What’s Happening in the Bay Area Housing Market?
The Bay Area housing market is entering a new phase of transition, marked by both high-end growth and broader market softening. While many regions across California are seeing mixed signals, May 2025 brought surprising shifts in pricing, inventory, and buyer activity across key Bay Area counties.
🏡 Santa Clara County Leads with Record Prices
Driven by the ongoing AI boom and tech wealth, Santa Clara County hit a new all-time median home price of $2,125,000, surpassing San Mateo at $2,089,000. For the first time in recent years, Santa Clara now holds the highest 3-month-rolling median home price in the entire Bay Area.
💸 Luxury Home Sales Surge 21%
Homes priced at $5 million or more saw a 21% year-over-year increase in sales, making May 2025 the strongest luxury month since the pandemic boom of 2022. Santa Clara and San Mateo continue to dominate this segment, followed by San Francisco, Marin County, and Monterey County.
📈 Inventory Climbs to 5-Year High
The number of active listings on the market jumped 44% in May compared to April, the largest single-month increase in over five years. This shift means buyers now have more options, though many homes are still selling quickly and over asking in hot submarkets.
📉 Total Home Sales Down, But Market Still Competitive
Despite luxury growth, overall home sales dropped 12% year over year. Listing inventory and price reductions continue to rise, but demand remains strong in affluent areas, particularly those influenced by tech and stock market performance.
🔍 Key Takeaways for Buyers and Sellers
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Buyers: More inventory means more negotiation power—but act fast in desirable neighborhoods.
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Sellers: If you’re in Santa Clara, San Mateo, or SF, your home may be worth more than ever.
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Investors: High-end demand shows no signs of slowing in Silicon Valley and nearby markets.
🗺️ County-by-County Breakdown (May 2025 Median Prices)
| County | Median Price | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara | $2,125,000 | +6% |
| San Mateo | $2,089,000 | +3% |
| San Francisco | $1,800,000 | +4% |
| Marin | $1,825,000 | +1% |
| Alameda | $1,350,000 | -4% |
| Contra Costa | $895,000 | +5% |
| Sonoma | $860,000 | -1% |
| Monterey | $905,000 | -6% |
📞 Ready to Make a Move? Let’s Talk
If you're thinking about buying, selling, or investing in the Bay Area, I can help you make sense of these market shifts. Let’s build a strategy that works for your goals.
📲 Call/Text: 415-596-1891
📧 Email: [email protected]
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