The Local Lowdown

Spring brings a mixed bag for home prices

March played out differently depending on where you were looking across the North Bay's single-family market. Sonoma County had a welcome turnaround, with the median home price coming in at $875,000... up 1.16% compared to this time last year. That's a meaningful shift after several months of flat or softening numbers. But not every county shared in that momentum. Marin County dipped 1.69% to $1,750,000, Solano County slipped 3.45% to $578,320, and Napa County saw a more notable 10.61% decline to $885,000.

The condo side of things was a bit more unpredictable. Napa County condos posted a dramatic 106.50% year-over-year surge... though that's likely the result of a small number of high-value sales rather than a broad market shift. Marin County condos fell 22.50%, Solano County declined 18.06%, and Sonoma County edged down 0.81%. It's a reminder that the condo market can move in sharp swings, and the numbers don't always tell the whole story on their own.

Inventory remains in short supply as spring arrives

Even with the spring selling season underway, the inventory picture hasn't changed much. Single-family home inventory across the North Bay sits at 2,070 units... down 41.16% compared to March 2025. The condo market is similarly constrained, with just 293 units available, a 31.06% year-over-year decline.

There are some encouraging signs, though. Single-family home sales are up 5.33% year-over-year, condo sales jumped 10.61%, and new listings are starting to tick up month-over-month. But new listings are still running well below last year's pace... down 31.69% for single-family homes and 8.09% for condos. Until more sellers decide to make a move, buyers are going to continue facing real competition out there.

Homes are moving fast as spring heats up

If there's one thing March made clear, it's that buyers aren't sitting on the sidelines. The pace of sales accelerated sharply across all four North Bay counties, with days on market dropping significantly from the month prior. Napa County led the way with a 38.75% month-over-month decrease, bringing the median down to 49 days. Marin County followed closely at just 15 days... down 31.82%. Sonoma County improved 26.67% to 33 days, and Solano County tightened 25.58% to 32 days.

Year-over-year, most single-family markets are roughly in line with where they were last spring... with the exception of Napa County, where days on market are still running 63.33% higher than March 2025. On the condo side, Napa County is actually moving 72.77% faster year-over-year, while Solano County condos are taking considerably longer to sell. As always, the details vary a lot by county and property type.

Seller's market conditions strengthen heading into spring

One of the clearest ways to read a market is through Months of Supply Inventory, or MSI. Historically, California averages around three months... which is considered balanced. Below three months favors sellers. Above three months favors buyers.

Right now, most of the North Bay is firmly in seller's territory. Marin County has just 1.8 months of supply... down 58.14% year-over-year. Solano County sits at 2.2 months, Sonoma at 2.3 months, and Napa County remains the most balanced at 5.5 months, though even that number has been tightening. On the condo side, all four counties are hovering right around or just above three months, keeping things relatively competitive there as well. Heading deeper into spring, sellers continue to hold the upper hand across most of the region.

Bottom Line

The North Bay market this spring is one where low inventory is really calling the shots. Prices are mixed depending on the county and property type... but what's consistent across the board is that homes are moving faster, supply is tight, and sellers are in a strong position in most areas. Sonoma County's price rebound is an encouraging sign, and the uptick in new listings month-over-month suggests more activity could be on the way. For buyers, that means being prepared and ready to move when the right home comes up. For sellers, the conditions are working in your favor... especially if your home is priced well and shows beautifully. Wherever you are in your real estate journey, staying close to the data right now is one of the smartest things you can do.

Local Lowdown Data