March 13th, 2025

Happy Thursday

If you’ve been following the headlines, you’ve probably noticed some mixed signals about interest rates. The new administration is pushing for lower rates to make borrowing more affordable, but the Federal Reserve isn’t budging just yet. Meanwhile, the bond market—often ahead of the curve—is already adjusting in anticipation of what’s next.

So, what does this all mean for you?

If you're looking to buy, mortgage rates are still hovering around 6.5%–7%, making affordability a challenge. But if the bond market signals future cuts, we could see rates dip before any official Fed decision.

For sellers, demand may slow slightly due to higher rates & recent fluctuations in the stock market, but tight housing supply is keeping home values strong- especially here in North County San Diego.

For a deeper dive into the economic impact, I'll refer to someone who spends way more time on this than I do- check out Pomps 6 min breakdown here.​

Here’s what’s happening in real estate today:

3 properties to watch, 2 news updates on market trends, and 1 thought-provoking insight from me + a snapshot of current market conditions.

The San Diego housing market saw an increase in new listings and active inventory, while pending and closed sales declined, reflecting a shifting market where buyers have more options but are slower to commit, alongside a slight drop in mortgage rates.

Median Prices This Week

3 Properties to check out

2020 Playa Rd Carlsbad, CA 92009 $3,795,000 This oversized, 1-story 3-bedroom home has undergone a stunning remodel after investors saw untapped potential. Once eclectic and funky, it’s now a modern masterpiece—spacious, stylish, and move-in ready. It comes with a premium price tag, but for the right buyer, it’s an incredible opportunity View property

1437 Enclave Ct Encinitas, CA 92024 $4,000,000 The Enclave, this newer community offers soaring ceilings, sleek finishes, and an unbeatable location. Just minutes from Trader Joe’s, the freeway, and the best of Cardiff & Encinitas, it’s perfect for those who want style and convenience. View property

5956 San Elijo Ave Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 $6,200,000 One of the most impressive properties I’ve seen in RSF! This estate spans nearly 13,000 sqft (including a guest house) on 5.69 private acres. The design blends elegance, style, and privacy, all while being in the heart of The Covenant, close to village shops, dining, and the coast View property

2 News Articles

• ​Should San Diego rework its ADU bonus program?​

San Diego's ambitious ADU bonus program, designed to alleviate the housing crisis by permitting multiple units on single-family lots, is under review. Following community concerns about neighborhood impacts, the City Council is moving toward scaling back the policy in certain areas.

Ultimately one guy found every loophole and built 17 ADUs on a large lot in Clairemont because he also built affordable units. Of course, anything taken to the extreme/ exploited is not good.

• ​US inflation cooled last month, though trade war threatens to lift prices​

Those dang egg prices are getting out of hand (there is a bird flu outbreak). The consumer price index increased 2.8% in February from a year ago, Wednesday’s report from the Labor Department showed, down from 3% the previous month. Core prices, which exclude the volatile food and energy categories, rose 3.1% from a year earlier, down from 3.3% in January. The core figure is the lowest since April 2021.

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1 Tip or Thought

Is installing solar worth it these days?

With Net Metering 3.0, the ROI on solar has changed—big time. Under the new system, SDG&E pays solar owners 75%–80% less for excess energy sent to the grid compared to previous rates. That means without a battery, you’re selling power cheaply during the day and buying it back at much higher rates in the evening.

In the past, solar could pay for itself in 5–7 years. Now, it’s often 10+ years, especially without storage.

If you’re considering solar, batteries are now a must to maximize savings and energy independence. It’s still a long-term play, but the math isn’t what it used to be.

Net Metering 3.0 (NEM 3.0) took effect in California on April 15, 2023. Systems approved under previous net metering policies (NEM 1.0 and NEM 2.0) are grandfathered for 20 years from their original approval date, allowing them to retain their initial net metering terms during this period.

What if you add a battery storage system to an existing solar system?

It does not affect its grandfathered NEM status. Homeowners can integrate batteries without transitioning to NEM 3.0, preserving their original net metering benefits.

Josh Meltzer DRE 02098859 REALTOR® M: 858.585.0309​ ​Josh@Talechia.com​

P.S. Chick & Hawk (a new restaurant in Leucadia) is having an "almost open" pop-up this Sunday. Let's go grab some chicken sandwiches! See you there...

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DISCLAIMER: Due to recent changes by California Association of Realtors, and the SDMLS Clear Cooperation Policy (the “Policy”), Brokers are limited in their ability to share off-market properties. It is the intent of this letter to be in compliance with the Policy. For this reason, Talechia & Associates can only share such property information with clients of Talechia & Associates. If you would like more information on our properties that are not publicized in the MLS, and becoming a client of Compass, please contact Josh (858) 585-0309 or Talechia (858) 229-2181

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01991628, 01527235, 01527365. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. If your property is currently listed for sale this is not a solicitation.