What’s Really Happening in the San Diego Housing Market? | April 2026 Market Update

The San Diego housing market continues to evolve, and the April 2026 numbers are telling a very interesting story.

While many buyers and sellers have been waiting for a major market shift, the latest San Diego County MLS data shows something much more nuanced: buyer activity is increasing again, inventory for detached homes has tightened significantly, and prices are still climbing in many areas despite ongoing affordability challenges.

So… is the market slowing down? Stabilizing? Heating back up?

The answer is: it depends on the segment, but overall, San Diego remains surprisingly resilient, especially when compared to markets across the U.S.

Buyer Demand Is Picking Back Up

One of the most important indicators in any housing market is pending sales because they show what buyers are doing right now, not what happened 30 to 60 days ago.

In April 2026:

• Detached pending sales increased 6.7%
• Attached pending sales jumped 13.8%

That tells us buyers are re-engaging with the market, especially in the condo and townhome sector where affordability matters more. This is great news because the condo market has been super tough these last 12 months or so.

Many buyers who paused during the uncertainty of the past year are beginning to realize that waiting for dramatically lower interest rates may not be realistic. Instead, we’re seeing cautious confidence return to the market.

Inventory Tightened Again for Single-Family Homes

Perhaps the biggest surprise in this month’s report was inventory. Detached inventory dropped more than 22% year-over-year, while new detached listings were down nearly 15%.

This reinforces a trend we’ve been watching closely throughout San Diego County: many homeowners still do not want to give up their historically low mortgage rates, which continues to limit supply. And when inventory stays constrained in a high-demand market like San Diego, pricing tends to remain supported.

In other words: we still have a supply problem, just not the same kind of frenzy we experienced during the pandemic market.

San Diego Home Prices Continue to Rise

Despite affordability challenges, prices are still moving upward.

The median detached home price reached $1.1 million in April 2026, up 2.3% year-over-year.

Countywide, the overall median price increased to approximately $925,500.

That said, we are no longer seeing the explosive appreciation rates of previous years. Today’s market is more balanced and far more strategic. Proper pricing really, really matters.

Homes that are overpriced are sitting longer, while well-prepared and properly positioned homes are still attracting strong activity and competitive offers. Check out this case study to see how our Confident Move Method works.

Homes Are Taking Longer to Sell

The market has clearly normalized compared to the ultra-fast pace of 2021 and early 2022.

In April:

• Detached homes averaged 35 days on market
• Attached homes averaged 41 days on market

However, sellers are still receiving very close to asking price, with detached homes averaging nearly 99% of original list price received. Not for nothing, but my average market time so far for 2026 is just 17 days on market, which is outperforming the overall San Diego market by 51%! That means my sellers' listings are selling in about half the time of other agents' listings. My sold-price to list-price-ratio is at 100% so far this year, which is also out-performing the overall market. 

What This Means for Buyers and Sellers

For buyers:
You likely have more breathing room than you did a few years ago, but competition still exists for the best homes in the best neighborhoods. We had 12 offers on our last listing; the competition was fierce.

For sellers:
Presentation, preparation, and pricing strategy matter more than ever (I know, I sound like a broken record). The homes that perform best are typically the ones where the planning and positioning happen before the property ever hits the market.

Final Thoughts

Overall, San Diego remains one of the strongest long-term housing markets in the country because demand continues to outpace supply. We are seeing a healthier and more balanced market, nothing anywhere near a collapse.

If you’re considering buying or selling in San Diego and want advice tailored to your situation, feel free to reach out.