September 2026 Real Estate Update

Happy September!

We hope you had a great summer. As we head into fall, we wanted to share a quick update on what we are seeing in our local real estate markets, along with a few simple improvements that may help increase the value and appeal of your home whether you are thinking about selling anytime soon or not.

Local Real Estate:

In the Santa Clarita Valley, buyer activity picked up over the last 30 days, with pending sales increasing from 150 to 163, an increase of approximately 8.7%. The number of homes for sale decreased slightly from 670 to 663. Closed sales were nearly unchanged at 187 compared with 188 during the previous period, while inventory moved down slightly from 3.6 to 3.5 months.

In the San Fernando Valley, inventory remained relatively stable, decreasing slightly from 2,707 homes for sale to 2,692. Pending sales declined from 543 to 461, while closed sales increased slightly from 694 to 708. Inventory also moved down slightly from 3.9 to 3.8 months.

The Antelope Valley saw the biggest shift in overall market activity. Homes for sale increased from 688 to 703, while pending sales decreased slightly from 281 to 273. Closed sales decreased from 222 to 172. Inventory increased from 3.1 months to 4.1 months, giving buyers more available options.

The numbers continue to show why it is important to look at each market individually. The Santa Clarita Valley saw an increase in homes going into escrow, the San Fernando Valley saw fewer new pending sales but slightly more closed transactions, and the Antelope Valley saw inventory increase while fewer homes closed during the latest period.

For sellers, pricing, condition and presentation continue to be extremely important. Buyers generally have more options than they did during the extremely competitive markets of a few years ago, which means homes that are priced too aggressively may take longer to sell. For buyers, additional inventory in some areas can create more choices and potentially more negotiating opportunities. However, desirable homes that are priced correctly can still attract strong interest.

If you are curious about what is happening specifically in your neighborhood, give us a call or text. We would be happy to put together a complimentary market analysis and show you exactly what homes around you are selling for.

6 Ways to Improve Your Home's Value:

Whether you are thinking about selling or not, you do not always need a major remodel to make a meaningful difference in how your home looks, feels and ultimately appeals to future buyers.

1. Upgrade Your Garage Door:

This one may surprise you. According to the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, garage door replacement had an estimated 267.7% cost recouped nationally and approximately 262% in the Pacific region.

A new, attractive and modern garage door can dramatically improve the appearance of the front of your home while also improving functionality and potentially insulation. Because the garage can make up such a large portion of the front of a home, upgrading it can have a major impact on curb appeal.

2. Upgrade Your Front Door:

Your front entry is one of the first things people notice when approaching your home. Replacing an older front door with a heavy duty, energy efficient steel door can provide an immediate wow factor while also offering security and energy efficiency benefits.

For us here in Southern California, anything that can help keep that expensive air-conditioning inside during the summer months is a plus.

3. Give Your Kitchen a Refresh:

You do not necessarily have to tear your entire kitchen apart. Sometimes a minor kitchen refresh can make a huge visual difference.

Consider refacing or painting existing cabinetry, adding new cabinet pulls and hardware, swapping out plumbing fixtures, updating lighting, replacing older appliances with energy-efficient models, and adding quartz countertops if the budget allows.

Sometimes a few well planned changes can completely change the look and feel of a kitchen without the expense of a full remodel.

4. Fresh Paint Inside and Out:

Few improvements can transform a home as quickly as fresh paint.

New interior paint can make a home feel brighter, cleaner and more updated, especially when using neutral colors that appeal to a wide range of buyers. Exterior paint can dramatically improve curb appeal while also helping protect the exterior of the home from the elements.

If someone is preparing to sell, paint is usually one of the first things we look at when determining where their improvement dollars may have the greatest visual impact.

5. Update Old Flooring:

Worn or outdated flooring can make an otherwise beautiful home feel dated.

Replacing old carpet with new carpet can immediately freshen up a home, while today's wood-look luxury vinyl plank flooring has become very popular because of its appearance, durability and water-resistant options.

Updating flooring can also create a cleaner and more consistent look throughout the home.

6. Improve Your Front Landscaping:

You really cannot go wrong with improving curb appeal. The front of your home creates a buyer's first impression before they ever walk through the front door. Simple things like trimming trees and bushes, removing dead plants, adding fresh mulch or decorative rock, planting some color and cleaning up the overall landscaping can completely change the appearance of a home without requiring a huge investment.

As they say, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Not Sure Where to Start? Give us a Call - 661-992-2407

Every home is different, and spending more money does not necessarily mean you will get more money back when it comes time to sell. If you are considering making improvements and would like our recommendation on where your money may be best spent, give us a call or text. We would be happy to stop by, take a look at your home and give you our thoughts. And if you need someone to do the work, we also have a preferred vendor list of tradespeople and professionals we have worked with and vetted. From landscaping, painting and flooring to roofing, electrical, plumbing and everything in between, we have you covered. Even if selling is nowhere on your radar right now, please never hesitate to reach out if there is anything real estate or home related that we can help with.

We also want to say thank you to everyone who continues to support our business. A large part of our business comes from past clients, friends and referrals, and we truly appreciate every introduction that is sent our way. If you know someone who is thinking about buying, selling, investing, or simply has a real estate question, we would be grateful for the opportunity to help them. Feel free to pass along our information or make an introduction and we will take great care of them.

Realtor Joshua Vigil
DRE# 01989117
The Hier Advantage Real Estate Sales & Service