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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Friday, May 1, 2026
Top Stories
‘April delivered’ as spring homebuying season picks up momentum
DAVE GALLAGHER, Real Estate News
After weeks of economic uncertainty that seemingly stalled the spring homebuying season, the latest data indicates that the housing market is starting to get back on track. "The spring market seems to be in full bloom," Compass Chief Economist Mike Simonsen said. Pending sales, new listings, inventory and touring activity all ticked up this week. While the increases weren't enough to signal a stampede of buyers, the data is revealing signs of life in what has been a very subdued start to the season.
1 in 5 reverse mortgage borrowers reports money shortfalls at home
JEFF LAZERSON, Orange County Register (Subscription)
A growing number of seniors seeking reverse mortgages are facing significant and worsening financial strain, according to GreenPath Financial Wellness, a nonprofit financial counseling agency. In 2025, 50% of reverse mortgage clients lived on less than 50% of area median income, or AMI. For example, the Los Angeles AMI is $106,600. Half of that would be $53,300. And 23% lived on less than 30% of AMI or less than $31,980.
National News
March 2026: Housing starts increased in March, but falling new home prices, rising resale inventory could keep builders sidelined
ORPHE DIVOUNGUY, Zillow Research
Housing starts increased nationwide and in every region in March. Single-family homebuilding increased in February and surpassed year-ago levels. While this means builders are starting and finishing previously authorized construction on current building sites, permitting activity for future projects trailed 2025 levels in March. Building permits fell for both single-family and multifamily construction.
Mortgage Rates Rise Again, But Home Buyers Aren’t Backing Down
MELISSA DITTMANN TRACEY, NAR Realtor News
Mortgage rates ticked back up this week, averaging 6.30%, Freddie Mac reports. Despite the increase, rates remain well below the 6.76% average from a year ago. And buyers are starting to show up in force: Mortgage applications to purchase a home—often viewed as a gauge of future homebuying activity—jumped 21% in the latest week compared to a year ago, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
California News
Transit agency floats plans for hundreds of affordable San Jose homes
GEORGE AVALOS, San Jose Mercury News (Subscription)
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has proposed the development of hundreds of affordable homes at its long-time headquarters in North San Jose. The VTA aims to bulldoze the existing office complex at 3331 North First St. to make way for potential housing. The first phase of redevelopment would include 330 affordable housing units on a section of the VTA-owned site at the corner of North First Street and River Oaks Place.
San Francisco is only US gateway market to eclipse pre-pandemic office demand
CHRISTOPHER NEELY, The Real Deal (Subscription)
Few U.S. office markets have recovered to their pre-pandemic demand levels, but the picture is different in two AI hotspots. San Francisco and New York City have surpassed their 2018-2019 demand, according to VTS, and so far this year, demand in San Francisco’s has eclipsed the Big Apple’s.
Industry News
UWM Takes Fight Directly To Shareholders With $12 Bid For Two Harbors
CZARINNA ANDRES, National Mortgage Professional
UWM Holdings Corporation has taken its pursuit of Two Harbors Investment Corp. directly to shareholders, issuing an open letter Thursday outlining a new proposal offering $12.00 per share in cash, 2.3328 shares of UWMC common stock, or a combination of both. The revised bid is $0.70 per share higher — more than 6% above CrossCountry Mortgage’s current $11.30 offer — marking the latest escalation in a deal that has drawn competing bids, legal challenges, and shifting terms.
Real Estate Technology
What REMAX agents can expect from Real's technology suite
MARIAN MCPHESON, Inman (Subscription)
It’s a new day at Real and REMAX. Real Brokerage announced on Monday its acquisition of the 51-year-old franchisor for $880 million. REMAX and Real will merge under a holding company, Real REMAX Group, once the deal closes in mid-2026. Real founder and CEO Tamir Poleg, REMAX co-founder and Chairman of the Board Dave Liniger, and REMAX Holdings CEO Erik Carlson were all bullish about the deal, saying it will allow the combined company to create “a more innovative, more productive and more connected real estate ecosystem.”
Property News
What a $24 Million Home Sale Tells Us About San Francisco’s Comeback
SARAH TILTON, Wall Street Journal (Subscription)
A contemporary house on San Francisco’s Russian Hill has sold for its full asking price of $24 million, according to property records. The six-bedroom home went into contract a week after going on the market, according to the multiple listing service. The home’s history reflects the recent ups and downs of San Francisco itself. The city weathered a severe post-Covid downturn, garnering national attention for its high crime rate, growing homeless encampments and empty store fronts. Now, with a new mayor and at the epicenter of AI, it is seeing a dramatic uptick in luxury home sales.
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