COVERAGE INFORMATION:
California Department of Real Estate (DRE) NEWS CLIPS service coverage:
Monday through Friday (except state holidays) each week includes electronic format articles retrieved from newspapers or news services that report real estate related news in California and some national services. Coverage is for California newspapers that are available electronically via the Internet - and any significant related breaking news.
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Copyright © , California Department of Real Estate
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Thursday, January 15, 2026
Top Stories
Clashing with the state, L.A. City moves to adopt lenient wildfire ‘Zone Zero’ regulations
NOAH HAGGERTY, Los Angeles Times (Subscription)
As the state continues multiyear marathon discussions on rules for what residents in wildfire hazard zones must do to make the first five feet from their houses — an area dubbed “Zone Zero” — ember-resistant, the Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to start creating its own version of the regulations that is more lenient than most proposals currently favored in Sacramento.
Average US long-term mortgage rate hits the lowest point in more than 3 years
ALEX VEIGA, San Diego Union-Tribune (Subscription)
The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate is now down to its lowest level in more than three years. The benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate eased to 6.06% this week, down from 6.16% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. One year ago, the rate averaged 7.04%.
National News
Pending Home Sales Drop to Lowest Level on Record Aside From Start of Pandemic
LILY KATZ, Redfin News
U.S. pending home sales declined 5.9% month over month in December to the lowest seasonally adjusted level on record except April 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic halted the housing market. Redfin’s records date back to 2012.
Existing Home Sales Climb to Near 3-Year High in December
FAN-YU KUO, Eye on Housing
Existing home sales rose in December to the fastest pace in nearly three years, but annual sales for 2025 remained at a 30-year low as elevated home prices and mortgage rates kept buyers on the sidelines, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
Mortgage rate-lock volume rises in December as refinances surge
SARAH WOLAK, HousingWire (Subscription)
December 2025 saw mortgage rate-lock volume rise 2% from November and 30% from a year earlier, driven by strong refinance activity. Purchase locks held steady and credit scores averaged 732.
California News
California wildfires, one year later: Investors scoop up properties as homeowners move on
MATT SEXTON, Mortgage Professional America
One year ago, Southern California was in the midst of devastating wildfires, particularly in Pacific Palisades and Altadena. Once the final embers were put out, more than 16,000 structures over 59 square miles were destroyed in the blaze. A year later, many of those same lots sit empty.
L.A.’s Mansion Tax Has Raised $1 Billion—These Neighborhoods Are Paying the Most
JULIE TAYLOR, Realtor.com
The policy adds a 4% tax on the total transaction for property sales of $5.3 million to $10.6 million and a 5.5% rate for sales above $10.6 million. That tax is on top of a 0.45% tax Los Angeles already levied on all real estate deals. Both taxes are typically paid by the seller.
CA lawmakers seek $10 billion for housing
LYNN LA, CalMatters
Last week the Senate Housing Committee progressed a bill that would place the housing bond before voters during this year’s primary election. Seven billion dollars would go toward the state’s Multifamily Housing Program, which offers loans to low-income residents for rental housing.
Industry News
Redfin's Kelman on listing access: 'You shouldn't have to know the secret handshake'
TAYLOR ANDERSON, Inman (Subscription)
Redfin may not be enforcing a ban on private listings, but a trove of documents sheds light on outgoing CEO Glenn Kelman’s view of those listings as a strategy he believes is bad for consumers.
Zillow, Redfin seek dismissal of FTC suit over rentals deal
DAVE GALLAGHER, Real Estate News
A Jan. 13 motion argues that the FTC has provided no evidence of antitrust violations, and renters and property managers benefit from the listings partnership.
Real Estate Technology
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