Understand the battlefield: The San Diego marketplace pulse
Let's be direct. Buying a home here feels like an Olympic sport. You’re not just competing with other buyers; you're up against some formidable market conditions.
The marketplace pulse is fast and unforgiving. While some reports suggest a slight cooling, the data paints a picture of sustained, intense competition.
â– Median Sold Price: As of May 2025, the median price for a single-family home hit $1,050,000 [1]. â– Speed of Sale: Homes are going under contract in an average of just 16 days [1]. â– Fierce Competition: A staggering 41% of homes are still selling above the asking price [2].
So, what’s fueling this fire? It’s a classic case of high demand crashing into critically low supply. Many current homeowners are comfortably locked into low mortgage rates, giving them little incentive to sell and re-enter a market with 7% interest rates [3], [4]. This gridlock keeps inventory tight and leaves you fighting over the few properties that do hit the market.
Navigate the cycle of hope and heartbreak
Does this story sound familiar?
You get your pre-approval and feel invincible. This is your Normal. You spend hours scrolling listings, hearting your favorites, and mapping out your weekend of open houses. You’re ready.
Then comes the Explosion. You walk into a Saturday open house in North Park or Encinitas and find yourself shoulder-to-shoulder with 30 other hopeful buyers. You write a strong offer—$25,000 over asking, even—and attach a heartfelt letter. On Monday, you get the call: the seller went with an all-cash offer, $50,000 over list, with no contingencies.
After this happens two or three times, a New Normal sets in. The excitement fades, replaced by a gnawing frustration. You start to wonder if you’ll ever find a home here. You realize the conventional approach… isn’t working.
Rewrite your go-to-market playbook with hidden inventory
If the front door is locked, you need to find another way in. That’s where off-market properties come into play. These are homes that are for sale but aren't publicly advertised on the MLS or major real estate websites.
Think of them as "pocket listings" or "pre-MLS" opportunities. Sellers might choose this route for privacy, to test the waters, or to facilitate a quicker, less disruptive sale. For you, the buyer, they represent a golden opportunity.
Accessing this hidden inventory isn't about luck; it's about having a connected guide. An agent with a deep network can uncover these properties before anyone else knows they exist. At The Cassity Team, we've spent years building relationships across San Diego, giving our clients a crucial head start [5].
Here’s how off-market listings change your buying strategy:
â–¶ Sidestep the Bidding Wars: The biggest advantage is avoiding the frenzy. You are often one of a few—or the only—buyer to see the property, eliminating the multiple-offer pressure cooker.
â–¶ Gain Negotiating Leverage: When you aren't competing against a dozen other offers, you have more room to negotiate terms. The seller is often motivated by the convenience of a quiet, direct sale.
â–¶ Access Exclusive Properties: You get to see homes you would otherwise never know were available. This expands your options beyond the limited public inventory.
I'd love to say I have a crystal ball that finds these homes, but it's really just a massive contact list and an unhealthy obsession with the San Diego marketplace pulse. My family is thrilled about it, I assure you. This dedication is what allows us to present unique opportunities to the clients we partner with [6].
Ready to stop competing and start winning?
The San Diego housing market is tough, but it’s not impossible. You just need a better go-to-market playbook. Stop refreshing Zillow and start exploring the inventory that other buyers can't see.
Schedule a strategy call with The Cassity Team today. Let's build your plan for finding a home in San Diego—on or off the market.
