The Local Lowdown
Quick Take:
Single-family home prices remained relatively steady to close the year, while the condo market continued to soften with notable year-over-year declines across Alameda County.
Inventory levels dropped sharply during the holiday season, with single-family home supply down nearly 19% compared to last year.
Single-family homes are still moving quickly, while condos are taking longer to sell as buyers move more selectively.
Note: You can find the charts and graphs for the Local Lowdown at the end of this section.
Single-family homes hold steady as the condo market adjusts
The East Bay closed out the year with a familiar pattern: stability in the single-family home market and continued softness in the condo segment. In Alameda County, the median single-family home price reached $1,170,000 in December, reflecting a modest 0.47% year-over-year increase. Contra Costa County saw a slight adjustment, with median single-family prices settling at $839,500 — down just 1.81% from last year.
The condo market, however, experienced more significant shifts. Alameda County saw median condo prices decline 19.55% year-over-year to $522,500, while Contra Costa County condos decreased 7.60% to a median of $462,000. This widening gap between single-family homes and condos has been a consistent theme throughout 2025, highlighting how buyer demand continues to favor space, flexibility, and long-term value.
Inventory drops sharply as the year comes to a close
As expected during the holiday season, inventory levels pulled back across the East Bay — but this year’s decline was especially notable. Single-family home inventory fell 18.70% year-over-year, leaving just 1,265 homes available at the end of December. Condo inventory followed a similar trend, dropping 16.48% to 512 units.
While seasonal slowdowns are typical at year-end, the scale of this decline stands out, particularly after the higher inventory levels seen earlier in 2025. Many sellers chose to pause listings during the holidays, setting the stage for what could be a more active start to the new year once fresh inventory begins to enter the market.
Single-family homes move quickly while condos take more time
Buyer behavior continues to differ sharply between property types. Single-family homes remain in high demand, with the average home in Alameda County selling in just 20 days and 23 days in Contra Costa County. In fact, Alameda County homes are moving slightly faster than last year, signaling sustained buyer urgency despite broader market shifts.
Condos, by contrast, are seeing longer timelines. The average condo in Alameda County is now spending 42 days on the market — a 23.53% increase from last year — while Contra Costa County condos average 33 days. Buyers remain active, but they are approaching condo purchases with more patience and selectivity, taking time to evaluate value and long-term fit.
The East Bay remains firmly in seller’s market territory
Market balance is often measured by Months of Supply Inventory (MSI), with roughly three months considered a balanced market. Anything below that signals a seller’s market, while higher levels favor buyers.
Despite shifting conditions in the condo segment, the East Bay continues to favor sellers overall. Single-family home inventory remains especially tight, with just 0.8 months of supply in Alameda County and 1.2 months in Contra Costa County — both down 20% year-over-year. This limited supply is expected to keep competition strong for well-priced homes heading into the new year.
Even the condo market, which faced price adjustments throughout 2025, has tightened considerably. Alameda County ended December with 2.2 months of condo inventory, and Contra Costa County with 2.4 months. Both remain below balanced levels, keeping the broader East Bay market firmly positioned as a seller’s market as we move into the months ahead.
