Saving for a 20% down payment in California now takes the average household 14.7 years, based on a typical home price of $776,200 and a median income of $105,600. For someone earning minimum wage and saving solo, that timeline stretches to 44.2 years. These numbers reflect the unique challenges of our state: geography restricts expansion, with the Pacific Ocean on one side, mountains and protected land on the other, and much of the housing squeezed into coastal areas where land values are high. Add to this a longstanding tax rule that encourages homeowners to stay put, and the steady influx of residents drawn by robust job growth in technology and healthcare.

For first-time buyers and longtime homeowners alike, these realities highlight why long-term planning is so important. While wage growth would need to outpace rising home prices for the savings timeline to shorten, understanding your options and having a solid strategy can make all the difference. My approach has always been to listen, explain, and help you navigate every step—so you can make confident, informed real estate decisions that fit your goals, whether you’re buying, selling, or planning your next move.