OC Housing Report

Early Trends

It is best to step back from the narratives, opinions, and noise surrounding the housing market and focus on the underlying trends. 

With January in the rearview mirror, trends are already emerging to better understand what lies ahead.

Growing up, nearly everyone has encountered the playground spinner, or merry-go-round, the classic park apparatus that kids love to push to its limits. A friend, sibling, or parent runs around, building momentum, then whips it in an attempt to break a world record for speed or revolutions per minute. Once the ride comes to a complete stop, all its occupants disembark as the world spins around them. Disoriented, it is almost impossible to walk, until finally everything comes into clear focus. 

The housing market starts each year as if everyone just got off a playground spinner, a bit disoriented after all of the distractions and festivities of the holiday season. Initially, it is hard to navigate, not knowing what to expect, until the end of January, when the direction of the housing market becomes clearer. The 2026 trends are already emerging, shedding light on future supply, demand, and market speed.

Screenshot 2026-02-03 112055

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt taken from an article by Steven Thomas.

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About The Author

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Tim Morissette, also known in the community as Mr. Foothill Ranch, offers over 48 years of real estate experience which has given him an established reputation and unmatched market knowledge. He is joined by his wife, Michele and sons Matt and Jeff, as they continue to offer personal service with an emphasis on achieving his clients’ real estate goals.  This unique combination of traits has led to his proven track record of referral and repeat business. This can be witnessed by the trust of homeowners in Foothill Ranch where he has sold twice as many homes and represented three times more buyers than the next-leading real estate agent for the last 29 years.

As residents of Foothill Ranch since 1994, Tim and Michele are actively involved in the community by fundraising for Foothill Ranch Library, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Cancer Society, Homes for Habitat, Relay for Life, South County Outreach, and the local church and schools. Tim enjoys sponsoring community-wide garage sales, paper shredding and e-waste recycling event, an Easter egg hunt, & a Meet Santa Event.

Tim and Michele are dedicated to their family of four sons, daughter-in-laws, and grandchildren. As a family, they enjoy many outdoor activities which include camping, spearfishing, mountain climbing and exploring the miles of hiking and equestrian trails in Foothill Ranch and the Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park. Tim and his sons are also avid snowboarders and enjoy mountain biking and lobster diving. Family is a top priority in the Morissette household. They look forward to helping more families achieve their dreams of homeownership.