Best Time to Sell a Home in San Diego: What the 2026 Data Shows

The best time to sell a home in San Diego is the second half of March. That is what the latest Zillow and Realtor.com research shows.

In Zillow's study of 2025 home sales, San Diego sellers who listed in the last two weeks of March earned 2.1% more than expected. On a typical San Diego home, that is about $21,300. Realtor.com's 2026 report also picks the week starting March 22 as the best week to list in the San Diego area.

That is earlier than the national peak. Zillow's national sweet spot is late May. Realtor.com's national pick is April 12 to 18. San Diego's selling season starts first.

I'm Trevor Landress, a San Diego REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker West. In this guide, I break down the numbers, explain why San Diego runs early, and share what to do if you can't list in March.

The short answer

• Best two weeks to list in San Diego: The last two weeks of March (Zillow).
• Best single week: The week starting March 22 (Realtor.com, 2026).
• Best season: Spring.
• Where buyers have the edge: Late October. In Zillow's analysis of 2024 sales, reported by Axios San Diego, buyers paid about 2% less than expected, roughly $21,500 on a typical home.

What Zillow's data says about the best time to list in San Diego

Zillow studies home sales in the 35 largest U.S. metro areas. It compares each sale price to an expected price that leaves out seasonal effects. The gap is called the premium.

Here are the San Diego results from Zillow's two most recent reports:

An older Zillow report, covered by FOX 5 San Diego in 2024, put the San Diego peak in the second half of April, with a 3.1% premium.

The pattern is clear. San Diego's best results have come in March or April, ahead of the national peak in late May.

What Realtor.com's 2026 report says

Realtor.com scores every week of the year. It looks at listing prices, buyer views, days on market, price cuts, and the number of competing listings. For the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad area, the best week to list in 2026 was the week starting March 22.

Compared with an average week, Realtor.com found:

• 20.4% more views per listing
• 29.1% fewer price reductions
• About 5 fewer days on the market
• 17.5% fewer active listings, which means less competition

Listing prices that week also ran about 5.4% above where they start the year, roughly $48,000.

Realtor.com's model uses data from 2018, 2019, and 2021 through 2025. It leaves out 2020 because the pandemic distorted that year.

LiveNOW from FOX reported the same national finding and noted that coastal and tech markets can favor earlier listings.

Why San Diego's selling season starts early

Three things show up in the research.

Military moves. The San Diego Association of Realtors president told Axios San Diego in March 2025 that military transfers and new postings arrive in March and April.

Less competition. Realtor.com says listing early lets sellers get ahead of the wave of new listings. Nationally, it found new sellers surge by about 38% by late June.

Ready buyers. Realtor.com notes that in coastal and tech markets, early listings reach serious buyers who have been scanning a thin winter selection. San Diego's early best week fits that pattern.

What if I can't sell in March?

Most people can't pick their moving date. Zillow notes that life events, like a new job or a growing family, drive most sales.

If your timeline is summer or fall, here is what the research supports:

• Get on the MLS. Zillow found homes left off the MLS sold for about 1.5% less. That is nearly $5,000 on a typical home.
• Price for the season. In the fall, buyers have more leverage. In Zillow's 2024 data, San Diego homes sold in late October went for about a 2% discount.
• Start prep early. Realtor.com reports that 53% of sellers prepared their homes in a month or less. Rushed prep makes it hard to hit a short window.

If you're aiming for next March, start preparing in January.

Timing helps, but it is not a guarantee

These numbers are averages. A 2.1% premium does not mean your home will sell for 2.1% more.

Three things can change your result:

• Mortgage rates. Zillow says rate swings can boost or soften the usual spring surge.
• Your price. A home priced above the market can sit in any month.
• Your property. Condition, location, and home type all matter.

Zillow also says the best week to list depends on what is happening in your local market. The data above covers the whole San Diego metro area.

My advice for San Diego sellers

1. If you have flexibility, plan to list in the second half of March.
2. Start preparing in January so you're ready to go live on time.
3. Price your home from current local sales, not last year's headlines.
4. Make sure your home is listed on the MLS.
5. If you have to sell in the fall or winter, price sharply and invest in your photos and presentation.

Thinking about selling in the next 6 to 12 months? Call or text me at (619) 402-4614 or visit trevorlandressrealtor.com. I'll look at current numbers for your home and map out the best date to list.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to sell a house in San Diego?
Late March has led in recent Zillow and Realtor.com research. Spring overall is the strongest season.

Is spring or summer better for selling in San Diego?
Spring has come out ahead. By late June, new sellers surge nationally, which means more competition for your listing.

What is the worst time to sell a house in San Diego?
Zillow's data shows late October was the best time for buyers, which means sellers had less pricing power then.

How early should I start preparing to sell?
Start in January if you want to list in late March. Realtor.com found many sellers prepare in a month or less, which can leave little room to fix problems.

Does listing in the best week guarantee a higher price?
No. The research shows averages. Your price, your home's condition, and mortgage rates all affect the result.

About the author

Trevor Landress is a San Diego REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker West (DRE# 02126901). He is part of the Campbell Group, a three-generation real estate team. Born and raised in San Diego, Trevor has about five years of experience helping buyers and sellers across San Diego County. Call or text (619) 402-4614 or visit trevorlandressrealtor.com.