Are the signals from the San Diego real estate market feeling contradictory? You see headlines about record-high prices, yet you suspect deals are still being made. Your intuition is spot-on. While the data points to a million-dollar median, a nuanced shift in the marketplace pulse has created a finite window for savvy buyers to execute a strategy that yields significant savings—potentially $20,000 or more—compared to the peak frenzy of 2023.
This isn’t a market collapse; it’s a market correction that rewards intelligence. This analysis will break down the 2023 vs. December 2025 comparison, identify precisely where the savings opportunity lies, and provide the methodology to capitalize on it.
San Diego Home Prices: 2023 vs. Today’s Market
To unlock value, you must first understand the variables that differentiate the intense market of 2023 from the strategic opportunities of today. The conditions have changed, and the new results favor you.
The 2023 Market Snapshot
Consider late 2023 our baseline. The market was defined by fierce competition and an acute shortage of supply. In November 2023, the median price for a single-family home was $952,000. Despite a slight seasonal dip from the month prior, prices were still up 2.4% year-over-year, showcasing a powerful upward trend [2]. For buyers, this meant minimal leverage for negotiation.
Where San Diego Home Prices Stand Now
Fast forward to our current observation. The data reveals a story of continued growth, but with a critical new layer of opportunity. The median sale price for an existing single-family home in San Diego County surged to $1.040 million in July 2025 [5]. This was part of a steady climb, with the median price having crossed the $900,000 threshold earlier in the year, as noted by the San Diego Association of Realtors [4].
On the surface, prices are higher. So where does the savings opportunity come from? The potential is not in the list price; it is embedded in the market dynamics. For a complete analysis of these variables, you can review our full report on the San Diego housing market trends for 2025.
The $20,000 Savings Opportunity: How It Works
This savings hypothesis is testable. The opportunity comes from a strategic advantage, not a market downturn. We’ve moved out of the “Explosion” phase (defined by uncontrolled bidding wars) and into a “New Normal” that rewards a calculated, data-driven approach.
Here are three ways you can validate this thesis and save $20,000 or more:
▶ Increased Negotiation Power: With a more balanced market, sellers are more receptive to negotiation. On a $1,000,000 home, a modest 2% negotiated reduction—an impossible outcome 18 months ago—yields an immediate $20,000 in savings.
▶ Avoiding Bidding Wars: The fastest way to overpay is to enter a multi-offer situation. A strategic offer, designed by an expert who understands seller psychology and market timing, can secure a property before it goes to a bidding war where prices are easily driven up by $20,000 to $50,000.
▶ Securing a Price Before Future Increases: You are not just buying a home; you are locking in a price against a predictable trend. The Federal Reserve’s historical data confirms a consistent, powerful upward trajectory for San Diego home prices over decades [6]. Securing a home today effectively removes you from the race against a predictably appreciating asset.
Key Factors Creating This Buyer’s Window
This strategic opportunity is the direct result of several key market variables shifting the supply-and-demand equilibrium.
A More Balanced Inventory
For the first time in years, you have a wider selection. Active listings have reached their highest point since 2019, which reduces the frantic competition that defined the prior market. This shift from scarcity to choice is a critical variable in the current buyer’s equation. As we detail in our Buy vs Sell Playbook, increased inventory demands a new, more strategic playbook.
Increased Days on Market
Homes are taking longer to sell. The median time a property spends on the market has increased, giving you more time for due diligence and to construct a logical, compelling offer rather than a rushed, emotional one [2]. This additional time creates what we call “wiggle room for strategic positioning”—a core tenet of our practice.
Seller Realignment
The psychological variable has shifted. Sellers are recalibrating their expectations. The assumption of receiving a dozen offers far above the asking price on the first weekend is no longer a given. This dose of realism makes them far more open to well-reasoned offers at or near the list price, especially for properties that have been on the market for more than a few weeks.
How to Seize the Opportunity with The Cassity Team
Executing on this opportunity requires more than passive observation. It demands an expert-led strategy to convert market analysis into a successful acquisition.
Master the Micro-Market, Not Just the Median
City-wide median prices are a flawed metric. Real estate is hyper-local. Our methodology at The Cassity Team involves analysis not just by zip code, but street-by-street, to identify pockets of opportunity in neighborhoods like North Park, Point Loma, and Mission Hills. We find the value that broad statistics miss. You can begin your own exploration of these distinct areas by viewing our available properties.
Leverage Expert Negotiation
Negotiation has returned as a key factor in successful transactions, and it’s the core of our expertise. At The Cassity Team, we operate as problem-solvers. We know how to structure a compelling offer that protects your financial objectives while simultaneously addressing the seller’s primary motivations. Our goal isn’t just to find you a property; it’s to secure the best possible financial outcome for you.
Gain a Strategic Advantage
A successful purchase is not about market timing; it is about having a team that knows how to execute within any set of market conditions. By understanding the seller’s perspective, detailed in resources like our San Diego Selling Guide, we position your offer for success. With access to a network of over 30,000 agents, we frequently uncover off-market opportunities before they ever reach the public marketplace.
Don’t Wait for the Window to Close
The current equilibrium in the San Diego housing market is a strategic window, not a permanent state. As the market absorbs the current inventory and adapts to future economic shifts, this buyer’s advantage will diminish. Passively observing the market means you risk paying more tomorrow for the same asset you could secure today.
Ready to find your $20,000 savings? Schedule your complimentary market analysis with The Cassity Team today. Let’s build your winning strategy.