This Thanksgiving week, South Orange County’s Beach Cities saw major shifts: a record $18M sale at The Strand, active inventory hitting 396 homes, and mortgage rates swinging — a unique window for buyers and sellers.

Even the best homes sometimes need a second chance. This week’s $4M sale in San Clemente proves it. Inventory rises slightly, mortgage rates tick up, and we highlight a rare Dana Point listing with a 23,000 sq ft lot.

Donald Trump’s new 50-year mortgage proposal could reshape the housing market — but would stretching payments for two extra decades actually make homes more affordable, or just drive prices higher? Here’s a breakdown of what it means for buyers and sellers in South Orange County.

This week’s South Orange County real estate update covers Dana Point, San Clemente, Laguna Niguel, and San Juan Capistrano. Demand dipped for the first time in six weeks, but inventory continues falling three times faster. Mortgage rates shifted again, buyer behavior is changing, and this week’s deal offers rare leverage in a tight market.