Buying in the East Bay? Here’s How to Win in Today’s Market - January 2026 Edition.

In this episode of Pure Perspectives, Pure Funding and realtor Cristina Linezo discuss the current state of the East Bay real estate market, focusing on trends from 2025, inventory dynamics, the importance of appraisals, buyer preparedness, and the impact of interest rates on buyer behavior. They emphasize the need for buyers to be well-prepared and informed in a competitive market, and they share insights on future predictions for the housing market.
takeaways

The East Bay market is seeing a unique trend with lower inventory but active buyers.
Multiple offers are still common in competitive listings.
Appraisals are becoming more unpredictable, affecting buyer confidence.
Pre-approval is essential for buyers to compete effectively.
Understanding monthly payments is crucial for buyers to avoid being house poor.
Interest rates are influencing buyer hesitation more than market crash fears.
Sellers providing inspections upfront can ease buyer concerns.
Buyers should be prepared for potential competition when interest rates drop.
Refinancing options exist if rates decrease after purchase.
The importance of local market knowledge cannot be overstated.
titles

Navigating the East Bay Real Estate Market
Understanding Local Market Trends in 2025
Sound Bites
"It's really what is the hyper local market."
"It's still pretty competitive here."
"You want your offer to be iron clad."
Chapters
00:00
Introduction to Local Market Insights
01:26
2025 Year-End Market Overview
03:17
Inventory Trends and Buyer Preparedness
05:06
Appraisal Challenges in the Current Market
07:00
The Importance of Pre-Approval
08:54
Understanding Interest Rates and Market Timing
11:29
Final Thoughts and Future Outlook