East Bay Housing Update - February 2026
Ascend RE February 20, 2026
Ascend RE February 20, 2026
The Local Lowdown
Single-family home prices posted modest year-over-year gains across both counties, while the condo market continued to slide with double-digit declines in Contra Costa County.
Inventories remain significantly lower than last year, with both single-family homes and condos down nearly 20% on a year-over-year basis.
Single-family homes continue to move quickly in Alameda County, but condos are spending considerably more time on the market across the region.
Single-family homes kick off 2026 with positive momentum
The East Bay single-family market opened the year on a positive note
Single-Family Homes:
Alameda County: Median price $1,150,000, up 2.86% year-over-year
Contra Costa County: Median price $800,000, up 2.04% year-over-year
Marks a turnaround after several months of flat or declining prices
Condominiums:
Alameda County: Median price $515,000, down 6.36% year-over-year
Contra Costa County: Median price $455,000, down 14.39% year-over-year
The divergence between strengthening single-family prices and weakening condo values continues to define the East Bay market
Inventory levels remain well below last year
Inventory levels remain significantly lower than this time last year
Single-Family Homes:
1,639 homes currently on the market
Down 18.58% year-over-year
Condominiums:
627 units currently available
Down 20.03% year-over-year
Ongoing inventory shortages continue to place upward pressure on single-family home prices
Limited supply makes it challenging for buyers to find suitable properties
Inventory typically builds during the spring months, which may help ease supply constraints if new listings are absorbed by the market
Condos are spending significantly more time on the market
The single-family home market remains relatively fast-moving, particularly in Alameda County
Single-Family Homes:
Alameda County: 19 days on market, unchanged year-over-year
Contra Costa County: 30 days on market, up 15.38% year-over-year
Condominiums:
Alameda County: 51 days on market
Contra Costa County: 52 days on market
Contra Costa condo market days on market up 67.74% year-over-year
Extended condo timelines reflect ongoing challenges in the segment
Buyers currently hold greater negotiating leverage in the condo market
The East Bay starts 2026 as a strong seller's market
Months of Supply Inventory (MSI) is the key metric used to define market conditions
California historically averages ~3 months of MSI, which represents a balanced market
Below 3 months of supply indicates a seller’s market
Above 3 months indicates a buyer’s market
East Bay Market Overview – Start of 2026:
Market firmly in seller’s market territory across both property types
Single-Family Homes:
Alameda County: 1.1 months of inventory, down 21.43% year-over-year
Contra Costa County: 1.5 months of inventory, down 16.67% year-over-year
Extremely tight supply signals strong competition for buyers
Condominiums:
Alameda County: 2.7 months of inventory
Contra Costa County: 2.9 months of inventory
Both counties now fall within seller’s market territory
Tightening condo supply may help stabilize pricing in the months ahead
Recent
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Provided Courtesy of Ascend Real Estate
Provided Courtesy of Ascend Real Estate
Provided courtesy of Ascend Real Estate
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