North County Market Update - July 2026

Rolling 12-Month Performance

The North County San Diego housing market continues to show steady home price appreciation, even as fewer homes are coming to market. Median sales prices are up from a year ago, while new listings have declined and homes are taking slightly longer to sell. At the same time, closed sales are up, particularly in North County. That combination tells us buyers are still active, but they're being more selective about which homes they pursue and what they're willing to pay.

What it Means for Sellers

For sellers, the July numbers are encouraging, but they also reinforce an important distinction: rising home values don't necessarily mean every home will sell quickly or at any price. North County's median sales price is now $1,165,000, up 1.4% year over year, while sold homes are up 6.6%. Buyers are clearly participating in the market, but with homes taking an average of five days longer to sell than they did a year ago, pricing and presentation matter. This is why some homes can struggle to sell even when the broader market looks strong. I recently wrote about why some homes don't sell (even in a strong market), and July's numbers are a good reminder that buyers respond to the individual home—not just the market around it.

What it Means for Buyers

Buyers still face a market with fewer new listings than a year ago, but the pace offers a little more room to make thoughtful decisions. In North County, new listings are down 7.4%, while homes are taking an average of 35 days to sell. That doesn't necessarily mean there's less competition for the best homes. Properties that are well-priced, well-presented, and desirable for their location can still attract strong interest. But buyers may have more opportunity to evaluate homes carefully, compare options, and recognize when a property's asking price doesn't align with the market. Understanding how a home is priced can be especially helpful before making an offer. My post on 3 mistakes agents make when pricing a home (and how smart pricing strategies actually work) explains some of the strategy behind a list price and why it isn't always the same thing as a home's market value.

Key Market Stats

North County San Diego‍ ‍

• Median Sales Price:$1,165,000 (+1.4%)

• New Listings:10,945 (-7.4%)

• Days on Market:35 (+5 days)

• Sold Homes:7,907 (+6.6%)

San Diego County‍ ‍

• Median Sales Price:$1,050,000 (+2.4%)

• New Listings:23,070 (-8.3%)

• Days on Market:31 (+3 days)

• Sold Homes:16,364 (+3.0%)

Final Thought

July's housing market data doesn't point to a dramatic shift. Instead, it shows a market where home values remain resilient, buyers are active, and fewer new listings continue to limit available inventory. For sellers, that means there is still opportunity—but strategy matters. For buyers, a slightly slower pace can create more room to evaluate a home and make a well-informed decision. In both cases, the details of the property, neighborhood, price point, and competition matter far more than a broad headline about the San Diego housing market. If you're wondering what the July 2026 North County San Diego real estate market means for your home's value or your plans to buy or sell, I'm always happy to help. If you’d like more practical advice for navigating the San Diego real estate market, visit my blog here.