🏈 Big Plays & Big Moves: Who’s Buying Right Now?


February 6th, 2025

Happy Thursday

Who’s moving right now? It might seem like an odd time of year for a move, but there are always five groups on the move—we call them the “5 D’s”:

Diapers, Diplomas, Diamonds, Divorce, and Downsizing.

Baby boomers, a generation of approximately 73 million Americans aged 60-78, own around 38% of U.S. homes. This makes them a significant factor in the housing market and a potential source of future inventory. By 2035, experts estimate that the number of homes owned by baby boomers will decline from 32 million to 23 million, freeing up approximately 9.2 million homes for the market. Many of these properties will likely require renovation or rebuilding before being resold or rented.

This generational shift—sometimes referred to as the “silver tsunami”—will gradually reshape the housing landscape as older homeowners downsize or transition out of their properties. While this trend could help alleviate housing shortages, it also highlights challenges such as rising costs for accessible homes and limited options for people looking to downsize.

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.

New listings continue to rise, and demand is keeping pace. In January 2025, homes spent an average of 44 days on the market compared to 37 in January 2024—a slight increase in selling time, but not significantly so.

Median Prices This Week

Rancho Santa Fe

$7,299,000

View All Stats→

Encinitas

$3,449,000

View All Stats→

Del Mar

$6,490,000

View All Stats→

3 Properties to check out

493 Warwick Ave

Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007

$4,350,000

Tucked away in Cardiff, this updated home is a dream if you're a family that likes to surf.

5840 Loma Verde Dr

Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067

$4,299,000

Love a 1-Story Spanish-style house with modern amenities? This is located on a private street, walking distance to the Rancho Santa Fe Club.

720 4th St, Unit 1

Encinitas, CA 92024

$2,099,000

Front row on the bluff! This 2-bed condo needs a little love inside, but the location? Can't beat it


2 News Articles

A higher score indicates a hotter housing market where sellers have more power. A lower score indicates a colder housing market where buyers have more power.

According to Zillow:

  • Score of 70 or above = strong sellers market
  • Score from 55 to 69 = sellers market
  • Score from 44 to 55 = neutral market
  • Score from 28 to 44 = buyers market
  • Score of 27 or below = strong buyers market

Nationally, Zillow rates the U.S. housing market at a 50..

Here in San Diego: Sellers Market

As always, this information is hyper-local and may vary from town to town. Refer to the median home price reports above, which include an interactive gauge.

Let’s break this down on a hyper-local level. This article cites a "construction boom" leading to increased apartment availability, but does that apply to San Diego? No.

When we see bold headlines, it’s crucial to dig deeper and consider the context. Is the rental market shifting in favor of renters here in San Diego? Not quite.

We’re actually seeing increased strain on the rental market due to an influx of people displaced by the LA fires, coupled with seasonal demand picking up. So while national trends might suggest a renter’s market, the reality in San Diego is a different story.

If you’re considering making a move—whether renting or buying—understanding local market conditions is key. Shoot me a quick message and we can chat about how this impacts your options.

1 Tip or Thought

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

When it comes to hosting, homebuyers typically prioritize:

  1. Open-Concept Kitchen & Living Area: The kitchen is the heart of the home, and having an open floor plan allows for seamless interaction between cooking, dining, and lounging areas. People love: Large islands with seating, high-end appliances, a wet bar, and a connection to an outdoor space.
  2. Outdoor Entertainment Area: Expands your usable living space and creates a resort-like feel for hosting guests. People love: Outdoor kitchens, fire pits, covered patios, pools, and comfortable seating with heaters for year-round use.
  3. Home Theater or Media Room: Perfect for movie nights or watching the big game with a theater-like experience. People love: Surround sound, tiered seating, soundproofing, and a high-quality projector or large screen.

Josh Meltzer

DRE 02098859

REALTOR®

M: 858.585.0309

Josh@Talechia.com

P.S. Kick off your Super Bowl Sunday at the Cardiff KOOK down the Coast Highway 101. "San Diego's most scenic race" 5K & 10K options

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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.

Compass · 16085 San Dieguito Rd Ste E8 · Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 · USA
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Josh Meltzer | Compass Real Estate

Get insights you can read in 5 minutes [or less] for free. 3 inspiring properties, 2 relevant news stories, 1 tip + a market snapshot.

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