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Spring Surge or Steady Steps? April 2025 Market Trends on the Central Coast

Hello! Thanks for tuning in to this month’s newsletter. Our goal is to bring you valuable real estate content and local updates, so we hope you enjoy it. 

We would also love to hear from you! Let us know what type of content you’d like to see more of in next month’s newsletter!

People are wondering how real estate has done in the midst of all of the chaos in the markets and the conversation around tariffs. Let’s take a look at what the data is showing us.

Please reach out to us with any questions, comments, or concerns–we are here to serve you!

What even is a tariff? 

A tariff is a tax on goods coming in from other countries. Therefore, the cost of goods that are imported goes up. This means that if those goods are going into the production of housing, the cost of the housing is going to go up. How much of the supplies used building homes in America even come from other countries, you may ask?30% of US Lumber comes from Canada – US News ReportGypsum, a key component in drywall, plaster, and cement is primarily imported from China, Canada, and Mexico Steel and aluminum primarily come from ChinaAppliances & Hardwood Floors – largely made in ChinaIf tariffs go into effect, then the cost of these goods will go up by those amounts. That cost will get passed onto the consumer and be reflected in the sales price of new construction. Builders will naturally pivot to find lower cost goods, which may be manufactured in America or from another trade partner.

The bottom line result is that construction will become more costly, which will make homes more expensive. On average, the experts are saying the cost of a new construction home will go up by about $10,000. The median home price in the US is currently $420,000, so that would be a 2.4% increase. SLO County’s median home price is $925,000 which would equate to an increase of $22,200.

What will happen to real estate values if we enter a recession? 

Recessions are tough. People lose jobs due to downsizing, there is less economic productivity, and this can cause financial strain which can lead to foreclosure or people needing to sell their property. What would the impact of this be on home prices? The infographic below shows periods of recession as gray bars. 





As you can see, real estate has performed well historically over the last several decades of recessions. Values only declined in the 1990 and 2008 recessions. This indicates that overall, real estate is still a very safe asset to park your money. Can you imagine that the median sales price for a home in the US was only $23,000 in Q3 of 1970? What do you think it will be in the next 50 years?

If the stock market goes down, does that mean real estate values are going to go down? 

According to Realtor.com, there has been an uptick in wealthy people pulling their money from the stock market and investing it in a more stable asset like real estate.

In fact, luxury real estate (sales over $1,000,000) has been doing extremely well recently and has actually become an increasingly larger segment of the total market. 

Another component of real estate that we love is that owning a home and making a mortgage payment is like having a piggy bank. It forces you to put money into savings every single month. As you pay down that loan, a portion of that payment goes to principal. Although a portion does go to interest, that is tax-deductible, so that money isn’t totally wasted. 

For these reasons, owning a home and making a mortgage payment is a very sound investment. You have to pay to live somewhere, and if you’re making that payment on your primary residence, it feels good to know that you have been building up some equity. That equity can be used as your nest egg for retirement, achieving some of your dreams, or be left to your heirs in your estate. This can significantly bless your children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and your loved ones!



Should I sell my house now since it is spring?
When is the best time of the year to sell your house? The best answer is: when you’re ready. However, the data seems to indicate that listing in the second half of April is actually a fantastic time to list. Here are some of the factors that can help your listing sell faster in the spring:

Financial House In Order
Most people just finished filing taxes, and they now know where they stand financially. It’s the perfect time for buyers to get pre-approved to understand their purchasing power.

More Buyers Are Out Shopping
As the weather warms up, so does buyer motivation. Families want to move before the next school year, and people are out actively house hunting. Summer is one of the busiest times of the year in real estate, so there is typically an increase of home sales.

Less Competition
Many sellers wait until summer, which means listing now puts you ahead of the crowd. With fewer homes on the market, your listing stands out.

Homes Sell Faster—and for More
Historically, homes listed in April sell faster and often for a higher price than those listed later in the year. It’s the perfect mix of strong demand and limited supply.

Your Home Looks Its Best
Spring blooms, fresh landscaping, and more daylight make your home shine—a beautiful first impression means better offers.What makes a community truly special? In this episode, we explore the heart of San Luis Obispo through the lens of Dream Makers SLO, an extraordinary local nonprofit. Founder and director, Dr. Ronda Beaman, joins us to dive into the organization’s mission of fulfilling lifelong dreams for terminally ill adults.

Coming Soon
4 bed 2 bath fixer house in West Paso – $600,000

Active
295 San Fernando Dr, Paso Robles – $525,000
413 Olive Dr, Paso Robles – $729,000
10097 Atascadero Ave, Atascadero – $819,000
1981 Green St, Cambria – $1,100,000
529 S Pine St, Santa Maria – $5,700,000

Just Sold
813 Valley Road, Arroyo Grande – $500,000
1757 Baden Ave, Grover Beach – $820,000
8545 Rocky Canyon Rd, Atascadero – $873,000



The Schwaegerle Team donates 2.5% of all transactions to Dream Makers. Thank you for helping make dreams come true for terminally-ill adults in SLO County!

Let’s Be Social

Thanks so much for reading our newsletter. We want to hear from you! Please let us know how we can support you on your real estate journey. Whether you just purchased a new home, want to explore home-buying options, are curious about what your property might be worth, or just want to know more about the market, please reach out! 

@theschwaegerleteam
@your.realtor.slo
@kylereis70

You can also follow us on YouTube and Facebook for more updates throughout the month.
Copyright © 2025 The Schwaegerle Team with Keller Williams Realty Central Coast, All rights reserved.

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Written by Owen & Camille Schwaegerle on . Posted in Local Events, Real Estate News, Real Estate Tips, The Happy House Hacking Podcast, Uncategorized
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