When Is The Best Time to Buy a House in San Diego?
Timing your home purchase in San Diego takes more than circling a date on the calendar. The city's unique market dynamics, year-round sunshine, and limited inventory create patterns that differ from national trends. Understanding these rhythms gives you an advantage when you're ready to make your move.
Key Takeaways
- Late summer offers solid inventory and motivated sellers cutting prices before fall.
- Spring brings peak competition with buyers bidding over asking on desirable properties.
- San Diego's temperate climate keeps the market active year-round compared to other cities.
- Your financial readiness and personal timeline matter more than trying to time the market perfectly.
What Makes San Diego Different
San Diego's housing market doesn't follow the same seasonal swings you'll see in colder climates. While Buffalo shuts down in January, you'll still find open houses here under clear skies. But that doesn't mean timing is irrelevant. The best time to buy depends on what you value most: selection, price, competition level, or negotiating power. Each season delivers different advantages.
When Is the Best Month to Buy a House?
August represents a unique opportunity for San Diego buyers. Inventory remains high from the spring rush, but sellers who listed in May or June are getting nervous. Homes that haven't sold are ripe for price cuts, and you'll face less competition from other buyers.
Several other months also offer buyer potential. Sale prices tend to bottom out in November. April and May feature the most new listing options. Price cuts typically peak in July and August, and October historically offers the largest selection of homes. The best month for you depends on your priorities, your finances, and how soon you can move.
Buy in January for a Better Price
Since more buyers are shopping in the spring, buying between March and May could cost you more than if you'd bought in the fall or winter months. According to recent data, 35% of buyers paid above list price in May and June while in January, 24% of buyers paid more than sellers were asking. For buyers looking for discounts from list prices, the best time to buy is late fall and early winter.
Keep in mind, fewer homes tend to go up for sale in the cold winter months and around the busy holiday season, so the selection of fresh for-sale homes may be limited. In San Diego, you won't deal with snow-covered properties or delayed inspections. The market slows but doesn't stop. Winter sellers are typically motivated by job relocation, divorce, financial pressure, or other circumstances that create urgency.
Buy in July and August for Price Cuts
Price cuts are most common between July and August. The fewest price cuts typically occur in December, when sellers lower prices less frequently. Winter prices, however, often reflect price cuts that were taken earlier so there are deals to be had at year's end, too.
Families with school-age kids have already made their moves by late summer. Out-of-state buyers who wanted to close before summer are gone. What's left is you, solid inventory, and sellers who want to close before the holidays.
Buy in October for the Largest Selection of Homes
October tends to have the largest number of homes for sale. Inventory at this time includes new listings, homes that haven't sold from the spring, and homes that have lingered even longer on the market. By the time February rolls around, the number of for-sale homes shrinks to its lowest level of the year.
Sellers listing in fall are often serious about moving. They're not testing the market or hoping for a bidding war. If you're ready to move, fall gives you negotiating power you won't find in spring.
Best Time of Year to Buy a House
Late summer is the best season to buy a house if you want a shopping experience with plenty of total options to choose from and lower prices as sellers work to get their homes sold before the fall. If that scenario fits you, the best month to buy a house is August.
Late fall and winter generally have fewer options but more flexibility in price, while spring and summer tend to offer buyers more options, but less negotiating power. Keep in mind, fewer homes are for sale in the cold winter months, so the selection of for-sale homes is likely to be more limited.
Busiest Time to Buy a House
April and May have the most new listings. If you want the most homes to choose from and don't mind paying a premium, this is your window. A majority of listings hit the market in a short window between April and June.
For San Diego specifically, the spring market kicks off earlier than cold-weather cities. March already sees serious activity as people take advantage of the weather and want to close before summer vacation season. But you'll pay for it. Bidding wars spike. Buyers waive contingencies. Sellers get multiple offers and choose the cleanest deal.
Is It a Good Time to Buy a House?
The best time to buy a house depends on your personal goals and circumstances, market conditions, and the state of the economy, both national and local. Some things to consider:
Mortgage Rates
Changes in mortgage interest rates can have a big impact on affordability and what you pay for your mortgage every month. As of September 2025, the average mortgage interest rate in the U.S. for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage was 6.35%, which is lower than it had been for most of the year. Rates have stabilized after the volatility of recent years, but they still fluctuate daily. Track rates and get pre-approved so you can move when you find the right property.
A single percentage point difference on a $800,000 home is roughly $500 per month. Lock in a good rate when you can.
Your Financial Readiness
The price of homes and the down payment needed to buy one means that most people save for years before shopping for a home to buy. Having a stable income, good credit, and savings are needed for a mortgage. If you're unsure about what you can afford, get pre-approved. It's free and gives you a realistic budget before you start shopping.
In San Diego's competitive market, sellers won't look at offers from buyers who aren't pre-approved. Having your finances in order beats trying to time the market.
Market Conditions
On a local level, your decision to buy could be affected by buyer demand, the local job market, the number of homes for sale, and the local rental market. San Diego isn't one market. It's dozens of micro-markets, each with its own dynamics. Coastal properties behave differently than inland suburbs. Downtown condos follow different patterns than single-family homes in Scripps Ranch.
Before you buy, understand what's happening in your specific target neighborhood. Look at days on market, sale-to-list price ratios, and how many buyers are competing for properties. Your agent should provide this data.
Regional Variations
The climate in your area can have an impact on buying opportunities. San Diego's year-round temperate weather means the market never truly hibernates. You'll find buyers shopping and sellers listing in January just like you will in June. The seasonal swings are gentler here, which means timing matters but isn't everything.
Coastal areas like Encinitas and Coronado stay active year-round, while inland markets like Poway or Santee see more pronounced seasonal shifts. North County coastal properties often peak earlier in spring due to their desirability for families relocating before the school year ends. Downtown condos see steadier activity across all seasons as they attract young professionals and investors with different timelines.
Economic Conditions
The U.S. economy—particularly inflation and the job market—influences the housing market, especially when it comes to mortgage interest rates. San Diego's economy runs on military, biotech, defense contractors, and growing tech companies. These industries create steady housing demand. PCS orders for military families happen year-round, adding buyers to the market even during typically slow months.
Inventory
The number of homes for sale fluctuates throughout the year. Spring is typically when the most homes come on the market, giving buyers the most fresh choices. San Diego has a supply problem. Not enough homes for the number of buyers who want them. This reality softens seasonal dips and intensifies competition during peak months. Even in slow periods, desirable properties in neighborhoods like Del Mar, La Jolla, and Carmel Valley get snapped up fast.
Home Prices
After soaring to record highs in a few short years during the pandemic, home values have leveled off and even declined in some markets. Buyer demand ultimately determines the pace of home value growth or decline, so knowing what's happening in your local market can help you factor that information into your decision-making.
Home values in San Diego have climbed consistently over decades, with occasional corrections. Waiting for the perfect market timing has cost many buyers more than they saved. Every month you wait is another month of rent payments and potentially higher home prices.
What to Consider Before Buying a House
Buying before you're financially ready or over-extending yourself could leave you at risk of losing your home down the road due to foreclosure or default. Economists generally recommend you spend no more than a third of your income on housing for it to be affordable. You want to be sure you have enough money after paying the mortgage to cover utilities, meet other financial obligations, and enjoy your life.
Sometimes life forces the decision. New job, growing family, divorce, aging parents, whatever it is, your personal timeline often matters more than market conditions. You can't put your life on hold waiting for the perfect moment.
Maintenance Expenses
Research shows that the hidden costs of homeownership average more than $15,000 a year when you include things like taxes, insurance, utility payments, and maintenance. In San Diego's higher-priced market, expect that number to climb. A $1 million home generates roughly $11,000 in property taxes alone.
Budget for property taxes (roughly 1.1% of purchase price annually in San Diego County), HOA fees if applicable, homeowners insurance, utilities, and maintenance. Plan for repairs and updates. Every home needs work eventually. Having reserves prevents you from becoming house-poor.
Your Mental Preparedness
Owning a home is a new lifestyle. You'll have more responsibilities than if you were renting, including maintenance, repairs, and upgrades. The best time to buy in San Diego is when three things align: you're financially ready, you've found a property that fits your needs, and you're prepared for the responsibilities of homeownership.
Relocation Possibility
Research shows it costs about 10 to 15 percent of the sales price to sell a home. Generally, it takes about seven to nine years to cover those expenses, although it could take longer in more expensive markets. While you can sell sooner, you might not recoup your initial purchase and selling expenses. Staying in your home longer means you could earn equity from home appreciation and from paying down your mortgage.
Smart Steps Before You Start Shopping
Hire a trusted home inspector familiar with San Diego properties. Coastal homes need special attention for salt air damage, while inland properties may have different concerns.
Get your financing squared away before you start touring homes. Pre-approval letters carry weight in multiple-offer situations.
Research comparable sales in your target neighborhoods. Understanding recent sale prices helps you recognize good value when you see it.
Review seller disclosures carefully. San Diego County requires disclosure of roof condition, water intrusion, and pest issues. These affect your long-term costs and negotiation position.
The Real Best Time
Ultimately, the best time to buy is when you're prepared financially and emotionally to take the leap. Trying to perfectly time the market is a gamble. San Diego home values have climbed over the long term. Waiting for a dip that never comes costs you more than buying when you're ready.
That said, if you have flexibility, late summer through fall offers the best combination of inventory and negotiating power. Spring gives you maximum selection but expect to pay a premium and face serious competition.
Contact The Comiskey Group
Contact The Comiskey Group when you're ready to buy or sell real estate in San Diego. Our team brings local market knowledge and negotiation expertise to every transaction, helping you secure the right property at the right time. Whether you're targeting a specific neighborhood or exploring multiple options, we offer strategic guidance tailored to current market conditions.
