National City - The first stateside location for the Michelin-recognized Tacos El Franc is opening at the Westfield Plaza Bonita by May 30. Famous for its adobada and carne asada on corn tortillas, the taqueria originally debuted in 1974 when Javier Valadez sold Tijuana-style tacos out of a street cart; he later opened his open-air, brick-and-mortar taqueria in 1996. The 6,000-square-foot restaurant will carry the same dishes with additions like fries cooked in beef tallow. The cheve bar will be serving up Mexican beer, micheladas, clamatoes, and caguama, which are large bottles of beer. Their second location will open at 528 Fifth Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter in late June. 3030 Plaza Bonita Road, Space 1108, National City, CA 91950.

Tacos El Franc

Coronado - Anchoring the highly anticipated $550-million revitalization project at the Hotel Del Coronado is the Nobu Coronado, which held its soft opening on May 7. The 150-seat indoor-outdoor restaurant with panoramic views of the Pacific includes an eight-person sushi bar and a 12-seat pagoda bar with Japanese whiskeys, sake, and cocktails. The menu includes the iconic miso black cod, squid pasta with garlic sauce and A5 Wagyu, and sashimi plates. Special dishes for the Coronado location include lobster truffle tempura, beef kushiyaki skewers, and tai sweet shiso. 1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118.

Nobu on Coronado Island

East Village - A vibey brunch spot with bookcases and bespectacled roosters lining the walls opened downtown. Look for plates like the matcha and strawberries waffle pops, shrimp katsu Benedicts, guavas and cream French toast, and The Bucket, a hearty meal of fried chicken and buttermilk waffles in a familiar red-and white-striped bucket. Opened by the Rise and Shine Hospitality team, 6th & G Breakfast Co. is the team’s first foray into an elevated brunch arena, complete with imaginative cocktails like Cotton Candy Sugar Rain, made with gin, elderflower, and raspberry tea, topped with cotton candy cloud. 695 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101.

University Heights - A retro 1980s-Brooklyn-style pizza shop has opened in a 100-year-old building. Madison chef Tony Gutierrez partnered with Jose “Franky” Pereyra to launch Sonny’s, featuring a menu with dishes like pizzas like No Sleep Till Brooklyn (mozzarella and mushrooms) and Smoke on the Water (rapini, Italian sausage and smoked provolone). Other non-pizza items include Sonny’s burger, baked clams, and chicken Francese. Music vibes extend to the cocktail menu with drinks like Run DMC, made with Drambuie, mezcal, and cynar. 1728 Madison Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116.

Sonny’s University Height

Gaslamp Quarter - A new restaurant and bar debuted in the oldest hotel in San Diego, the Beau Hotel, formerly known as the Leland Hotel, which first opened in 1886. The original bar serves as the centerpiece at Bar at the Beau, featuring a wide range of cocktails paying homage to the hotel’s history. Menu highlights include duck pot pie, grilled oysters, and braised pork shank. 927 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101.

Bar at the Beau

Chula Vista - A dumpling restaurant that’s been honored with a Michelin Bib Gourmand for consecutive years has opened its first San Diego location in Eastlake. Luscious Dumplings got its start in San Gabriel in 2001 before branching out to other locations. Given that it’s best known for its Northern-style handmade dumplings, first-timers should be sure to order the boiled chive, pork, egg, and shrimp dumplings, pan-fried pork dumplings, steamed soup dumplings, and stewed Angus beef noodle soup. 872 Eastlake Pkwy Suite 413, Chula Vista, CA 91914.

Midway District - Opening in mid-June is Pho Leo and Grill, a Vietnamese restaurant with an open-concept grill center where meats will be made to order, a tradition commonly found in Vietnam. In addition to the grilled meat and 24-hour marinated rack of ribs roasting in a customized rotisserie, pho noodles will be made with rice flour each morning and com tam, a broken rice plate with grilled pork chops and steamed or fried eggs, will also be made to order. Owner Johnny Le will handle operations and Leo Truong brings his culinary expertise from Cu Chi, Vietnam where he owned a restaurant. Replacing Yum Yum Buffet, the renovated 6,300-square-foot restaurant can seat up to 150 people. 2855 Midway Dr, San Diego, CA 92110.

Pho Leo and Grill

Serra Mesa - From the family behind Cross Street Chicken and Beer, Grandma Tofu and BBQ, and Sunday Ice Cream, Edi Coffee is opening in Kearny Villa Square, next door to Pho Duyen Mai. The Korean-style “Anju” café will serve small bar plates, along with coffee, natural wines, beer, and soju cocktails in a mobile cart style. The casual bar will also serve small Korean appetizers, like chicken wings, to accompany the drinks. 5375 Kearny Villa Road, Unit 113, San Diego, CA 92123.

Let me know if I missed any of your favorites in the comments below...

Trying to time the market and make the right decision about buying or selling a home can feel like a real challenge... if you’re open to having a conversation with the right team to clear the path and answer the questions for you, we can do that!

We can help you explore your options to devise a course of action that might work for you.

Let us know how we can help...comment “MARKET” and we'll be in touch

They say you can’t time the housing market, but as we are acutely aware, some times are better for buyers than others. Like now, as the market has softened, primarily because high interest rates put a monthly mortgage rate out of reach for many.

Redfin says 44% of sellers are granting concessions to buyers, and 13% of all sales in March were canceled due to jittery buyers in an uncertain economy with high interest rates.

According to Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors, inventory rose in March, homes are languishing longer on market and people are staying put. “Residential housing mobility, currently at historical lows, signals the troublesome possibility of less economic mobility for society,” he said in a statement. Still, prices stayed high. “In a stark contrast to the stock and bond markets, household wealth in residential real estate continues to reach new heights. With mortgage delinquencies at near-historical lows, the housing market is on solid footing. A small deceleration in home price gains, which was slightly below wage-growth increases in March, would be a welcome improvement for affordability.”

It may be a crazy time to buy, but home shoppers can do jiu-jitsu and use the soft market to their advantage. However, it's time to think past the paint job and cosmetic updates and ask for strategic concessions that will lower the costs of owning a home.

There may be room to ask for cosmetics concessions - such as updating the kitchen or painting the home - but those won’t return as much as the ones that save money month after month. You could even use the savings to fund those fixes. San Diego-based Hennin Foreman, team lead for The DHC Group, says in the past few months, he’s been seeing an uptick in interest-rate buydowns to close deals. Instead of asking for a price reduction, a 2% to 4% buydown concession lowers the interest rate, which can amount to significant savings over the long haul. Buydowns can be temporary or for the life of the loan, and they typically cost 1% of the loan.

Here’s an example of how that would work on an $800,000, 30-year mortgage (without taxes and insurance included): At 6.5%, the monthly payment would be $5,056.54. If the seller buys down that interest rate to 4% at the cost of $20,000, the buyer pays $3,819.32 monthly. If the buyer instead asked for a $20,000 reduction in price instead, which would cost the seller the same amount of money, the monthly payment would be $4,930.13 — more than $1,000 difference without much help on the property tax end.

The second strategic concession buyers are asking for - and getting - is based on mitigating insurance costs. “The age of the roof is one of the most important things for buyers these days,” is a common theme. “Probably the number one request for a seller reduction to either fix the roof, replace the roof or get a monetary amount scored a credit at closing because of the roof. So anything that's going to affect the cost of insurance is a typical request from a buyer, and the easiest request after that inspection period is typically a credit at closing so that the buyer can complete it.”

This might look like fire abatement measures in wildfire-prone areas, or updating HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems, or earthquake retrofitting — which also improve home values when you’re ready to sell. For condo buyers, it’s not out of line to ask for HOA fees for a period of time. You could also get creative and ask for utility bill payments, soil and water testing, moving costs and whatever else might sweeten the deal.

Negotiating is a brain game

Hennin says asking for a straight-up price reduction can put a buyer at risk of losing a sale. “It is just as much financial as it is psychological,” he said. It can be insulting to imply a seller has priced the home incorrectly, or that it’s not worth what they think it is. “I always advise clients to go after the actual selling concession to offset your clothing costs versus going after the actual price point.”

Another thing buyers can use to their advantage is seasonal timing. In spring, more homes are on the market, more people are looking to relocate before school starts and buyers will have competition. During the winter holidays, fewer homes are available but sellers may also be more motivated if they’re trying to close a sale by the end of the year.

“They always say the best time to buy is yesterday, and the second-best is today,” Foreman said. “If they are waiting, then they can essentially be priced out of the market, because that property is going to continue to appreciate in value.”

Trying to time the market and make the right decision about buying or selling a home can feel like a real challenge... if you’re open to having a conversation with the right team to clear the path and answer the questions for you, we can do that!

We can help you explore your options to devise a course of action that might work for you.

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Mortgage rates will stay largely unchanged after the Fed held rates steady at its May meeting, opting to remain in a noncommittal “wait-and-see” mode until more information is known about the state of the U.S. economy.

The Fed kept the Federal Funds rate unchanged, as expected, and signaled no action on rates until there is “further clarity” on trade policy. Chair Powell’s press conference message was fairly simple: The Fed is in no hurry to do anything. He emphasized the high level of uncertainty associated with the tariffs themselves and their economic effect, saying “risks have risen, but they haven’t materialized yet.” Bond markets had been expecting a cut at the June Fed meeting—until last Friday’s strong jobs report. Since then, rates have risen slightly as investors pushed expectations for a cut back to the July Fed meeting. Today’s meeting did not include an update to the Fed’s forecast for interest rates, as it is only updated every other meeting. If it did, however, the forecast would probably show fewer 2025 rate cuts than the three that bond market investors are currently expecting.

Looking ahead, with the dual risk of higher inflation and unemployment putting the Fed in a bind, it is difficult to imagine any relief for mortgage rates without a fairly severe recession. The Fed’s mandate is to keep both inflation and unemployment low, but the economic risks that high tariffs pose threaten both sides of that mandate. As Chair Powell said: “If inflation is rising while unemployment is going up, which isn’t a choice we currently face, this would be a complicated and challenging judgment that we’d have to make.” Recent experience suggests that unless the Fed is very confident that the inflation risks are temporary and/or the recession risks become outsized, the Fed will choose to fight inflation by keeping rates high, rather than boost employment by bringing rates down.

Trying to time the market and make the right decision about buying or selling a home can feel like a real challenge... if you’re open to having a conversation with the right team to clear the path and answer the questions for you, we can do that!

We can help you explore your options to devise a course of action that might work for you.

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When it comes to burgers, everyone has an opinion. What’s better, a thick, juicy patty or a “smashed” patty with crispy edges? Is a sesame-topped, brioche, or egg bun superior? Do fancy restaurant burgers outrank inexpensive ones at casual places — or is it the other way around? And don’t overlook the ones from steakhouses or butcher shops, where the burgers are often made from steak trimmings.

This list of essential burgers includes everything from under-the-radar, under-$10 selections to those with ingredients of such high quality that it proves that a burger can indeed be a very fine dish.

Hamburger Hut

This Encinitas institution on Pacific Coast Highway isn’t just a burger joint. While the interior dining area is decked out in disco lights, the outdoor patio has a fire pit and live music on select nights. Go for the classic smash burger, made with Brandt beef, bundled with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and thousand island dressing in a Hawaiian buns.  

576 North Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, California 92024

(760) 230-1999

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Swagyu Chop Shop

Swagyu is going back to the basics with a renewed emphasis on their signature wagyu smash burger. The ½-pound OG burger is a blend of Australian, American, and Japanese wagyu, while the American wagyu burger is the more economical option. Though its other locations have shuttered the Poway branch is still open for burgers while a new outpost in the Westfield UTC food court is due in late March. Swagyu is currently reshuffling, focusing on expanding on LA and Orange County.

14149 Twin Peaks Road, Poway, California 92064

747-338-1105

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The Swagyu Burger

The Butchery

Don’t sleep on this butcher shop and specialty store’s kitchen menu, which includes a mighty-fine grilled steak tip sandwich as well as a standout burger comprised of a house-ground patty, grilled onions, American cheese, arugula, and tomato. Located in the One Paseo in North County, be sure to grab something from the meat case as well.

3720 Caminito Court, San Diego, California 92130

(858) 345-1524

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The Grill at The Lodge at Torrey Pines

Easily one of San Diego’s most classic burgers, the Grill at Torrey Pines’ Drugstore Burger is a slice of Americana. A nostalgic ode to Midwest lunch counters of years gone by, the simple-yet-perfect drugstore burger consists of Niman Ranch chuck and house-made mayo on a sesame bun. An industry favorite, it’s also available at the hotel bar and by request at its fine dining restaurant, A.R. Valentien.

11480 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037

(858) 453-4420

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Nine-Ten Restaurant and Bar

Known best for exquisite fine dining dishes, those in the know are hip to the fact that La Jolla’s Nine-Ten Restaurant and Bar also serves a very fine burger. The half-pound patty, made of grass-fed beef, is served on a brioche bun with sides of pickled veggies and perfectly fried fries, which can also be truffle-ized for a few bucks more.

910 Prospect St (at Jenner St), La Jolla, CA 92037

(858) 964-5400

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Nine-Nine-Ten Restaurant

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Rosemarie’s Burgers

Specializing in sliders, the Mission Beach burger joint uses wagyu beef between their buns. The Classic comes with onion confit and Kewpie mayo dressing up their double patties. Another version (with daily limited availability) features bacon whiskey sauce and baby arugula. Choose two or three sliders, along with hand-cut pommes frites, for a meal.

3852 Mission Blvd., San Diego, 92109

858-999-0233

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Eat Crispy Burger

One of the newest burger joints on the scene, the popular North County restaurant plans on having five locations by the end of the year, expanding south to Kearny Mesa as well as Chula Vista’s Eastlake neighborhood. The popular “OG” crispy smash burger boasts Angus beef patties, grilled crispy at a high temperature, and served with American cheese, grilled onions, and Thousand Island dressing. 

905 Orpheus Ave. Encinitas, CA 92024

(760) 230-3535

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Original “OG” Crispy Double Burger

Rocky's Crown Pub

Very little about no-frills, cash-only legendary burger joint has changed since the 1970s, except that it’s become a bit more crowded due to its high-flying reputation. Proving that beauty often lies in simplicity, diners can order a perfectly greasy third- or half-pound burger with lettuce, tomato, onion, and cheese with pickles on the side and pickled banana peppers in a tableside pot.

The Friendly

The Dirty Flat Top cheeseburger features two patties smashed so hard on the grill that the seared edges turn remarkably crispy. Then a slice of good ol’ American cheese is applied, melted so that it practically merges with the patty. Both of two locations have the Dirty Flat Top, along with burger varieties created by each chef.

4592 30th St, San Diego, CA 92116

(619) 892-7840

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The Wise Ox Butcher & Eatery

Order from this butcher and know you’re getting quality burgers where beef is the star. The daily menu selection features two burgers: a double cheeseburger featuring two ground chuck patties thousand island dressing, lettuce and pickle. Then there’s the dry-aged burger where the meat truly shines and is accompanied by house cured bacon, havarti, mayo, mustard and pickles.

2855 El Cajon Boulevard, CA 92104

(619) 564-8976

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Crazee Burger

Crazee Burger is best known for its exotic wild game burgers with toppings to match, such as elk with port wine and currant jelly reduction and wild boar with red wine-poached pears, mushrooms, bacon, whipped cream and plum jelly. But the more approachable burgers made with fresh black Angus meat or A5 wagyu shouldn’t be overlooked, especially by first-time visitors.

3993 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104

(619) 282-6044

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Chubby Charlie at Crazee Burger

Canada Steak Burger

A father-son team has been running this classic local restaurant for decades. The charbroiled steak burger comes in 4-ounce, 6-ounce, or 8-ounce seasoned patties. An optional add-on to the burger is gyro meat from their Greek family recipe. 

3604 University Ave (at 36th St), San Diego, CA 92104

(619) 283-4345

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Hodad's

Byron and Virginia Hardin established Hodad’s in Ocean Beach as a burger stand in 1973. These days, there are two full-fledged restaurant locations operated by their grandchildren. Hodad’s is probably the most famous name in San Diego burgers, thanks in part to national recognition. The burgers are huge; a double bacon cheeseburger ordered “all the way” is half a foot tall and more than a meal for two. Get the best of two worlds and order “frings” — a mix of both the onion rings and wonderful fries with battered exteriors and interiors almost as tender as mashed potatoes.

5010 Newport Ave (at Bacon St), San Diego, CA 92107

(619) 224-4623

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Double Bacon Cheeseburger at Hodad’s

Bun & Patti

The Little Italy bistro does their burgers with lettuce, sauteed onions, cheddar, and secret sauce on toasted brioche buns. The Model is their gluten-free option with avocado and vegan secret sauce on a gluten-free bun. Accessorize your burger with the boujee tots paired with caviar, egg, and lime crème fraiche. 

2171 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

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Waterfront Bar & Grill

One of San Diego’s oldest watering holes serves a burger that’ll complement any beer on the menu. Their signature waterfront burger is a one-third-pound burger with two slices of American cheese on a fresh baked bun but it’s the pile of grilled onions that adds the punch of flavor.

2044 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 232-9656

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The Balboa

You’ll find friendly service in the Balboa’s bars in Banker’s Hill and Chula Vista. Their well-loved Original Balboa burger features their own aioli, along with lettuce, tomato, and onions on a brioche bun. Pair with a brew or a cocktail, like the Balboa with Hennessey whiskey and sarsaparilla bitters.

1863 Fifth Avenue, CA 92101

(619) 955-8525

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Two Ducks

This game meat-focused bar and restaurant serves a “Wild Style” burger with boar bacon jam and crispy shallots or you can also order the more traditional “Our Burger” with wagyu blend, cheddar, and pickles. Food is served until 1 a.m. here, along with a daily happy hour available from 4 to 6 p.m.

629 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 564-6924

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Hayes Burger

There’s beauty in simplicity when it comes to the burgers sold at this popular Barrio Logan spot. The streamlined menu offers a burger, a cheeseburger, and a double cheeseburger; all served in a brioche bun. Ask for the patty to be cooked with mustard and try the homemade habanero ketchup or the Jimi (Hendrix) spicy fries sprinkled with habaneros.

2060 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113

(619) 539-7175

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Hayes Burger

Is there a San Diego burger you can’t live without? Let us know in the comments.

Five years after a historic boom in home purchases driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, a new wave of home sales is emerging – this time from millennials who say they regret the decision to buy.

Triggered by changing life circumstances, economic pressures and a mismatch between expectations and reality, many of these homeowners are reversing course, according to a new report.

Why It Matters

At the height of the pandemic, historically low mortgage rates and the flexibility of

remote work encouraged millions to enter the housing market quickly.

Millennials, many of whom were first-time buyers, made rapid decisions in competitive markets, often forgoing inspections or long-term planning in favor of securing a home while interest rates hovered around 2 to 3 percent.

Now, that landscape has shifted dramatically. With mortgage rates approaching 7 percent, inflation pushing up the cost of living, and employers rolling back remote work policies, the realities of home ownership have collided with the optimism of early pandemic buying.

What To Know

Roughly 86 percent of millennials who are selling their homes said they made mistakes in terms of buying their home during the pandemic, according to the 2025 First-Time Home Seller Report.

Nearly all of first-time home sellers who were surveyed—91 percent—said those mistakes played a major role in their decision to sell.

In 2020 and 2021, the housing market experienced a surge in demand, driven by a mix of low interest rates, remote work flexibility and people leaving cities.

The median U.S. home price jumped from $289,000 in 2020 to $418,000 by early 2025—an increase of about 45 percent, according to Axios.

A February 2025 survey by Real Estate Witch reported that 56 percent of people who bought homes after 2020 have experienced buyer's remorse. Nearly one-third say their home purchase negatively impacted their finances, due in part to escalating costs for taxes, insurance and repairs.

Homeowners now pay an estimated $24,000 annually on top of their mortgages for the added costs.

Compounding the issue, many millennials who relocated during the pandemic did so assuming remote work would be permanent. With companies increasingly requiring a return to the office, long commutes and the need to relocate again have become significant stressors.

It was found that 23 percent of millennial sellers cited the end of remote work as a key reason for moving.

Although younger and lower-income buyers surged into the market during the pandemic, tight affordability in 2022 and beyond has already started reversing those gains, the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco said in its October 2024 research brief.

What People Are Saying

Joel Berner, senior economist at Realtor.com, told Newsweek: "The Covid-19 pandemic offered some prime opportunities for homebuyers, with low listing prices (at least early on) and record-low mortgage rates. Homeownership became a possibility for many, especially younger buyers, when these financial opportunities were combined with newfound lifestyle flexibility in the form of remote work."

Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of MichaelRyanMoney.com, told Newsweek: "In the spring of 2020, as the world retreated indoors, millennials found themselves scrolling through Zillow listings while working from cramped studio apartments. Then they made the most expensive panic buy of their lives. The trend has been dubbed "pandemic homebuyer's remorse" by real estate analysts."

"But as remote work policies shifted and the reality of suburban life set in, many millennials began questioning their decisions. Long commutes, isolation from friends, and unexpected maintenance costs have turned dream homes into financial and emotional burdens."

Nationwide title and escrow expert Alan Chang told Newsweek: "As remote work policies have changed at many larger companies, there has been a renewed push to move back to major metros where housing costs generally remain high.

"The responsibilities of homeownership are not small and some found it to be more than anticipated. A chance to cash out their equity to relocate has been an easy one for some."

Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "The pandemic had a 'buy now, think later' aspect to the housing market. Many millennials saw the era as a time to relocate and could do so at more affordable interest rates. It's very possible some were even paying less for a monthly mortgage payment than they were in rent."

What Happens Next

Rather than reinvesting in new homes, many millennials are opting for a pause.

It's reported that 64 percent of first-time home sellers don't plan to buy again immediately. Some are returning to rentals, others to shared living arrangements or simply waiting for better market conditions.

"If it is actually the case that these buyers have such regrets that they will rent their next home instead, which is not a clear conclusion, it could signal some softening in for sale home demand," Berner said.

The idea of a "forever home" may be fading, with more millennials treating homeownership as a flexible financial decision rather than a lifetime commitment. As the housing market adjusts to post-pandemic realities, the experience of these sellers could reshape how the next generation approaches buying a home.

"Now, though, those same purchases may have them feeling locked in, as with higher prices and interest rates, it's been more difficult to sell, expenses involving home ownership have increased, and not being able to easily move may keep them out of the running for new opportunities that require an in-person component. The home ownership equation just isn't working for them," Beene said.

Do you regret buying a home during the pandemic? I want to hear from you. Please email Hennin Foreman at hennin@dhc-realestate.com.

Homebuyer Demand Improved Last Week, But Tariff Turmoil, Rising Rates and Economic Jitters Likely to Slow Sales

The housing market is under pressure as prospective homebuyers and sellers navigate a rapidly shifting economic landscape, with President Trump’s tariff policy, a volatile stock market and increased chances of a recession exacerbating widespread financial uncertainty. 

Homebuying demand improved at the start of April. Mortgage-purchase applications rose 9% during the week ending April 4 on a seasonally adjusted basis. Pending home sales posted their smallest decline since the start of 2025, falling just 1.1% year over year (that’s partly due to a holiday effect, with Easter falling into the comparable period in 2024).  But those numbers reflect what happened before and in the immediate aftermath of last week’s initial tariff announcement, when mortgage rates dipped to a six-month low and gave homebuyers a brief reprieve. 

The improvement in demand is unlikely to last. Mortgage rates have since soared, jumping on April 9 to 6.95%, their highest level in six weeks. The bounce is due to economic turmoil and the Fed making it clear it’s not cutting interest rates more than previously expected. Even before mortgage rates bounced back up, the median monthly mortgage payment was at an all-time high of $2,813. Payments are likely to rise even more in the coming weeks, and that, along with economic instability, may scare off more prospective buyers. 

“Tariffs are coming up for the first time. I hosted an open house over the weekend, and some of the younger buyers were concerned about how they’re going to impact the housing market,” said Hennin Foreman, a DHC agent in San Diego. “They’re hearing the words ‘tariffs’ and ‘recession,’ and it’s making them nervous that if they buy now, the value of their home will decline, and they don’t know whether mortgage rates will go up or down. There’s a lot of uncertainty out there, with buyers trying to understand how their purchase would fit into their personal finances and the broader economic puzzle.”

New listings are rising. Pending sales are falling despite more homes being listed for sale. New listings are up 10.3% annually, one of the biggest increases in a year. Supply is up partly because many homeowners who have been considering selling are listing now, in hopes that they’re able to pocket their equity before a potential economic downturn. Also note that there’s a holiday effect: Easter fell into the comparable period in 2024, while the holiday hasn’t yet happened this year. 

“The only thing that’s certain about mortgage rates and the housing market right now is extreme uncertainty.” says Economic Research. “With the White House going back and forth on tariffs, sending markets and rates reeling, Americans are feeling uneasy about their money. Nobody knows what will happen next. It’s likely that financial anxiety, rapidly changing economic news and the rising chance of a recession freeze the housing market. But it’s also possible that economic turmoil pushes down mortgage rates and/or people decide to bite the bullet now instead of waiting for conditions to perhaps worsen, encouraging homebuyers and sellers to jump into the market.”

With the cost of homeownership so high in Southern California, making the right decision about buying or selling a home can feel like a real challenge. Whether you're downsizing, upsizing, investing or cashing out all together...if you’re open to having the right team put in the work for you, we can get it done.

Hennin Foreman and The DHC Group can help you explore what’s possible and present pain free options that can work for you.

Let us know how we can help...comment “market” and we'll be in touch

Recession talk is all over the news, and the odds of a recession are rising this year. And that leaves people wondering what would happen to the housing market if we do go into a recession.

Let’s take a look at some historical data to show what’s happened in housing for each recession going all the way back to the 1980s.

A Recession Doesn’t Mean Home Prices Will Fall

Many people think that if a recession hits, home prices will fall like they did in 2008. But that was an exception, not the rule. It was the only time we saw such a steep drop in prices. And it hasn’t happened since.

In fact, according to data from CoreLogic, in four of the last six recessions, home prices actually went up (see graph below):

So, if you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, don’t assume a recession will lead to a crash in home prices. The data simply doesn’t support that idea. Instead, home prices usually follow whatever trajectory they’re already on. And right now, nationally, home prices are still rising at a more normal pace.

Mortgage Rates Typically Decline During Recessions

While home prices tend to stay on their current path, mortgage rates usually drop during economic slowdowns. Again, looking at data from the last six recessions, mortgage rates fell each time (see graph below):

So, a recession means mortgage rates could decline based on the data. While that would help with affordability, don’t expect the return of a 3% rate.

Bottom Line

The answer to the recession question is still unknown, but the odds have gone up. But that doesn’t mean you have to wonder about the impact on the housing market – historical data tells us what usually happens.

When you hear talk about a possible recession, what concerns or questions come to mind about buying or selling a home?

Let me know if we can help...comment below and I'll be in touch

A living trust is a financial instrument used to make sure your money goes to the right people when you die. No one likes to think about dying, but when it comes to managing your finances, you have to be prepared for the inevitable. Having a solid estate plan in place can ensure that your family is taken care of after you’re gone. A last will and testament and a living trust are two useful tools you can use to form your estate plan. If you don’t have a lot of assets or you plan to leave everything to your spouse or children, a will may be enough. A financial advisor can help you with all manner of estate planning issues.

How a Living Trust Works

A living trust is a legal arrangement that allows you to transfer control of certain assets to a trustee. You can act as your own trustee or you can appoint someone else to do so. The trustee is responsible for managing assets in the trust on behalf of you and your beneficiaries. The living trust takes effect while you’re still alive and it continues after your death, unless you include a provision to terminate the trust on a specific date.

Depending on your preference, you can set up a living trust to be revocable or irrevocable. A revocable living trust is a more flexible option since you can change it at any time. This means you can move assets in and out of the trust whenever you want, or revoke the trust at any time. An irrevocable trust is permanent. This means once the assets are put in the trust, you can’t take them out again.

While you can set up a living trust for yourself, it may actually make more sense to get help from a professional. There are a number of details you’ll need to make sure you get correct. The specific rules for setting up a living trust may vary based on the state you are in. The rules in California or Texas, for example, may be different from New York or Illinois.

What Assets Can You Put in a Trust?

Some of the different assets you can transfer to a living trust include:

real estate, cars, boats, bank accounts, antiques

jewelry, artwork, family heirlooms, stamp or coin collections

stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other securities

Depending on the type of asset you’re transferring, you may have to get a new deed or title issued in the trust’s name.

Certain types of assets can’t be owned by a trust. However, you can still name the trust itself as the beneficiary. For example, you can name the trust as a beneficiary for a retirement account, such as a 401(k), IRA, or for your life insurance policy. When you die, your benefits are automatically paid into the trust.

Living Trust vs. Will

There are several situations where having a living trust benefits you more than if you only have a will. For example, having a living trust in place can help you avoid conservatorship if you become incapacitated and can’t manage your finances. Instead of the court appointing someone to oversee your estate, your trustee can continue to take care of things on your behalf.

A living trust offers a significant advantage, allowing your beneficiaries to bypass the probate process after your death. Probate is the legal procedure where a probate court oversees the administration of your estate. This includes validating your will, ensuring debts are paid and distributing assets to your heirs.

However, probate can be a lengthy and costly process, especially if your estate is substantial or the validity of your will is contested. By transferring assets into a living trust, they become exempt from probate, saving time and expenses for your loved ones.

A living trust is also a practical option for leaving assets to minor children. If you leave assets to a minor through a will, a court-appointed adult is typically required to manage the inheritance on their behalf. Once the child reaches the age of majority — either 18 or 21, depending on state laws — they gain full control of the assets.

With a living trust, you can establish more specific guidelines for how and when the assets are distributed. This offers greater flexibility and protection for your children’s financial future. For example, you can include a provision that says they have to graduate college or reach a certain age before they can access their trust fund.

Who Needs a Living Trust?

There’s no hard-and-fast rule for determining who does or doesn’t need a living trust. Generally, you should weigh the size of your assets and whether or not you have dependents against the cost of setting up and maintaining the trust. If you don’t own a lot of property or you’re not married, a will by itself may be enough. On the other hand, if you’re looking for some additional protection for your assets, setting up a trust may give you the financial peace of mind you’re looking for.

Bottom Line

A living trust is a useful tool for estate planning. It allows you to have greater control over what happens to your assets after you die. Remember, a living trust does not replace a will. But it can be used alongside a will as part of your estate plan. While you can create a living trust by yourself, getting help from a professional is probably the way to go.

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