Will Fall 2025 Be the Real Estate Turning Point for Orange County?

by Patti Gregory

With mortgage rates easing and inventory rising, fall 2025 could be a turning point. Here’s what Orange County buyers and sellers should expect.

The summer of 2025 has been quiet in many markets, but shift signals are starting to emerge. According to the latest NAR report, a sales rebound could be building heading into fall. National Association of REALTORS®

📉 Mortgage Rates & Buyer Demand

Mortgage rates have cooled from earlier highs — dipping below 6.5% recently. National Association of REALTORS®
What’s more, mortgage applications for home purchases are showing solid year-over-year gains (18% in recent weeks). National Association of REALTORS®

🏡 More Inventory & Slower Pace

Inventory is loosening. August saw about a 12% increase in available homes vs. a year ago. National Association of REALTORS®
Homes are also staying on the market longer. The median time on market rose to 31 days (versus 26 days last year). National Association of REALTORS®This shift gives buyers more room to negotiate — inspections, repair requests, and credits are back in conversation. National Association of REALTORS®

💪 Price Resilience

Despite signs of softness, home values have held. In August, the median existing-home price in the U.S. hit $422,600, up ~2% from last year. National Association of REALTORS®
Also noteworthy: only ~2% of recent sales were distressed (foreclosures or short sales), which is still historically low. National Association of REALTORS®

🔍 What This Means in Orange County

Buyers may get opportunities to enter the market with negotiating leverage.
Sellers must differentiate their listings with great staging, pricing, and marketing.
Timing matters – listing sooner rather than later could help capture the rising buyer momentum.
Market watchers: keep an eye on new listings, buyer traffic, and what homes don’t sell quickly.

Patti Gregory, Realtor

Haven Realty Group | Your Partner in Success

714.398.1998 | pattigregoryrealestate@gmail.com

REAL Brokerage, DRE 01182154