San Diego housing market trends reveal a shifting landscape where smart buyers leverage professional networks while others compete in overcrowded retail spaces. The Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS® (SDAR) reports that the overall median sales price for residential properties in San Diego County reached $900,000 in May 2025, marking a 2.9% increase over the previous month. [1]
Introduction: The data behind the headlines
Current San Diego housing market trends tell a story most agents won't share with you.
While mainstream coverage focuses on interest rates and inventory shortages, the real opportunity lies in understanding how different market segments operate. The median sold price of an existing single-family home in San Diego County was $1,025,000 in June 2025. This is a 2.4% decrease from May's price of $1,050,000, and 2.8% down from June 2024, per C.A.R. data. [2]
But here's what changes everything: The Cassity Team's access to 28,000+ agents through Real brokerage creates opportunities that traditional brokerages simply can't match.
"San Diego's 2025 market rewards strategic preparation over reactive house hunting." – Market Intelligence Report
Problem: You're competing in the wrong marketplace
Here's the challenge most buyers face: They're fighting for the same public listings everyone else sees, wondering why success feels impossible.
Normal: Browse Zillow, schedule showings, compete with 15+ offers, lose bidding wars.
➜ Explosion: Inventory has grown 47% year-over-year, creating more balanced conditions. [3] Yet smart buyers are still winning deals through private channels while others struggle with public listings.
New Normal: Professional buyers work with teams like The Cassity Team who access off-market opportunities before they become competitive situations.
The fundamental problem isn't inventory or pricing—it's marketplace access. The Unsold Inventory Index was 3.6 months in June 2025, up from 2.7 months in June 2024. The median time on market increased to 21 days in June 2025, up from 14 days in June 2024. [2]
These numbers suggest balance, but they miss the two-tier system where premium opportunities move through professional networks first.
Story: How the hidden market actually works
Last month, Jason Cassity received a call from a La Jolla seller preparing for a corporate relocation. The timeline was tight—needed to close within 45 days, property wasn't market-ready, and they wanted to avoid public listing stress.
Through Real brokerage's private network, The Cassity Team matched this opportunity with a qualified buyer from our database. The buyer had been searching for exactly this type of property for six months but hadn't found anything suitable in public listings.
Result: $1.47M transaction closed in 32 days, zero public marketing, seller avoided staging and showing disruptions, buyer secured their ideal property without competition.
The turning point: When our clients realize they've been shopping in a limited marketplace while better opportunities exist through professional networks.
This scenario happens more frequently than most people realize. According to NAR, the number of properties purchased by international buyers has surged 44% year-over-year, with total dollar volume rising to $56 billion, marking a 33% increase. [4] These buyers aren't browsing consumer websites—they're working through established agent relationships.
I'll be honest—sometimes having this network advantage feels like playing a different game entirely. (Though our competitors probably feel similarly frustrated when they see our success rate.)
Solution: Strategic marketplace approach with The Cassity Team
Understanding current San Diego housing market trends
The data that matters for decision-making:
â– The median home sold price in San Diego was $879,247 in July 2025, up 1.4% from last year [5] â– Homes had an average listing age of 34 days in July 2025, up by 78.0% compared to the previous year [5]
â– Of the 207 sold homes, 48% were sold under asking, 18% at asking, and 34% over asking [5] â– Homes averaged 21 days on the market in April 2025, up six days year-over-year [6]
Translation: The market is normalizing, creating negotiation opportunities for prepared buyers.
The Cassity Team's competitive advantage
1. Network Access Through Real Brokerage Our 28,000+ agent network creates deal flow that traditional brokerages can't match. While other agents wait for MLS listings, we're connecting buyers with sellers before properties reach public markets.
2. Market Intelligence Integration We track San Diego housing market trends across multiple data sources, giving clients timing advantages others miss. Learn more about our market analysis approach through our detailed property insights.
3. Strategic Negotiation Positioning Based on current data, San Diego is inching closer to a balanced market. [2] This creates opportunities for buyers who understand how to negotiate strategically rather than emotionally.
Timing intelligence for 2025
Optimal buying windows: ➜ August-October: Motivated sellers, kids back in school, less competition ➜ November-February: 5-10% negotiation leverage, sellers motivated by year-end considerations [3] ➜ Properties 60+ days on market: Maximum negotiation opportunity
Peak selling periods: ➜ March-June: Peak activity, maximum buyer pool [3] ➜ September-October: Serious buyers without summer vacation distractions [3]
Cash strategy (without requiring cash)
68% of luxury buyers pay cash [3], but financing buyers can compete effectively with the right approach:
The Cassity Team's cash-competitive positioning: â–¶ Pre-approval letters that match cash offer certainty â–¶ Appraisal gap coverage pre-negotiated with sellers â–¶ 15-day close capability through preferred lender relationships
â–¶ Seller relationship building before offer presentation
For strategic property insights, explore our neighborhood analysis tools that help identify emerging value opportunities.
Economic context driving San Diego housing market trends
Interest rate impact analysis
A typical California borrower would pay an extra $675 every month if they were to take on the same mortgage at current rates. In San Francisco, it's an extra $915. That's a compelling reason not to sell. [7]
Strategic insight: The "lock-in effect" creates opportunities in specific price segments where sellers have compelling reasons to move despite rate disadvantages.
CoreLogic market predictions
Experts are predicting a 4.1% increase in home prices nationally by the end of 2025, compared to December 2024. [8] However, San Diego's specific dynamics create more nuanced opportunities.
Despite difficult housing market conditions in 2024, home prices increased about 4.5% over the course of the year. Going forward, with inventories slowly improving and mortgage rates remaining elevated, forecasts suggest a smaller overall increase in prices in 2025. [9]
Migration and demand patterns
72% of San Diego homebuyers looked to stay within the metro area while 28% searched outside the region. Incoming interest remains strong from buyers in Los Angeles and San Francisco. [10]
This creates sustained demand pressure, especially for properties that meet specific lifestyle criteria.
Geographic intelligence: Where opportunities exist
High-appreciation neighborhoods: â– Top-rated school districts (9+ rating) command 25-57% price premiums. Properties within 0.5 miles of 9+ rated elementary schools appreciate 2.3% faster annually. [3] â– Notable performers: Westview HS, Mt. Carmel HS areas [3]
Value opportunity areas: â– Inland San Diego neighborhoods attract buyers searching for more space and strong value per square foot. Areas east of the 5 remain appealing for those prioritizing size and budget.
For detailed neighborhood comparisons and investment analysis, visit our comprehensive area guides that reveal hidden market opportunities.
Why most approaches fail in 2025
Traditional agent limitations:
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Limited to MLS inventory (public marketplace only)
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Reactive approach to market changes
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Individual agent capacity constraints
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Standard negotiation tactics that worked in seller's markets
The Cassity Team difference:
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Proactive deal sourcing through 28,000+ agent network
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Data-driven market timing strategies
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Team approach ensuring client coverage and expertise
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Relationship-based negotiation creating win-win outcomes
Market forecast: What's coming
Based on authoritative data sources including SDAR and C.A.R., expect:
Short-term (Next 6 months):
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Continued inventory normalization
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Increased negotiation opportunities
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Seasonal buying advantages for prepared buyers
Medium-term (2025-2026): NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun expects 6% rise in existing home sales in 2025 and 11% jump in 2026. Median home prices forecasted to rise by 3% in 2025 and 4% in 2026. Mortgage rates expected to average 6.4% in second half of 2025 and potentially drop to 6.1% in 2026. [11]
Long-term outlook: San Diego's fundamental demand drivers—tech migration, climate advantages, limited developable land—support continued appreciation, though at more moderate rates than pandemic-era growth.
Clear Call to Action: Your strategic advantage starts here
San Diego housing market trends in 2025 create opportunities for buyers and sellers who understand how professional networks operate versus retail marketplaces.
The Cassity Team offers what most agents can't: exclusive access to off-market opportunities, data-driven timing strategies, and negotiation expertise refined through hundreds of successful transactions.
Ready to access the opportunities others miss?
For buyers: Contact The Cassity Team to discuss your specific requirements and get connected to our private inventory network. Whether you're purchasing your first home, upgrading, or making strategic investments, we'll create a customized acquisition strategy.
For sellers: Explore our seller resources to understand current market positioning and optimal timing strategies.
Visit thecassityteam.com or call us directly to schedule your strategic consultation.
Don't compete in the retail marketplace when you can access the professional one. The best opportunities in San Diego real estate happen through relationships and market intelligence, not public platforms.
Your success in San Diego's 2025 housing market depends on working with professionals who understand how the hidden marketplace actually operates.
Meta Description: San Diego housing market trends 2025 show inventory growth and price stabilization. The Cassity Team's 28,000+ agent network provides exclusive access to off-market opportunities and strategic market intelligence.
