Southern California Housing Market Update — October 2026
Pending sales fell 20–48% across all four Southern California counties in October. That is a demand-side signal, not a price signal. Pending sales reflect homes moving into contract; closed sales count deals that already went through.
Los Angeles County — Pending Sales Down 41.5%
Los Angeles County pending sales fell 41.5%, from 3,271 to 1,915. Active listings stood at 17,292, up 0.2% on last month. Closed sales came in at 3,417, down 9.6% on last month. Days on market stood at 43, versus 41 last month, and months of supply reached 4.9 (last month 4.6). The median sales price was $1,341,765, up 0.2% on last month, while new listings came in at 5,589, down 13.8% on last month.
Orange County — Steepest Pullback
Orange County pending sales fell 48.0%, from 1,457 to 757 — the sharpest decline of the four counties. Active listings stood at 5,569, down 2.7% on last month. Closed sales came in at 1,483, down 14.2% on last month. Days on market stood at 24, versus 21 last month, and months of supply reached 3.5 (last month 3.4). The median sales price was $1,230,000, up 1.9% on last month, while new listings came in at 1,730, down 24.9% on last month.
Riverside County — Smallest Drop, Still a Drop
Riverside County pending sales fell 24.9%, from 1,731 to 1,300 — the smallest decline of the four counties, but still a pullback. Active listings stood at 8,942, down 0.7% on last month. Closed sales came in at 1,735, down 10.0% on last month. Days on market stood at 51, versus 52 last month, and months of supply reached 4.4 (last month 4.3). The median sales price was $676,992, down 0.3% on last month, while new listings came in at 2,803, down 12.7% on last month.
San Bernardino County — Pending Sales Down 36.1%
San Bernardino County pending sales fell 36.1%, from 1,262 to 807. Active listings stood at 6,770, down 3.3% on last month. Closed sales came in at 1,227, down 15.4% on last month. Days on market stood at 29, versus 28 last month, and months of supply reached 5.1 (last month 5). The median sales price was $535,000, down 2.6% on last month, while new listings came in at 1,778, down 20.4% on last month.
National Financing Context
FRED's national 30-year fixed mortgage rate series (MORTGAGE30US) stood at 7.24% in the observation dated October 29, 2026, down 0.04 percentage points from the observation dated October 1, 2026 four weeks earlier. That is a national series, not a quote. MBA's weekly survey of mortgage applications at reporting lenders for the week ending October 23, 2026 (released October 28, 2026) shows the composite index up 3.4% week over week and the purchase index up 4%, a national lender-survey measure, not local sales or inventory. MBA's economist forecast, published October 12, 2026, is a forecast, not a fact or a promise: it projects a 30-year rate of 7.3% for fourth quarter of 2026. MBA's stated outlook: MBA expects that the 30-year mortgage rate will average 7.3% in the fourth quarter of 2026 and remain above 7% through 2027. National financing indicators add context but do not replace local listings, pending sales, or pricing evidence.
What This Means for Sellers
Price against current buyer behavior. Compare nearby listings, pending activity and recent closed sales before deciding where your home fits. Your street is not a county average.
Four-County Market Snapshot
This Southern California housing market update compares the same October 2026 release across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. It is a market-level starting point, not a valuation of one home.
| County | Pending Sales | Monthly Change | Active Listings | Median Sales Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 1,915 | -41.5% | 17,292 | $1,341,765 |
| Orange | 757 | -48.0% | 5,569 | $1,230,000 |
| Riverside | 1,300 | -24.9% | 8,942 | $676,992 |
| San Bernardino | 807 | -36.1% | 6,770 | $535,000 |
How Sellers Can Use This Update
Start with the homes a buyer can actually compare to yours: active listings, properties that recently went pending, and closed sales in the same neighborhood and price range. County trends help frame the conversation, but condition, location, lot, school boundaries and competition on your street still drive the listing strategy.
When pending sales weaken while inventory and days on market are higher, buyers may have more time and more choices. That does not automatically mean a price decline. It means the launch price, presentation and response to early showing feedback matter more.
Frequently asked questions
What do pending sales tell sellers?
Pending sales fell 20–48% across all four Southern California counties in October. Pending sales are a leading indicator: they reflect buyer activity before it shows up in closed sales.
Does a drop in pending sales mean prices are falling?
Not directly. A contract count is not a price measure. Compare prices, completed sales and supply before drawing a conclusion about one home.
Is this a forecast for Southern California home prices?
No. This report describes the October 2026 InfoSparks release. It does not predict what any county, neighborhood or property will do next.
How current is this housing market update?
The local market figures are from the sealed October 2026 CRMLS InfoSparks snapshot. National mortgage and application data is included only as financing context and is labeled separately.
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Paul Fernandez · REALTOR · CA DRE# 01835505 Rise Realty · soldwithpaul.com Data sources: CRMLS InfoSparks, October 2026 sealed snapshot (report_date 2026-10-01); FRED (series MORTGAGE30US); MBA Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey; MBA economist forecast.