Southern California
housing, explained
by builders.
We read the data, live the permits, and price the jobs. This is our unfiltered read on the market — updated quarterly, written for clients who are making real decisions.
Q1 2026 indicators
The numbers that matter.
LA Metro, Q1 2026
$1.24M
+4.2%
Median new-home price
SoCal average
$420–680
+3.1%
Cost per sq ft (custom)
California, 2025
24,800
+18%
ADU permit approvals
Custom, 5,000+ sf
18–22 mo
–2 mo YoY
Average build time
Analysis
From the field.
Apr 2026
PolicySB-9 two years in: what's working and what isn't.
A ground-level read on California's most consequential housing law from a builder who's filed 38 ADU permits under it.
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Mar 2026
CostsWhy construction costs are finally plateauing.
Supply-chain normalization, labor market shifts, and what it means for your budget if you break ground this year.
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Feb 2026
Market trendsThe return of the custom spec home.
Spec builds are back in coastal markets. Here's how to think about risk when you're building without a buyer.
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Jan 2026
PermittingCoastal Commission permits: timeline reality check.
The honest numbers on how long CC approval takes and how to structure your project around the uncertainty.
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Ready to make
a move?
Market timing is less important than project timing. Tell us what you're thinking and we'll give you an honest read on feasibility.