San Diego County Housing Selling During Holiday Season Means Opportunity
San Diego County Housing Summary – November 12, 2025
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Call or text George at 619-846-1244
Even Though the Holiday Market Is Slow…
The next 6–8 weeks offer a real opportunity for buyers and sellers. Most people pause their real estate plans during the holidays — which means those who stay active face less competition, better negotiation leverage, and a clearer path to their next move.
What’s Happening Right Now
• Inventory is falling: now at 5,471 homes, down 15% from the July peak and down 3% in the past two weeks.
• Historically, inventory drops approximately 30% from mid-November through early January.
• New listings are drying up: November and December always bring the lowest new listing counts of the year. Many sellers are also pulling unsold listings off the market.
• Demand is slipping: pending sales fell from 1,776 to 1,744 (2% drop).
• Market speed is stable: Expected Market Time moved slightly from 95 to 94 days.
• Luxury improving: Luxury Expected Market Time dropped significantly from 174 to 153 days.
Why Buyers Should Take Action Now (Nov–Dec)
1. Less competition – Most buyers pause until January, giving active buyers a clear advantage.
2. More negotiation power – Late-year sellers are serious. This is the ideal time to secure repairs, credits, or improved pricing.
3. Lower mortgage rates than last year – Rates near 6.34% are lower than the 7%+ range of late 2024.
4. Prices are stable – With supply and demand both falling, prices remain steady rather than rising.
Why Sellers Can Win by Listing Before January
1. Far less competition – New listings plunge during the holiday season.
2. Buyers who remain are serious – These are motivated, deadline-driven buyers who are ready to write offers.
3. Market time remains steady – Expected Market Time is nearly unchanged at 94 days.
4. Avoid heavy spring competition – February through April brings a wave of new listings you won't have to compete with if you list now.
Realistic Seller Timeframe
If you list in November or December, expect the following timeline:
• Prep & Pre-Marketing Time: 2 weeks
• Active Market Time: 30–45 days
• Escrow Period: 30–45 days
Total Timeline: approximately 60–90 days
List in November ? close January or February
List in December ? close February or March
Market Time vs. Speed of Market
Speed of Market measures how fast the existing supply would sell based on current buyer demand.
Example: 6,000 active homes ÷ 2,000 homes in escrow = 3 months (approximately 90 days).
Average/Median Market Time measures how long recent closings took — usually around 30 days.
For your own move, plan for:
14 days prep + 30 days on market + 30–45 days escrow = approximately 74–89 days total.
Call or text for your personalized timing strategy based on your neighborhood and price point.
George Lorimer – 619-846-1244
How Long Will It Take to Sell Your Home?
Full San Diego County Housing Summary
• INVENTORY: Down 153 homes (3%) in two weeks, now 5,471. Last year: 4,655 homes (15% fewer). Pre-COVID: 6,681 homes (22% more).
• DEMAND: Pending sales fell from 1,776 to 1,744 (2% drop). Last year: 1,605 pending sales (8% fewer).
• MARKET TIME: 94 days (down from 95). Last year: 87 days. Pre-COVID average: 75 days.
• LUXURY MARKET:
$2M–$4M ? 132 days
$4M–$6M ? 178 days
$6M+ ? 262 days
• DISTRESSED HOMES: 57 total (18 foreclosures + 39 short sales). Last year: 18.
• CLOSED SALES: September 2025: 2,002 closed resales (+9% vs September 2024). Sales-to-list ratio: 98.2%. 99.7% of sellers had equity.
Copyright 2025 — Steven Thomas, Reports On Housing — All Rights Reserved.
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