Palm Desert, CA — The California Desert housing market continues to outperform much of the state, demonstrating resilience and steady growth despite ongoing economic and housing challenges, according to the 2026 Economic Forecast presented by the California Desert Association of Realtors (CDAR).
The forecast was delivered on January 23 at Agua Caliente Casino Rancho Mirage by Jordan Levine, Chief Economist for the California Association of Realtors and was attended by more than 100 CDAR members. The presentation provided an in-depth look at national, statewide, and local economic conditions shaping the real estate market.
Serena Leiterman, 2026 CDAR President, emphasized the importance of data-driven insight during a shifting market.
“In a market like this, information alone is not enough.” Leiterman stated. “Buyers and sellers need context. They need someone who understands how interest rates, inventory, and local demand patterns intersect in real time. That is where a Realtor’s value becomes clear. Our members are helping clients make informed decisions that protect their long-term financial future.”
Coachella Valley Shows Stronger Performance Than Statewide Market
While California as a whole recorded modest transaction growth of approximately 1.5%, the desert region significantly outperformed statewide trends. Riverside County transactions increased by nearly 8%.
Levine noted that the desert’s unique buyer profile, which is driven largely by high-income earners, second-home buyers, and long-term investors has helped in protecting the region from broader market slowdowns.
“The desert has been punching well above its weight,” Levine said. “A lot of the demand here is coming from buyers with strong balance sheets. People who own stocks, real estate, or businesses elsewhere and are choosing to invest here because it’s a desirable place to live and own property.”
Market Improving, but Caution Still Warranted
The forecast highlighted that even small declines in mortgage rates since late summer have led to a steady rebound in transaction activity. However, Levine cautioned that when viewed through a long-term lens, the market remains below historical norms.
“Yes, we’re improving, and yes, there will be more transactions this year,” Levine explained. “But when you zoom out beyond the last 18 months, it’s clear that we’re not back to normal yet. This isn’t a market to take for granted.”
Inventory Constraints Continue to Drive Prices
Despite buyer hesitancy over the past two years, home prices across most desert communities continued to rise. Levine emphasized that this is largely due to a persistent shortage of housing supply, not a surge in new listings. The forecast also underscored why a major price correction is unlikely. More than 60% of California homeowners hold mortgage rates below 4%, and over 90% have at least 20% home equity, conditions vastly different from those preceding the 2008 housing crisis.
Encouraging Signs for Entry-Level Buyers
While higher-end properties continue to outperform, the forecast showed early signs of renewed activity in homes priced under $750,000, marking the first growth in that segment in several years.
“We’re finally seeing some owner-occupant buyers test the waters again,” Levine said. “After years of volatility, buyers are adjusting expectations and realizing that today’s rates, historically speaking, aren’t bad, and may not get much better.”
What This Means for Buyers and Sellers
For buyers, waiting for rates alone may no longer be a winning strategy. As rates ease, competition increases, and price gains tend to accelerate rather than reverse. Strategic, well-informed purchasing remains key. For sellers, the market has shifted from the ultra-fast pace of the 3% rate era. Homes are still selling faster than pre-pandemic norms, but success now requires realistic pricing, strong presentation, and thoughtful marketing.
Long Term Outlook: The Role of Realtors Has Never Been More Important
Both Levine and Leiterman stressed that success in the current market depends less on timing the market and more on education, strategy, and communication.
“This is a market where Realtors truly earn their value,” Leiterman added. “Our members are not just opening doors, they’re helping buyers and sellers navigate complexity, manage expectations, and make informed long-term decisions.”
Looking ahead, the forecast anticipates modest but continued growth in transactions and prices, with the median price expected to rise slightly again this year. While the market is not poised for a rapid rebound, long-term fundamentals remain strong: California’s economy, population demand, and housing shortage continue to support real estate values. The desert market in particular is expected to remain attractive to high-income buyers, second-home owners, and long-term investors seeking stability amid broader economic uncertainty.
As the forecast concludes: real estate in California remains a long-term bet worth making, and the role of trusted advisors has never been more important.
The Desert Young Professionals Network (YPN), part of the California Desert Association of Realtors (CDAR), is bringing a sweet twist to community giving with its upcoming Scoop of Support event, taking place Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Cambria Gallery on Cook Street in Palm Desert.
This family-friendly gathering is part of YPN’s annual Month of Giving initiative, and spotlights three impactful nonprofits serving the Coachella Valley: The Bridges 2 Hope, Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, and Guide Dogs of the Desert.
Guests can enjoy free gelato provided by local business La Dolce Piccola Gelateria, appetizers, and the opportunity to meet service puppies-in-training while learning about each organization’s mission and needs. Attendees are encouraged to bring items from the nonprofits’ donation lists available on the event registration page at cdaronline.org to support their ongoing work. Every donated item earns attendees a raffle ticket for the chance to win exciting prizes. The event is free and open to the public as well as CDAR members.
2025 CDAR President Stephenie Zinn touched on the significance of this event.
“At CDAR, our mission extends far beyond real estate — it’s about strengthening community bonds and supporting those who need us most,” Zinn said. “The Scoop of Support event is a perfect blend of service and fun, as it shines a spotlight on three organizations championing health, education, and independence in the Coachella Valley.”
The nonprofits featured include:
The Bridges 2 Hope — Serving some of the Coachella Valley’s most vulnerable residents, The Bridges 2 Hope works to prevent and end homelessness by connecting individuals to life-changing resources. Their team provides access to medical care, mental health services, housing assistance, and county programs to help people on their path to stability.
Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert — A beloved local institution, the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert is dedicated to sparking curiosity and creativity in children of all ages. Through hands-on exhibits, interactive play areas, and engaging programs, the museum encourages children to explore, imagine, and learn about themselves and the world around them. Each contribution supports its mission to inspire the next generation of thinkers, creators, and leaders in the Coachella Valley.
Guide Dogs of the Desert — For nearly five decades, Guide Dogs of the Desert has empowered individuals who are blind or blind with special needs by pairing them with professionally trained guide dogs. These life-changing partnerships come at no cost to recipients, allowing them to gain independence, mobility, and confidence. Beyond training dogs, the organization fosters lifelong bonds between handlers and their canine partners, transforming not just daily routines, but lives.
“What better way to celebrate our Month of Giving than by supporting our local nonprofits in a sweet way?” said 2025 YPN Chair Cody Hancock. “We’re inviting neighbors, friends, and fellow CDAR members to stop by with a donation, enjoy some treats, and have a fun, heartfelt evening, all while supporting three incredible local nonprofits. It’s fun, it’s meaningful, and it’s how our YPN gives back.”
California Desert Association of Realtors Young Professionals Network is a committee that plans, recommends, and reimplements education and networking events to promote growth, membership participation, and new leadership within the organization.
###
About the California Desert Association of Realtors
The California Desert Association of Realtors is the trusted source for real estate in the desert cities. We are a trade association for real estate professionals residing in the Greater Palm Springs area and the surrounding areas. For more information, contact our corporate office at 760-346-5637 or visit cdaronline.org
Rancho Mirage, CA – The California Desert Association of Realtors (CDAR) hosted its highly anticipated 2025 Spring Summit on March 26th at Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, bringing together hundreds of real estate professionals for a day of insight, strategy, and future-focused discussion. The event’s cornerstone was an informative Coachella Valley Economic Forecast presented by Pat Veling, CEO of Real Data Strategies, alongside a high-energy keynote from Jeff Glover, nationally known speaker and coach.
The Summit offered an in-depth look at the current market landscape and where it’s headed. According to Veling, the data is telling a clear story: while 2024 was marked by challenges—rising mortgage rates, fewer lendable buyers, and lower inventory—2025 signals a slow but steady shift toward balance and opportunity. “This is what we suggest you look for in 2025,” said Veling. “Home sales and activity are going to be up slightly because mortgage rates are going to fall. They’ve been hovering around 6.9% to 7%, but they’re trending down, currently averaging about 6.75%. Average prices will again be higher, so if people are waiting for a significant price correction, it’s not likely to happen even with increased inventory.”
That inventory increase is already visible. In December 2024, there were over 3,500 active listings in the Coachella Valley—up from just 2,870 in December 2023, a 19.5% jump. This means sellers are facing increased competition, and pricing strategy is critical. “Sellers need to carefully compare their property and price to similar active inventory in which they are competing,” Veling explained. “Sellers are finally getting realistic about the significant competition that they have.” The economic forecast also covered job growth in the Coachella Valley and rising infrastructure pressures.
Along with the data-rich forecast, Jeff Glover energized the room with a motivational presentation, focused on actionable strategies to become a better Realtor. “What we do determines our success, not the market,” Glover told the crowd. “My behavior and attitude dictate how I show up.” His message paired seamlessly with Veling’s data-driven outlook. “As Jeff has suggested,” Veling added, “when others lay back, the opportunity arises for capturing market share and for doubling down on your own practice and getting better at what you do—opportunity creates and feeds itself.”
Stephenie Zinn, 2025 CDAR President, touched on the importance of the information provided in Pat Veling’s forecast, stating, “Sellers might be used to getting multiple offers right away, but with more homes available, buyers can afford to take their time and weigh their options. Pricing your property realistically and ensuring it’s in excellent condition are key to attracting serious buyers and minimizing time on the market. Price it right, prepare it well, and the serious buyers will come knocking.”
Together, the two presentations captured the heart of the 2025 CDAR Spring Summit: knowledge is power, but action is everything. As the Coachella Valley real estate market finds its footing in a new economic cycle, CDAR continues to provide the tools, insights, and community support agents need to grow and thrive.
###
The California Desert Association of Realtors is the trusted source for real estate in the desert cities. We are a trade association for real estate professionals residing in the Greater Palm Springs area and the surrounding areas. Committed to advancing the real estate industry, CDAR provides education, advocacy, and networking opportunities to its members.
Palm Desert, CA – The California Desert Association of Realtors (CDAR) celebrated the installation of their 2025 Board of Directors on January 10th, 2025, at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. This beautiful evening under the stars brought together members, affiliates, and community leaders to honor incoming leadership and recognize outstanding achievements in the real estate industry.
The evening’s highlight was the installation of CDAR’s 2025 President, Stephenie Zinn, alongside 2025 officers and directors. Joining her on the leadership team are:
The evening’s master of ceremonies was Craig Michaels with Desert Lifestyle Properties, who guided the program with charm and efficiency. Tamara Suminski, 2025 California Association of Realtors President-Elect, delivered inspirational remarks, encouraging attendees to embrace growth and change.
Special recognition was given to the Affiliate and Realtor of the Year. Catherine Robinson with First American Title, 2023 Affiliate of the Year, proudly announced the 2024 Affiliate of the Year, Blaine Amidei with Fortem Loans. Serena Leiterman, the 2023 Realtor of the Year, honored Andi Mallen as the 2024 Realtor of the Year, celebrating their significant contributions to the profession.
Outgoing President Susan Marshall delivered heartfelt farewell remarks, reflecting on the accomplishments of her tenure and presenting the President’s Award to longtime member Maggie Hickman and business partner Andi Mallen, who exemplified dedication and involvement in the board.
Attendees also participated in a special giraffe feeding experience, with $445 raised going towards supporting families affected by the recent Los Angeles wildfires. Proceeds will be donated to the Realtor Relief Foundation, an initiative of the National Association of Realtors that provides financial assistance to victims of natural disasters. This meaningful effort underscored CDAR’s commitment to giving back and making a difference in the broader community.
The de-installation of the 2024 Officers and Board of Directors and the installation of the 2025 leadership team were conducted by Jennifer Branchini, 2025 NAR Vice President of Association Affairs. Heather Ozur, 2025 President of the California Association of Realtors had the honor of officially installing Stephenie Zinn as CDAR’s 2025 President.
As she took the stage, Stephenie Zinn expressed her gratitude and enthusiasm for leading the association into a new year. She shared her perspective on the balance needed for growth and collaboration, stating, “We’re experiencing a cultural shift. On one hand, we have members who lead from experience, bringing knowledge, tradition, and history to our board. On the other hand, we have newer members who lead from their hearts and beliefs, bringing fresh perspectives, new ideas, and a renewed vibrance to the association. The challenge we face is finding the balance between the historical ways of doing things and the fresh approach you as members want and expect to see.”
Zinn emphasized her commitment to fostering innovation and excellence, adding, “This year, we will take it all back and thrive in ’25. The vision of our leadership team for 2025 is all about elevating the level of service we provide to our brokers, managers, and members. I look forward to serving you all this year.” Zinn’s inaugural remarks concluded the evening, setting a tone of optimism and determination for the year ahead.
###
The California Desert Association of Realtors is the trusted source for real estate in the desert cities. We are a trade association for real estate professionals residing in the Greater Palm Springs area and the surrounding areas.
CDAR continues its over thirty-year tradition of awarding scholarships to high school seniors
Palm Desert, CA – May 16, 2024 – The California Desert Association of REALTORS® (CDAR) is proud to announce the awarding of $11,000 in academic scholarships to high school seniors in the Greater Palm Springs area. This initiative continues CDAR’s longstanding tradition of supporting local students in their pursuit of higher education, a commitment that has spanned over thirty years.
In 2024, eleven exemplary students were each awarded $1,000 scholarships. Among the recipients is the child of a CDAR Realtor or Affiliate member, marking the seventh consecutive year this particular scholarship has been awarded. Since its inception in 1988, the CDAR Scholarship Fund has provided scholarships to over 300 high school seniors, distributing more than $200,000 in total scholarship funds.
The CDAR Scholarship Committee faced a challenging task in selecting this year’s recipients from a highly competitive pool of candidates. The committee is dedicated to recognizing and supporting the academic ambitions of students within the community.
“CDAR is honored to able to be a steppingstone in fostering the educational development of young minds in our community,” said Susan Marshall, 2024 CDAR President. “We are proud to support these talented students as they embark on their academic journeys.”
This year’s scholarship recipients are:
The scholarship recipients and their families were honored at the 2024 Scholarship Breakfast, where special guest speaker Haley Clawson, Chief Meteorologist with KESQ, spoke to attendees. Clawson shared her journey and advice with these graduating students, emphasizing the importance of furthering their education and experience.
Funds for the CDAR Scholarship Fund are raised through events such as the Runway of Dreams Scholarship Fashion Show held in April, and through the CDAR Scholarship Tree, located at the CDAR Corporate Office in Palm Desert, CA. To find out how to donate or support the CDAR Scholarship Fund, please contact the CDAR Office at 760-346-5637.
###
The California Desert Association of Realtors is the trusted source for real estate in the desert cities. We are a trade association for real estate professionals residing in the Greater Palm Springs area and the surrounding areas. For more information, please contact our corporate office at 760-346-5637 or visit our website at cdaronline.org.
A strong economy, low unemployment, low mortgage rates, and alluring mortgage rates are making it a great time to buy a home, according to a newly released report from LendingTree, an online financial services marketplace. The amount of income that buyers spent on their mortgage payments also dropped from 2010 through 2019, despite higher home prices.
“If you are in a point in your life where you’re considering buying a home today, it’s a better time to buy than 10 years ago,” Tendayi Kapfidze, LendingTree’s chief economist, told realtor.com®. “If you can get a mortgage, you’re getting much lower interest rates, and it enables you to afford more. But that also means that you’re competing with more buyers, who are bidding up the prices.”
Indeed, median sales prices jumped 53.5% between early 2012 and summer 2019, according to realtor.com®. But a decrease in average mortgage rates—by more than a percentage point from the start of the decade—is helping to offset some of that uptick. Mortgage rates have dropped from 5.09% to 3.74% during that time period. That drop could save borrowers hundreds of dollars a year to tens of thousands over the life of the loan, realtor.com® reports.
Since the Great Recession, borrowers are being more responsible too, Kapfidze says. They’re “much healthier financially than they were 10 years ago,” Kapfidze says. “One reason is because of low mortgage rates. If you refinance, [you can] reduce your monthly mortgage payments.”
Homeowners are also sitting on more equity. In 2012, nationwide equity reached a low of $8.2 trillion. In 2019, it grew to about $18.7 trillion.
(Republished from REALTOR® Magazine)
All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® are properly called REALTORS®. They proudly display the REALTOR “®” logo on the business card or other marketing and sales literature. REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reports that 84% of home buyers would use the same REALTOR® again. Our members abide by a strict code of ethics and have access to a wide variety of business services that are not available to non-REALTORS. This gives them a competitive edge in the marketplace, enabling them to provide superior services to buyers and sellers of real property.
(Information herein © 1995-2014 National Association of REALTORS®)
As a prerequisite to selling real estate, a person must be licensed by the state in which they work, either as an agent/salesperson or as a broker. Before a license is issued, minimum standards for education, examinations and experience, which are determined on a state by state basis, must be met. After receiving a real estate license, most agents go on to join their local board or association of REALTORS® and the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, the world’s largest professional trade association. They can then call themselves REALTORS®.
The term “REALTOR®” is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics (which in many cases goes beyond state law). In most areas, it is the REALTOR® who shares information on the homes they are marketing, through a Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Working with a REALTOR® who belongs to an MLS will give you access to the greatest number of homes.
An agent is bound by certain legal obligations. Traditionally, these common-law obligations are to: Put the client’s interests above anyone else’s; Keep the client’s information confidential; Obey the client’s lawful instructions; Report to the client anything that would be useful; and Account to the client for any money involved.
NOTE: A REALTOR® is held to an even higher standard of conduct under the NAR’s Code of Ethics. In recent years, state laws have been passed setting up various duties for different types of agents. As you start working with a REALTOR®, ask for a clear explanation of your state’s current regulations, so that you will know where you stand on these important matters.
Suppose you sign an offer to buy a home for $150,000. You really want the property and there’s a chance other offers are coming in, so you tell the broker that “We’ll go up to $160,000 if we have to. But of course don’t tell that to the seller.” If you’re dealing with a seller’s agent, he or she may be duty-bound to tell the seller that important fact. In most states, the seller’s agent doesn’t have any duty of confidentiality toward you. Honest treatment might require that the agent warn you that “I must convey to the seller anything that would be useful so don’t tell me anything you wouldn’t tell the seller.”
TIP: If you’re dealing with seller’s agents, it’s a good idea to keep confidential information to yourself. These days many home buyers prefer instead to hire a buyer’s broker, one who owes the full range of duties, including confidentiality and obedience, to the buyer. A buyer’s broker is often paid by the seller, regardless of the agency relationship.
In making your decision to work with an agent, there are certain questions you should ask when evaluating a potential agent. The first question you should ask is whether the agent is a REALTOR® . You should then ask:
(Information therein © 1995-2014 National Association of REALTORS®)
