Rolling 12-Month Performance
The North County San Diego housing market continues to hold steady. Over the past 12 months, the median sales price reached $1,175,000, up 2.5%, and homes took an average of 35 days to sell, three days longer than the year before. New listings declined 7.7%, but closed sales rose 4.0%. September on its own showed a sharper shift: only 1,651 single-family homes were for sale at the end of the month, down nearly 35% from a year ago. Compared with San Diego County as a whole, North County sales grew faster over the past year (4.0% versus 0.4%), though homes here took a few more days to sell (35 versus 31). Together, these numbers describe a stable market where supply is tightening and buyers are still active, but careful about what they buy and what they pay.
What It Means for Sellers
Fewer competing listings and steady price growth are good news for sellers. They don’t guarantee a quick sale at any price, though. On average, September sellers received 98.7% of their final list price but only 96.8% of their original list price. That gap reflects homes that started too high and needed a price reduction before they sold. The first price, and how ready the home is on day one, still decide most of the outcome.
The first few days of a listing matter most. Buyers who have been waiting for the right home see it right away, and their response tells you whether the price and presentation are working. My article on what actually happens in the first week after your home hits the market walks through how pricing, preparation, and early buyer activity shape the rest of the sale.
What It Means for Buyers
Buyers face fewer choices than they did a year ago. New listings over the past 12 months declined 7.7%, and the number of homes for sale in September dropped sharply. The pace is still a little slower, with homes averaging 35 days on the market, which gives buyers time to compare properties. Well-priced, well-prepared homes still draw strong interest, but buyers may have more room to negotiate on a home that has been sitting or needs work.
When a home lingers, the original price is often the reason. Understanding how a home was priced helps you judge whether the current asking price is now realistic or still has room to come down. My article on 3 mistakes agents make when pricing a home explains how experienced agents set value, which can help you read a listing’s history before you make an offer.
Key Market Stats
North County San Diego
Median Sales Price: $1,175,000 (+2.5%)
New Listings: 10,816 (-7.7%)
Days on Market: 35 (+3 days)
Sold Homes: 7,816 (+4.0%)
San Diego County
Median Sales Price: $1,054,000 (+3.1%)
New Listings: 22,971 (-7.7%)
Days on Market: 31 (+1 day)
Sold Homes: 16,108 (+0.4%)
Final Thoughts
September’s data continues the story of stability. Home values are holding up, sales over the past year are slightly stronger, and the number of homes for sale has tightened noticeably. Homes are still taking a little longer to sell than last year, which gives buyers time to weigh their options.
For sellers, success still comes down to getting the price, preparation, and presentation right from the start. For buyers, fewer listings mean good homes still draw competition, but a slower pace can open doors on properties that have been overlooked, as long as you know why they’ve been sitting. If you’re wondering what the September 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.
