San Diego's Housing Market Mimics Our Weather: Buyer Demand Warms (11%) as New Listings Chill (15%)

by Matt O'Brien

San Diego's Housing Market Mimics Our Weather: Buyer Demand Warms (▲11%) as New Listings Chill (▼15%)

San Diego Housing Market Update – Week Ending October 19, 2025

San Diego real estate market update split screen with warm and cool horizons and a palm tree, showing buyer demand warming as listings chill. — This week's data shows a split market, much like San Diego's "warm days, cool nights" autumn weather.

This week, the San Diego housing market is telling two completely different stories. For detached homes, we're seeing a classic supply-and-demand squeeze in real-time: fewer sellers listed their homes (New Listings ▼15%) just as a wave of buyers jumped in (Pending Sales ▲11%).

At the same time, the sales that closed this week (reflecting deals made 3-6 weeks ago) showed a significant 8.7% jump in the median price.

But for attached homes, the story is the opposite. Inventory is up a massive 24% from last year, and with demand taking a breather, buyers are suddenly finding they have more options and leverage.

Let's dive into the numbers and what this split means for you.

🏠 DETACHED HOMES – Week Ending 10/19/25

San Diego detached homes market stats for the week ending Oct 19, 2025. New listings were 308, pending sales were 277, and median sold price was $1,065,000. Chart analysis by Matt O'Brien.

Data for San Diego County detached single-family homes. Source: SDMLS | Analysis by Matt O'Brien, Realtor.

The big story for detached homes is the current squeeze. We saw a significant 15% drop in new listings compared to the week before. Normally, this might cool things down, but buyers did the exact opposite, pushing 11% more homes into escrow than last week. This tells me that motivated buyers are out in force right now, competing for a shrinking pool of new properties.

Separately, the sales that closed this week tell us the story of the market from a month or so ago. The median sold price jumped to $1,065,000, an 8.7% increase from the previous week's $980,000. This shows that the market had strong upward pressure back in September, and this week's 11% pending sales spike suggests that price strength is likely to continue in the deals closing this November and December.

🏢 ATTACHED HOMES (Condos/Townhomes) – Week Ending 10/19/25

San Diego attached homes (condos/townhomes) market stats for the week ending Oct 19, 2025. New listings were 228, pending sales were 144, and active inventory was 2,449. Chart analysis by Matt O'Brien.

Data for San Diego County attached homes (condos/townhomes). Source: SDMLS | Analysis by Matt O'Brien, Realtor.

If you're a buyer frustrated by the detached market, the attached market is your breath of fresh air. The most dramatic number here is the Active Inventory: it's up 24% compared to this same week last year. This is a significant shift, giving condo and townhome buyers the one thing they haven't had in years: choice.

With more homes to choose from, demand cooled off this week. Pending sales dropped 16%. This combination of soaring inventory and slowing demand pushed the 'Weeks of Inventory' up to 20 weeks (compared to just 8 weeks last year). Prices are reflecting this new balance; the median sold price of $676,500 is essentially flat, down less than 1% from both last week and last year. This is a stable, rational market where buyers can finally negotiate.

💡 What This Means for You

For Buyers 🛒

This is a "choose your own adventure" market. If you're looking for a detached home, be prepared for competition on new, well-priced listings. That 11% jump in pendings is real. Get your pre-approval locked in. If you're looking at condos, you have the advantage. That 24% jump in inventory is your negotiating power. Take your time, see a few properties, and don't be afraid to write an offer that makes sense for you.

For Sellers 💰

Your strategy depends entirely on your property type. If you're selling a detached home, this is a fantastic window. Low new listings and high buyer activity are on your side. Price it correctly, and you'll attract strong offers. If you're selling a condo, you have more competition than at any point last year. Your home must shine in photos and be priced sharply to stand out from the 24% increase in other listings.

The Mortgage Rate Check-In 📈

I'm also keeping a close eye on the national picture. Mortgage rates are holding in the low-6% range. Bankrate reported the 30-year fixed average at 6.33% as of today, October 21st. Forecasters, like those at the Mortgage Bankers Association, are now suggesting rates may stay above 6% for a while. This stability seems to be what's giving buyers the confidence to act, deciding that waiting for a significant drop isn't a winning strategy.

📞 Ready to Make Your Move?

The data is one thing; your personal situation is another. These numbers show opportunities and challenges on both sides of the market. The key is to have a strategy that fits your specific goals.

If you're thinking about buying or selling, or just want to understand what your home is worth in this evolving market, I'm here to help. I'm not a "closer," I'm a consultant. My job is to give you the data and guidance you need to make a smart, confident decision.

Call or text me at 619-302-3010 or email me at Matt@HomeCrave.com.