Is Bakersfield still affordable for home buyers heading into 2026? In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, we break down what affordability really looks like right now and what buyers, sellers, and renters should be paying attention to this year.

Laurie McCarty digs into the latest housing data, including a new Realtor.com report ranking California markets by affordability, and explains where Bakersfield stands compared to the rest of the state. The conversation also covers interest rates, Federal Reserve leadership changes, and how potential rate shifts could impact monthly payments and buyer confidence in the months ahead.

This episode also features the monthly Open House, Open Mic special, highlighting some of the top open houses happening across Kern County and hearing directly from the agents hosting them. Plus, we explore rental trends, including short-term rentals, luxury apartment demand, and what new developments like Greyhound Flats say about how people want to live in Bakersfield.

Whether you’re thinking about buying, selling, investing, or just trying to understand where the market is headed, this episode offers real insight, local perspective, and practical context for navigating the 2026 housing market.