29% fewer California homes sold. Is the Fed to blame?
Briefly

Since the Federal Reserve commenced its inflation combat in March 2022, California's homebuying landscape has dramatically deteriorated. Sales figures have decreased remarkably, with March 2025 recording 26,454 sales, the third-lowest since 2005, and 32% below the 20-year average. Despite the Fed's efforts to stabilize the economy, home prices have continued to rise, reaching a median of $743,250 in March. The combination of soaring mortgage rates and increased home prices has resulted in a significant affordability crisis, thereby stalling homebuying activity across California.
Rising home prices aren't a sign of market strength. They're the reason why homebuying is frozen.
In the 36 months since the Fed started its cost-of-living focus, 27,703 California residences were sold in the average month vs. 39,049 in 2019-22.
The Fed's efforts to cool an overheated economy with pricier financing began in March 2022, totally icing home sales.
California's $743,250 median selling price in March was only 1% short of the record, not reversing even during inflation battles.
Read at The Mercury News
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