🏠 Mortgage Rates
• National average 30-year fixed mortgage rates dipped below 6%, landing around ~5.98% — lowest since late 2022. This is significant compared to highs above 7% in 2025 and can improve affordability for buyers.
• For local buyers in Westlake Village and LA markets, local lender pricing generally tracks this trend — meaning more buyers can qualify for competitive financing now versus last year.
What this means:
• Lower rates help buyers afford more home for their money and improve refinancing opportunities for existing homeowners.
• Sellers may see more qualified buyers enter the market — especially those who were previously priced out when rates were higher.
📈 Jobs & Labor Markets
• National jobs data continues to show slower but stable growth, with ongoing debate about whether headline unemployment masks underlying weakening in some sectors.
• In the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura area (which includes Westlake Village & Thousand Oaks), unemployment historically trends modestly above pre-pandemic lows — reflecting a balanced but not overheated labor market.
Impact on housing:
Steady employment supports housing demand, but slower job growth can temper buyer confidence and move timelines for purchase decisions.
📉 Inflation
• Wholesale price reports show continued inflation pressures at producer levels — with costs rising more than expected.
• Core price pressures and CPI trends remain a key focus for the Federal Reserve as inflation cools but hasn’t fully returned to target levels.
What buyers & sellers should know:
Persistent inflation supports higher borrowing costs in the long run, whereas easing would reduce pressure on mortgage rates.
📉 Tariffs & Trade Policy
• Recent legal decisions have impacted tariff authorities at the federal level and reshaped the U.S. trade outlook.
• These changes can ripple into manufacturing and consumer prices, indirectly affecting inflation.
📉 Stock Market
• Major U.S. stock indexes ended the week lower, with declines across the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq amid concerns about inflation, AI disruption, and geopolitical risk.
Investor takeaway:
Risk-off sentiment can elevate bond demand, pushing yields lower and indirectly helping mortgage rates — though volatility can slow broader economic confidence.
📈 Bonds & Yields
• The 10-year Treasury yield dropped below 4%, reversing expectations given recent inflation data — signaling a “flight to safety” and potential growth concerns.
Why this matters for real estate:
Bond yield movements often guide mortgage rates. Lower yields typically help mortgage pricing, making monthly payments more affordable over time.
🏘️ What This Means for Homeowners & Buyers
🏡 National Perspective
Buyers:
• Lower long-term rates increase buying power relative to last year.
• Limited inventory remains an obstacle, so focus remains on prepared and competitive offers.
Sellers:
• Homes priced right and in desirable areas still attract attention as buyers leverage improved financing.
• Sellers who have been waiting may choose to list with a strategy tuned to affordability shifts.
📍 Local Market Insights
📍 Westlake Village
• Highly desirable with relatively limited inventory keeps pricing strong despite broader market hesitation.
• Mortgage affordability easing may pull more young families or relocating buyers into the area.
📍 Thousand Oaks
• Local median home prices are trending slightly lower than last year and are selling at longer days on market, pointing to a more balanced market.
• Buyers here may find more negotiation room while sellers benefit from steady demand and equity growth in the long term.
📍 Los Angeles
• Strong job markets and cultural hubs keep housing demand alive — but affordability remains tight due to higher price levels relative to wages.
📌 Bottom Line
This week’s economic data highlights a housing market in transition — mortgage rates declining below 6%, bond yields reacting to inflation and macro concerns, and employment patterns supporting but not booming. For buyers, affordability just improved. For sellers, proper pricing and timing matter more than ever.
🗣️ Your Next Step
Whether you’re looking to buy, thinking about selling, or want to understand how these trends affect your specific neighborhood, let’s connect and plan your strategy for spring 2026. 🤝
📩 Send me a message or schedule a call — I’m happy to walk you through the numbers and what they mean for your goals!
Tina Lucarelli - Local & International Realtor - (310) 738-8089 - DRE 02102354
