Author: Shaline Heng

The “11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" of 1918 signaled the end of World War I.
It's honored as Veterans Day to remember the men and women who have served, and continue to serve during times of war, conflict and peace.
Salute to all heroes, and thank you for your service.personnel who served the United States in all wars, particularly living veterans.
To those in uniform serving today and to those who have served in the past, we honor you today and every day.
For your service, your bravery and your hard work, we thank you.

California homeowners 55+ may transfer an original home's taxable value to a replacement principal residence anywhere in the state, instead of restarting at market value.
To qualify, you generally must be 55+ when the original home sells, use both homes as principal residences, and buy or build within 2 years.
The replacement home can be any value, but staying within the rule's value limits preserves the transfer cleanly; amounts above the limit get added.
If you buy first and sell later, the transfer starts with the later transaction, full-market taxes may apply temporarily, and the state offers no refund.
The benefit remains available, can be used up to 3 times, and requires a county assessor claim within 3 years to protect full relief.

The measure would create a state-backed second mortgage for qualifying buyers of certain newly built California homes, with buyers contributing at least 3% upfront.
Assistance could cover up to 17% of the purchase price, combining with the buyer’s funds to reach 20%, while a primary mortgage covers the rest.
The state could issue up to $25B in revenue bonds, with participating homeowners’ loan payments intended to repay investors and cover program costs.
The down-payment barrier matters because many California families, especially Latino households facing higher housing-cost pressure, may afford monthly payments yet struggle to save upfront cash.
On November 3, 2026, California voters will decide whether this loan-based plan for qualifying new homes merits a statewide test at scale.

Alhambra — Most Expensive homes for October 2026.

Listings (sorted by price):
1. Listing 26864059 — $10,750,000
2. Listing 26649001 — $5,780,000
3. Listing 26965305 — $4,800,000
4. Listing 26991413 — $3,800,000
5. Listing 26839467 — $3,700,000
6. Listing WS26145932 — $1,650,000
7. Listing PW26123130 — $1,588,000
8. Listing WS26129506 — $1,550,880
9. Listing PW26127566 — $1,550,000
10. Listing CV26156875 — $1,480,000
11. Listing CV26192743 — $1,450,000
12. Listing WS26206463 — $1,399,000
13. Listing PW26208641 — $1,398,888
14. Listing P1-28510 — $1,395,000
15. Listing TR26223695 — $1,380,000

These loans can open homeownership sooner with 3.5% down for stronger credit, flexible standards, possible gift funds, and often lower rates than conventional mortgages.
Eligibility still matters: scores can start at 500, 580+ qualifies for 3.5% down, lenders prefer 43% DTI, stable 2-yr income, and owner occupancy.
Plan for costs beyond the down payment: closing costs often run 2%-6%, plus a 1.75% upfront insurance premium and yearly insurance afterward.
Tradeoffs include primary-residence rules, appraisal and property standards, lower loan limits, and tougher competition against cash offers, but buyers may build equity sooner.
Compared with conventional options, these loans can suit limited savings or imperfect credit; shop multiple approved lenders, compare fees, and review refinance flexibility.

In Los Angeles County, existing single-family home sales were ↓~11% yearly in Late-Q3, yet buyers showed fresh movement with sales ↑~5% MoM.
Los Angeles County's avg. existing single-family price climbed from ~$947K in Mid-Q3 to ~$995K in Late-Q3, signaling price resilience even as transaction pace stayed mixed.
By Late-Q3, the market felt less rushed, giving Los Angeles County buyers more time to weigh options, negotiate carefully, and prioritize fit over speed.
Mortgage costs and affordability still challenged Los Angeles County demand, but easing competition created openings for well-prepared buyers to explore choices without rushing offers.
Late-Q3 in Los Angeles County pointed to a slower fall market, with softer yearly sales, rising prices, and more deliberate buyer decision-making.

California home prices are expected to rise modestly through 2028, with yearly gains around ~3% to ~4%, signaling steadier growth instead of another surge.
Active listings reached ~156.3K homes, giving California buyers more choice and less urgency as available supply is expected to keep building through 2027.
Affordability stayed the biggest hurdle: only ~18% of California households qualified for a typical mortgage, ↓from ~31%, keeping entry-level homes highly competitive.
Homes were selling near ~100% of asking price, while 30-yr fixed rates hovered near ~6% and were expected to stay in that range.
Large urban areas like Los Angeles County may need until after 2028 to regain earlier sales pace, while broader California conditions point to predictability.