San Diego Coastal Holiday Real Estate Market Update: Prices, Inventory And Tips

​​​​​​​Snapshot Of The San Diego Coastal Market Right Now

Here is where things stand in our coastal neighborhoods based on the most recent data in the video.

Median home prices

• Detached homes: Median price is about $1,525,000 in San Diego coastal neighborhoods.
  Over the last 12 months that number has bounced up and down, but when you zoom out and compare it to November of last year, we are essentially right back where we started.

• Condos and townhomes: Median price is around $780,000.
  Same story here. Prices have moved around throughout the year, but we are sitting at roughly the same level as this time last year.

In other words, despite a lot of noise during the year, coastal prices have held their ground.

Inventory

We have seen a seasonally expected reduction in inventory over the last couple of months.

• A few months back, inventory topped out at around 2,000 active units.

• Right now we are closer to 1,500 active units.

That is pretty typical for this time of year as some sellers decide to pause during the holidays.

Days on market

• Average days on market is holding steady in the 40 to 42 day range.

Keep in mind that is an average. Well priced and well positioned homes are still selling quickly.

• The best listings are often going under contract in one to two weeks.

If you see something you love and it is priced right, this is not the time to wait around. Get after it.

List to close percentage

• The percentage of ask to close is holding steady at around 96 percent.

That tells us that sellers are still getting close to their asking price when they price correctly, but there is also some room for negotiation, especially where a home has been sitting or is not positioned well.

Interest rates

• Interest rates in the video are in the low sixes, with conventional rates around 6.3 percent.

For a lot of buyers, that is a workable range, especially when you combine it with negotiation on price or credits to help with closing costs or a temporary rate buydown.

Holiday Mistake To Avoid For Sellers

If you are selling during the holidays, here is the big mistake to avoid:

Do not stay on the market if you cannot keep your home available for showings and in show ready condition.

I completely understand that this is a busy time of year. You might have travel plans, kids home from school, guests in town, or holiday events stacked on your calendar.

The problem is that your days on market are always counting. If your home is sitting on the MLS, but:

• It is hard to schedule showings

• It does not look its best when people do get in

• You are constantly saying “not today” or “this weekend won’t work”

Then that time is working against you.

Buyers and agents watch days on market very closely. The longer a property sits, the more they assume something is wrong or that you are getting desperate. That often leads to more aggressive offers or buyers skipping your home altogether.

You really have two good options:

1. Fall back and regroup
   Take the home off the market or hold off on listing until you can give it the attention it deserves. Use the time to make small improvements, declutter, or get professional photos and prep dialed in.

2. Press the attack
   If you are going to be on the market, lean in fully. Keep the home show ready, allow flexible showing times, and stay responsive. Holiday buyers who are out looking are often serious and motivated. Meet them where they are.

What you do not want is to get stuck in the middle. Half on the market and half checked out is a strategy that almost always hurts your outcome.

Holiday Mistake To Avoid For Buyers

On the buyer side, the biggest mistake I see during the holidays is:

Stepping out of the search just because you are busy with the holidays.

A lot of buyers say some version of, “I will just pick things back up in January” or “We will get serious again in spring.”

Here is what happens when you stay in the game instead:

• You are typically talking to more motivated sellers.

• You are competing with fewer buyers, because many have tapped out for the season.

• You might see better terms or more flexibility from sellers who want to get a deal done before year end or before their own life changes kick in.

You do not have to spend every weekend touring homes, but staying engaged, watching the market, and being ready to act when the right property pops up can put you in a much better position than waiting for “the perfect time” along with everyone else.

Every Neighborhood And Every Goal Is Different

These are broad trends across San Diego’s coastal neighborhoods, but:

• Every neighborhood is different

• Every home is different

• And most importantly, your goals are specific to you

Timing, price, strategy, and negotiation all depend on your situation. Whether you want to buy, sell, or simply understand your options, I am happy to walk through what makes the most sense for you.

If you are thinking about a move, let’s talk about how to make 2026 the year you accomplish your real estate goals along the San Diego coast.

Reach out any time, and if you have not watched the full video yet, hit play to see the breakdown and commentary that goes along with these numbers.