Summer Is Winding Down. The Housing Market Isn’t.

As vacations wrap up, kids head back to school and routines return, it’s easy to assume the busiest part of the real estate year is behind us.

Homes are bought and sold year-round here in Southern California, however, and the shift toward fall can create advantages on both sides of a transaction.

Housing Market Update

As summer winds down, buyers have more choices and are being more selective.

San Diego County: Median sale price of $922,000, up 0.4% from a year ago.

Riverside County: Median sale price of $613,000, up 0.5% from a year ago.

Temecula: Median sale price of $746,000, up 1.4% from a year ago.

Murrieta: Median sale price of $660,000, down 3.0% from a year ago.

The takeaway: Home values remain relatively stable, but today’s buyers are paying close attention to price and value. For sellers, pricing, preparation and positioning matter.

SELLER TIP: Fall Can Work in Your Favor

As summer ends, some casual buyers leave the market. Those who remain often have a stronger reason to move. At the same time, fewer homeowners may list, giving your property less competition.

Serious buyers who find the right home may also be less inclined to lose it over smaller negotiating points.

Bottom line: Fewer listings and more intentional buyers can work to a seller’s advantage.

BUYER TIP: Less Competition, More Opportunity

The same seasonal shift can benefit buyers.

With fewer buyers competing for homes, you may have more time to make a decision and potentially more negotiating room on price, closing costs, repairs or other terms.

And sellers entering the market in fall may have their own motivation to make a move.

What’s happening closer to home?

The Neighborhood News feature on my website provides a regular and more local look at housing activity and trends in your area.

A Personal Note

We took a day trip last weekend south of the border — breakfast in Tecate, checked out some wineries, and finished the day with dinner in Rosarito (pictured below).