Thinking About Selling in 2026? Don’t Wait Until Next Year

If you’re planning to sell your home in 2026, the best time to start preparing isn’t next year—it’s right now.

Spring has always been the busiest season for buyers in San Diego. And while demand will rise again as the weather warms, today’s market is very different from just a few years ago. Starting early can be the difference between a smooth, profitable sale and a stressful one.

Why Timing Matters

Most homeowners expect the process of selling—from the moment they decide to sell until closing—to take about 6 months. Some think they can move faster, but even the most optimistic sellers are usually looking at 2-3 months.

That means if you want to be ready for spring 2026, the prep work needs to start now.

Across the country, inventory has returned to pre-pandemic levels. Here in San Diego County, we’re seeing:

• Roughly 3 months of housing supply (a more balanced market than during the 2021 frenzy).

• Many sellers are needing to make price adjustments to stay competitive.

• Homes are spending longer on the market—especially in the mid- to luxury ranges.

The bottom line? Buyers have more options and are far more selective. That’s exactly why preparation matters.

Starting Early Pays Off

A recent survey found that sellers who brought an agent in sooner gained clear advantages:

• Over 36% said their agent gave them stronger market insights.

• More than 37% said their agent helped set realistic pricing and simplified the entire process.

That’s huge in today’s market. Prices nationwide have tripled since 2000, while incomes haven’t kept up. Even with mortgage rates dipping below 6.3% recently, affordability challenges mean buyers here in San Diego are careful and intentional with every purchase.

When you prepare early, you position your home to stand out—pricing strategically and making smart updates before buyers start shopping in full force.

What You Can Do Right Now

Getting your home ready for a 2026 sale doesn’t mean overhauling everything today. It means creating a plan:

• Interview agents early. Every Realtor® works differently—find the one that’s the right fit for your goals.

• Check your home value and equity. Longtime San Diego owners are often shocked at how much equity they’ve built. If you bought before 2005, you may have doubled in value.

• Identify updates or repairs. Small changes like paint, landscaping, or lighting can make a big impact.

• Build a timeline. Work backward from your ideal spring 2026 sale date to set milestones for repairs, staging, and marketing.

Ready to Get Ahead?

If you want to take advantage of peak buyer demand next spring, the time to begin is now. Preparing early gives you the flexibility to make improvements, choose the right agent, and position your home to sell at its best.

San Diego’s market may look different from when you bought, but with the right strategy, that can absolutely work in your favor.

👉 Let’s start the conversation now so you’ll be more than ready when buyers hit the market in 2026.