In March 2026, the San Diego County real estate market is characterized by severely constrained inventory, particularly for detached homes, which has driven prices higher despite active, but cautious, buyer demand. The median detached home price reached approximately $1.1 million, a ~2.4% year-over-year increase, while total inventory dropped 11.2%.
Market Dynamics (March 2026)
- Inventory Crisis: Total active listings dropped to 4,882, a 11.2% year-over-year decrease. Single-family home inventory plunged 21.5%.
- Prices: The median sale price for detached homes increased 2.4% year-over-year to $1,100,000. Conversely, the attached market (condos/townhomes) saw inventory rise by 3.2%, creating a more balanced market with lower median prices at $670,000 in some reports.
- Speed: Homes are selling quickly, with an average of 33 days on the market, indicating high competition for well-priced, turnkey properties.
- Demand: Closed sales grew 6.8% year-over-year, and pending sales rose 1.3%, showing robust demand for the spring season.
- Market Type: With only 2.0 months of supply for detached homes, the market remains a strong seller's market.
Key Takeaways
- For Sellers: High competition and low inventory mean strong pricing power, particularly for detached homes.
- For Buyers: The market is challenging due to low options; however, condos and townhomes offer more balanced options, with prices dropping 1.1% in that sector.
- Outlook: The market is characterized as "catching its breath" rather than cooling off, with steady demand expected into April
