Real Estate Broker & Loan Officer
As we close out 2025 and look ahead to 2026, a lot of people are asking the same question: Is now finally the time to move — or should I keep waiting?
After working daily with buyers, sellers, and homeowners here on the Central Coast, here’s the clearest way to understand where we are and where we’re heading.
2025: A Year of Caution and Adjustment
2025 was not a “bad” year for real estate — it was a deliberate one.
Interest rates stayed elevated longer than many expected, which naturally slowed buyer activity. Many families chose to pause, reassess their finances, and wait for more certainty. Sellers, especially here on the Central Coast, were also cautious. Inventory remained relatively tight because homeowners with low-rate mortgages had little incentive to move.
The result? A market that rewarded patience, preparation, and realism.
Homes that were priced correctly and marketed well still sold. Buyers who understood their numbers and stayed flexible found opportunities. But the days of rushing, overbidding, and emotional decisions were largely behind us.
What’s Changing as We Enter 2026
As we move into 2026, the tone of the market is beginning to shift.
We’re starting to see rates gradually trend downward, and even small changes in interest rates have a meaningful impact on monthly payments. When payments become more manageable, buyer confidence returns — and historically, that’s when activity increases quickly.
Here’s the key point many people miss: The market usually changes direction before it feels obvious.
By the time rates are “comfortably low,” competition has typically already returned. More buyers re-enter the market, inventory feels tighter, and pricing pressure increases — especially in desirable, supply-constrained areas like the Central Coast.
The Central Coast Difference
Our local market doesn’t always behave like major metro areas.
On the Central Coast, we tend to see:
Limited housing inventory
Strong lifestyle-driven demand
Buyers who are willing to wait — but move decisively when timing feels right
This means our market can tighten quickly when demand picks up. We don’t need a huge surge in buyers to feel competition again — just a shift in confidence.
That’s why preparation matters so much here.
What 2026 Will Reward
2026 is shaping up to be a year that rewards people who are:
Financially prepared
Clear on their goals
Honest about their budget
Willing to move when the numbers make sense — not when headlines say it’s “safe”
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