What Today’s Home Buyers and Sellers Need to Know in the South Bay
Scherb Homes Group Consumer Guide
What Today’s Home Buyers and Sellers Really Need to Know
Homeownership decisions are rarely about interest rates, inventory or price alone. They are usually about family, lifestyle, location, timing and what you want your next chapter to make possible.
Recent national research offers a useful look at who is buying and selling, what is motivating them, why some aspiring owners are delaying their plans and what homeowners need from a trusted real estate advisor. Here is how those insights translate into practical decisions for buyers and sellers in the South Bay and Palos Verdes.
The Big Picture
People may search by price, but they decide through life priorities
Buyers often begin online with a price range, bedroom count or city name. Sellers may begin by checking an estimated value. Those are useful starting points, but they rarely explain the full decision.
Housing decisions are personal
A home purchase or sale is often connected to marriage, children, retirement, aging parents, work changes, lifestyle preferences or the desire to be closer to people who matter.
Affordability is only one factor
Price and monthly payment matter, but buyers also weigh neighborhood quality, commute, convenience, schools, privacy, outdoor space and proximity to family and friends.
A plan reduces uncertainty
The goal is not to pressure someone into moving. It is to clarify the options, calculate the risks of acting and waiting, and create a responsible next-step plan.
The most productive real estate conversation does not begin with, “Is now a good market?” It begins with, “What do you need your housing situation to make possible?”
Buyer Profile
Who is buying homes today?
The modern buyer pool is older and more experienced than many people assume. First-time buyers represent a smaller share of successful purchases than the historical norm, while repeat buyers and older generations hold a larger presence.
Buyers by generation
- 42%Baby Boomers
- 26%Millennials
- 25%Generation X
- 4%Generation Z
Buyer household composition
- 61%Married couples
- 21%Single women
- 9%Single men
Among first-time buyers, 50% are married couples and 25% are single women.
There is no single “typical buyer.” In the South Bay, I regularly advise first-time purchasers, move-up families, downsizers, multigenerational households, investors and people returning to the market after many years. Each requires a different strategy.
Buyer Motivations
Why people decide to buy
The desire to own remains a central motivation, especially for first-time buyers. But successful purchases are also driven by family proximity, space needs, retirement and lifestyle changes.
Leading motivations among successful buyers
- 21%Desire to own a home
- 16%Proximity to friends and family
- 10%Desire for a larger home
- 8%Desire for a smaller home
- 7%Changed family circumstances
- 7%Retirement
- 7%Desire for a better area
64% want a home of their own
Nearly two-thirds of first-time buyers identify the desire to own a home as their primary reason for entering the market.
That desire can coexist with caution. A buyer may strongly value ownership while still needing clarity around financing, reserves, maintenance, property taxes, insurance, commute and long-term plans.
Wanting to own a home is not enough by itself. The right purchase should also fit your cash flow, expected time horizon, lifestyle and tolerance for maintenance and financial risk.
Location Decisions
What influences where buyers choose to live?
A city name or ZIP code rarely tells the entire story. Even within Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Palos Verdes Estates or Rancho Palos Verdes, different streets and neighborhoods can offer very different experiences.
Local details matter
Buyers may also care about views, topography, street traffic, school boundaries, walkability, coastal exposure, microclimates, yard usability, privacy, parking and access to daily routines.
Buyers may search by price, but they choose through life priorities. The best neighborhood is not automatically the most expensive one. It is the one that best supports how you actually live.
Aspiring Owners
The homeownership dream is delayed, not dead
Many renters and non-homeowners still want to own, but confidence in the near-term path has weakened. Higher housing costs, mortgage rates, down-payment requirements and uncertainty have pushed expected timelines farther out.
| Expectation | Earlier Measure | More Recent Measure | What It Suggests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expect to buy within five years | 30% in 2025 | 19% in 2026 | Near-term confidence has declined. |
| Young adults ages 18–34 | 57% in 2013–2015 | 29% in 2025–2026 | Younger adults are extending their expected timelines. |
| Expect to buy within ten years | 23% in 2025 | 28% in 2026 | Some aspiring owners are postponing rather than abandoning ownership. |
You do not need to force a purchase because you are afraid of missing out. You also do not need to assume ownership is permanently out of reach. A well-built plan can identify the income, savings, credit, payment and timing milestones that would make a future purchase responsible.
Buying Now Versus Later
The cost of waiting should be evaluated alongside the cost of buying
Waiting can be the right decision. Buying can also create long-term financial benefits. The important point is to compare both paths instead of analyzing only the risks of purchasing.
Potential costs of buying
- Down payment and closing costs
- Mortgage interest and property taxes
- Insurance, maintenance and repairs
- Reduced flexibility if plans change quickly
- Exposure to short-term market fluctuations
Potential costs of waiting
- Continued rent payments without ownership equity
- Possible home-price appreciation
- Potential future interest-rate or insurance changes
- Less time for principal reduction and long-term ownership
- Delaying lifestyle benefits that matter to your household
This research does not mean everyone should buy immediately. It means the decision should include both sides of the equation: the financial and lifestyle risks of buying, and the financial and lifestyle costs of waiting.
Seller Profile
Who is selling homes today?
Today’s typical seller is older, has often owned the property for many years and may be managing a significant life transition rather than simply reacting to short-term market conditions.
After eleven years or more in a home, selling is not simply a financial transaction. It may involve years of memories, accumulated belongings, deferred maintenance, tax questions and the challenge of coordinating where you will go next.
Seller Motivations
Most sellers are not moving because of the market
Sellers are commonly motivated by a mismatch between their current home and the life they want to live next. The market influences execution, but life circumstances usually create the reason to move.
Leading life-driven reasons sellers move
- 29%Need a larger home
- 26%Want to be closer to friends or family
- 24%Move for lifestyle reasons
- 17%Downsize
- 13%Move for work
The home no longer fits the life they want
A homeowner may need more space, less maintenance, a first-floor primary suite, a shorter commute, better access to family or a different community experience.
The decision may also involve retirement, estate planning, divorce, a second home, relocation or a desire to unlock equity for another purpose.
Waiting for a “perfect” market can leave homeowners stuck in a property that no longer supports their needs. A better question is whether the financial and personal benefits of moving outweigh the costs and complexity of making the change.
The Seller Experience
The emotional moments sellers often feel unprepared for
Pricing, marketing and negotiation matter, but sellers also need preparation for the personal and emotional parts of the process.
Why inspections can feel personal
A buyer’s inspector is evaluating the condition of the property, not the quality of your memories or your care as a homeowner. Still, a long repair list or strongly worded report can feel critical.
Preparing for likely findings before listing can reduce surprise and make negotiations more manageable.
Why buyer feedback can be difficult
Buyers may comment on finishes, layout, odors, maintenance or personal design choices. Their reaction reflects their own preferences and purchase criteria, not the value of your life in the home.
The useful question is whether repeated feedback reveals an issue affecting marketability, pricing or presentation.
A good listing plan protects more than the sale price. It also protects your time, privacy, expectations and emotional energy throughout the process.
A Better Advisory Process
What buyers and sellers need from a real estate advisor
Consumers do not only need predictions about prices or mortgage rates. They need clarity about what could happen, how risk will be managed and what options are available.
What sellers need to hear
- Here is how we will protect you from surprises.
- Here is what happens if the home does not sell immediately.
- Here is how we will manage inspections and negotiations.
- Here is how we will coordinate your sale and next purchase.
- Here is how we will protect your privacy during showings.
- Here is how we will separate the memories from the merchandise without disrespecting either.
What buyers need to hear
- Buying is not automatically the right decision for every person at every moment.
- We will evaluate the monthly payment, reserves and long-term ownership costs.
- We will compare neighborhoods according to your actual priorities.
- We will discuss the risks of buying and the risks of waiting.
- We will identify more than one responsible path forward.
- If now is not the right time, we will build a plan for what comes next.
See my reality
Acknowledge why the buyer or seller is cautious. Concerns should be evaluated, not dismissed with blanket statements about why someone should transact.
Understand my life
Identify the change, desire, pressure or frustration behind the decision before focusing on market statistics.
Show me my options
Present multiple responsible pathways rather than treating one transaction as the only acceptable outcome.
Calculate both risks
Compare the risks of acting with the risks of waiting, then look for practical ways to reduce and manage those risks.
Give me a plan
Turn uncertainty into next steps. Even when a move is not immediate, establish what needs to happen, what should be monitored and when the decision should be revisited.
My job is not to talk you into taking a risk. It is to help you understand the risk, reduce it where possible and create a plan you can feel confident executing.
Common Consumer Profiles
Which situation sounds most like yours?
Buyers and sellers often arrive at the same transaction from very different circumstances. Your strategy should reflect your specific goals, constraints and time horizon.
The first-time buyer
You value ownership but need clarity around down payment, closing costs, reserves, monthly payment, inspections and the true cost of maintaining a home.
Priority: Build a realistic financial and neighborhood plan before touring aggressively.
The move-up buyer
Your current home no longer provides enough space, functionality or location, but you may need to coordinate a sale and purchase.
Priority: Sequence the transactions and protect against timing, financing and temporary housing risk.
The downsizer
You may have substantial equity and a long ownership history, but the process of preparing, sorting and relocating feels overwhelming.
Priority: Create a phased plan for preparation, disposition of belongings, tax consultation and the next residence.
The lifestyle mover
You may want greater walkability, ocean proximity, privacy, a view, a shorter commute or easier access to family.
Priority: Compare neighborhoods according to daily life, not just price per square foot.
The long-term homeowner
You have spent many years in your property and may be balancing equity, memories, repairs, taxes and uncertainty about where to go next.
Priority: Evaluate selling as-is, improving before sale, marketing privately or waiting.
The cautious planner
You are considering a move but are not ready to transact immediately. You want information without pressure.
Priority: Establish valuation, financing, timing and preparation milestones that can be revisited over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions buyers and sellers are asking
Is buying a home always better than renting?
No. Buying may be advantageous when you have sufficient reserves, a manageable payment, stable plans and a long enough ownership horizon. Renting may be more appropriate when flexibility, liquidity or a short expected stay is more important. Both choices should be evaluated using your actual numbers and goals.
Should I wait for mortgage rates to fall before buying?
A lower rate could improve affordability, but falling rates can also bring more buyers into the market and increase competition. The better approach is to decide what monthly payment and total housing cost are comfortable now, then evaluate whether a specific property fits your long-term needs.
How do I know whether waiting has a cost?
Compare expected rent, savings growth, potential appreciation, future financing assumptions, maintenance costs, transaction expenses and your intended ownership horizon. Also include lifestyle costs, such as remaining in a home or rental that no longer fits your household.
What matters most when choosing a South Bay neighborhood?
Consider neighborhood character, commute, school boundaries, walkability, coastal conditions, street traffic, topography, parking, outdoor space, views, privacy and proximity to family and daily routines. The best choice is often determined at the neighborhood and street level, not merely by city name.
Should I improve my home before selling?
It depends on the property, likely buyer, competition, cost, timeline and expected return. Some homes benefit from targeted preparation and presentation. Others are better sold as-is. A responsible analysis should compare the expected net result of each option rather than assuming more work is always better.
How can I coordinate selling my current home and buying the next one?
Possible strategies include selling first, buying first, using a contingent offer, negotiating a leaseback, arranging bridge financing or creating temporary housing. The right sequence depends on your equity, financing, risk tolerance and the competitiveness of both markets.
What happens if my home does not sell immediately?
Before listing, establish a decision framework for showing activity, buyer feedback, market changes, price positioning and timing. A slower sale should trigger a measured review of the evidence, not an emotional or automatic price reduction.
Can I begin planning even if I am not ready to move?
Yes. Early planning can include an estimated value range, preparation options, financing review, neighborhood research, tax and estate discussions, and a timeline for revisiting the decision. A consultation does not require an immediate transaction.
Research referenced in this guide includes the National Association of REALTORS® 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, Gallup Economy & Personal Finance Poll findings, 1000WATT consumer research and the Realtor.com 2026 Generational Wealth & Housing Report. National statistics provide context but may not reflect every condition in the South Bay or Palos Verdes. Local property values, market activity and transaction strategy should be evaluated using current neighborhood-level data.
Start with a plan, not pressure
Whether you are buying now, selling this year or quietly considering a future move, a private strategy conversation can help you understand your options, risks and next steps.
