I
n Southern California, the real estate landscape was dominated by heated debates in 2024. One of the most talked-about issues was the battle over commissions, with many agents and brokers pushing for changes to the traditional fee structure.

    Another major theme was affordability, as rising housing costs continued to squeeze out would-be buyers. Luxury homes, meanwhile, remained a hot commodity, with high-end properties selling at record prices in some areas.

    A unique story emerged from Trabuco Canyon, where Kevin Heerdt is trying to find a new home for his father's unfinished boat, the Vision. The 1978 vessel has been stored on the family's 4-acre property for over a decade and a half, awaiting completion or a new owner willing to take it off their hands.

    These stories and others highlighted the complexities and contradictions of Southern California's real estate market in 2024.