Is the Market Cooling or Normalizing? A Local Expert’s Take on What’s Actually Happening

If you’ve been following real estate headlines lately, you’d think the market is either crashing, frozen solid, or one bad news alert away from total chaos.

Spoiler alert: none of that is true.

What we’re experiencing right now isn’t a collapse—it’s a normalization. And frankly, it was overdue.

From Frenzy to Function

The last few years were not “normal.”
They were historically aggressive, emotionally charged, and fueled by ultra-low interest rates that distorted buyer behavior.

• Homes selling in days
• Multiple offers 20–30% over asking
• Buyers waiving inspections like they were optional toppings

That wasn’t sustainable. What we’re seeing now is the market exhaling.

What “Normal” Actually Looks Like

A normalized market means:

• Homes take longer to sell
• Buyers negotiate again (imagine that)
• Pricing matters—a lot
• Strategy beats hype every time

This is not a bad thing. This is a healthier market.

For Buyers: Leverage Is Back

Buyers finally have something they haven’t had in years—options.

• Less competition
• More room to negotiate price, repairs, or credits
• Time to think instead of panic-buy

Yes, rates are higher than the 2021 fantasy era. But price reductions, seller concessions, and creative financing are offsetting that for buyers who know how to play the game.

For Sellers: The Market Is Honest Again

The days of “throw a number on the wall and see what sticks” are over.

Homes that sell today:

• Are priced correctly from day one
• Are properly prepared and staged
• Have a clear strategy behind them

Homes that don’t?
They chase the market downward. And the market has zero sympathy.

So… Cooling or Normalizing?

Cooling implies decline.
Normalizing implies balance.

What we’re seeing—especially across Los Angeles and Ventura County—is a market returning to fundamentals:

• Supply and demand matter
• Condition matters
• Pricing matters
• Expertise matters

And that’s good news for anyone making a smart, informed move.

The Bottom Line

This market rewards strategy, not speculation.
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just watching from the sidelines, the key is understanding what’s really happening—not what the headlines want you to believe.

If you want clarity instead of clickbait, you’re already ahead of most people.

Thinking of Buying or Selling? Let’s Talk Strategy

Every neighborhood, price point, and situation is different—and assumptions can get expensive.

Anthony Guetzoian
Broker | CENTURY 21 Valley Properties
📞 818.266.1100

No pressure. No fluff. Just real answers from someone who’s seen every version of this market.