The Real Estate Beat

Thank you for tuning in – I am sharing this article featured on my friends blog – lender Christian Carr – visit his lending blog here.

The MOVE Act, introduced by Representative Tom Kean Jr., aims to address homeowners’ frustrations about being locked into low-rate mortgages. However, it only proposes future portable mortgages that won’t retroactively help current borrowers. While this could assist mobility, it doesn’t eliminate financing gaps or selling costs for new homes.

A portable mortgage may preserve a low existing rate, but it does not eliminate the financing gap on a more expensive replacement home. Selling costs reduce usable equity, and the remaining balance may need to be financed at a higher rate. There is a reason H.R. 10028 is getting attention. It speaks directly to one of the biggest frustrations in housing today: homeowners who are effectively locked into their current homes because the mortgage they already have is far more attractive than the mortgage they would have to take on if they moved. It’s a real problem affecting household mobility, inventory turnover, and the willingness of would-be move-up buyers to make a change even when life is pushing them in that direction. So when Representative Tom Kean Jr. introduced H.R. 10028, the MOVE Act, the headline was naturally compelling. The pitch is simple enough for a cocktail conversation: what if a homeowner could take their mortgage with them when they move? At first glance, that sounds like a breakthrough. If someone has a $500,000 mortgage at 3.00%, why should they be forced to give that up just because they want to buy a different house? Why not let them transfer that loan balance, rate, and remaining term to the next property? It is a smart political message because it sounds like common sense. It also happens to leave out some very important details. The first and most important issue is that the bill does not appear to do what many casual listeners will assume it does. H.R. 10028 does not say that every existing low-rate mortgage suddenly becomes portable. It directs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to begin purchasing and securitizing conventional mortgages that are designed to allow portability. That is a very different idea. In plain English, this looks much more like a proposal for a future mortgage product than a retroactive rescue plan for today’s 3% borrowers. That distinction matters. A homeowner hearing the phrase “transfer your existing mortgage rate, term, and balance to a new property” could easily assume Congress is trying to let them keep the mortgage they already have. But the economics of the mortgage market make that far more complicated. Existing low-rate mortgages are not simply sitting on a bank’s balance sheet waiting to be modified out of generosity. In most cases, those loans have already been sold into the secondary market and are owned, directly or indirectly, by investors who purchased cash flows based on a certain set of assumptions. One of those assumptions is that when the borrower sells the home, the loan generally gets paid off. Portable mortgages change that. That is the overlooked angle here. Portability is not just a consumer perk. It is a borrower option, and options have value. If a borrower can keep a below-market mortgage even after selling the home, the investor loses one of the most common paths to getting principal returned and redeployed at current yields. If market rates are 6.75% or 7.00% and the investor is stuck collecting 3.00% for years longer than expected, that is not a small issue. It is the entire pricing issue. Which is why portability is not free. Analysts looking at portable mortgages have already suggested that borrowers would likely pay for that flexibility upfront, probably in the form of a somewhat higher interest rate at origination. In other words, if portable mortgages become a standard future product, the borrower may be buying the right to preserve that mortgage later. Useful, yes. Free, no. Even that, however, is only the first layer of the story. The second layer is the one I think gets missed almost entirely in the public conversation: portability helps only on the portion of the new purchase that can be covered by the old mortgage balance. It does not solve the rest of the transaction. Let’s walk through a realistic example. Suppose a homeowner sells a current home for $1.2 million. They have an existing first mortgage of $500,000 at 3.00%. On paper, that leaves about $700,000 of gross equity. But nobody gets to move “gross equity” into the next house. Selling costs come first. Between commissions, escrow, title, transfer charges, and other transaction costs, it would not be hard to see $60,000 to $70,000 disappear before the homeowner ever touches the proceeds. So now the net equity available is closer to $630,000 to $640,000. Assume that homeowner then buys a new home for $1.6 million. If the $500,000 mortgage is portable, great. That old loan balance moves over. The homeowner also applies roughly $630,000 to $640,000 in net proceeds from the sale. But the new purchase price is still $1.6 million. The gap does not vanish. At that point, the borrower still needs roughly $460,000 to $470,000 in additional financing. That is where the clean political story starts to get messy. The homeowner is no longer financing the new purchase at 3.00%. They are financing part of it at 3.00% and part of it at whatever the market demands for the new money. And because that new money may need to come in as a second lien or other subordinate structure, the rate on that gap financing may be meaningfully higher than the rate on a standard first mortgage. Now we are talking about the actual capital stack, not the campaign version. Let’s use $465,000 as the new financing amount. If that money potentially carries an 8.10% rate (or higher), which is not unreasonable for higher-risk secondary financing, the borrower’s balance-weighted blended rate would look attractive on paper. You would have $500,000 at 3.00% and $465,000 at 8.10%, producing a rough blended rate of about 5.46%. That sounds pretty good relative to financing the full amount at today’s first-mortgage rates. But rate is only part of the story. Payment matters more. The old portable mortgage would not magically become a fresh 30-year loan. If that mortgage has 24 years remaining, then that is likely the remaining term coming into the new property. If the additional $465,000 is financed separately at 8.10%, the amortization period on that second piece becomes crucial. If the $500,000 portable first has 24 years remaining at 3.00%, the principal and interest payment is about $2,438 per month. If the $465,000 gap financing is set up at 8.10% over 20 years, the principal and interest payment is about $3,918 per month. Combined, the borrower is at roughly $6,356 per month in principal and interest. Now compare that with a single new $965,000 mortgage at 6.75% over 30 years. That payment would be roughly $6,259 per month. Read that again. The borrower “kept the 3% mortgage,” and the monthly payment still comes out slightly higher in this structure than simply taking one new 30-year first mortgage at current rates. That is not because portability has no value. It absolutely can. It is because the value of the portable piece can be weakened or even overwhelmed by the structure, pricing, and amortization of the gap financing. And if the second piece is amortized more gently over 30 years instead of 20, the payment improves. In that case, the $465,000 loan at 8.10% would be about $3,444 per month, bringing the combined payment to around $5,882. Now portability is helping more clearly. But even then, the borrower still has to manage a more complex financing structure, potentially with two liens, two different terms, and the complications that come with that. This is the part of the conversation that deserves more attention. Portable mortgages are easy to understand at the slogan level. They are much harder to evaluate in an actual transaction. Who underwrites the gap financing? Does it come in behind the portable first as a true second lien? What does that do to combined loan-to-value limits? How is the borrower requalified? What happens if the new property is a condo with its own approval issues? What happens if values soften and the subordinate lender becomes more conservative? What if the second lien is adjustable, or requires a shorter payoff horizon? What if the borrower later wants to refinance one piece but not the other? Those are not side questions. Those are the deal. That is why I think the real story around H.R. 10028 is not that portable mortgages are a bad idea. In concept, they are actually a very interesting idea. They recognize that a mortgage is not just debt; under the right circumstances, it can also be a valuable financial asset. A homeowner sitting on a 3.00% loan in a 7.00% world clearly owns something economically valuable. The problem is that Washington has a habit of selling the headline benefit of a financing innovation while understating the cost, complexity, and tradeoffs underneath it. We have seen versions of this before. A 40-year mortgage can be pitched as a lower-payment solution, but extending duration changes the economics of the loan and the way investors price the risk. The payment may go down relative to a shorter term, but the borrower pays for longer, builds equity more slowly, and can end up carrying more interest over time. The wrapper changes. The economic realities do not disappear. Portable mortgages raise a similar issue. If you give borrowers a valuable option, someone has to absorb that cost. If you preserve only part of a low-rate financing structure, someone still has to fund the rest. And when that additional capital sits in a riskier position, it usually commands a higher rate. That is the story. The MOVE Act, authored by Representative Tom Kean Jr., is politically sharp because it taps into a genuine frustration in the housing market. Homeowners feel trapped by the success of their old financing. They know their current mortgage is too good to casually surrender. Any policy proposal that seems to honor that reality is going to attract attention. But attention and execution are two different things. If portable mortgages eventually become a viable conventional product, they may help mobility for some borrowers. They may improve transaction flow. They may allow some homeowners to preserve a meaningful portion of their financing advantage when they move. That would be a real benefit. What they will not do is magically turn a move-up purchase into a 3.00% financing event. They will not erase selling costs. They will not eliminate the need for new capital. And they will not prevent the market from pricing the risk associated with that structure. The cleanest way to say it is this: portability may preserve the cheap money you already have, but it does not make the next house cheap. For borrowers, advisors, and anyone trying to think clearly about housing policy, that is the conversation worth having. Not whether portable mortgages sound good. They do. The better question is whether the full financing stack still makes sense once the math, structure, and incentives are laid out honestly. That is where the real answer lives.

How can The Caton Team Help You?

Contact The Caton Team 650.799.4333 | Email Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Whether you are selling or buying – today or tomorrow – contact The Caton Team – we’re happy to help you achieve your Real Estate goals. 

Effective. Efficient. Responsive. The Caton Team 🏡 

Each market is unique and with over 45 years of combined Real Estate experience, The Caton Team is more than happy to be of service if and when you are considering a move. Contact us anytime during your journey, together we’ll help you achieve your Real Estate goals.

Got Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 |  EMAIL  |  WEB  |   BLOG

We love what we do and would love to help you navigate your sale or purchase of Residential Real Estate. Please reach out for a personal consultation. Please enjoy our free resources below and get to know our team TESTIMONIALS.

| HOW TO SELL | VIRTUAL STAGING | A GUIDE TO BUYING | BUYING INFO |  MOVING | TESTIMONIALS | 

RECENTLY SOLD by THE CATON TEAM

Homes Sold by The Caton Team | Helping Our Buyers Find Their Way Home

Get exclusive inside access when you follow us on Facebook & Instagram

| HOW TO SELL |  GET READY CAPITAL – Loans to Prep for Sale | VIRTUAL STAGING | A GUIDE TO BUYING | BUYING INFO |  MOVING | TESTIMONIALS | 

Got Real Estate Questions?   The Caton Team is here to help.

We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral, or need some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!

The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the utmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.

A mother and daughter-in-law team with over 35 years of combined, local Real Estate experience and knowledge – wouldn’t you like The Caton Team to represent you? Let us know how we can be of service. Contact us any time.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654 |EMAIL |  WEB|   BLOG

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

The Caton Team Testimonials | Blog – The Real Estate Beat | TheCatonTeam.com | Facebook | Instagram | HomeSnap | Pinterest | LinkedIn Sabrina

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

DRE # |Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 |Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts.  Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third-party information not verified.

Thank you for tuning in – sharing this article – I read here.

JPMorgan Chase, the nation’s largest bank, is a name typically attached to big numbers. But a new plan to invest $750 billion into housing market initiatives in the next decade stands out.

The bank announced this summer it would deploy $750 billion into the housing market through 2035. Its “American Dream Initiative” aims to build or preserve 1 million affordable housing units and help 500,000 customers purchase homes, 200,000 of them for the first time.

It’s not alone. Wells Fargo, Citibank, and Bank of America—which, with JPMorgan, comprise the “big four” of American finance—have each announced major housing initiatives. And, like the $5 trillion JPMorgan Chase, they’re directing tens of billions toward the problem.

The nationwide housing supply shortage, as well as rampant pessimism among young people, make the issue too big to ignore, says Sam Sheets, a strategy executive for Community & Affordable Lending at JPMorgan Chase.

“At the end of the day, it’s a function of supply and demand,” Sheets says. “Supply is the big issue—and supply of homes at the right price point.”

Housing has long been a major focus for banks. Bank of America, for instance, has provided $15 billion in loans and grants since 2019 to support down payments, closing costs, and affordable mortgage options for homebuyers. It partners with 300 housing counseling groups in the process.

But banks are now also expanding their support for efforts like zoning reform, building code changes, and new homebuilding in an effort to restore affordability to the housing market—and potentially expand the pool of mortgage borrowers, which has been shrinking lately.

“It’s driven by slower new construction but also just a lock-in effect, which has forced families to stay put when they would have moved and upsized,” Sheets says.

The business case for bank intervention

Reading between the lines, banks may be concerned about the decline in mortgage business in recent years.

The number of annual new mortgage accounts at large banks has hovered below 500,000 for the past three years, well below the million-plus levels typically seen in a single year before the pandemic, according to tracking from the Philadelphia Fed.

The sharp drop-off in big bank mortgages is due in part to increased competition from specialty lenders, but the main culprit may be the overall decline in homebuying activity since 2022.

Bernard Nossuli, COO at lending data company iEmergent, notes the mortgage business has been racked by the uncertain market, including high interest rates and limited signals from the Federal Reserve about when that might change.

Roughly 581,000 home purchase loans were originated from January through March 2026, down 19% from the previous quarter and a 12-year low. With many younger buyers priced out, and older buyers “locked in” to homes with low rates, supply-side solutions seem to be the easiest lever to pull right now.

But while those policies might seem straightforward, “the reality is a lot more complicated than that,” Nossuli says.

Beyond mortgages

Obviously, banks have always played a major role in the housing market via the mortgages they provide. But as the nation confronts a major affordability crisis with complex causes and difficult solutions, banking leaders have sought a more proactive role.

The $49 trillion housing market has been the bedrock of Americans’ financial prosperity for generations. But the shortage of millions of homes, as well as millions of affordable rentals, has meant more Americans’ financial lives are being stifled because housing eats into their ability to save and invest.

At a Washington, DC, conference hosted by the Bipartisan Policy Center in June, Edward Skyler, head of Enterprise Services for Citi, said the private sector has roles to play around the edges.

“We need American ingenuity and entrepreneurship to help us build cheaper,” Skyler said. “We need to apply some of this great intellectual capacity and allocate some of that brain power to housing, because it is ripe for innovation.”

This year, Citi launched its “Blueprint for Housing Opportunity Initiative,” a $60 billion plan to support the preservation and construction of 250,000 homes. Last year, it financed $7 billion to support 30,000 units, and the new initiatives would double the pace, Skyler said.

Citi also committed $50 million to support housing nonprofits, including “seed funding” to support pre-development work like architecture and zoning studies on new housing projects. That support helps those companies prepare developments to turn dirt. Their role in their cities makes their housing pitches more likely to be successful, Skyler said.

“This is an issue that is really harming Americans across the country, and not just in the big cities,” he noted.

Banks push for policy change

In the case of JPMorgan, the bank has leaned into thought leadership. It has backed housing market analysis through a policy center that advocated for reducing regulatory barriers and encouraging manufactured housing innovation.

“We’re really trying to look at what levers, and particularly state and local levers, that can reduce the cost drivers of what it takes to build housing,” Olivia Barrow Strauss, vice president of Housing Policy at JPMorgan, recently told Realtor.com®.

And for Citi, policy advocacy is part of its plan, too. Its blueprint encourages lawmakers to consider changes to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, a tool that helps finance affordable housing development. Allowing it to be transferrable would encourage more banks and other investors to put money behind the credit that developers can use, Skyler said.

“We’re seeing a lot of money left on the table,” he noted. “Our idea is simply to … try and create a market for them.”

The banks are also backing the private sector. Wells Fargo has awarded $53 million to back innovations in home construction and financing through its “Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge.” Its foundation has contributed $830 million toward housing efforts since 2019.

The initiatives aren’t just a philanthropic effort, either. Dennis Shea, co-leader of BPC’s Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy, says the housing shortage has major macroeconomic effects that limit labor mobility, productivity, and economics. That in turn limits bank customers and stifles growth of the broader private sector.

At Chase, Sheets says the bank is aggressively trying to grow its mortgage business. It originated $52.8 billion in mortgage volume in 2025, up from $40.8 billion in 2024, according to its most recent financial reporting.

The bank’s housing initiatives offer it “a more comprehensive view” for how it can positively influence housing supply, he says.

I read this here.

How can The Caton Team Help You?

Contact The Caton Team 650.799.4333 | Email Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Whether you are selling or buying – today or tomorrow – contact The Caton Team – we’re happy to help you achieve your Real Estate goals. 

Effective. Efficient. Responsive. The Caton Team 🏡 

Each market is unique and with over 45 years of combined Real Estate experience, The Caton Team is more than happy to be of service if and when you are considering a move. Contact us anytime during your journey, together we’ll help you achieve your Real Estate goals.

Got Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 |  EMAIL  |  WEB  |   BLOG

We love what we do and would love to help you navigate your sale or purchase of Residential Real Estate. Please reach out for a personal consultation. Please enjoy our free resources below and get to know our team TESTIMONIALS.

| HOW TO SELL | VIRTUAL STAGING | A GUIDE TO BUYING | BUYING INFO |  MOVING | TESTIMONIALS | 

RECENTLY SOLD by THE CATON TEAM

Homes Sold by The Caton Team | Helping Our Buyers Find Their Way Home

Get exclusive inside access when you follow us on Facebook & Instagram

| HOW TO SELL |  GET READY CAPITAL – Loans to Prep for Sale | VIRTUAL STAGING | A GUIDE TO BUYING | BUYING INFO |  MOVING | TESTIMONIALS | 

Got Real Estate Questions?   The Caton Team is here to help.

We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral, or need some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!

The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the utmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.

A mother and daughter-in-law team with over 35 years of combined, local Real Estate experience and knowledge – wouldn’t you like The Caton Team to represent you? Let us know how we can be of service. Contact us any time.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654 |EMAIL |  WEB|   BLOG

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

The Caton Team Testimonials | Blog – The Real Estate Beat | TheCatonTeam.com | Facebook | Instagram | HomeSnap | Pinterest | LinkedIn Sabrina

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

DRE # |Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 |Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts.  Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third-party information not verified.

Hello Caton Team Readers,

Thank you for tuning in. The stats are in for July 2026.

I am happy to see some growth in home sales for San Mateo County. I am not surprised about the dip in the townhome / condo market as they are faced repairs due CA legislation SB 326 (read more here). Small dip in Santa Clara County home sales. The luxury condo market in the South Bay are often newer developments so that may account for the growth there – they may not be faced with repairs due to older buildings.

As Summer comes to and end and Fall begins. I am curious where are market will go. I’ve seen an increase in buyers getting approved for loans, but also many opting to rent and save in order to buy something more to their liking. That can be a tricky move as waiting one year will impact purchase power if homes continue to appreciate and I think they will – it is the pace that I see slowing down. Homes in California have been appreciating since 1849 (I kid but you get it) – it just may not be as steep. Add some tech lay offs and we stand by to see the impact. However…

If you want to live in the Bay Area, if you have a steady job here and want to grow roots here – NOW – is a great time to buy. There are properties sitting, there are price reductions – this is an opportunity for a buyer to get a house, even under list with contingencies! As long as you see yourself here for about 7-10 years – that is a realistic time it takes to see appreciation. The longer you hold onto a home, the better. So when the market is soft and you have long terms goals here – let’s jump in.

The Caton Team provides free buying and selling consultations – to determine the current value of your home if you are selling or if you’re in the market to buy – where you get the most bang for your buck.

Remember, each neighborhood is different, if you are considering a purchase – let us guide you through this and help you find your way home.

If you’re in the market to sell – each area and price point has it’s own pros and cons – let us help you figure out your next steps.

What are your thoughts for the year ahead?

For my selling clients, life changes everyday and if you need to sell your home – let’s come up with a strategy to get you sold! Even in an odd market The Caton Team can help you strategically sell your home. We have before and we will again. We move with the market.

For my buyers, some homes are garnering multiple offers, but some are overlooked. With a little legwork, a buyer can truly find some great opportunities when they align with the market.

If you’re considering a Real Estate move, contact The Caton Team for a free consultation. With over 45+ years of combined, local Real Estate experience, we have the knowledge and know-how to guide you to your goal. Call us at 650.799.4333 or email us at sabrina_caton@yahoo.com.

Let’s see our month over month…

How can The Caton Team Help You?

Contact The Caton Team 650.799.4333 | Email Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Whether you are selling or buying – today or tomorrow – contact The Caton Team – we’re happy to help you achieve your Real Estate goals. 

Effective. Efficient. Responsive. The Caton Team 🏡 

Each market is unique and with over 45 years of combined Real Estate experience, The Caton Team is more than happy to be of service if and when you are considering a move. Contact us anytime during your journey, together we’ll help you achieve your Real Estate goals.

Got Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 |  EMAIL  |  WEB  |   BLOG

We love what we do and would love to help you navigate your sale or purchase of Residential Real Estate. Please reach out for a personal consultation. Please enjoy our free resources below and get to know our team TESTIMONIALS.

| HOW TO SELL | VIRTUAL STAGING | A GUIDE TO BUYING | BUYING INFO |  MOVING | TESTIMONIALS | 

RECENTLY SOLD by THE CATON TEAM

Homes Sold by The Caton Team | Helping Our Buyers Find Their Way Home

Get exclusive inside access when you follow us on Facebook & Instagram

| HOW TO SELL |  GET READY CAPITAL – Loans to Prep for Sale | VIRTUAL STAGING | A GUIDE TO BUYING | BUYING INFO |  MOVING | TESTIMONIALS | 

Got Real Estate Questions?   The Caton Team is here to help.

We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral, or need some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!

The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the utmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.

A mother and daughter-in-law team with over 35 years of combined, local Real Estate experience and knowledge – wouldn’t you like The Caton Team to represent you? Let us know how we can be of service. Contact us any time.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654 |EMAIL |  WEB|   BLOG

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

The Caton Team Testimonials | Blog – The Real Estate Beat | TheCatonTeam.com | Facebook | Instagram | HomeSnap | Pinterest | LinkedIn Sabrina

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

DRE # |Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 |Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts.  Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third-party information not verified.

Hello Caton Team Blog Readers,

Thank you for tuning in. The stats are in for May and June 2026.

Welp – in May we saw all market points take a dip. With a slight rise in May and June for Condos / Townhomes. Across the board we are seeing a dip in sales. Is it seasonal? Doesn’t feel that way – we often see a good boost in sales each May – as that is the start of selling season and June often holds steady but this year is a bit different. There is so much going on in the world, economically and socially.

With no expected drop in interest rates and the cost of gas and groceries at an all time high. Folks are feeling it. When fear prevails, or concern, we see a dip in sales, and a dip in active buyers. Oddly enough – this sort of data makes the market ripe for buyers but not everyone feels they can take the plunge.

When the market is weird, it is actually a great time to buy in the Bay Area. Some homes still get multiple offers but some do not – and instead of waiting for a price drop – when you work with professional Realtors like The Caton Team – we search those over looked properties – and show them. Don’t wait for a price drop – if you’ve watched a home and it has not sold in 2 -3 weeks – have your agent contact their agent and get the whole picture. We do not wait for price reductions – we are proactive and will see if there is middle ground a buyer and seller can stand on.

With values dipping .8% – 13% – that is a market for buyers! Sellers are not seeing the demand we once had when rates were lower and if a seller has to sell, they are taking a moment to grieve their lost value and hopefully moving forward. The market is the people and what the people are feeling.

If you want to live in the Bay Area, if you have a steady job here and want to grow roots here – NOW – is a great time to buy. There are properties sitting, there are price reductions – this is an opportunity for a buyer to get a house, even under list with contingencies! As long as you see yourself here for about 7-10 years – that is the normal time it takes to see appriciation. The longer you hold onto a home, the better. So when the market is soft and you have long terms goals here – let’s jump in.

The Caton Team provides free buying and selling consultations – to determine the current value of your home if you are selling or if you’re in the market to buy – where you get the most bang for your buck.

Remember, each neighborhood is different, if you are considering a purchase – let us guide you through this and help you find your way home.

If you’re in the market to sell – each area and price point has it’s own pros and cons – let us help you figure out your next steps.

What are your thoughts for the year ahead?

For my selling clients, life changes everyday and if you need to sell your home – let’s come up with a strategy to get you sold! Even in an odd market The Caton Team can help you strategically sell your home. We have before and we will again. We move with the market.

For my buyers, some homes are garnering multiple offers, but some are overlooked. With a little legwork, a buyer can truly find some great opportunities when they align with the market.

If you’re considering a Real Estate move, contact The Caton Team for a free consultation. With over 45+ years of combined Real Estate experience, we have the knowledge and know-how to guide you to your goal. Call us at 650.799.4333 or email us at sabrina_caton@yahoo.com.

Let’s see our month over month…

How can The Caton Team Help You?

Contact The Caton Team 650.799.4333 | Email Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Whether you are selling or buying – today or tomorrow – contact The Caton Team – we’re happy to help you achieve your Real Estate goals. 

Effective. Efficient. Responsive. The Caton Team 🏡 

Each market is unique and with over 45 years of combined Real Estate experience, The Caton Team is more than happy to be of service if and when you are considering a move. Contact us anytime during your journey, together we’ll help you achieve your Real Estate goals.

Got Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 |  EMAIL  |  WEB  |   BLOG

We love what we do and would love to help you navigate your sale or purchase of Residential Real Estate. Please reach out for a personal consultation. Please enjoy our free resources below and get to know our team TESTIMONIALS.

| HOW TO SELL | VIRTUAL STAGING | A GUIDE TO BUYING | BUYING INFO |  MOVING | TESTIMONIALS | 

RECENTLY SOLD by THE CATON TEAM

Homes Sold by The Caton Team | Helping Our Buyers Find Their Way Home

Get exclusive inside access when you follow us on Facebook & Instagram

| HOW TO SELL |  GET READY CAPITAL – Loans to Prep for Sale | VIRTUAL STAGING | A GUIDE TO BUYING | BUYING INFO |  MOVING | TESTIMONIALS | 

Got Real Estate Questions?   The Caton Team is here to help.

We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral, or need some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!

The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the utmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.

A mother and daughter-in-law team with over 35 years of combined, local Real Estate experience and knowledge – wouldn’t you like The Caton Team to represent you? Let us know how we can be of service. Contact us any time.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654 |EMAIL |  WEB|   BLOG

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

The Caton Team Testimonials | Blog – The Real Estate Beat | TheCatonTeam.com | Facebook | Instagram | HomeSnap | Pinterest | LinkedIn Sabrina

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

DRE # |Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 |Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts.  Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third-party information not verified.

Hello Caton Team Blog Readers,

The stats are in for April 2026.

Oddly enough – the high-end sector is doing great! Homes above 2 million are selling and with multiple offers.

However – with the cost of gas and groceries – we’re seeing some adjustment in the market. Interest rates are holding where they are – so no relief in sight for the buyers on that front. Which oddly enough makes it a bit of a buyers market. So keep saving, keep looking and if you are in the market to buy – each neighborhood is different, so let us guide you through this and help you find your way home.

If you’re in the market to sell – each area and price point has it’s own pros and cons – let us help you figure out your next steps.

What are your thoughts for the year ahead?

For my selling clients, life changes everyday and if you need to sell your home – let’s come up with a strategy to get you sold! Even in an odd market The Caton Team can help you strategically sell your home.

For my buyers, some homes are garnering multiple offers, but some are overlooked. With a little legwork, a buyer can truly find some great opportunities when they align with the market.

If you’re considering a Real Estate move, contact The Caton Team for a free consultation. With over 45+ years of combined Real Estate experience, we have the knowledge and know-how to guide you to your goal. Call us at 650.799.4333 or email us at info@TheCatonTeam.com.

Let’s see our month over month…

How can The Caton Team Help You?

Contact The Caton Team 650.799.4333 | Email Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Whether you are selling or buying – today or tomorrow – contact The Caton Team – we’re happy to help you achieve your Real Estate goals. 

Effective. Efficient. Responsive. The Caton Team 🏡 

Each market is unique and with over 40 years of combined Real Estate experience, The Caton Team is more than happy to be of service if and when you are considering a move. Contact us anytime during your journey, together we’ll help you achieve your Real Estate goals.

Got Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 |  EMAIL  |  WEB  |   BLOG

We love what we do and would love to help you navigate your sale or purchase of Residential Real Estate. Please reach out for a personal consultation. Please enjoy our free resources below and get to know our team TESTIMONIALS.

| HOW TO SELL | VIRTUAL STAGING | A GUIDE TO BUYING | BUYING INFO |  MOVING | TESTIMONIALS | 

RECENTLY SOLD by THE CATON TEAM

Homes Sold by The Caton Team | Helping Our Buyers Find Their Way Home

Get exclusive inside access when you follow us on Facebook & Instagram

| HOW TO SELL |  GET READY CAPITAL – Loans to Prep for Sale | VIRTUAL STAGING | A GUIDE TO BUYING | BUYING INFO |  MOVING | TESTIMONIALS | 

Got Real Estate Questions?   The Caton Team is here to help.

We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral, or need some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!

The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the utmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.

A mother and daughter-in-law team with over 35 years of combined, local Real Estate experience and knowledge – wouldn’t you like The Caton Team to represent you? Let us know how we can be of service. Contact us any time.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654 |EMAIL |  WEB|   BLOG

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

The Caton Team Testimonials | Blog – The Real Estate Beat | TheCatonTeam.com | Facebook | Instagram | HomeSnap | Pinterest | LinkedIn Sabrina

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

DRE # |Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 |Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts.  Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third-party information not verified.