Golden State's Housing Market Returning to Pre-Pandemic Norms

The latest insights from Redfin, a digital real estate company, shed light on California's housing landscape, indicating a gradual return to pre-pandemic patterns. According to the Redfin Home Price Index, which assesses shifts in demand and competition among the 50 largest metros, Northern California showcases notable trends.

Northern California Trends

In San Francisco, home prices witnessed a steady 4 percent increase from 2023 to 2024, while San Jose experienced a more pronounced uptick of 16.6 percent. Oakland followed suit with a 6.8 percent rise, and Sacramento saw a commendable 5.4 percent growth during the same period.

Further analysis reveals a deeper picture, with San Francisco's sale prices edging up by 0.4 percent from January to February 2024, mirroring slight gains in San Jose (0.1 percent), Oakland (0.6 percent), and Sacramento (1.4 percent).

The housing market's rollercoaster journey during the pandemic era saw unprecedented fluctuations, with highs and lows in response to evolving economic conditions.

These new insights suggest more stability in the market. Factors such as controlled interest rates, although elevated, have contributed to this balance, quieting the volatility observed in earlier phases of the Federal Reserve's strategy. And with interest rate drops in the works, buyer affordability (and inventory) should continue to improve.

Supply/Demand Still Remains Unbalanced

Despite the moderation in homebuyer demand induced by higher mortgage rates, the supply-demand imbalance persists, exerting upward pressure on prices. While the number of new listings has shown signs of recovery, housing inventory remains notably lower than pre-pandemic benchmarks.

The Takeaway

As California's housing market navigates through shifting tides, these insights may offer valuable perspectives for buyers, sellers, and industry stakeholders alike, guiding informed decision-making in an ever-changing market.

Give me a call and we can chat about these market insights can help you make informed decisions for your real estate goals.

Read more here.