LAURA GARCIA’S 2025 YEAR END REAL ESTATE REPORT ORTEGA REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE 2025 was the year of recovery. While it didn’t reach the bull-market highs of the COVID era, it was a sharp contrast to the slow, near-standstill buyer activity of 2024. Interest rates steadily declined through much of the year, with 2026 opening at 6% or below for the first time in years. The easing of rates brought buyers slowly back into the market throughout 2025 and restored much-needed momentum. Home prices didn’t surge across the board, but well-maintained, move-in-ready homes remained highly competitive, often drawing quick, full-price offers. As we enter 2026 with interest rates hovering around 6% and the potential for a Fed shift in May, the outlook is optimistic. The market is shaping up to be one that offers opportunity—for both buyers and sellers alike. Ortega Fast Stats 64 Days. Properties sold slower in 2025 compared to 39 days in 2024. $309 Average Price Per Square Foot. The […]













