All Forum Posts by: Brandon Foster

Hello everyone! I’m Brandon Foster, and today we’re diving into some key updates about the job market, trade policies, and what it all means for consumers.

In February, U.S. employers added 151,000 jobs, keeping the unemployment rate steady at 4.1%. This aligns with an average monthly job growth of around 200,000 since December. However, the positive news is somewhat overshadowed by economic uncertainty stemming from new trade policies.

Speaking of trade, there’s been a significant announcement regarding a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada. This news initially led to a sell-off in the stock market, and although some tariffs have been postponed, worries about inflation and recession are back on the table, causing sharp declines in stock indices.

On a brighter note, we’re seeing a surge in refinance activity as mortgage rates have dropped. In fact, refinance applications have spiked by 37% compared to last week, reaching their highest levels since October 2024. However, it's worth noting that this is still below the highs we saw in 2020 and 2021.

Yet, not all news is positive. Consumer confidence regarding home purchases is waning. According to Fannie Mae's February Home Purchase Sentiment Index, 76% of respondents believe it’s not a good time to buy. Concerns about affordability and limited housing supply are key factors, and expectations for decreasing mortgage rates have diminished.

In summary, while job stability remains, the volatility from trade policies and declining consumer sentiment could challenge future growth, particularly in the housing market. Keep this in mind as we continue to navigate these changing economic waters. 

Hi there, Brandon Foster here with your latest real estate market update for North County San Diego as of March 14, 2025. Let’s take a look at what’s been happening over the past week.

The market has continued to slow down, with homes sitting on the market longer than they were just a few months ago. Prices have started to level off as a result. One of the biggest factors at play is the ongoing tariff war, which has driven up the cost of building materials, making new construction more expensive. These rising costs have put additional pressure on home prices, and as affordability concerns grow, some buyers are stepping back from the market.

Interest rates have held steady over the past week, which has provided some stability for those looking to buy. However, economic uncertainty tied to the tariff situation could cause shifts in the near future, so it’s something to watch.

Buyer demand in North County has softened, with fewer bidding wars and more cautious buyers weighing their options. With prices still on the higher side and mortgage rates not dropping significantly, many are taking a wait-and-see approach.

Meanwhile, inventory is creeping up, with more homes staying on the market longer. Sellers who are pricing too aggressively are seeing their properties linger, making it important to list at a competitive price from the start.

In local business news, Carlsbad has announced plans to expand its coastal preservation efforts, investing in sand replenishment projects to protect the beaches that drive tourism and property values. This investment in coastal infrastructure could help maintain the area’s long-term appeal for residents and investors alike.

For buyers, this slowdown presents a great opportunity to negotiate. With homes sitting longer, sellers are more willing to work with serious buyers.

For sellers, pricing strategically is more important than ever. Overpriced homes are staying on the market, so working with an agent to set the right price from the beginning will help you attract buyers.

For investors, increasing inventory and stabilizing prices could make this a good time to identify long-term opportunities, especially as the market adjusts to current economic conditions.

That’s your North County San Diego market update for this week. 

Hey everyone, Brandon Foster here! Hope you’re all doing well. I’m back with a national real estate market update, breaking it down in a way that’s easy to understand. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or just keeping an eye on the market, here’s what you need to know.

Let’s start with new home sales—they took a bit of a dip in January, dropping 10.5% from the previous month to about 657,000 units sold. That’s the lowest we’ve seen in three months and below what experts were expecting. A big reason? Harsh winter weather in the Northeast, Midwest, and South really slowed things down. Meanwhile, the West actually saw a 7.7% increase, despite some challenges like the California wildfires.

Another factor? Mortgage rates. In mid-January, rates hit an eight-month high, making it tougher for buyers to pull the trigger. But here’s the good news—rates have been trending down over the past few weeks. That could help bring some momentum back to the market as we head into the spring homebuying season. Plus, there are more homes on the market—inventory is now at 9.5 months of supply, the highest it’s been since 2007.

Now, let’s talk inflation—it’s still a hot topic. The Fed’s go-to inflation measure went up 0.3% in January and is now up 2.5% year-over-year. That’s actually the slowest it’s risen in a while, but it’s still higher than the Fed wants. And with concerns over tariffs and rising costs, a lot of people are wondering how that’s going to impact their wallets.

And speaking of concerns, consumer confidence took a hit. The latest numbers show a 7-point drop, bringing us to an eight-month low. This is the biggest decline since August 2021, and it looks like people are feeling uneasy about job security, inflation, and the economy overall. In fact, expectations for inflation next year jumped to 6%, and worries about the job market are at a 10-month high.

But here’s where things get interesting—business leaders feel totally different. CEO confidence jumped to the highest level in three years, hitting 60 in Q1 2025. More than half of CEOs think the economy is going to improve in the next six months, and 71% of them are planning to raise wages by at least 3%. That’s a good sign for the job market, even though businesses are still keeping an eye on risks like cybersecurity, geopolitical tensions, and new regulations.

Last thing—construction spending. It dipped slightly, down 0.2% from last month, but it’s still up 3.3% compared to last year. The big slowdown is in residential construction, which fell 0.5%, especially in the multifamily and home improvement sectors. With new home sales slowing and builder confidence dropping, we might see a continued slowdown in residential construction in the next few months.

So, what does all of this mean for you? If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or investing, now’s the time to pay attention to these trends. Things are shifting, but there’s opportunity if you know where to look.

As always, I’m here to help—so if you have questions or just want to chat about the market, let’s connect! Be sure to follow for more updates, and I’ll catch you in the next one.

Take care and talk soon!

Hey everyone, Brandon Foster here with your North County San Diego real estate market update. Today is March 5th, and I’m sharing the key developments from the past seven days. Home prices have edged up a bit, thanks to steady interest from buyers who love the lifestyle and amenities our region has to offer. Meanwhile, interest rates have seen a small shift—enough to prompt some buyers to lock in financing sooner rather than later.

Buyer demand remains healthy, and with the spring buying season just around the corner, we could see even more activity in the coming weeks. Inventory levels have ticked upward, giving buyers a bit more choice, but well-priced properties are still going quickly, so timing remains crucial.

If you’re a buyer, get your pre-approval done and be ready to move fast when the right listing appears. Sellers, this is a prime window to enter the market—make sure to highlight your home’s best features for maximum impact. And for investors, keep an eye on any subtle fluctuations in buyer demand and rates to make informed decisions.

Tip this week.
Check out - 24 Suns recently reopened at 3375 Mission Ave., Ste J, in the Copperwood Center. It serves Chinese cuisine and craft cocktails by former Addison chefs Nic Webber.

Thanks for tuning in. This is Brandon Foster, here to help you stay on top of North County San Diego’s real estate market. Stay tuned for more updates!

Hello,

I have a spot about to hit the market in Carlsbad.

I am an agent, investor consultant and investor myself in the north county San Diego area.

I also have an extensive pool of sellers and knowledge about the north county area.

If you would like to set up a call to hear more and get a consult on the area and your goals, feel free to give me a call. 760-576-1591.

Welcome,

Do you invest in the Oceanside area? I have been an investor agent in Oceanside for a while now. I used to do BRRRR strategy here but now only do flips and help with others' house hacking or flipping.

I had to move my BRRRR strategy side of the business to Tyler Texas.

Are you still investing locally or only out of state?

Phone works.

Did you get my private message?

Hello Ryan,

STR is do able in the north county area but there are a lot of rules and regulations.

The city of Oceanside right now will not allow anything STR unless it's west of pacific coast hwy.

This is changing a lot too so you need to be aware of that in your plans.

Carlsbad is super strict too but there are some condos that are still available to do STR in.

Medium term rentals are as safer bet but way less profitable. Depending on your loan it might only work in the STR game.

HOA's normally do not allow in the Oceanside area but if you get on the beach then they do with restrictions.

If you want a personal consult let me know.

I have a team here in Oceanside, Carlsbad. I mainly focus on do ing flips and flip to rent, but I also facilitate STR and MTR in the area too. Our team also focuses heavy on STR management and assisting in renovation to get higher dollars per night.

Let me know if you free for a call sometime. Would love to hear your plans.

Hello, thanks for your service to the country. I am retired military and have used the VA for myself and helped others also use it on their real estate journey in the area. (It's a great tool)

I am located in Oceanside/carlsbad area.Using the VA on two places has a lot of limitations with the cost of homes in this area it makes it near impossible however having a good VA loan officer is key for part of your team.

I am actually helping another client in a very similar situation. The prior post is very right. Make sure your life is settled and you are ready to jump into a house hack as that can be a large task to take on and burden to an already full life. House hacking would be the best option for this area though (almost only really viable option for investing without large cash reserves, unless you flipping).

Big Bear Airbnb strategy is speculative right now with most Airbnbs up there not preforming well at the present, unless you have a lot of experience. (I Have a client who I just helped get a spot up there and it’s very slow)

House hacking and then using BRRRR down the road, would probably be the best option right now depending on your situation and experience. You could house hack in duplex too.

Hey all investors!

I wanted to see how everyone else is doing with their rentals in North County San Deigo.

We have rentals in the Oceanside, Vista, Carlsbad, and San Marcos areas.

We have noticed a shift in our vacancies. Our units are sitting for longer vacant. Places that used to be on the market for days are now sitting vacant for around 30 days. This has led to the amount of rent we can charge going down.

Is anyone else experiencing this?