March Market Update

INNER EAST BAY MARKET UPDATE

Hi All,

It turned out we were so busy through March that we couldn’t get our newsletter out until the first week of April—thanks for your patience.

While inventory is still down year over year, the spring market has arrived in the East Bay. There is more inventory week over week and the buyers are out looking! One piece of data that we track is the absorption rate–the pace at which new listings go pending. So far this year, the absorption rate has stayed fairly strong, a sign that we are in a mostly balanced market in many neighborhoods, a strong sellers' market in some neighborhoods, and there are always opportunities for savvy buyers as well.

We are continuing to see beautifully-presented and attractively priced homes garner strong interest, multiple offers and even early, or what are often called “preemptive” offers, which is exactly what happened at 2893 Buena Vista Way in Berkeley.

If you follow us on Instagram, you know we have been presenting some beautiful homes for sale this spring, and we have included some images below of some recent listings for you to peruse. On any given day you can find us touring property, negotiating on behalf of our clients, and collaborating on projects to help others get their homes market-ready. From strategic upgrades, thoughtful staging, smart pricing and timing, these details are making a big difference in how our listings are being received in this dynamic marketplace.

If you’ve been considering selling your home in 2026—even if you’re just starting to explore the idea—we’d be happy to share what we’re seeing in your neighborhood, and help you think through your options.

As always, feel free to reach out anytime—we’re here as a resource for you.

Cheers,
Corey and Maria

SOME OF OUR RECENT LISTINGS

FEBRUARY 2026 WRAP-UP

The Inner East Bay housing market remains highly competitive as the spring market begins to take shape. The most notable shift is a 23.2% drop in available inventory, with just 388 homes for sale at the end of February compared with 505 a year ago. This sharp decline in supply continues to fuel competition among buyers.

That demand is clearly reflected in pricing behavior. 78.0% of homes sold above their asking price, up from 74.9% last year, while sellers received an average of 115.4% of list price, another year-over-year increase. Homes are also moving quickly, with median days on market holding steady at just 13 days, underscoring how rapidly well-priced properties are being absorbed.

Buyer demand remains strong as well. The number of homes going into contract increased 2.5% to 289, even as inventory declined significantly. Closed sales dipped slightly to 191 homes, down 4.0% year-over-year, a change that appears more closely tied to the limited number of listings rather than weakening demand.

Prices continue to edge upward. The median sales price rose 2.1% to $1,200,000, while the median price per square foot increased 1.7% to $709, signaling steady appreciation in a supply-constrained market.

Overall, the Inner East Bay market continues to be defined by tight inventory, strong buyer competition, and fast-moving listings, conditions that should keep the market active as we move further into the spring selling season.