Living in Hemet

Hemet anchors the San Jacinto Valley in the eastern part of Riverside County, paired with the city of San Jacinto next door. Diamond Valley Lake sits just southwest of town. It’s one of the larger and more established cities in the area, with a broad range of housing ages and a significant 55-plus population.

Hemet is the most affordable of the region’s larger markets: the bulk of inventory is three-bedroom homes under $450K, and it carries more entry-level and manufactured-home stock than most cities here. At this price point, condition matters: buyers have limited room for repairs after closing.

The city fits budget-conscious and first-time buyers, and retirees drawn to the age-restricted communities. The honest trade-offs are distance from coastal job centers and summer heat.

The market right now

Hemet is one of the most affordable and one of the busiest markets in the area, with well over a thousand closed sales a year. Prices have softened slightly over the past year rather than moved sharply. High volume at a low price point means a lot of first-time and budget-conscious buyers, and a lot of comparable sales to price against, so the market is fairly efficient. For a seller, condition matters more than most places: buyers at this price have limited room for repairs after closing, so a home that shows well and is priced to the comps sells; one that needs work sits until the price reflects it.

Hemet is home to several 55+ communities, including Four Seasons and Seven Hills: see our guide to 55+ communities in the area.