California homeowners are staying put longer, slowing the housing market

Redfin spots California’s housing lock

Ever wonder why “For Sale” signs feel rarer lately? A new Redfin analysis of county records through 2025 found that homeowners in several California metros are holding onto their homes for unusually long stretches. That slower turnover leaves fewer listings for buyers to chase.

Redfin found that Los Angeles leads the nation, with owners staying for more than 20 years in 2025, up from 19.4 years in 2024. San Jose ranks second at 18.7 years. When people stay put, fewer homes hit the market, and prices can stay stubborn.

Redfin explains why owners won’t move

If you bought years ago, moving can feel like trading a deal for a costly unknown. Redfin says many California homeowners have low mortgage rates they don’t want to lose. A higher rate on a new loan can add hundreds each month.

Property taxes are another anchor. Under Proposition 13, a home’s tax basis is tied to its assessed value, which generally cannot rise by more than 2% a year unless the property changes ownership or undergoes new construction. Redfin notes that keeping a low tax bill makes staying put feel safer than starting over.

Why California stands out in Redfin’s data

California doesn’t just move slowly; it’s in a league of its own. Redfin economist Daryl Fairweather says the “stay put” pattern shows up nationwide, but it’s most extreme in California. When turnover stalls, first-time buyers feel it fast.

Coastal prices are a big reason. Follow-up coverage cited Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather, who said fast price growth gives owners even more reason to stay put. Even in inland California, tenure is not moving quickly: Sacramento sits around the national median tenure of 12 years, and other California metros in the dataset are above it.

Los Angeles sets the pace for staying put

In the Los Angeles metro, the typical homeowner now holds a property for more than 20 years. That’s longer than any other U.S. metro, according to Redfin’s data through 2025. It means many neighborhoods don’t “refresh” often.

Long tenure changes the market’s rhythm. Fewer starter homes return to circulation, and bidding wars can flare up when a rare listing appears. It can also make prices feel sticky because a smaller number of sales can set the tone for the whole area.

Fun fact: Redfin says Los Angeles homeowners stayed in their homes for 19.4 years in 2024, then hit 20 years in 2025, the longest median tenure in the nation.

San Jose shows the Bay Area lock-in

San Jose ranks just behind Los Angeles in how long people keep their homes. Redfin reports a median tenure of 18.7 years, up about 4.8 years since 2015. With high prices and competition, moving can feel like a gamble.

When homes don’t trade hands, inventory stays tight. Buyers spend more time refreshing listings and less time touring from week to week. For renters hoping to buy, fewer choices can mean higher prices and tougher trade-offs in the neighborhood for families.

San Francisco had a brief reset, then froze

San Francisco homeowners still hang on for a long time, about 16.5 years on average. Redfin says that’s up roughly 3.4 years since 2015. Follow-up reporting on the Redfin data suggested San Francisco slipped slightly in the rankings, partly because early pandemic-era moves reset the clock for some homes.

Even with that reset, turnover remains slow. Remote work helped some people relocate, but many stayed and refinanced their mortgages. With limited listings, buyers face fewer choices, while sellers see less competition from nearby listings in popular price ranges.

San Diego’s market moves, just not fast

San Diego isn’t as locked as Los Angeles, but it still turns over slowly. Redfin puts the median tenure near 14.5 years, up about 1.3 years since 2015. Many movers face a tough trade: a higher payment for a similar home.

Slow churn ripples outward. Families hunting for more space may see fewer listings in school-friendly areas. Downsizers can struggle, too, because smaller homes and condos may be limited in the neighborhoods they want to live in. When both groups hesitate, the whole chain of moves weakens quickly.

Inland metros are tighter than you’d think

People assume inland California turns over faster, but the data says otherwise. Riverside homeowners keep homes about 12.4 years, up 0.5 years since 2015, Redfin reports. That’s still above the national median of 12 years.

Sacramento is the exception with a dip. Redfin shows Sacramento’s median tenure at 12 years, down about 0.2 years since 2015. Even so, it’s not a fast market. When inland areas slow down, too, buyers have fewer backup options when coastal prices feel out of reach.

It’s a U.S. trend, but California leads the way

Staying put is national. Redfin says the typical U.S. homeowner stays 12 years, nearly double the 6.5-year average in 2005. Tenure peaked at 13.4 years in 2020, then declined through 2024 before ticking back up to 12 years in 2025.

California is the extreme version. With many residents locked in, fewer starter homes return, and “move-up” chains slow because sellers need a next home. When turnover weakens, prices have fewer chances to ease through supply. That’s why the market can feel frozen when demand cools.

Gen X and boomers are staying longer

Many homeowners who aren’t moving are Gen Xers and Baby Boomers. They often have stable jobs, paid-down loans, or low fixed payments, so moving feels optional. If a new home costs much more, staying wins.

A lot of people also want to age in place, near friends and familiar routines. Others don’t see good downsizing options nearby. When older owners stay, family-sized homes turn over less often, which tightens choices for younger buyers trying to move from renting into owning today.

Who holds the big homes right now?

Big homes matter because they’re where growing families want to land. A Redfin analysis found that empty-nest baby boomers own about 28.2% of U.S. homes with three or more bedrooms. Millennials with kids own about 14.2% of those large homes, roughly half the share owned by empty-nest baby boomers.

That gap doesn’t mean boomers are “hoarding.” Many bought earlier and don’t see a smaller option that feels worth the move. When large homes stay put, families feel the squeeze first, especially in metros where new-home construction is slow.

The missing step for senior moves

Follow-up reporting on the Redfin findings cited Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather, saying many older homeowners do not see appealing nearby places to move. A smaller home far from friends can feel like a downgrade, even if it’s cheaper. So people stay where life works.

More senior-oriented communities could loosen the logjam. Think sidewalks, nearby services, and easy-to-maintain homes. If those choices grow, some owners may sell a house and move locally instead of staying put. That can free up family homes without forcing anyone out, still.

If you want to hear what renters and neighbors are saying up close, the related story features residents discussing landlord disputes and living conditions at the Mamdani housing event.

The thaw may come in the 2030s

Even if owners don’t move, homes still change hands over time. In follow-up reporting on the Redfin data, Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather said the 2030s could bring more homes onto the market as older owners pass away and properties transfer to heirs or new buyers. That can add inventory without people choosing to list.

It won’t look the same in every city. Some homes will stay in the family, while others will sell after updates. For buyers, preparation helps: strong credit, cash for closing costs, and a clear price range. When more listings appear, being ready can beat being rushed. That could eventually give buyers more options than they have today.

If you are planning for bigger expenses, the related story breaks down the cost category that is hitting Californians hardest.

Is California’s housing “freeze” making it harder for regular buyers to get in, or will it finally ease prices over time? Share your thoughts and drop a comment.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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