California’s Housing Shift: One in Five Buyers Now Skip the Traditional Mortgage

In a striking sign of California’s evolving real estate landscape, new data reveals a significant departure from the conventional 30-year mortgage. Across the state, approximately one in five home purchases are now made entirely in cash, a trend particularly pronounced in high-cost markets like Los Angeles. This move away from financing is reshaping competition, often sidelining first-time buyers and fueling rapid sales in coveted neighborhoods from Silver Lake to Pacific Palisades.

Meanwhile, retail giant Target is making a fresh play for Angeleno families. The company is launching small-format “baby boutiques” within select stores, a pilot program testing curated selections of premium infant and toddler products. The strategy aims to capture a slice of the lucrative parenting market by offering convenience and specialized brands, challenging local independent baby stores across Southern California.

On the consumer safety front, a statewide food recall has been issued for several prepared salad kits sold under multiple brand names due to potential Listeria contamination. Health officials urge Los Angeles residents to check their refrigerators for affected products, which were distributed to major grocery chains including Ralphs, Albertsons, and Vons.

And for a sweeter note, a popular Los Angeles-based ice cream chain is celebrating its anniversary by offering free single scoops at all its locations this Saturday from noon until 3 p.m. The giveaway, expected to draw long lines at shops from Venice to Pasadena, is a classic California business tactic blending generous marketing with community celebration.