Summary: Home sales in Riverside County are slower than last year, and mortgage rates have eased to their lowest level since late September. That leaves many Murrieta and Temecula homeowners asking: should I sell, or stay and improve? Here is a simple way to think it through.
What the market is telling us
Selling a home in our area is slower than it was a year ago. In September, the number of homes sold in Riverside County was down about 13% from the year before, according to the California Association of Realtors. The typical price was about $620,000. That is about the same as last year.
Mortgage rates have eased. Mortgage News Daily says they are at their lowest level since late September. They also held steady after a strong jobs report in early November, which surprised many people. I would not call this a trend. Rates go up and down. But it is a good time to look at your options with fresh eyes.
When selling makes sense
Selling can be the right call. Maybe your family is growing. Maybe you are moving for work, or to be near family. Those are real reasons, and they matter more than any chart.
If you sell, you may be buying again. We can help with that, too. See our home buying page.
In a slower market, a home may sit longer. That is not a failure. It is just information.
When staying and improving makes sense
Many people bought when rates were lower. That low rate on your first mortgage is worth a lot. If you sell, you may give it up.
Here is another path. Stay in the home you love, and use some of your equity to improve it.
What is equity? It is the part of your home you own. Take what your home is worth. Subtract what you still owe. What is left is your equity.
Some owners borrow against equity with a home equity line of credit, or HELOC. That is a line of credit backed by your home. People use it for a new roof, a kitchen, or a pool. You can read more on our home equity page.
Borrowing is a real choice. So we start with a written plan. What would you borrow? What is it for? How would you pay it back? No pressure. Just a clear picture.
Watch the costs that eat your budget
Many families feel squeezed. Gas has eased from where it was in October, but AAA shows it is still much higher than a year ago. Credit card interest is also very high, according to the Federal Reserve.
If card balances are heavy, using equity to combine them into one payment may help some families free up cash each month. It does not fit everyone. The key is a payoff plan, and keeping the cards at zero afterward.
The Federal Reserve also meets again in December. No one can say what it will do. A fixed, written plan is a calm way to handle that.
Four questions to ask yourself
What is my home worth today?
What do I still owe?
What other debts do I have, and what do they cost each month?
What do I want in the next one to three years?
Put your answers on one page. The right path often shows up.
What this means for you
Slow sales do not mean you are stuck.
Selling and staying are both fair choices. It depends on your goals.
Your low first mortgage is worth protecting. Think before you give it up.
Know your equity. A yearly checkup is like a doctor visit for your money.
Fresh numbers beat guessing, no matter what rates do this week.
Frequently asked questions
Should I wait for rates to drop before I sell?
No one can predict rates. It is usually better to decide based on your life and your goals, then check your numbers.
What is a HELOC?
It is a line of credit backed by your home. You borrow only what you need, up to a limit. We can walk you through how it works.
How do I find my equity?
Start with your home's value, then subtract what you owe. We can run the numbers with you for free.
Ready for a clear picture?
Book a free Discovery Call or take the free Financial Health Scorecard. Either way, you will leave with simple next steps and no pressure.
And if selling or buying is part of your plan, meet the Temecula and Murrieta real estate agents we trust.
Sources: California Association of Realtors, Sept 2026 sales · Mortgage News Daily · AAA · Federal Reserve G.19 · BLS jobs report
Stephen Chakerian, NMLS #2193331. Barrett Financial Group, L.L.C., NMLS #181106. Equal Housing Opportunity. For education only; not a commitment to lend.
