Rodeo Realty

January 26, 2026

Economic Update | Week Ending January 24, 2026

Mortgage rates – Every Thursday, Freddie Mac publishes interest rates based on a survey of mortgage lenders throughout the week. The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as of January 22, 2026, were as follows: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.09%, up slightly from 6.06% last week. The 15-year fixed was 5.44%, up from 5.38% last week.

The graph below shows the trajectory of mortgage rates over the past year.

Stock Markets and most prominent financial news of the week – It was another wild week for stocks, bond markets, and interest rates. It began with stock markets, which were closed on Monday for Martin Luther King Day, dropping over 2% on Tuesday when new tariffs on Europe were announced to begin on February 1 over the Greenland controversy. Stock markets dropped over 2%, their biggest one-day drop since tariffs were first announced on April 2, 2025. Bond yields and interest rates also rose. Fortunately, the “framework of a deal” was announced on Thursday and stock markets recovered much of their losses.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 49,098.71, down 0.5% from 49,359.33 last week. It is already up 2.2% from 48,063.29 on December 31, 2025. The S&P 500 closed the week at 6,915.71, down 0.4% from 6,940.01 last week. The S&P is up 1% from 6,845.50 on December 31, 2025. The Nasdaq closed the week at 23,501.24, down 0.1% from 23,515.39 last week. It is up 1.1% from 23,241.99 on December 31, 2024.

The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 4.24%, unchanged from 4.24% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 4.82%, almost unchanged from 4.83% last week. We watch bond yields because mortgage rates follow bond yields.

Home sales figures are released on the third week of the month for the previous month from the National Association of Realtors and the California Association of Realtors. Here is a summary of the December existing home sales reports.

U.S. existing-home sales – December 2025 – The National Association of Realtors reported that existing-home sales totaled 4.35 million units on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate in November, up 5.1% from the number of homes sold in November and up 1.4% from the number of homes sold last December. The median price paid for a home sold in the U.S. in November was $404,400, down slightly from $409,200 in November, but up 0.4% from $403,700 one year ago.

California existing-home sales – The California Association of Realtors reported that existing-home sales totaled 288,200 on an annualized basis in December, up 2% from a revised 282,490 last December. The statewide median price paid for a home in was $850,680 in December, down 0.4% from $855,680 in November. The statewide median price peaked at $910,160 in April before falling steadily each month to end the year down 7% from its peak. Year-over-year the median price dropped 1.3% from $861,020 on December 31, 2024.

Have a Great Weekend!

January 22, 2026January 22, 2026

Mortgage Rate Update | January 22, 2026

Mortgage rates – Every Thursday, Freddie Mac publishes interest rates based on a survey of mortgage lenders throughout the week. The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as of January 22, 2026, were as follows:

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.09%, up slightly from 6.06% last week. The 15-year fixed was 5.44%, up from 5.38% last week.

The graph below shows the trajectory of mortgage rates over the past year.

January 22, 2026January 22, 2026

From Apple AirTag AI to Xbox Cloud Gaming and More! | Tech News

As this week comes to an end, it’s time to dial into the major headlines in the world of tech. From Apple AirTag AI to Xbox Cloud Gaming and more, we have you covered on what’s happening from across the web. Check out the latest in this week’s blog!

Adobe turns Acrobat into a multitool: podcasts, presentations, and chat editing

Adobe expanded Acrobat Studio with generative AI features that can summarize PDFs as podcast-style audio, auto-generate presentation decks, and let you edit documents via chat prompts — all inside Acrobat Studio rather than the basic reader. Generate Podcast reads a doc and creates a short, listenable summary (Adobe currently wires Microsoft and Google voice models into the flow), while Generate Presentation sketches pitch decks using Adobe Express templates that you can tweak. The AI chat editor also handles practical PDF edits: remove pages, swap images, redact text, or add signatures by describing the change. It’s a clear nudge toward turning passive document storage into active, shareable assets — useful for busy teams who prefer listening to long reports or want a deck fast. Expect privacy and model-choice questions to follow as companies weigh cloud models and on-device options.

Nintendo’s Talking Flower is weird, adorable merch for Mario superfans

Nintendo’s follow-up to Alarmo, the Talking Flower plush, is a charmingly strange bit of IP extension: a voiceable, collectible figure tied to Super Mario Wonder that says phrases and reacts when you pre-order or interact with it. It’s the kind of tactile merch that turns fandom into a physical moment — perfect for shelf styling, gift drops, and social unboxings. The product leans into Nintendo’s long history of whimsical accessories that surprise and delight beyond the screen. For merch teams and lifestyle creators, it’s a reminder that beloved characters can live in wardrobes and coffee-table displays, not just in game libraries. Expect a steady trickle of short-run collectibles that keep franchises culturally visible between major releases.

1Password adds a phishing-prevention shield to its extension

1Password introduced an anti-phishing feature for its browser extension that aims to stop credential theft by detecting suspicious login flows and fake pages before users deposit passwords. The tool analyzes page signals and context to warn when a site’s request looks like a credential-capture attempt, and it can block autofill into pages that don’t match expected metadata. For security teams and everyday users alike, this closes a common attack vector: the confident-looking phishing page that tricks people into handing over access. 1Password’s move reflects a broader industry shift from passive vaults to proactive risk mitigation at the moment of authentication. Expect password managers to keep layering detection and behavioral signals as phishing techniques evolve.

Apple rumor: an AirTag-sized AI “pin” could be on the horizon

Supply-chain whisperings and rumor reporting suggest Apple is prototyping a tiny wearable — an AirTag-sized “AI pin” — that could surface quick contextual AI features without needing a phone in hand. The idea is a subtle, always-available interface for short prompts, tiny notifications, or ambient AI — a spatial companion rather than a full-blown headset or phone replacement. Rumors point to gesture or proximity interactions and close integration with the Apple ecosystem, though details and timelines remain speculative. If true, this would be Apple’s next move toward on-body computing that’s less obtrusive than glasses but smarter than a passive tracker. Treat the report as a heads-up rather than a spec sheet; Apple’s product paths often shift during development.

Spotify experiments with Page Match to sync audiobooks to paper pages

Spotify is testing “Page Match,” a feature that syncs audiobook playback to the page in your print book, so listeners can flip physical pages while the app follows along — handy for study editions and hybrid reading habits. The tool uses anchor points and timestamps to keep audio, text, and page numbers in sync, aiming to help learners and immersive readers who move between formats. For publishers and authors, Page Match is an interesting value add that could boost audiobook bundles and cross-format sales. The experiment continues Spotify’s push into long-form audio features that go beyond music playlists and podcasts. If it scales, expect tighter ties between publishers and streaming platforms for immersive reading products.

Xbox Cloud Gaming tests a free, ad-supported tier to broaden reach

Microsoft is piloting an ad-supported free tier for Xbox Cloud Gaming. The update to Xbox Cloud Gaming would let more players stream games without a Game Pass subscription. Likewise, Xbox would use ads to help monetize the experience. The move by Xbox aims to lower the barrier to entry for cloud play. Additionally, the move tests how ads can coexist with interactive content without ruining the experience. For publishers, it’s another distribution channel to surface demos, live ops, and conversion funnels. Of course, for players, it’s a cheaper way to try cloud streaming if they accept occasional advertising. The success of the experiment will hinge on ad load, relevance, and whether latency or interruptions degrade gameplay. If Microsoft gets the balance right, cloud gaming could broaden beyond subscription wallets into mainstream casual play.

Realme promises days of battery life with a 10,001mAh phone battery

Realme showcased a phone concept that packs an eye-watering 10,001mAh battery and claims multi-day usage on a single charge, positioning itself for heavy-use scenarios like travel, fieldwork, and prolonged media consumption. The engineering tradeoffs are obvious — device weight, heat management, and charging ergonomics — but the promise appeals to anyone who treats battery anxiety as a real productivity blocker. If Realme ships practical firmware and clever power management, the device could redefine endurance phones beyond incremental increases. Expect compromises in slimness and perhaps charge speed, but for a core segment, the payoff is undeniable: literally days between plugs. It’s a reminder that battery capacity is still a differentiator in a market obsessed with cameras and screens.

January 22, 2026January 22, 2026

Weekend Events | January 23 – January 25, 2026

As January continues on, the weekend arrives with a fresh pick of fun events. From Lunar New Year celebrations to Wine Festivals, and more, we have you covered. Check out what’s happening in your neighborhood from January 23 through January 25.

Los Angeles Weekend Events | January 23 – January 25

UCB’s 20th Anniversary Celebration

When: January 25, 2026

Where: Franklin Village

What: Upright Citizens Brigade celebrates 20 years in L.A. with a day-long comedy bash featuring improv shows, panels, and workshops in partnership with the Groundlings, the Pack Theater, and the World’s Greatest Improv School. From free performances and trivia to a flagship ASSSSCAT show and a finale improv showdown, it’s a can’t-miss event for comedy lovers.

Uncorked Wine Festival

When: January 24

Where: DTLA

What: Uncorked Wine Fest is back at Union Station for its 11th year, pouring over 100 wines alongside live music, food trucks, and a classic L.A. backdrop. Guests can enjoy global varietals, a zero-proof lounge for Dry January participants, and VIP perks like early entry and exclusive lounge access. All tastings are included with your ticket—just bring an appetite for the food trucks.

Dine L.A. Restaurant Week

Where: Various locations

When: January 23 – February 6

What: Dine L.A.’s winter edition returns January 23 through February 6, bringing two weeks of special prix-fixe menus from hundreds of restaurants across the city. It’s the perfect excuse to revisit local favorites or finally snag a table at some of L.A.’s most buzzed-about spots, all at more wallet-friendly prices. This season shines a spotlight on the San Fernando Valley and welcomes exciting newcomers from across the county.

Westside & Beach Communities Weekend Events | January 23 – January 25

One Year Later: Community & Science Day

When: January 24

Where: Downtown Santa Monica

What: Join Heal the Bay Aquarium for a free afternoon of hands-on marine education, a year after the Palisades Fire. Explore an 18-foot map of the fire’s impact, learn about post-fire coastal health, meet baby sea stars, and enjoy music and meditation with DJ Heidi Lawden—all set against the Aquarium’s lively marine exhibits.

Lunar New Year Celebration at Disney California Adventure

When: January 23 – February 22

Where: Anaheim

What: Celebrate the Year of the Horse at Disney California Adventure with a month-long Lunar New Year festival filled with flavor, folklore, and fanfare. Kids can snap pics with Mulan, Mushu, and the Disney crew in their festive best, while grown-ups can graze through market stalls offering Asian-inspired bites from China, Korea, and Vietnam. Don’t miss the vibrant daytime procession led by Mulan or the evening’s “Hurry Home” water show that brings Lunar New Year wishes to life just before World of Color begins.

Happy Birthday, Marion!

When: January 25

Where: Santa Monica

What: Step into Old Hollywood glam at the Annenberg Community Beach House during a free open house honoring Marion Davies’ birthday. Guests can enjoy live swing music, dance lessons, an Art Deco fashion show, and guided tours of the historic Marion Davies Guest House—all while channeling 1920s and ’30s style. Vintage attire is encouraged, and RSVPs are requested to attend this nod to Santa Monica’s storied past.

San Fernando Valley Weekend Events | January 23 – January 25

Trivial Comedy @ The New Deal

Where: 3501 Magnolia Boulevard | Burbank

When: January 23

What: Head to The New Deal Restaurant & Wine Bar in Burbank for Trivial Comedy—a lively mash-up of stand-up and trivia. Five comedians take the mic while your team tackles five rounds of laugh-out-loud trivia in between sets. There’s a two-drink minimum, happy hour pricing, and prizes for the top two teams, so bring your brainpower and your best punchlines.

Fruit Tree Workshop

When: January 24

Where: 10538 Topanga Canyon Blvd | Chatsworth

What: Dig into the fundamentals of fruit tree care with this hands-on gardening class, perfect for beginners and seasoned green thumbs alike. Learn how to choose the right tree for your yard, plant it properly, nurture it through its early years, and avoid common pitfalls—plus, get the scoop on when to expect your first harvest. From grafting know-how to tips on handling a fruit overload, this class covers everything you need to grow your own backyard bounty.

DIY Herbal Salve Workshop

When: January 24

Where: 2120 West Magnolia Boulevard | Burbank

What: In this hands-on workshop, you’ll create your own healing herbal salve and 4oz tincture using medicinal herbs, guided by herbalist Emily Gogol. Learn the “why” and “how” behind different salve recipes, get tips for making more at home, and take home recipe printouts for future DIY projects. All materials are included, and you’ll walk away with your own salve, tincture, and the confidence to keep crafting.

Conejo Valley Weekend Events | January 23 – January 25

Native Plant Fest in Oxnard

When: January 24

Where: 800 Hobson Way | Oxnard

What: Celebrate local flora at Native Plant Fest on Saturday, January 26, from 11am to 4pm at Community Park East in Oxnard. This free, family-friendly event features educational workshops, speakers, food trucks, vendors, and interactive activities—all focused on native plants and sustainable gardening. Hosted next to the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, it’s a great way to dig into local ecology.

New West Symphony “Rachmaninoff & Gershwin”

When: January 24 – January 25

Where: Civic Arts Plaza Theatres | 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks

What: New West Symphony kicks off its season with Rachmaninoff & Gershwin, a stirring concert that celebrates the music that shaped American culture. From Sousa’s iconic marches to Gershwin’s jazz-infused genius, the program honors our nation’s creative spirit and its power to uplift and unite through sound.

Phatback, Earl & Me!

When: January 25

Where: Louie’s | 32001 Agoura Road, Westlake Village

What: Catch Phatback, Earl & Me! live on Sunday, January 25, 2026, for a soulful night of rhythm, blues, groove, and jazzy Southern flair at 7pm. The show is led by iconic drummer Herman Matthews and an all-star band of touring legends. Think featured alumni from Stevie Wonder to Snoop Dogg. Tickets are $25–$40 with a two-drink minimum, and reserved seating is available via the interactive map.

January 21, 2026January 22, 2026

Our Favorite Restaurants of the Month – January 2026 | L.A. Eats

January is the perfect time to discover what’s new and noteworthy on the L.A. dining scene. Whether you’re setting fresh culinary intentions or just looking for an excuse to book a buzzy reservation, these January 2026 restaurants in Los Angeles are the ones we can’t stop talking about. From moody cocktail dens to global comfort food and beautifully charred skewers, this month’s list hits all the right notes.

Vandell

Location: 1966 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027

This sultry Los Feliz newcomer comes courtesy of industry heavyweights Shawn Lickliter and Vay Su. At Vandell, the cocktail list boasts 27 handcrafted options—from a Smoked Tomato mezcal drink to a house gin martini with tarragon vinegar—plus a lineup of market-driven bites like wagyu burgers, steak frites, and dark chocolate mousse. It’s a refined-yet-laidback addition to January 2026 restaurants in Los Angeles.

Wilde’s

Location: 1850 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Steps away from Vandell, Wilde’s brings a bit of Britain to the Boulevard. With meat pies, sausage rolls, and natural wines, the all-day restaurant-bakery hybrid is already a neighborhood favorite. Don’t miss the guinea fowl pot pie or a flaky pastry from the walk-up window.

Paradise Dynasty

Location: 177 Caruso Avenue, Glendale, CA 91204

A showstopper opening in Glendale’s Americana at Brand, Paradise Dynasty dazzles with colorful xiao long bao in eight bold flavors—including black truffle and kimchi. The dumpling-centric menu also includes crispy prawns, pork chop fried rice, and panda-shaped chocolate lava buns. One of the splashiest January 2026 restaurants in Los Angeles, especially for fans of Din Tai Fung.

Le Dräq

Location: 118 West 4th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Josef Centeno returns to form in DTLA with Le Dräq, a mashup of his greatest hits from Bar Amá and Bäco Mercat. The pozole is soulful, the bäco is back, and new dishes like a smoky burger show off Centeno’s continued creativity.

Hojokban

Location: 734 East 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013

From Seoul to L.A., Hojokban lands in the Arts District with a sleek menu of contemporary Korean fare. Highlights include perilla noodles, galbi with a soy lacquer, and rice bowls topped with uni and caviar. Pro tip: pop into the adjacent Café Knotted for a cream-filled donut.

Berenjak

Location: 1000 South Santa Fe Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90021

This Soho House-adjacent import from London brings the heat with sizzling kebabs, soft taftoon bread, and vibrant mezze platters. With cocktails like the saffron carajillo and a stunning open-kitchen setup, Berenjak is one of the most transportive January 2026 restaurants in Los Angeles.

Yi Cha

Location: 5715 North Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Korean gastropub meets L.A. cool at this Highland Park hideaway from chef Debbie Lee. The KFC wings and gamjatang stew hit the spot, while inventive cocktails (like the Jeju Sunrise) make it easy to settle in for round two.

Hermon’s

Location: 5800 Monterey Road, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Tucked into a former church in Northeast L.A., Hermon’s serves chophouse favorites with a California spin. Think steak frites, lasagna vongole, and chile-nduja prawns. The miso-dressed green salad and skillet cookie are must-orders.

January 20, 2026January 19, 2026

January 2026 Los Angeles Art Exhibitions | Out & About

January is shaping up to be one of the most exciting months for Los Angeles art exhibitions in recent memory. Across the city, major museums and contemporary galleries are ushering in the new year. From immersive installations to long‑anticipated museum exhibitions, there is something for everyone. From pop‑culture icons to experimental audiovisual experiences, these exhibitions offer the perfect excuse to start 2026 inspired.

Below are some of the most compelling exhibits opening and running through January and early 2026.

Los Angeles Art Exhibitions at the Grammy Museum: “Selena: From Texas to the World”

The Grammy Museum launches one of the most emotionally resonant Los Angeles art exhibitions of the season with Selena: From Texas to the World. Co‑curated by Selena’s sister Suzette Quintanilla, the exhibition explores the singer’s artistry, personal style, and lasting cultural impact. Visitors can view her Grammy Award, stage‑worn fashion sketches, handwritten designs, and even her lipstick‑marked microphone, many displayed publicly for the first time outside Texas.

This deeply personal exhibition positions Selena not only as a global music figure but as a lasting symbol of empowerment.

Immersive Downtown: “What a Wonderful World: An Audiovisual Poem”

Transforming six floors of the historic Variety Arts Theater, this immersive Los Angeles art exhibition blurs the boundary between visual art and cinema. Drawing from the Julia Stoschek Foundation’s renowned time‑based media collection, the show juxtaposes contemporary video works by Marina Abramović, Arthur Jafa, and Doug Aitken with early cinematic experiments from Walt Disney and Georges Méliès.

The result is a sweeping sensory experience that makes this one of the most ambitious exhibits of early 2026, particularly for fans of experimental and large‑scale installation art.

Community‑Driven Los Angeles Art Exhibitions at Marta Gallery

At Marta Gallery, a special January exhibition marks the one‑year anniversary of the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. Designers and artists have created furniture and sculptural works from reclaimed Altadena wood, transforming remnants of destruction into pieces centered on resilience and remembrance.

Major Los Angeles Art Exhibitions Opening Soon

While January brings strong openings, several highly anticipated art exhibits set to debut in early 2026 are already generating buzz:

The USC Pacific Asia Museum will unveil Mythical Creatures: The Stories We Carry. The exhibit is an immersive exhibition using mythology to explore the immigrant experience.

The Academy Museum begins its year with Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo, featuring original animation materials and interactive environments. LACMA’s Fútbol Is Life will present whimsical sculptural tributes to soccer. Likewise, this is in anticipation of the 2026 World Cup. Of course, this exhibit reinforces how Los Angeles art exhibitions reflect both global culture and local identity.

Why January Is the Perfect Time to Explore Art in the City

With cooler weather, January is one of the best times to dive into Los Angeles art exhibitions. Whichever your preference, the city’s creative institutions are setting a powerful tone for the year ahead. January 2026 offers a citywide invitation to explore, reflect, and reimagine.

January 19, 2026January 19, 2026

Smart Home Upgrades for 2026 | Home Tips

If you’re looking to make your home not only smarter but also more elegant and energy-efficient, 2026 is bringing a new wave of smart home upgrades that blend beautifully with luxury living. Today’s technology doesn’t just make life easier; it enhances your space’s comfort, design, and sustainability. From intuitive thermostats to next-gen security, these smart home upgrades help turn your house into a sanctuary of modern convenience.

Smart Thermostats: The Cornerstone of Smart Home Upgrades

When it comes to smart home upgrades, a learning thermostat is one of the smartest investments. Systems like Ecobee and Nest now analyze your daily habits and local weather conditions to fine-tune your home’s climate. With touchscreen displays and voice controls, these sleek devices complement high-end interiors while saving energy and money. In luxury homes, they’re no longer just functional; they’re part of the design.

Smart Lighting: Stylish Illumination with Intelligent Control

One of the most transformative smart home upgrades is a custom lighting system. With setups like Philips Hue or Lutron Caséta, you can change the mood of a room with a voice command or app. Imagine waking up to gradually brightening lights or dimming the entire house for movie night, all without touching a switch. These systems are as beautiful as they are functional.

Voice Assistants: The Heart of Your Smart Home

Voice assistants are no longer novelty gadgets: they’re now essential components of the modern smart home. Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri serve as command centers for your connected devices. Whether you’re closing blinds, setting the thermostat, or starting your meditation playlist, voice assistants enhance both comfort and control. For high-end homes, integrated speakers offer a discreet yet powerful tech touch.

Advanced Security: A Smarter Way to Stay Safe

Top-tier smart home upgrades also include next-generation security systems. Today’s offerings feature AI-powered cameras, facial recognition, and app-controlled door locks that allow you to monitor and protect your home from anywhere. These systems are built to be sleek and subtle, offering serious protection without clashing with modern design.

Energy Monitoring: Smart and Sustainable Living

In 2026, smart home upgrades are as much about sustainability as convenience. Tools like Sense and Schneider Electric give you real-time insight into your home’s energy usage, helping you reduce waste and improve efficiency. Paired with smart plugs and timers, your home becomes more eco-conscious without sacrificing luxury.

Smart Home, Smarter Living…

As we move further into the digital age, smart home upgrades have become an integral part of efficient, stylish living. Whether you’re planning a full-home tech integration or just starting with a smart thermostat, these 2026 innovations offer endless ways to elevate your space. It’s not just about keeping up; it’s about living smarter, one upgrade at a time.

January 17, 2026January 17, 2026

Economic Update | Week Ending January 17, 2026

Mortgage rates hit their lowest level in one year – Every Thursday, Freddie Mac publishes interest rates based on a survey of mortgage lenders throughout the week. The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as of January 15, 2026 were as follows: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.06%, down from 6.16% last week. The 15-year fixed was 5.38%, down from 5.46% last week.

The graph below shows the trajectory of mortgage rates over the past year.

Consumer prices show inflation levels remained unchanged in December- The December Consumer Price Index (CPI) was released this week. It showed that consumer prices rose 2.7% from one year ago in December. This was slightly higher than analysts expectations of a 2.6% annual increase. Core CPI, which excludes volatile goods like food and energy rose 2.6% on an annualized basis. This was below the 2.7% increase experts forecasted

The graph below shows the CPI rate since 2021

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 49,359.33, down 0.3%from 49,504.07 last week. It is already up 2.7% from 48,063.29 on December 31, 2025. The S&P 500 closed the week at 6,940.01, down 0.4% from 6,966.28 last week. The S&P is up 1.4% from 6,845.50 on December 31, 2025. The Nasdaq closed the week at 23,515.39, down 0.2% from 23,702.88 last week. It is up 1.2% from 23,241.99 on December 31, 2024.

The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 4.24% up from 4.18% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 4.83%, almost unchanged from 4.82% last week. We watch bond yields because mortgage rates follow bond yields.

California existing-home sales – The California Association of Realtors reported that existing-home sales totaled 288,200 on an annualized basis in December, up 2% from a revised 282,490 last December. The statewide median price paid for a home in was $850,680 in December, down 0.4% from $855,680 in November. The statewide median price peaked at $910,160 in April before falling steadily each month to end the year down 7% from its peak. Year-over-year the median price dropped 1.3% from $861,020 on December 31, 2024. California existing-home sales – The California Association of Realtors reported that existing-home sales totaled 288,200 on an annualized basis in December, up 2% from a revised 282,490 last December. The statewide median price paid for a home in was $850,680 in December, down 0.4% from $855,680 in November. The statewide median price peaked at $910,160 in April before falling steadily each month to end the year down 7% from its peak. Year-over-year the median price dropped 1.3% from $861,020 on December 31, 2024.

Have a Great Weekend!

January 15, 2026January 16, 2026

Mortgage Rate Update | January 15, 2026

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.06%, down from 6.16% last week. The 15-year fixed was 5.38%, down from 5.46% last week.

The graph below shows the trajectory of mortgage rates over the past year.

January 15, 2026January 15, 2026

From NBC Sports AI to Google’s Veo 3.1 and More! | Tech News

Stay in sync with what’s happening in the world of tech! From NBC Sports AI to Google’s Veo 3.1 and more, we have you covered on this week’s headlines. Check out what’s happening from across the web below!

YouTube adds teen time limits for Shorts to parental controls

YouTube now lets parents set explicit time limits for kids’ and teens’ Shorts viewing, with presets from 15 minutes up to two hours and an option to set zero minutes soon — kids and teens won’t be able to disable those limits on their end. The feature extends YouTube’s broader effort to classify and restrict under-18 accounts, letting parents also set Bedtime and Take-a-Break reminders and manually choose the account’s age category during signup. It’s a familiar move in platform safety land — aligning YouTube with Instagram and TikTok’s earlier nudges toward under-18 restrictions — and it’s designed to reduce endless scrolling without requiring new hardware or extra apps. For families, the change is straightforward: more parental control over how long Shorts can be a background habit. Expect rollout to be gradual as YouTube tightens age estimation and account classification.

NBC Sports and Nippon TV lean on AI tracking to follow favorite players live

NBC Sports and Nippon Television are piloting AI-driven player tracking that lets viewers follow specific athletes in real time. Offering personalized camera feeds and mobile experiences, the NBC Sports tracking spotlights chosen players’ motion and statistics. The NBC Sports system combines computer vision and telemetry to identify and isolate athletes on the field. Likewise, this delivers view layers that can show replays, positional overlays, and player-centric angles. The new development from NBC Sports is great for fans who want a single-player focus. For rights holders and broadcasters, the tech opens new engagement windows and targeted ad opportunities. The approach by NBC Sports also highlights how augmented broadcast tooling can make linear sports feel more like a choose-your-own-camera experience. Privacy and data-use guardrails will matter as broadcasters refine how much personal tracking and derived metadata live inside viewer apps.

Fujifilm’s Instax Mini Evo Cinema Link Plus blends instant prints with cinema tricks

Fujifilm updated its Instax Mini Evo line with the Cinema Link Plus, a printer and companion workflow that leans into short video and cinematic stills — letting users pull clips, capture high-speed moments, and pair them with Instax prints for tactile keepsakes. The product keeps the charm of instant film while adding features aimed at creators who want shareable physical artifacts from their mobile video moments. It’s a reminder that analog formats still have cultural value when married to clever digital features that boost storytelling and shareability. For creators who love tangible content, the Evo Cinema Link Plus is a neat bridge between moving images and printed nostalgia. Pricing and availability put it squarely in the impulse-buy/gift category for makers who want to mix analog and digital play.

Google’s Veo 3.1 makes vertical AI videos out of portrait images

Google updated Veo to version 3.1, expanding its AI “video ingredients” toolkit to convert portrait photos into vertical, scroll-ready video clips and to provide creators with faster, more native outputs for short-form platforms. The update improves framing, motion synthesis, and audio-linked transitions so a still portrait can become a dynamic, mobile-ready clip without heavy manual editing. For social creators and publishers, it cuts production time by turning existing image assets into vertical-first content that fits modern discovery surfaces. As platforms prioritize short vertical formats, Veo’s enhancements underscore how image→video pipelines will be a central productivity lever for small teams and solo creators. Expect iterative quality improvements as Google refines motion realism and context preservation.

Apple’s Creator Studio apps aim to compete with Adobe for in-house creatives

Apple debuted a Creator Studio suite — apps and subscription tooling that help creators edit photos and videos, design assets, and publish across Apple platforms — positioning itself as a more integrated alternative to third-party suites like Adobe’s. The apps are built to take advantage of on-device silicon and Apple’s media frameworks, promising smooth performance and tight OS integration for iPhone, iPad, and Mac workflows. Apple pitches the suite as a simpler, cohesive home for creators who want fewer app handoffs and native optimization rather than plugin-driven workflows. For pro teams, the new tools won’t replace high-end packages overnight, but for many creators, the convenience of a unified Apple stack could be enough to justify a subscription. Watch how Adobe responds and whether the ecosystem shift nudges creators toward Apple’s vertical convenience.

Anker’s new whole-home backup system scales portable power into true home redundancy

Anker revealed a whole-home backup system that links modular battery units with power distribution so households can run essential circuits during outages without paying enterprise prices for full home batteries. The system is designed for easier installation and scalability — add modules to increase capacity and route critical loads through a simple interface — making emergency power more accessible to renters and homeowners who need temporary resilience. For people prepping for storms or relying on at-home healthcare devices, this lowers the barrier to dependable backup power without major remodeling. The tradeoffs remain cost, space, and the need for safe electrical installation, but as portable energy tech matures, product-fit and service integration get closer to mainstream adoption. Expect these systems to appeal to the growing market of pragmatic resilience buyers rather than luxury off-grid enthusiasts.