This Week’s Market Minute – Inland Empire
February 16, 2026
Here’s What’s Happening
Inland Empire defying state trends with new housing growth
Rental supply expanding with 4,000 new units projected
Buyers weighing new build incentives against resale homes
Agent Script
Builders are reshaping the Inland Empire — and it’s changing the options for buyers, sellers, and renters.
As of July, Riverside and San Bernardino counties issued about 1,007 new housing permits. While California overall is building at the slowest pace in more than a decade, the Inland Empire is still adding supply.
In Riverside, new single-family communities are going up in French Valley and Highgrove, while cities like Chino and Fontana are delivering thousands of new rental apartments.
This means buyers aren’t just looking at resale homes anymore — they’re weighing new builds with incentives. Renters suddenly have more options too, though with permitting slowing, today’s construction may not keep up with future demand.
If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or renting in the Inland Empire, now’s the time to look closely at your options. Reach out and I’ll help you compare resale homes, new builds, and rentals so you can make the move that fits best.
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Subject Line:
Resale homes now competing with new builds
Body:
Hi [First Name],
Builders are reshaping the Inland Empire — not just with homes for sale, but with new rentals too.
In July, Riverside and San Bernardino counties issued about 1,007 new housing permits. While California overall is building at the slowest pace in more than a decade, the Inland Empire continues to grow. Lennar, KB Home, and Pulte are adding single-family communities in places like French Valley and Highgrove, while cities like Chino and Fontana are delivering thousands of new apartments.
What this means for you:
Buyers: New builds with incentives may compete with resale homes.
Sellers: Staging and competitive pricing are critical when buyers are comparing your home against brand-new inventory.
Renters: More apartments are coming online, but slower permitting could mean supply won’t keep up long-term.
Curious how these trends affect your next move? Reply to this email — I’ll help you break it down.
📊 The Inland Empire Housing Report: Latest Update
If you think you’re seeing more construction trucks than usual, you’re right.
We are tracking a major divergence from the rest of the state. While California’s overall building pace has hit an 11-year low, the Inland Empire is defying the trend. In July alone, over 1,000 new housing permits were issued across Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
The key takeaway? Supply is actually growing here. With nearly 4,000 new rental units also coming to cities like Chino and Fontana, buyers and renters have more options to weigh resale homes against new builds with aggressive incentives.
Check the chart above to see the permitting trend this year. 👇
Have questions about new build incentives in your area? Drop a comment below or send me a message.
— 👤 [Your Name] 🪪 DRE # [Insert Number] 🏡 [Brokerage Name]
#InlandEmpireRealEstate #RiversideRealEstate #NewConstruction #MarketUpdate #IERealEstate
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