Time to buy in San Diego!

Time to buy in San Diego! Right now the market is shifting in ways that create a practical and tactical advantage for buyers. Inventory has increased compared with last month, pending sales have slowed, and homes are staying on the market longer. Those three facts together create negotiating leverage you have not seen in a while in San Diego County.

If you have been waiting for a moment when sellers are more willing to negotiate on price and terms, this is it. The sweet spot identified by Realtor.com for 2025 — October 12th through 18th — combines higher inventory, fewer competing buyers, motivated sellers, and median sales prices that are stable enough to support reasonable offers. Embed the timing into your plan and you increase your odds of getting a better deal and a smoother closing process. Time to buy in San Diego!

Table of Contents

• Market snapshot: What changed in October and why it matters
• San Diego County data snapshot (quick reference)
• Why October is the BEST time to act
• Practical negotiation strategies for buyers right now
• Financing: how to lock in the best deal
• Suggested timeline for buyers targeting the October opportunity
• Common questions from buyers right now
• Final thoughts and next steps

Market snapshot: What changed in October and why it matters

Between September and October 2025 the San Diego County housing market showed clear signs of loosening up for buyers. The essentials to remember are these:

• Inventory increased compared with September, giving buyers more options.
• Pending home sales dropped, meaning fewer competing offers in many neighborhoods.
• Average days on market rose from about 23 days last year to about 39 days this October.
• Realtor.com highlights October 12 through 18, 2025 as an optimal buying week in the region.

Those facts add up to a clear result: more negotiating power for buyers. Homes that linger on the market tend to come with more seller flexibility on price, inspections, and closing timelines. Sellers who listed over the summer are frequently more motivated to close before the holidays, which can translate to concessions you can negotiate for.

San Diego County data snapshot (quick reference)

The following compact data set pulls together the most relevant local indicators to help you decide whether this is your moment. This is presented as a readable snapshot so you can use it as a planning checklist.

1. Inventory trend: Up in October compared with September — more active listings across multiple neighborhoods.
2. Pending sales: Decline noted in October — fewer properties going into escrow than earlier in the year.
3. Days on market: About 39 days in October 2025 versus 23 days the same period last year.
4. Best buying window: Realtor.com identified October 12 to 18, 2025 as the most advantageous week.
5. Median sales price: Holding steady around current levels — not spiking upward, which supports negotiation.
6. Seller motivation: Increased, especially for homes listed over the summer with lingering days on market.

Why October is the BEST time to act

The seasonality and the buyer-seller balance are both working in your favor. Consider these practical points:

• More inventory means you can be selective. You are less likely to get stuck in bidding wars and more likely to find homes that meet your checklist.
• Longer days on market reduce the urgency sellers feel. Sellers who want to avoid carrying costs into the holidays tend to be more open to concessions.
• With pending sales down, fewer buyers are competing for the same houses. Your offer is more likely to get attention and careful consideration.
• Stable median pricing removes the pressure of rushing to buy because of immediate price increases. That stability allows you to negotiate from a position of information rather than panic.

In short, the market conditions align to give buyers leverage. If your financing is ready and you have a clear wish list, this period is one of the most effective times in recent memory to push for favorable terms. Time to buy in San Diego!

Practical negotiation strategies for buyers right now

When sellers are motivated and listings sit longer, the negotiation landscape changes. Use these tactics to take advantage of the moment:

• Get preapproved and have documentation ready. A clean preapproval keeps your offer competitive without unnecessary stress.
• Ask for seller concessions that lower your out-of-pocket costs at closing, such as credit for repairs or a portion of closing costs.
• Allow flexible closing dates if you can. Sellers working to move before holidays may pay a premium for a timeline that suits them.
• Make realistic offers supported by comparable sales and the fact that days on market have increased. Reasonable offers are more likely to get countered than outright rejected.
• Include a clear inspection contingency but be willing to prioritize major items and negotiate on smaller cosmetic fixes.

These steps help you turn higher inventory and seller motivation into tangible savings and better contract terms. Time to buy in San Diego!

 

 

Financing: how to lock in the best deal

Being in a market with negotiating power is only useful if your financing is aligned. Here are the key financing moves to make this October window work:

• Obtain a mortgage preapproval from a lender who will communicate quickly and has a track record of closing on time.
• Ask your lender about rate lock strategies. When you find a house during the October 12 to 18 sweet spot, a rate lock can remove the anxiety of short-term market movement.
• Discuss seller-paid closing costs with your loan officer. If sellers are motivated, they may agree to pay a portion of closing costs or buy points to lower your rate.
• Understand contingency timelines. If appraisal or inspection contingencies are required, map out realistic deadlines in coordination with your lender so offers remain attractive.

If you prepare these elements before you start drafting offers, you can move quickly and confidently when the right property appears. Time to buy in San Diego!

Suggested timeline for buyers targeting the October opportunity

1. Week 0: Get mortgage preapproval and finalize must-haves vs nice-to-haves on your home checklist.
2. Week 1: Begin touring newly listed inventory. Prioritize homes that have been on market for several weeks but still meet your criteria.
3. Week 2: If targeting October 12 to 18, be ready to make offers that week with preapprovals and a lender willing to expedite documents.
4. Week 3-6: Negotiate inspections, contingencies, and closing timeline while keeping close contact with your lender to avoid delays.
5. Closing: Aim to close before major holiday windows to align with seller motivation and minimize post-closing disruptions.

Following a clear timeline will help you exploit the short-term market advantages without making rushed or uninformed choices. Time to buy in San Diego!

Common questions from buyers right now

Is October always a good month to buy in San Diego?

Seasonality matters, but 2025 is different. This October features higher inventory, fewer pending sales, and longer days on market compared with last year. Those factors combined make October 2025 an especially favorable month to act. Evaluating financing readiness and neighborhood inventory at the moment will help you determine the right timing for your situation. Time to buy in San Diego!

How much negotiating room should I expect when homes sit on market longer?

Expect more flexibility on price and terms, especially if a house has been listed through the summer. Sellers often prefer reasonable offers that close quickly to avoid additional carrying costs. You should plan on requesting concessions such as seller credits, repairs, or flexible closing dates while remaining realistic and supported by comparable market data. Time to buy in San Diego!

What if I am worried about interest rates rising while I shop?

Rate movement is always a factor, but you can mitigate the risk by securing a mortgage preapproval and discussing a rate lock with your lender. Many buyers use a short term rate lock once an offer is accepted to protect against immediate rate shifts. Being ready to move during the October window allows you to take advantage of market leverage while managing interest rate exposure. Time to buy in San Diego!

How do I find motivated sellers?

Look for listings that have been on the market longer than the neighborhood average, price reductions, or sellers who explicitly state they want a quick close. Your real estate agent can run filtered searches for these signs and present you with homes that are likely to entertain offers with favorable terms. Time to buy in San Diego!

Final thoughts and next steps

We are seeing a rare alignment of market conditions that favor buyers in San Diego County. Increased inventory, reduced competition, longer days on market, and motivated sellers combine to create a concrete opportunity to secure better terms and a smoother path to homeownership. If you are prepared with financing and a clear plan, the October 12 to 18 window is an ideal time to act.

Make sure your preapproval is current, work with professionals who respond quickly, and prioritize homes that give room to negotiate. The market is presenting buyers with leverage they have not routinely enjoyed for some time. If you are ready to take advantage of it, now is the moment to move. Time to buy in San Diego!