Cash Buyers, 2025 Market Recap & a Strong Start to 2026 in South Bay Real Estate

Richard kicks off 2026 with a deep dive into two major South Bay real estate themes. First, he analyzes cash versus financed purchases in the second half of 2025, highlighting just how dominant all-cash buyers have become in cities like Manhattan Beach and Palos Verdes Estates. He explains what this means for buyers trying to compete with financing and how sellers should position their homes depending on their local buyer pool. Next, Richard delivers a full-year 2025 market recap, comparing total sales and median prices across the Beach Cities and the Palos Verdes Peninsula. He walks through which markets surged, highlighting strong appreciation in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach, and which areas lagged, particularly across much of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The episode paints a clear picture: the beach cities stayed hot, while the hill experienced a softer year. To wrap things up, Richard shares early 2026 market observations, including the impact of lower mortgage rates, the return of multiple-offer scenarios on turnkey homes, and what he’s watching as we head toward the spring selling season. If you want real numbers, hyper-local insight, and a clear framework for navigating the South Bay market in 2026, this episode delivers. For more South Bay real estate insights, subscribe to Richard’s weekly blog at https://haynesre.com/blog/