Lets work together!
charlie@charliebrownsf.com
415-722-3493
Welcome to our Blog!
Why Rising Foreclosure Headlines Aren’t a Red Flag for Today’s Housing Market
Foreclosure activity may be rising, but it’s still well within a normal range – and nowhere close to the danger zones of the past. But the headlines are doing more to terrify than clarify. And that’s exactly why having a trusted real estate expert you can call on is so important.
When you hear something in the news or see something on social about housing that worries you, please reach out so you have the context to understand what’s really happening and how it impacts you (if at all).
MarketTracker San Francisco- January 2026 from CharlieBrownSF
January 2026 San Francisco Real Estate Market Summary
As interest rates continue to fall, median monthly P&I payments do as well, making housing slowly but surely more affordable on a national scale.
Mortgage rates are currently at the lowest point they’ve been at in recent years, as the Fed continues its rate cut cycle.
Despite falling interest rates, inventories still remain higher than they were at this point last year.
We very briefly saw rates break the 6% mark recently, following some commentary from Trump regarding the purchase of mortgage-backed securities by Fannie and Freddie.
MarketTracker East Bay - January 2026 from CharlieBrownSF
January 2026 East Bay Real Estate Market Summary
Single-family home prices held relatively steady in December, while the condo market continued its year-long slide with double-digit declines in Alameda County.
Inventories dropped significantly as the year came to a close, with single-family home inventory down nearly 19% year-over-year.
Single-family homes continue to move quickly, while condos are spending considerably more time on the market.
MarketTracker Silicon Valley - January 2026 from CharlieBrownSF
January 2026 Silicon Valley Real Estate Market Summary
Single-family median sale prices rebounded across most of Silicon Valley in December, with San Mateo County posting nearly 10% year-over-year gains.
Inventory levels have plummeted to their lowest levels in years, with single-family home inventory down more than 21% year-over-year.
Despite the inventory crunch, listings in Santa Cruz County are spending significantly more time on the market compared to last year.
MarketTracker Bay Area - January 2026 from CharlieBrownSF
January 2026 Bay Area Real Estate Market Summary
The Bay Area closed out 2025 with unprecedented inventory contraction, with most regions experiencing 20-40% year-over-year inventory declines as the holiday season accelerated a dramatic shift toward seller's markets.
San Francisco led regional price appreciation with single-family homes up 8.63% and inventory hitting historic lows of just 93 homes for sale, while other regions showed more mixed results with pockets of softness.
Days on market trends diverged sharply across the region, with San Francisco and parts of the East Bay accelerating while other areas like Santa Cruz County experienced significant slowdowns despite tight inventory.
The entire Bay Area has transformed into seller's market territory across nearly all property types, with several regions reaching extreme supply constraints not seen in years.
MarketTracker North Bay - January 2026 from CharlieBrownSF
January 2026 North Bay Real Estate Market Summary
Median sale prices were mixed across the North Bay in December, with Napa County single-family homes seeing 7.34% year-over-year growth while Sonoma and Solano Counties experienced slight declines.
Inventory levels have plummeted dramatically, with single-family home inventory down 38.85% and condo inventory down 27.99% on a year-over-year basis.
Despite the inventory crunch, listings are spending considerably more time on the market than they did last year, with single-family homes in Solano County sitting 42.86% longer.
Expert Forecasts Point to Affordability Improving in 2026
Affordability won't change suddenly overnight. But, with several key trends working together, it should slowly and steadily improve in the months ahead.
That’s exactly why, in 2026, you should see a market with more balance, more predictability, and more breathing room than you’ve had in years.
Want more information about the opportunities unlocking in our local market?
Let’s chat.
Reasons To Be Optimistic About the 2026 Housing Market
If you want to talk through what’s expected for our local market and which trends you’ll want to take advantage of, let’s connect.
Turning a House Into a Home: The Benefits You Can Actually Feel
Buying a home isn’t only about dollars and data points – it’s about building a life you love.
So, if you’re thinking about a move in 2026, keep the emotional side in the conversation too. And when you’re ready to explore your options, let's connect so you have a pro on your side to guide you through the process with clarity and confidence.
Headlines Have You Worried about Your Home’s Value? Read This.
If you’re hearing talk about price drops or crashes, a closer look at the data can help put things in perspective. That’s only happening in some markets. Most of the nation is still seeing prices rise.
And for the vast majority of homeowners, the long-term gains far outweigh any recent softening.
If you want help understanding what’s happening in our local market, let’s connect.
MarketTracker Bay Area - December 2025 from CharlieBrownSF
December 2025 Bay Area Real Estate Market Summary
Median single-family home prices marked a new two-year high in October.
Inventory continues to be a huge issue in both the single-family home and condo markets.
Listings aren’t spending very much time on the market, with the average single-family home being sold in just 14 days.
MarketTracker North Bay - December 2025 from CharlieBrownSF
December 2025 North Bay Real Estate Market Summary
The median single-family home in Marin County sold for 10% less than it did just one year ago in November.
Inventories in the North Bay dropped by more than 20% when compared to last month!
Despite the inventory dropoff, listings are spending quite a bit more time on the market than they were last year.
MarketTracker East Bay - December 2025 from CharlieBrownSF
December 2025 East Bay Real Estate Market Summary
Median sale prices are largely on the decline throughout the East Bay.
The East Bay has continued to buck the trend, as inventories are roughly flat on a year-over-year basis.
As inventories remain flat, listings are spending more time on the market.
MarketTracker Silicon Valley - December 2025 from CharlieBrownSF
December 2025 Silicon Valley Real Estate Market Summary
Single-family median sale prices declined across the board for the first time in more than a year in November!
Despite declines in price across the board, inventories are down more than 10% year-over-year.
The average single-family home in Santa Cruz County is spending more than twice as much time on the market when compared to last year.
MarketTracker San Francisco - December 2025 from CharlieBrownSF
December 2025 San Francisco Real Estate Market Summary
Mortgage rates continue to slowly move downwards, as the Federal Reserve continues its rate cuts.
Inventories remain high, as new supply is hitting the market faster than existing homes are being sold.
Last Wednesday, the Fed lowered the federal funds rate by another 25 basis points, bringing the target range to 3.50%-3.75%.
Is Buyer Demand Picking Back Up? What Sellers Should Know.
Want to know what's happening with buyer activity in our area, and what it could mean if you want to sell your house in the new year?
Let’s talk about getting your house listed in early 2026, so you can take advantage of this momentum building in the market.
How To Stretch Your Options, Not Your Budget
If you’re ready to find a home that fits both your budget and your life, let’s take a look at your wish list together. With a local expert on your side, it’s easier to see where a little flexibility can open up a lot more opportunity.
Your Equity Could Transform Your Next Move
If you haven’t had a professional evaluate your home’s value this year, now is the perfect time. You don’t have to sell—but knowing your equity gives you a clearer picture of what’s possible and how far that number can take you.
Ready for a custom professional equity assessment? Let’s connect.
Why Selling Your House This Winter Gives You an Advantage
Winter may not get the same hype as spring, but that’s exactly what gives you an advantage. Less competition, more serious buyers, and a greater chance for your home to stand out.
If you’re considering selling, this season could work strongly in your favor. Let’s connect and talk about what listing your home this winter could look like for you.
This May Be the Best Time To Buy a Brand-New Home
With most builders offering generous incentives and a wider selection of new homes for sale, buyers may be looking at one of the best times in years to buy a new build.
Let's connect if you want to know which communities, builders, and incentives offer the most value today. Having your own agent (not the builder’s representative) makes the sale and negotiation process that much easier for you.