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.
|
Copyright © , California Department of Real Estate
|
Friday, November 14, 2025
Top Stories
Builders launch portal to make fire rebuilds faster and more affordable
ROGER VINCENT, Los Angeles Times (subscription)
People who lost homes in the Palisades and Eaton fires can now go online to pick vetted residential templates that could save them money and be ready as early as next year. Builders Alliance, a nonprofit organization formed in response to the fires, on Friday launched a portal that offers survivors a selection of homes, filtered by lot size, price range and other preferences.
California insurers to charge homeowners for FAIR Plan bailout after LA wildfires
ETHAN VARIAN, The Mercury News (subscription)
Homeowners across California will soon see a new charge on their monthly insurance bills to help pay claims arising from this year’s devastating Los Angeles wildfires. Most of the temporary fees imposed by the state’s largest insurance companies will be relatively small, a few dollars per month, averaging around $50 to $60 in total over two years, according to a review of regulatory filings by the Bay Area News Group.
National News
Pennsylvania city named the most affordable in the US — where owning a home is cheaper than renting
MARY K. JACOB, New York Post
The steel city is offering up some steals. Pittsburgh may not have the sun-soaked gloss of Los Angeles or the skyline swagger of Manhattan, but it’s quietly pulling off a trick that borders on fantasy in 2025: It’s the most affordable city where ordinary people can still achieve the American Dream, according to Realtor.com.
California News
In historic vote, L.A. caps rent increases for rent-stabilized apartments at 4%
NOAH GOLDBERG, Los Angeles Times (subscription)
Los Angeles strengthened its rent stabilization law for the first time in 40 years Wednesday, setting a 4% ceiling on annual rent increases for a massive portion of the city’s housing stock. The historic vote by the L.A. City Council will help set rents for decades to come for tenants who live in units built before 1978 — nearly half of the city’s residents.
San Diego Building Industry Association names longtime Faulconer aide as new CEO
PHILLIP MOLNAR, The San Diego Union-Tribune (subscription)
The local building industry has appointed Aimee Faucett, who served as chief of staff for former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, as its chief executive. Building Industry Association heads are typically one of the main advocates for more home construction in San Diego County, showing up frequently at government meetings, writing editorials and overseeing a variety of pro-housing efforts.
Industry News
Homebuilders bet on 1% mortgage rates to wake up US buyers
PRASHANT GOPAL, The San Diego Union-Tribune (subscription)
With the average mortgage rate near 6%, U.S. homebuyers are looking at the most affordable monthly payments in a year. But San Antonio real estate agent Tavyn Weyman knows how to get them lower — much lower.
Average US long-term mortgage rate rises again, inching up to 6.24%
ALEX VEIGA, The San Diego Union-Tribune (subscription)
The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage edged higher for the second week in a row, though it remains near its low point so far this year. The average long-term mortgage rate ticked up to 6.24% from 6.22% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.78%.
Foreclosure spike exposes cracks in consumer financial health
CHRIS DAVIS, Mortgage Professional America
The stock market is strong, unemployment remains low, and rates have steadied—but none of that matters if consumers can’t pay their bills. That’s the real story behind the recent uptick in foreclosures, according to Glen Weinberg, managing partner at Fairview Commercial Lending.
NAR seeks broker input to improve value and transparency
BROOKLEE HAN, HousingWire (subscription)
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) began its 2025 NAR NXT conference Thursday morning by telling members that it was restructuring the organization based on their feedback and ideas, and on Thursday afternoon, the trade group put its money where its mouth is, soliciting feedback from brokers on how the organization could better serve its broker-owner members.
Managing savings, homeownership during first retirement year
SARAH WOLAK, HousingWire (subscription)
Financial advisors warn that the first year of retirement often determines how long savings will last and whether homeowners can comfortably stay in their homes, according to reporting by Kiplinger. “The first year of retirement is one of the most defining periods in a person’s financial life,” said Renee Collins, founder of Retire Ready Inc., told the outlet. “It’s not just about leaving work — it’s about creating a new identity and relationship with money.”
Fair housing complaints mount amid HUD staffing cuts
JONATHAN DELOZIER, HousingWire (subscription)
The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) reported that 32,321 housing discrimination complaints were filed nationwide in 2024 — one of the highest totals recorded across the past two decades. According to the report, disability-related discrimination accounted for the largest share of complaints at 54.6%, followed by cases based on race, national origin, sex, familial status and religion.
Real Estate Technology
No stories today
Property News
No stories today
In Case You Missed It
No stories today
Resources, Webinars, and Other Items of Interest
IRS announces increases to 2026 retirement account contribution limits
NEIL PIERSON, HousingWire (subscription)
The IRS announced this week that contribution limits to key types of retirement plans will increase in 2026. The rule changes impact employer-sponsored 401(k) and 403(b) accounts, as well as 457(b) and Thrift Savings Plans offered to government employees.
