The market may seem a little soft but 24% of the buyers are still paying over the list price. About half of those were under $2,000,000 which is understandable. If some segment of the market is still competitive enough to warrant an over-list offer, it would be the low-end.
Both the average and median sales prices were at their lowest ponts of 2025, plus the differences between the LP and the SP were the largest of the year too:
It looks like the inventory has finally peaked for 2025 – phew!
But it also means that there be fewer creampuffs – and more refreshed listings – coming to market the rest of the way. Think the inventory is stale now? It will most likely get worse.
Want to predict the future?
Look at the green line in the graph above. The pendings lagged a bit after Liberation Day, but bounced back in early May to pick up the pace again. If it weren’t for that blip, the pendings have mirrored the path from last year – and it will probably do the same the rest of the way.
Home sellers should get ‘er done now, rather than risk having to compete with a surge of inventory next year. In fact, I think we can re-define the selling season for the next few years.
Hot in January and February. Then sluggish the rest of the way as inventory loads up which causes the second half of the year to be particularly unnerving and less productive except for the sharks.
Based on the current market conditions, it’s going to be a long cold winter.
I can go on and on about the sluggish market, but it doesn’t matter. Over the next three months, all that matters is whether sellers are motivated enough to move that they surrender. Give up the fight and cut a deal. Capitulate.
At least 3/4’s of them won’t.
Then once we get close to December, the remaining home sellers won’t feel as desperate because the joy and optimism of the new year will seem close enough that they will just wait – instead of giving their house away.
There will be buyers who cave and just pay the price because they’re tired of waiting. Or Trump could get lucky and Powell leaves early so a new Fed chief can get busy with getting mortgage rates back down to 3%. Trump should just offer Powell $100 million to leave.
In the last five years, there have only been three sales of these older homes on Skyline Drive – and only one was on the west side of the street. The easterly view is a sleeper benefit too – enjoy terrific sunrises every day! The interior is original from 1956 (including the knotty-pine look) but the home needs to be rebuilt anyway so who cares:
My mother was born on the Fourth of July – so this will be our first without her. It was a particularly tough month – not only did my mother pass away in early June, but Richard also lost his mom this past Monday.
We had my mom’s funeral service at St. Leo’s Church in Oakland, the same church where my parents were married and where my dad and grandparents also had their final mass. It’s the church we attended whenever we were in town, and after mass, the kids would always drag our parents over to Fenton’s Creamery for an ice cream. After my mom’s funeral service, we re-lived our past and went over for an ice cream again.
In her honor, I’m going to get an ice cream today too. I love you Mom!
This agent is expressing the same thoughts being told to sellers all across the country today. The vast majority of realtors have only known a raging seller’s market over the last 15 years, and they don’t know any different.
But what if the buyers don’t come?
It’s why I’m certain that sales will start suffering long before anyone thinks about lowering their price. Hope the sellers don’t mind the wait and inconvenience.
Sellers deserve to know that it’s possible we’re at the all-time peak. As boomers age out, home pricing could start a slow, gradual decline – especially if we’re out of buyers willing to pay $2 million for a 30-yr old tract home in Carlsbad.
Because buyers are on their own now, they will probably just buck up eventually and pay the seller’s price – unless they wait long enough for more sellers to get antsy and one of them undercuts the existing unsolds to get out.
These graphs are updated on the first of the month so these are the latest numbers and they are interactive so you can scroll over to see the individual data.
These are tracking the Coastal North region of SD County. You can see the average and median cost-per-sf is dropping significantly for it being in the prime April-June period.
It’s why I think we are going to muddle through the rest of the year.
Instead, the adjustment will be in the number of sales, as sellers continue hold out on price but fewer homes being worthy of purchase in the eyes of the buyers.
If you think the inventory surge in 2025 was significant, wait ’til next year!
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Jim & Donna Klinge helped us sell our home of 30 years in Ocean Hills. We were very happy with their service and would HIGHLY recommend them to anyone looking for an Honest, Knowledgeable, Skilled, Informed Efficient realty team. Both Jim & Donna were so helpful in different ways and complemented each others skills. Please refer to a more detailed review that we wrote on YELP. Thank You Both for all your help!!!
Jesse O'Hara
June 12, 2025
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A+ thank you
Lisa Tuomi
June 11, 2025
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Many years ago, we purchased a home in Carlsbad, using a realtor that was recommended to us - Jim Klinge. Fast forward to 2025, we recently had the privilege of selling 2 homes in Carlsbad, CA and didn't hesitate to reach out to Jim and Donna Klinge of Klinge Realty Group to guide us through the sales. The transactions were very different, each with its own unique situation, opportunities and challenges. From start to finish, Donna and Jim helped navigate the pre-sale preparation, the listing, showing of the house, buyer negotiations, the final close and all of the paperwork and decisions in between. What stands out with both transactions is the professionalism of Jim and Donna (and their team), wonderful communication (timely, relevant, concise), their deep understanding of market dynamics (setting realistic expectations), their access to top-notch contractors, and last, their ability to guide us across the finish line successfully. We wouldn't hesitate to use Jim and Donna in the future and highly recommend them for anyone looking to buy or sell a property in North San Diego County.
Jerry Meyer
March 28, 2025
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We sold a home with Jim and Donna and from beginning to end they were consummate professionals. Their initial walk through the property resulted in a list of items to be repaired or updated. They supplied a list of vendors and job quotes to do the repairs and updates. We originally wanted to sell ‘as is’ and just get it over with. They gave us a selling price for ‘as is’ and options for doing a few updates/repairs to doing it all with the selling price for each option. We agreed to do all they suggested and we sold for the exact price they predicted. For every dollar spent we got back more than $2 back in the selling price. And they got that price in a rising interest rate environment! Donna and Jim are extremely detailed and guide you through ever aspect of the sale. There were no surprises thanks to their guidance. We couldn’t be more pleased with their representation.
Thank you Donna and Jim,
Jerry and Mary
Heather Quejada
March 27, 2025
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We have known Jim & Donna Klinge for over a dozen years, having met them in Carlsbad where our children went to the same school. As long time North County residents, it was a no- brainer for us to have the Klinges be our eyes and ears for San Diego real estate in general and North County in particular. As my military career caused our family to move all over the country and overseas to Asia, Europe and the Pacific, we trusted Jim and Donna to help keep our house in Carlsbad rented with reliable and respectful tenants for over 10 years.
Naturally, when the time came to sell our beloved Carlsbad home to pursue a rural lifestyle in retirement out of California, we could think of no better team to represent us than Jim and Donna. They immediately went to work to update our house built in 2004 to current-day standards and trends — in 2 short months they transformed it into a literal modern-day masterpiece. We trusted their judgement implicitly and followed 100% of their recommended changes. When our house finally came on the market, there was a blizzard of serious interest, we had multiple offers by the third day and it sold in just 5 days after a frenzied bidding war for 20% above our asking price! The investment we made in upgrades recommended by Jim and Donna yielded a 4-fold return, in the process setting a new high water mark for a house sold in our community.
In our view, there are no better real estate professionals in all of San Diego than Jim and Donna Klinge. Buying or selling, you must run and beg Jim and Donna Klinge to represent you! Our family will never forget Jim, Donna, and their whole team at Compass — we are forever grateful to them.
Lou F
March 27, 2025
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WeI had the pleasure of working with Klinge Realty Group to sell our home in Carmel Valley, and I cannot recommend them highly enough!
Jim and Donna demonstrated exceptional professionalism, offering expert guidance on market conditions and pricing strategy, which resulted in a quick and successful sale.
Communication was prompt and we were well-informed throughout the entire process.
For anyone looking for a dedicated and knowledgeable real estate team, look no further!
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William Sams
March 25, 2025
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Donna and Jim Klinge of Klinge Realty Group have our highest possible recommendation. From Donna and Jim’s first visit to our house through closing their advice and counsel was candid and honest in all dealings. They kept us fully informed throughout the process. The house sold less than three days after listing with a two-week closing. My wife and I have sold several houses during our lives. This was by far the best experience. Klinge Reality is a premium service realtor. You can’t make a better choice for someone to sell your home fast and for top dollar.
Emily Hernandez
December 29, 2024
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Donna and Jim provided exceptional support and professionalism throughout the entire process. We couldn't have been happier with their efforts. They made our house shine, and thanks to their expertise, it sold above the listing price in the very first weekend! Truly a fantastic experience from start to finish.
Jesus Adrian Sahagun
November 11, 2024
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This year has been difficult on our family, mainly due to having to sell our home. Thankfully we knew God had a plan for us and working with the Klinge team was a key part of it. It was an obvious decision to work with them again after such an amazing experience when purchasing the same home we needed to sell. The challenge was, how will we do this in so little time with so much going on? Jim and Donna held our hand every step of the way. Whenever an unexpected issue arose they found and provided a solution. Never once did we feel pressured to make a decision and the Klinges were always reassuring after providing the information that the decision was ours to make. Despite the curve balls, they never panicked and exemplified the “can do” attitude, making us feel optimistic and taken care of. Their expertise and professionalism was superb. But of all the reasons to work with the Klinges, the most impactful and valuable is their compassion and genuine care for their clients. We pray that we can one day purchase our forever home and you better believe that Jim and Donna will be representing us - as long as they will have us of course. Thank you again Klinge team! Your execution, experience, and care are unmatched.
SABIHA PASHA
July 23, 2024
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Jim and Donna were fantastic! Jim understanding my needs, recommending potential places, pointing out the pros and cons of each property was invaluable. Then when the offer was accepted Donna’s organized guidance through the inspections, paperwork etc made the whole process seem effortless.
So grateful that I had them on my side!