November Newsletter: 2025

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Hello Friends, Clients & Neighbors,

As we move through the early months of 2026, Northern California’s real estate market continues to show nuanced shifts that savvy buyers, sellers, and investors should watch closely. What we’re seeing is a market that’s balancing after years of rapid price escalation, with pockets of both cooling pressure and renewed activity.

Mortgage Rates & Buyer Behavior
Mortgage rates remain in the low-to-mid 6% range, lower than some recent peaks but still above pre-pandemic norms. This dynamic continues to temper buyer urgency and keep many potential purchasers cautious. However, financing remains accessible enough that motivated buyers are actively engaged — particularly in well-priced, well-located homes. 

Inventory Dynamics — Supply Still Tight in Many Markets
Inventory levels across the Bay Area remain notably constrained. Single-family home supply has dropped sharply year-over-year in many submarkets, especially in the North Bay and San Francisco proper, where listings are down substantially compared to this time last year. The limited supply keeps pressure on buyers in competitive zones. 

Price Behavior — Mixed Signals
While statewide data shows a cooling of home prices early in 2026 — with California’s median home price dipping from late 2025 levels — key urban markets like Berkeley are bucking the trend with strong year-over-year price gains and multiple offers per listing. 

Bay Area Activity

• The overall Bay Area continues to see strong transaction data, even as buyers become more selective. Some neighborhoods — especially premium locations on the Peninsula and in Silicon Valley — remain resilient, with robust demand and solid pricing. 
• Inventory shortages are most acute in single family homes, leading to competitive scenarios when desirable homes hit the market. 

Regional Variances Across Northern California

• Marin and Sonoma Counties show a broader range of buyer preference and pricing stability, with inventory influencing negotiating power more than headline price swings. 
• In contrast, markets like Napa are becoming more buyer-friendly, with longer days on market and higher months-of-supply compared to core Bay counties. 

1. Inventory Growth & Spring Listings
After a slow post-holiday period, new listings are beginning to come online, offering buyers more choices. However, overall inventory still lags behind historical norms in many submarkets. 

2. Temporary Buyer Assistance Opportunities
The California Dream For All (DFA) Shared Appreciation Loan Program is opening a limited window for first-time buyers in late February through mid-March 2026, offering up to $150,000 in down-payment support. This could stimulate demand among entry-level buyers during the spring season. 

3. Economic Sentiment & Development Outlook
Commercial real estate executives in California are more optimistic about future development activity, driven in part by expectations for lower interest rates and easing cost pressures — a potential positive sign for broader market confidence. 

As we pivot into March and the early spring selling season, here’s what to keep on your radar:

• Seasonal activity typically increases — historically, more buyers and sellers enter the market after winter, which can lead to improved transaction volume and refreshed inventory.
• Pricing may stabilize or edge modestly upward in desirable neighborhoods if demand gains momentum with broader economic confidence.
• Balance between buyer and seller leverage will continue to vary widely by location, price tier, and property condition.

The Northern California real estate market in early 2026 is transitioning from a sellers’-only environment toward a more balanced market. Buyers benefit from slightly improved negotiating power in some regions, while sellers with well-priced, well-presented homes are still finding good transaction opportunities.

Whether you’re thinking about buying, selling, or investing, having up-to-date insight into local trends and seasonal shifts will make all the difference this spring. If you have specific questions about your neighborhood or property type, I’m here to help!

there  is a change in the weather & a change in the Real  Estate Market!  Lots of new and exciting developments in the market! Dare I say it’s a great time to buy OR sell!? Lots and lots of opportunities abound! The individualized attention that I provide to all my clients is second to none. We are in the transaction together and you’re never left alone, or passed off to someone else during the process. This is something I pride myself on. Let’s Spring Forward” to the right way to do business - the honest way filled with communication,  compassion, commitment, confidence, and respect! 

Welcome to “At Home with April!“ This  is a publication that you’re welcome to use, share, and review. You’re always welcome to contact me directly with any questions you have pertaining to Real Estate.

The best compliment a business professional can receive is that of entrusting them with you business and/or referral. This absolutely holds true for me. Thank you for believing in me to represent the sale or purchase of your properties.

Very excited to share what has been taking place and what is yet to come, inside this inaugural edition of my newsletter!I

It’s certainly been a unsettled and unbelievable time in the world. The same can be said for our local and National Real Estate Markets!

Wow, talk about unbelievable, our local and Bay Area Real Estate Market has been setting historical precedents. The mass exodus of people leaving urban areas and heading to small towns &/or more rural areas, such as our local communities that reside in Sonoma, Marin, and Mendocino Counties is quite evident. 

Urban “Flight”/Migration has definitely affected our Real Estate market,  not to mention our property values! 

Never did I imagine that  homes in area subdivisions would be selling for at, and above,  $1,000,000.00! 

Coming off the heels of one of the most uncertain time periods in the history of our Country, there is a lot of “now what” thinking going on. “Now what should we do?” This is often answered by people changing their environments, literally. 

Millions of Americans are realizing that they really don’t love where the live, so they sell. As well as those who realize they absolutely love their home and want to enhance it, thusly they remodel and/or “do it yourself” to enhance their existing properties. 

Figuring the math on this entire reality of home buying, selling, and building, requires a degree in calculus! 

The cost of lumber in some regions has gone up some 400%. (Though, we are just now beginning to see a decrease in the cost of lumber).

Homes are selling for 20%- 30% over asking, often times offers are all cash... and zero contingencies! 

Towns such as Petaluma, Sebastopol, and Healdsburg are literally feeling this phenomenon; with Petaluma especially feeling the effects. 

Buyer’s are taking advantage of the historically low interest rates, yet are simultaneously combating buyer fatigue & depression due to the results of their offers being repeatedly rejected. 

The questions mount: where is the sweet spot, what is the best thing to do, when will the bubble burst, when will prices drop, where do we go from here? The answer is quite simple, there is no such thing as “the right time.”  There is never a perfect time to do anything. The “I’ll sell when the kids move out... when we retire we can downsize... I’ll buy when I make my first million... “  The “I’ll do this when that happens” mentality is a dead end. Paralysis by analysis is a serious dream killer. There isn’t a perfect home, time, or opportunity. Perfection exists only in nature. 

All said, now is an opportune time to consider all the options we have, and appreciate that we have them. 

It is my pleasure and honor to speak with you and further discuss  all things Real Estate and Construction. We don't seem to have “shoulder season” anymore. Meaning, the demand is seemingly ever present. March is just as busy as July,  as is January is as busy as  October. 

LET’S  CONNECT 📞

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