Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS® Reports May 2026 Market Trends

Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS® — May 2026

In May 2026, the Greater San Diego real estate market experienced a total of 16 sales, a 14.3% decrease compared to the same month last year. New listings rose to 29, while active listings increased to 44, indicating a competitive environment for sellers with a months of inventory at just 0.9.

Market Analysis

The San Diego real estate market continues to show signs of a seller's advantage, despite a year-over-year decline in sales. With only 16 transactions in May, down from 20 in May 2025, the market is tightening as demand remains strong against a backdrop of limited supply. The months of inventory has decreased to 0.9, suggesting that homes are selling quickly, further emphasizing the competitive nature of the current market. The sales-to-new-listings ratio (SNLR) stands at 55.2%, indicating that more than half of new listings are being absorbed by buyers, which is a positive sign for sellers.

Property Type Analysis

In terms of property types, detached homes dominate the sales figures with 12 transactions, while attached/townhouse properties accounted for 4 sales. The detached market remains robust, reflecting a continued preference among buyers for single-family homes, despite the overall decline in sales. The attached market, however, shows signs of slower activity with a significant drop in closed sales year-over-year, down 42.9%, indicating a potential shift in buyer preferences or affordability constraints.

Regional Highlights

Regionally, the 92119 zip code, which includes San Carlos, has seen a mix of trends. Detached homes in this area had 12 closed sales with a median price of $1,090,000, slightly down 3.1% year-over-year. In contrast, the attached market in the same region showed a median price of $516,000, down 6.4% from last year, with a longer average days on market of 47 days compared to 14 for detached homes. This disparity highlights the varying dynamics within different property types in the region.

For Buyers

Buyers are encouraged to act swiftly in the current market, as homes are selling quickly due to the low months of inventory. It is advisable for buyers to be prepared with pre-approval for financing and to have a clear understanding of their budget, as competition remains high for available listings.

For Sellers

Sellers should leverage the current seller's market by pricing their homes competitively and ensuring they are in top condition for showings. With a strong demand and low inventory, sellers have the opportunity to attract multiple offers, potentially leading to favorable sale terms.