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The letter is running in nearly 40 local newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Mercury News, Sac...
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Highest mortgage rates since late 2023 dampen California home sales; California median home price sets another record-high, C.A.R. reports
Existing, single-family home sales totaled 272,410 in May on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate, down 1.1 percent from 275,540 in April and down 6.0 percent from 289,860 in May 2023.
May's statewide median home price was$908,040, up 0.4 percent from April and up 8.7 percent from $835,280 in May 2023.
Year-to-date statewide home sales were flat.
LOS ANGELES (June 18) – Mortgage rates that surged to their highest levels since late last year hampered California home sales in May on both a monthly and an annual basis, while the statewide median home price exceeded $900,000 for the second straight month to set another record-high,theCALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) said today.
Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 272,410 in May, according to information collected by C.A.R. from more than 90 local REALTOR® associations and MLSs statewide. The statewide annualized sales figure represents what would be the total number of homes sold during 2024 if sales maintained the May pace throughout the year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales.
May's sales pace dipped 1.1 percent from the revised 275,540 homes sold in April and were down 6.0 percent from a year ago, when a revised 289,860 homes were sold on an annualized basis. The sales pace remained below the 300,000-threshold for the 20th consecutive month, and year-to-date home sales were flat.
"California home sales stalled in May as mortgage rates reached the highest level in five months and may have contributed to the slowdown in market activity," said C.A.R. President Melanie Barker, a Yosemite REALTOR®. "However, a moderation in interest rates in the past couple of weeks and recent improvements in housing inventory could create an opportunity for motivated buyers to reenter the market before the homebuying season peaks."
The statewide median price set another record high in May, edging up 8.7 percent from $835,280 in May 2023 to $908,040 in May 2024, exceeding the $900,000-benchmark for the second month in a row. California's median home price was 0.4 percent higher than April's $904,210. The year-over-year gain was the 11th straight month of annual price increases for the Golden State. Seasonal factors and tight housing supply conditions will continue to put upward pressure on home prices in the coming months.
Stronger sales of higher-priced properties continued to contribute to solid median price growth, especially since million-dollar home sales in California have been rising more rapidly than their more affordable counterparts in the state. Sales in the million-dollar-and-higher market segment rose 15.5 percent year-over-year in May, while sales in the sub-$500,000 segment declined by 12.2 percent. Sales of homes priced above a $1 million now make up 36.6 percent of all sales ― the biggest share in at least the last five years.
"A persistent shortage of homes for sale, particularly in the more affordable market segments, continued to push up California's median home price to new record highs over the past couple of months," said C.A.R. Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Jordan Levine. "With mortgage rates coming back down from their recent peaks and market competition heating up, the statewide median price may have more room to grow before the summer ends."
Other key points from C.A.R.'s May 2024 resale housing report include:
At the regional level, home sales in all major regions continued to soften when compared to their year-ago levels. Of the five major regions, two regions registered an improvement from a year ago, two recorded declines from the previous year, and one remained flat. The San Francisco Bay Area (4.3 percent) and the Central Coast (0.6 percent) were the two regions that recorded an increase, while Southern California (-1.0 percent) and the Far North (-8.4 percent) regions posted a sales decrease from last year's levels. The Central Valley region was the only one region where sales were unchanged from a year ago, despite interest rates being higher than May 2023.
Twenty-four of the 53 counties tracked by C.A.R. recorded sales declines from a year ago, with seven counties dropping more than 20 percent year-over-year. Tehama (-38.5 percent) posted the biggest sales dip, followed by Glenn (-36.8 percent) and Del Norte (-31.6 percent), all registering drops of more than 30 percent from last May. Twenty-nine counties recorded sales increases from last year, with sales in 16 counties of those counties jumping more than 10 percent year-over-year. This was a step back from the previous month when nearly three-quarters of all counties registered sales increases from a year ago. Plumas (70.6 percent) posted the largest yearly sales gain in May, followed by Mendocino (35.3 percent) and Santa Barbara (33.6 percent).
At the regional level, all major regions experienced an increase in their median price from a year ago. The San Francisco Bay Area posted the biggest price jump on a year-over-year basis, increasing 11.9 percent from last May. Along with Southern California (10.0 percent), they were the only two regions recording a double-digit gain from a year ago. The Central Coast (5.9 percent), the Far North (5.3 percent) and the Central Valley (4.6 percent) also experienced a median price increase from last May, but their growth rates were relatively mild compared to the aforementioned regions.
Home prices continued to grow on a year-over-year basis throughout the state as 40 counties recorded a higher median price than what was recorded a year ago. Plumas (49.0 percent) had the biggest increase in price last month, followed by Trinity (36.8 percent) and Mariposa (31.4 percent). Twelve counties registered a decline in median price from last year, with Del Norte dropping the most at -27.0 percent, followed by Calaveras (-14.4 percent), and Lake (-11.7 percent).
The statewide unsold inventory index (UII), which measures the number of months needed to sell the supply of homes on the market at the current sales rate remained unchanged from the prior month for the third consecutive period but improved solidly from a year ago. The index was 2.6 months in May, unchanged from April, but was up from 2.1 months in May 2023.
Active listings at the state level rose on a year-over year basis for the fourth straight month, and the increase was the largest in 15 months. With recent economic reports showing some promising signs that inflation could be cooling in a more sustainable fashion for the rest of the year, mortgage rates may moderate in the coming months as the daily fluctuations in yields continue. As such, further improvement on the supply side could be observed in the California housing market before the end of the home buying season.
At the county level, the number of for-sale properties increased in May from a year ago in all but three counties. Solano (85.4 percent) recorded the biggest year-over-year jump, followed by Santa Barbara (73.8 percent) and Alameda (72.9 percent). The only counties with a dip from last year were Tulare (-37.7 percent), Glenn (-23.7 percent) and San Francisco (-2.9 percent).
New active listings at the state level increased from a year ago for the fifth consecutive month by double digits as more sellers listed their homes on the market. Forty-three of the 52 counties tracked by C.A.R. registered an increase in new active listings from May 2023, with Del Norte increasing the most on a year-over-year basis at 68.4 percent, followed by Mono (50.0 percent) and Calaveras (48.8 percent). Nine counties saw decline in new active listings from May, with Glenn (-56.7 percent) experiencing the sharpest drop, followed by Trinity (-19.4 percent) and Merced (-19.3 percent).
The median number of days it took to sell a California single-family home was 16 days in May and 17 days in May 2023.
C.A.R.'s statewide sales-price-to-list-price ratio* was 100.0 percent in May 2023 and 100.0 percent in May 2023.
The statewide average price per square foot** for an existing single-family home was $446, up from $407 in May a year ago.
The 30-year, fixed-mortgage interest rate averaged 7.06 percent in May, up from 6.43 percent in May 2023, according to C.A.R.'s calculations based on Freddie Mac's weekly mortgage survey data.
Note: The County MLS median price and sales data in the tables are generated from a survey of more than 90 associations of REALTORS® throughout the state and represent statistics of existing single-family detached homes only. County sales data is not adjusted to account for seasonal factors that can influence home sales. Movements in sales prices should not be interpreted as changes in the cost of a standard home. The median price is where half sold for more and half sold for less; medians are more typical than average prices, which are skewed by a relatively small share of transactions at either the lower end or the upper end. Median prices can be influenced by changes in cost, as well as changes in the characteristics and the size of homes sold. The change in median prices should not be construed as actual price changes in specific homes.
*Sales-to-list-price ratio is an indicator that reflects the negotiation power of home buyers and home sellers under current market conditions. The ratio is calculated by dividing the final sales price of a property by its original list price and is expressed as a percentage. A sales-to-list ratio with 100 percent or above suggests that the property sold for more than the list price, and a ratio below 100 percent indicates that the price sold below the asking price.
**Price per square foot is a measure commonly used by real estate agents and brokers to determine how much a square foot of space a buyer will pay for a property. It is calculated as the sale price of the home divided by the number of finished square feet. C.A.R. currently tracks price-per-square foot statistics for 53 counties.
Leading the way…® in California real estate for more than 118 years, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (www.car.org) is one of the largest state trade organizations in the United States with more than 180,000 members dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. C.A.R. is headquartered in Los Angeles.
# # #
May 2024 County Sales and Price Activity (Regional and condo sales data not seasonally adjusted)
May 2024
Median Sold Price of Existing Single-Family Homes
Sales
State/Region/County
May
2024
April
2024
May
2023
Price MTM% Chg
Price YTY% Chg
Sales MTM% Chg
Sales YTY% Chg
Calif. Single-family homes
$908,040
$904,210
$835,280
r
0.4%
8.7%
-1.1%
-6.0%
Calif. Condo/Townhomes
$690,000
$688,000
$635,000
0.3%
8.7%
7.0%
1.5%
Los Angeles Metro Area
$840,000
$840,000
$765,000
0.0%
9.8%
9.4%
-1.1%
Central Coast
$1,059,000
$1,077,500
$1,000,000
-1.7%
5.9%
8.5%
0.6%
Central Valley
$507,080
$493,500
$485,000
2.8%
4.6%
10.3%
0.0%
Far North
$400,000
$364,900
$380,000
9.6%
5.3%
21.9%
-8.4%
Inland Empire
$598,490
$607,000
$574,990
-1.4%
4.1%
5.7%
-5.9%
San Francisco Bay Area
$1,455,000
$1,444,000
$1,300,000
0.8%
11.9%
10.1%
4.3%
Southern California
$880,000
$880,000
$800,000
0.0%
10.0%
8.9%
-1.0%
San Francisco Bay Area
Alameda
$1,375,000
$1,401,250
$1,260,000
-1.9%
9.1%
12.6%
6.1%
Contra Costa
$942,500
$940,000
$888,000
0.3%
6.1%
9.2%
0.4%
Marin
$1,800,000
$1,700,000
$1,800,000
5.9%
0.0%
28.7%
5.1%
Napa
$987,000
$950,000
$888,500
3.9%
11.1%
-11.9%
-7.5%
San Francisco
$1,690,000
$1,800,000
$1,654,000
-6.1%
2.2%
1.8%
20.4%
San Mateo
$2,400,000
$2,150,000
$2,075,000
11.6%
15.7%
11.5%
13.4%
Santa Clara
$2,100,000
$2,000,000
$1,788,000
5.0%
17.4%
14.2%
13.7%
Solano
$605,000
$590,000
$600,000
2.5%
0.8%
-0.7%
-20.3%
Sonoma
$880,450
$850,000
$860,000
3.6%
2.4%
8.5%
-0.6%
Southern California
Imperial
$405,000
$377,500
$350,000
7.3%
15.7%
24.4%
-23.9%
Los Angeles
$811,610
$825,970
$744,770
-1.7%
9.0%
11.7%
-2.6%
Orange
$1,422,500
$1,440,000
$1,256,500
-1.2%
13.2%
11.9%
12.2%
Riverside
$650,000
$650,000
$629,000
0.0%
3.3%
4.4%
-7.7%
San Bernardino
$488,900
$516,080
$455,000
-5.3%
7.5%
8.2%
-2.2%
San Diego
$1,025,000
$1,047,500
$935,000
-2.1%
9.6%
6.2%
0.7%
Ventura
$925,000
$940,000
$925,500
-1.6%
-0.1%
6.4%
-2.1%
Central Coast
Monterey
$1,047,000
$986,500
$902,000
6.1%
16.1%
26.9%
11.8%
San Luis Obispo
$885,000
$894,500
$874,500
-1.1%
1.2%
-1.1%
-21.4%
Santa Barbara
$1,375,000
$1,400,000
$1,275,000
-1.8%
7.8%
18.6%
33.6%
Santa Cruz
$1,355,000
$1,420,000
$1,352,500
-4.6%
0.2%
-10.7%
-10.0%
Central Valley
Fresno
$425,000
$421,940
$420,000
0.7%
1.2%
10.7%
-8.0%
Glenn
$329,250
$362,000
$345,000
-9.0%
-4.6%
20.0%
-36.8%
Kern
$400,000
$377,000
$379,320
6.1%
5.5%
12.7%
3.2%
Kings
$361,000
$379,000
$370,000
-4.7%
-2.4%
8.2%
8.2%
Madera
$429,000
$457,500
$411,610
-6.2%
4.2%
-2.2%
1.5%
Merced
$400,000
$399,000
$395,000
0.3%
1.3%
-10.0%
8.0%
Placer
$675,000
$671,740
$682,500
0.5%
-1.1%
10.9%
10.4%
Sacramento
$555,000
$548,580
$535,000
1.2%
3.7%
13.5%
-1.9%
San Benito
$734,950
$807,500
$735,000
-9.0%
0.0%
31.3%
2.4%
San Joaquin
$560,000
$540,000
$531,950
3.7%
5.3%
2.8%
-8.0%
Stanislaus
$489,500
$485,000
$463,500
0.9%
5.6%
11.6%
2.2%
Tulare
$383,640
$379,990
$375,060
1.0%
2.3%
18.0%
14.3%
Far North
Butte
$442,000
$450,000
$436,950
-1.8%
1.2%
33.3%
10.7%
Lassen
$274,500
$205,000
$224,900
33.9%
22.1%
0.0%
-15.8%
Plumas
$529,000
$320,000
$355,000
65.3%
49.0%
45.0%
70.6%
Shasta
$390,000
$360,000
$385,000
8.3%
1.3%
15.2%
-16.7%
Siskiyou
$334,500
$281,500
$256,000
18.8%
30.7%
7.1%
-16.7%
Tehama
$350,000
$309,750
$348,000
13.0%
0.6%
20.0%
-38.5%
Trinity
$360,000
$212,000
$263,250
69.8%
36.8%
120.0%
10.0%
Other Calif. Counties
Amador
$420,000
$426,500
$449,000
-1.5%
-6.5%
-22.9%
-21.3%
Calaveras
$471,000
$493,000
$550,000
-4.5%
-14.4%
18.3%
12.7%
Del Norte
$230,000
$445,000
$315,000
-48.3%
-27.0%
8.3%
-31.6%
El Dorado
$699,000
$757,000
$660,000
-7.7%
5.9%
-4.5%
-5.8%
Humboldt
$450,000
$400,000
$435,000
12.5%
3.4%
22.6%
24.1%
Lake
$351,250
$340,000
$398,000
3.3%
-11.7%
22.0%
9.1%
Mariposa
$502,500
$549,500
$382,500
-8.6%
31.4%
-18.2%
12.5%
Mendocino
$477,500
$583,500
$532,500
-18.2%
-10.3%
0.0%
35.3%
Mono
$812,500
$1,077,380
$850,000
-24.6%
-4.4%
166.7%
14.3%
Nevada
$560,000
$599,000
$552,500
-6.5%
1.4%
19.3%
15.1%
Sutter
$427,500
$428,500
$439,500
-0.2%
-2.7%
70.6%
3.6%
Tuolumne
$430,000
$452,000
$424,500
-4.9%
1.3%
14.5%
-1.6%
Yolo
$653,980
$615,000
$646,730
6.3%
1.1%
0.0%
-5.0%
Yuba
$449,950
$427,950
$440,990
5.1%
2.0%
-6.5%
-5.5%
r = revised NA = not available
May 2024 County Unsold Inventory and Days on Market (Regional and condo sales data not seasonally adjusted)
Avocados are a source of key nutrients, including healthy fats and fiber. They also contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds and may help reduce heart disease risk.
Nutritious, versatile, and delicious, avocados have become a kitchen staple in many homes around the world.
While some people refer to avocados as fruits and some people say they're a vegetable, avocados(Persea americana)are actually considered berries. They're a member of the Lauraceae plant family, which also includes the cinnamon tree (1Trusted Source).
Avocados are native to Mexico and Central America, but they are cultivated in many areas of the world, including North America.
In the United States, California is the top producer of avocados and is home to more than 5,000 avocado farms, which generate over 400 million pounds of avocados each year (2).
These fruits are an important part of traditional Mexican, Central American, and South American cuisine and are used in dishes like guacamole, salads, tacos, and more.
Avocados are extremely popular in the health and wellness world because they're highly nutritious and have been linked to several health benefits.
This article lists 7 benefits of eating avocados, including more about nutrition, weight loss, and how to enjoy them.
Avocados are high in a number of important nutrients, many of which are lacking in modern diets.
Here is the nutrition breakdown for a 7-ounce (201-gram) avocado (3Trusted Source):
Calories:322
Fat:30 grams
Protein:4 grams
Carbs:17 grams
Fiber:14 grams
Vitamin C:22% of the daily value (DV)
Vitamin E:28% of the DV
Vitamin K:35% of the DV
Riboflavin (B2):20% of the DV
Niacin (B3):22% of the DV
Pantothenic acid (B5):56% of the DV
Pyridoxine (B6):30% of the DV
Folate:41% of the DV
Magnesium:14% of the DV
Potassium:21% of the DV
Copper:42% of the DV
Manganese:12% of the DV
As you can see, avocados are exceptionally nutritious fruits and are a concentrated source ofhealthy fatsand fiber, plus a number of vitamins and minerals.
They're rich in nutrients that are often lacking in many people's diets, including magnesium, B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, and folate (4Trusted Source).
For example, half of an avocado packs 10% of the DV for potassium.
Potassiumis considered a "nutrient of public health concern" by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This is because it's a mineral that Americans commonly do not consume enough of (5Trusted Source).
In fact, a study that included data on 4,730 U.S. adults found that fewer than 3% had potassium intakes greater than the set adequate intake for potassium of 4,700 mg per day (6Trusted Source).
Potassium is needed for several critical bodily functions, including blood pressure regulation and nervous system function. Getting the recommended amount of potassium on a daily basis may help protect against hypertension and stroke (7Trusted Source,8Trusted Source).
Half of an avocado provides 15% of your daily needs for B6, a nutrient that helps suppress inflammation and protect against oxidative damage. Inadequate B6 intake may negatively impact immune function and increase susceptibility to illness (9Trusted Source,11Trusted Source,12Trusted Source).
While severe B6 deficiency is rare, having suboptimal or slightly deficient levels is more common, even in the United States and Canada (13Trusted Source).
Avocados contain an abundance of nutrients that are essential for optimal health, and regularly consuming avocados could help improve overall diet quality.
SUMMARY
Avocados are rich in many nutrients, including fiber, healthy fats, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B6, potassium, magnesium, and folate. Enjoying them regularly could help improve overall diet quality.
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Avocados are high in fiber, providing about 14 grams in each avocado. That's nearly half of the current DV for this important nutrient (3Trusted Source).
Getting enough fiber in your diet is essential for the health of the digestive system because it helps promote the growth ofhealthy bacteria.
A study with 163 adults considered overweight found that people who consumed 175 grams (men) or 140 grams (women) of avocado daily for 12 weeks had lower fecal bile acid concentrations and increased bacterial diversity compared to a control group (14Trusted Source).
Greater bile acid concentrations induce intestinal inflammation and are related to the growth of microbes associated with negative health outcomes like colon cancer (15Trusted Source).
Additionally, the avocado group had more of the bacteriaFaecalibacterium, Lachnospira, andAlistipes, all of which produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including butyrate.
Even though these findings are promising, this study was partially funded by the Hass Avocado Board, which could have influenced study results.
Also, keep in mind that allfiber-containing foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, are important for gut health. The most important factor in supporting digestive health is eating a variety of fiber-containing foods, not just avocados.
SUMMARY
Avocados are rich in fiber, which is essential for a healthy digestive system. Some evidence suggests that consuming avocados may benefit the health of the gut by improving bacterial diversity and reducing fecal bile acid concentration.
3. May help reduce heart disease risk factors
Regularly consumingnutrient-dense foodslike avocados could help protect against heart disease.
The vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and fiber found in avocados all play a role in keeping the cardiovascular system healthy.
Study findings suggest that an avocado-rich diet may help improve heart disease risk factors, which may help prevent the onset of heart disease.
Many studies investigating the effects of avocados on heart health were funded by the Hass Avocado Board. Even though this doesn't discredit study findings, some experts suggest that industry involvement in peer-reviewed research could skew results (19Trusted Source).
Nonetheless, avocados may help increase heart-protective HDL cholesterol and decrease levels of oxidized LDL cholesterol, a type of cholesterol that's significantly associated with atherosclerosis, or the buildup of plaque along artery walls (20Trusted Source,21Trusted Source).
Additionally, the high potassium and magnesium content of avocados is beneficial for blood pressure regulation. Keeping blood pressure at a healthy level is critical for heart disease prevention (22Trusted Source).
SUMMARY
Avocados may help increase levels of heart-protective HDL cholesterol and decrease levels of oxidized LDL cholesterol, a type of cholesterol that's significantly associated with atherosclerosis, or the accumulation of plaque along artery walls
4. A rich source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds
In addition to vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and fiber, avocados are packed with bioactive compounds includingcarotenoids, vitamin C, vitamin E, and phenolic compounds (23Trusted Source).
These substances have been shown to have significant antioxidant, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective activities.
For example, carotenoids found in avocados including lutein, α-Carotene, and β-Carotene have been shown to have strong antioxidant effects, protecting against oxidative damage, which is associated with the progression of many chronic diseases (24Trusted Source).
Because avocados are high inantioxidants, regularly eating avocados may help increase the body's antioxidant defenses.
A small study that included 45 people found that eating an avocado a day increased blood levels of the carotenoid lutein compared with a typical Western diet without avocado (20Trusted Source).
Avocados are an excellent source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds like vitamin C, vitamin E, and the carotenoid lutein.
5. May help promote a healthy body weight
Although there are multiple factors that influenceweight, following a nutritious and balanced diet is perhaps most important when it comes to reaching and maintaining a healthy body weight, which is critical for disease prevention.
Although avocados are high in calories, they're packed with nutrients and help promote satiety, thanks to their high fiber and healthy fat content.
Research shows that following a dietary pattern rich in fibrous foods, like fruits andvegetables, may help support weight loss. Plus, people who eat more fiber tend to maintain healthier body weights compared to those who follow lower fiber diets (30Trusted Source,31Trusted Source).
In a study that included 345 people, it was found that fiber intake was the most influential predictor of body weight, independent of calorie and macronutrient intake (32Trusted Source).
However, nearly all studies investigating the effects of avocado consumption on weight loss are funded by the Hass Avocado Board. Again, although this doesn't discredit study results, food industry funding may influence study outcomes.
Regardless, it's clear that increasing foods rich in dietary fiber likely promotes weight loss by promoting satiety. So, eating more high-fiber foods, like avocados, may be a good choice for those wishing topromote weight lossor maintain body weight.
SUMMARY
Following a diet high in fiber has been associated with body weight maintenance. Some studies suggest that avocados may help improve satiety, enhance weight loss, and reduce belly fat. However, many of these studies are funded by the Hass Avocado Board, which may have influenced study results.
6. A smart choice during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Folaterequirements increase from 400 μg to 600 μg.
Potassium needs jump from 2,600 mg to 2,900 mg.
Vitamin C needs increase from 75 to 85 mg.
Folate needs increase significantly during pregnancy. Unfortunately, many pregnant people around the world fall short of the recommended folate intake, which may increase the risk of pregnancy complications (37Trusted Source,38Trusted Source,39Trusted Source).
One avocado delivers 27% of the recommended folate intake during pregnancy (3Trusted Source).
Eating avocados can also help you reach the recommended intake levels for nutrients that are needed in greater amounts during pregnancy andbreastfeeding, like vitamin C, potassium, and B6.
Additionally, the high fiber content of avocados may help prevent constipation, which is extremely common during pregnancy (40Trusted Source).
For a satisfying pregnancy- and breastfeeding-friendly meal or snack idea, try stuffing half an avocado with salmon salad or chicken salad.
SUMMARY
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, your need for many nutrients significantly increases. Enjoying avocados is a smart way to get enough of certain vitamins and minerals like folate, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6.
7. Versatile and delicious ingredient
In addition to being highly nutritious, avocados can be used in a number of recipes, both sweet and savory. This makes them a smart ingredient to have on hand.
Here are some ideas for how to incorporate more avocado into your diet:
Use avocado in place of mayo withGreek yogurtin chicken, salmon, egg, and tuna salads.
Make a classic guacamole using ingredients like avocados, onions, lime, and cilantro.
Top chicken breasts with a salad of tomato and cubed avocado.
Toss frozen avocado chunks into smoothies for a source of healthy fat.
Smash avocado on top of toast or a half roasted sweet potato.
Stuff avocados with chicken salad or bean salad.
Use avocados in tacos and burritos.
Blend avocado with olive oil, lemon juice, and seasonings for a quick and easy creamy dressing.
Top your favorite burger with sliced avocado.
Sprinkle an avocado half with a bit of coarse salt and pepper and enjoy it right out of the rind.
There are so many ways to use avocados, so don't be afraid to experiment.
If you're looking for a way to keep your avocados as fresh as possible, place ripe avocados in the refrigerator until you're ready to enjoy them.
If your avocado is still hard and green, let it sit on your counter for several days to ripen.
Ripe avocados are slightly soft to the touch and usually have a deep green color. If your avocado is very mushy and dents when poked, it's likely past its prime.
However, even overripe avocados can be incorporated into recipes like baked goods and dressings, so don't toss them unless they have a sour taste or smell, are moldy, or if the flash is extremely discolored.
SUMMARY
Avocados can be incorporated into both sweet and savory recipes like smoothies, desserts, soups, salads, and burritos. They can also be enjoyed on their own with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
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The bottom line
Avocados contain an impressive amount of nutrients and are especially rich in fiber, B6, vitamin C, potassium, vitamin E, folate, and copper.
Eating avocados regularly may benefit health in several ways, including protecting against heart disease, improving overall diet quality, improving satiety, and promoting gut health.
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
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California real estate is among the most expensive in the country, so getting the most competitive rate is essential for homebuyers looking to save money where they can.
One of the best ways to get the lowest possible mortgage rate is to comparison shop by comparing rates from multiple lenders.
What are the Current Mortgage Rates in California?
As of Wednesday, July 20, 2022, mortgage rates averaged the following in California, according to Bankrate data:
30-year fixed:5.80%
15-year fixed: 5.03%
5/1 ARM:3.94%
The 30- and 15-year rates track above the national averages published by Freddie Mac, while the 5/1 ARM is just below. Here are the national home loan rate averages for the week ending July 14: the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage was 5.51%; the 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage was 4.67%; and the 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) was 4.35%.
What Kind of Mortgage Is Right for You?
For those who want to maximize their dollars to ensure the highest return on investment, finding the right mortgage is essential. Some borrowers might think the best way to save money is to pay off their mortgage faster—by opting into a shorter loan term with higher monthly payments—but that's not always the case.
If you canlock in a low mortgage rateit might be better to get a 30-year loan and put the extra money you save on monthly payments toward something that has a higher return on investment, likecredit card debtor other high-interest loans.
Choosing the right mortgage depends on your financial situation and goals. A mortgage with lowdown payment requirementsmight make sense for some, while others may need a jumbo mortgage.
But there are several types of mortgages that tick a variety of boxes, here are some to consider:
Conventional Mortgages
Conventional mortgagesare loans that conform to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac underwriting standards. These are the most common mortgages that are not backed by the government.
Conventional mortgages tend to have stricter qualifications than government-backed loans, but they also offer advantages, such as looser home inspection standards and the ability to dropprivate mortgage insurance (PMI)after reaching 20% equity (without refinancing).
FHA Loans
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans have lower interest rates and only require a 3.5% down payment.
The downside ofFHA loansis if you put less than 20% down, you must pay a mortgage insurance premium (MIP) which can't be removed unless you refinance into a conventional mortgage.
VA Loans
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans are only for active-duty military and veterans and their spouses.VA loansare advantageous because there are no down payment requirements, credit requirements aren't as strict and your closing costs can be rolled into the loan.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans are for homebuyers in rural and designated USDA areas. Similar to VA loans,USDA loanshave no down payment requirements and the credit requirements are looser than conventional mortgages.
What You Should Know About Buying a Home in California
Right now, California property taxes are among the lowest in the country. According to the Tax Foundation, California's property taxes were the fourteenth lowest in the U.S., with state and local property taxes amounting to $2,411 per capita.
Help for First-time Homebuyers
Buyers who need some assistance with a down payment or closing costs can take advantage of California's many assistance programs. Some of these programs are designed to helpfirst-time homebuyers(those who have not owned a home in three years) as well as low- and mid-income buyers.
The California Housing Finance Agency, or CalHFA, has several programs designed to help buyers achieve homeownership. Some of these programs include grants, no-interest deferred loans and financial assistance for the construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
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