Costa Mesa Real Estate Market Update – September 2025

If you’ve been keeping an eye on the Costa Mesa housing market, you know things are always changing here in Orange County, CA. Right now, buying a home feels tougher than it used to, mostly because mortgage rates have been stuck between 6.5% and 7.5% for the past three years. Even though home prices aren’t skyrocketing like before, monthly payments are still high, which makes affordability a real challenge for many buyers.

The good news is that inventory—the number of homes for sale—has been growing. In Orange County, there are about 4,869 homes on the market, which is 35% more than last year. For Costa Mesa buyers, this means more choices than we’ve had in recent years. As we head into fall, though, we usually see fewer homes hit the market since summer selling season is over.

Buyer demand has slowed down too. Pending sales (homes that buyers are currently in the process of purchasing) dropped by 6% in the last couple of weeks. That means homes are taking a bit longer to sell—on average about 94 days, which is the slowest pace since 2018. For Costa Mesa sellers, it’s still a good time to list if your home is well-priced, but patience is key.

Looking ahead, the big factor is mortgage rates. If rates dip closer to 6% or lower, buyers in Costa Mesa and across Orange County will have a lot more breathing room in their budgets. Until then, expect the market to stay steady, with plenty of opportunity for serious buyers and motivated sellers to make a move.