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LOCAL HOMES · LOCAL LIFE
BREA · YORBA LINDA · PLACENTIA · CARBON CANYON
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2026 / ISSUE 01 |  | Hi everyone,
Welcome to the first North OC Notes. I wanted to put together something you’d enjoy opening: a little real estate news, a few things happening around town, and something fun for the weekend. Whether a move is on your mind or you’re happy right where you are, I hope there’s something here for you.
This week: what the Fed’s move means for housing, a fresh look at California buyer activity, and a few good reasons to enjoy the neighborhood this weekend. | 01 / THE BIG PICTURE The Fed moved. What does that mean for housing?
On September 16, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark target range by a quarter of a percentage point to 3.75%–4.00%, citing elevated inflation. Read the Fed’s statement.
Mortgage rates moved higher this week, too. Freddie Mac’s September 17 national survey put the average 30-year fixed rate at 6.95%, up from 6.76% the week before. That was the fourth straight weekly increase and the highest reading since January 2025. Freddie Mac’s survey.
While mortgage rates don’t always directly follow the benchmark rate, this week they both moved in the same direction. Mortgage rates also tend to follow the 10-year Treasury yield, and that part of the bond market has been under pressure as investors weigh inflation, oil prices, and government borrowing. So there’s more than one dial moving here. What this means for buyers: a higher rate means a higher monthly payment for the same loan amount. More on what shapes mortgage rates · A little more context on this week’s move.
An encouraging August, with a shift worth watching
California’s August report offers some welcome news: the pace of completed sales of existing single-family homes rose 2.4% from July and 1.4% from a year earlier, after seasonal adjustment. Buyers are still making moves.
There’s another piece to watch, though. In the same September 16 report, the California Association of REALTORS® flagged softer pending sales and buyers becoming more sensitive to borrowing costs. That suggests the recent improvement in completed sales may face a tougher test this fall. Read C.A.R.’s housing report.
For anyone thinking about selling in the next six to twelve months, I’d start with the numbers close to home. We can look at what similar homes are selling for, what you could walk away with, and what your next place might cost. A little homework now can make the timing feel a lot clearer.
And if you’re 55 or older, here’s something worth knowing. California’s Proposition 19 may let you carry your current home’s property-tax base to a replacement primary residence anywhere in the state. If the thought of a bigger property-tax bill has kept you from considering a move, this is worth a closer look. The replacement must be bought or built within two years before or after selling your primary residence, and a higher-priced home can increase the transferred taxable value. You’ll need to file a claim with the county assessor, too. A closer look at Prop 19. |  | A little taste of fall | Brea · Two-week outlook Highs 79–88° · Lows 60–67°F | Days in the 80s? I’ll take it. | Weather Channel · September 17 |
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| 02 / OUR LOCAL MARKET Nearby cities, different inventory trends
Realtor.com’s August 2026 city snapshots show:
| City | Median asking price | Active listings | Listings vs. a year ago |
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| Brea | $1,200,000 | 106 | +14.7% | | Yorba Linda | $1,624,500 | 235 | −1.9% | | Placentia | $931,000 | 107 | −7.8% |
Sources: Brea, Yorba Linda, Placentia.
The interesting part is that these nearby cities aren’t all moving in the same direction. Brea had more homes on the market than a year ago; Yorba Linda and Placentia had fewer. These are citywide asking prices across home types. For your own home, we’d look much closer to your street.
If you’re curious where your own home fits, send me a note, or take a look at your home’s estimated value with my RealScout tool. Either way, I’m happy to help you make sense of the numbers. | 03 / AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD Projects to know about
Brea 265. This is the one a lot of canyon neighbors are watching. The city still lists grading underway for the community of up to 1,100 homes, and I couldn’t find an official completion date in the city’s current materials. The August planning update shows several neighborhood pieces still awaiting applicant resubmittals. The approved plan includes medium-density neighborhoods south of Lambert and west of Valencia, along with about 15.1 acres of parks and recreation, 47.5 acres of open space, and a connected trail network. The northwest corner of Lambert and Valencia is planned for a future one-acre civic site. City project overview · August planning update.
 Original neighborhood illustration, created with AI. Not an approved Brea 265 rendering. Brea: new homes at Greenbriar. The city reports construction underway on a 180-home redevelopment at 1698–1700 Greenbriar Lane, replacing an office building and parking structure. One to keep an eye on as the neighborhood takes shape. City project tracker.
Yorba Linda: progress on Lakeview Avenue. A bit of good news if this is part of your regular drive: the city’s September 8 update says the major roadway work is finished. A few smaller improvements and finishing touches are still underway. City construction update. | 04 / YOUR WEEKEND A few reasons to get out
Brea Creek cleanup · Saturday, 7–11 a.m. Join the city’s Inner Coastal Cleanup on September 19. Check-in is beside the channel on the lower level of the downtown parking structure. Sign up and complete the waiver in advance. Details and registration.
Grow something good · Saturday, 11 a.m. Placentia Library hosts its UC Master Gardeners workshop on September 19, with a fall topic covering a year of fruit and vegetable growing. Library event.
A Friday night road test · Friday, 7 p.m. Yorba Linda’s Mustangs take a 4–0 record into their game at Huntington Beach, looking to keep the undefeated start alive. YLHS calendar · season schedule and record.
A movie under the stars · Saturday at dusk. Yorba Linda’s final Movie in the Park is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, September 19 at Hurless Barton Park, 4601 Casa Loma Avenue. Admission is free; no advance registration. Bring a blanket or low chair. City event details.
A little Narnia in Yorba Linda. Alchemy Theatre Company’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe opens at the Cultural Arts Center this weekend. Catch it Friday, September 18 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 or 7:30 p.m., or Sunday at 2 p.m. A fun reason to make an afternoon or evening of it. Show details and tickets.
Times are Pacific. The links have ticket information and any schedule updates. | 05 / HOMES WORTH A LOOK Three price points, three different possibilities
$1,050,000 · 27835 Tamara Drive, Yorba Linda
3 bedrooms · 2½ bathrooms · Approximately 1,931 sq. ft.
An end-unit townhome in La Terraza with an updated kitchen and bathrooms, plus its own private pool and spa. An interesting combination at this price point. Listed HOA dues are $700 per month.
Listed by Michelle Beamish, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties. CRMLS #OC26142052. Photos and listing details.
$1,350,000 · 1038 S. Cascade Lane, Anaheim Hills
3 bedrooms plus a loft · 2½ bathrooms · Approximately 1,946 sq. ft.
A remodeled kitchen, a roomy backyard, and a three-car garage give this Anaheim Hills home plenty of everyday appeal. The listing describes the loft as a possible fourth bedroom, so there’s some flexibility to explore.
Listed by Ben Elahi, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CA Properties. CRMLS #PW26193890. Photos and listing details.
$2,699,900 · 27830 Mount Whitney Way, Yorba Linda
5 bedrooms · 4½ bathrooms · Approximately 4,393 sq. ft.
A spacious home with mountain and city-light views, a main-floor bedroom and bathroom, and a backyard with a private spa, gazebo, and built-in barbecue. Plenty of room to gather, inside and out.
Listed by Ede Costa, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CA Properties. CRMLS #PW26157507. Photos and listing details.
Listings courtesy of the agents named above. Prices and availability checked September 17; details can change. All measurements are approximate.
Want to compare one of these with other options? Send me a note. | 06 / ONE MORE THING A useful date for your calendar
Yorba Linda is hosting a Wildfire Preparedness Community Meeting on Thursday, October 1, from 6–8 p.m. at the public library. Local safety partners will cover preparing your household, evacuation zones, and neighborhood exits. Meeting details.
Thanks for reading. I’d love to hear what you’d like to see in future notes. If someone comes to mind who would enjoy occasional curated updates on the housing market and local real estate trends, please forward this along.
Chris | Chris Treister
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
CA DRE #02440626 · Broker DRE #01317331
714.209.2160 · [email protected]
18600 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 150, Irvine, CA 92612
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Equal Housing Opportunity. Cover artwork is a neighborhood illustration, not a property for sale. |
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