Even though rates are high and sales have slowed, the real estate market continues to remain consistent. Since the beginning of the year, we have more inventory, more buyer activity, and stable prices.
Usually, inventory rises gradually during the first few months of the year. Detached inventory in North County increased 12% between late March and late April.
During the month of March, no new sales price records were set. Still, you can see in the graphs below that the prices are holding steady, relative to 2025.
Listings are taking 1-2 weeks to sell: the number of Days on Market for sales is still low, for well-priced homes. March sales numbers show that, in North County, detached homes usually sell in between 1-2 weeks.
Here are March 2026 median detached home sales prices, with inventory numbers as of April 20, 2026:
Carlsbad – $1,900,000
Last all-time high: $1,972,500 – June 2025
Encinitas/Cardiff-by-the-Sea – $2,468,500
All-time high: $3,100,000 – September 2023
San Marcos – $1,255,000
Last all-time high: $1,340,000 – April 2025
Vista – $936,500
All-time high: $1,008,500 – June 2025
Oceanside – $935,000
Last record: $1,031,000 – December 2024
Escondido – $922,450
Last all-time high: $1,044,000 – July 2025
Interest Rates
At the end of 2025, the Federal Reserve dropped rates three times. The most recent cut was on December 10, 2025. Since then, the Fed has decided to hold rates steady, keeping them at 3.50-3.75%.
What’s more telling than the federal funds rate, which drives short-term rates, is the 10-year treasury bond rate, which helps determine long-term rates, including those for 30-year mortgages. The 10-year treasury bonds rate is 4.305% as of today (4/20/26). The spread is usually 1.25-2% when rates aren’t expected to cycle down. As a result, 30-year mortgage rates range between 5.93-6.33% today, depending on the loan program.
Your credit score also helps to determine your interest rate, and PMI premiums. If you’re thinking about buying or refinancing, start with a credit check, to make sure you can secure the best possible rates.
If you own a home, it’s probably worth more than you think. Contact me for a free personalized home valuation, or if you have any other real estate questions.
If you’re thinking about homeownership, we can work together to determine your mortgage options, your price range, and the best time for us to start shopping.
I look forward to hearing from you!
