Finicky. That’s the best way to describe the current market climate. And it really shouldn’t be a surprise – after the administration abruptly dumped outrageous global tariffs on the rest of the world only to yo-yo back and forth, sensible people are showing caution.
Cautious is a word to describe how people are acting in this market, although there’s a lot of fear, uncertainty and doubt being spread. I read a recent article describing how the market is cooling and deals are falling out at scale – with the overall sentiment being that the market is crashing. The market is not crashing. The stock market has nearly rebounded from all of its loss earlier this year, but uncertainty still persists.
In real estate, we’re still seeing strong activity—busy open houses, motivated buyers, and standout sales. Several of my listings this year have far exceeded historical sale peaks. But remember that cautiousness I mentioned earlier? It’s showing up too. Not every home is attracting the same level of attention. Why? I’m seeing buyers become less willing to compromise. If a property checks every box—location, layout, condition—they’ll move fast and go all in. But if it falls short in a key area (like being on a busy street or having highway noise), buyers are walking away. It’s all or nothing in this market.
In a typical market, buyers evaluate how much they’re willing to compromise. Right now, most are more critical and selective. Homes with no apologies are commanding peak prices—even with higher interest rates and global uncertainty—while the others are sitting longer.
And it’s not due to a sudden flood of inventory. Volume has remained relatively consistent over the past few years—still low by historical standards.
The good news: we live in an area that consistently has more buyers than sellers. That means we experience seller’s market dynamics more often than not. But whether it’s technically a buyer’s or seller’s market often comes down to the individual property.
The Key is a Solid Strategy
It’s important to know where you are willing to compromise and when to act. Here's what I'm hearing right now from both sides of the table.
Seller Uncertainty
Is now the right time to sell?
I hear this question often—and the honest answer is: it depends. The right timing varies by client, and the first thing I usually ask is why you’re considering a move. That one question tends to bring a lot of clarity.
Some clients are ready to seize a strong market moment, while others are weighing longer-term life changes. Once I understand your motivation, I can help you evaluate whether now is the right time—or if waiting might better serve your goals.
Our local market does have seasonality so if you have the flexibility to time your sale strategically, we’ll explore what window offers the best advantage. But even when timing isn’t optional—whether due to a job relocation, life change, or financial decision—there are ways to prepare your home and position it to achieve a strong outcome.
Whether you’re planning well in advance or navigating a more urgent situation, having a solid plan is essential—and it starts with understanding your "why."
Where would I go?
In our area, it's standard to vacate the home before listing it. To maximize your sale price, we typically prep, update, and stage the home—so moving out is a must. That means you’ll need a plan in place before listing.
Ask yourself:
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Are you retiring? It’s time to travel and explore where you want to go.
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Thinking about assisted living? Start touring communities.
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Hoping to stay in the area but upgrade? Bridge loans allow you to buy before you sell. Once your home is sold, there’s no going back—so it’s critical to explore your options and build a plan before hitting the market. I help sellers navigate all of this, so they feel confident and clear about their next steps.
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Buyer Anxiety
Am I buying at the right time?
It’s one of the most common questions I get—and for good reason. Buying a home is the largest financial decision most people will ever make, so naturally, you want to get the timing right. The truth? There’s never a perfect time for everyone, but there are always opportunities. In fact, I’ve seen several smart buys in just the last 30–60 days.
What makes the difference is preparation. We’ll work together early to tour houses and dial in your must-haves and ideal location—then track the market each week so when the right home appears, you’re ready to act swiftly. In this market, opportunities move fast: open house on the weekend, offers by Wednesday.
Interest rates are too high!
Rates are higher than they were a few years ago—but they’ve actually come down this year and continue to hover in the 5% range. That’s better than most buyers expect, and there’s a chance they’ll improve further before year’s end. The bigger question is: what’s your long-term plan? If it makes sense to buy now and refinance later, you may still come out ahead.
What about all the national uncertainty?
It’s true—there’s a lot of macro-level noise right now, from political tension to economic shifts. But here in Silicon Valley, we tend to operate on our own track. New companies are launching, families are relocating for opportunity, and the rental market is red hot. The energy is real.
How to Navigate a Finicky Market
It’s easy to tell someone to make a spreadsheet of pros and cons and let reason lead the way. But the truth is, emotions almost always play a role in real estate decisions. And they should—this is your home, your future, your money.
That said, I’ve seen clients gain real clarity by laying out the facts first:
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Should we sell now?
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Should we make an offer on this home?
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What’s our long-term plan?
The challenge comes when outside noise creeps in—headlines, hearsay, or anecdotal advice from a well-meaning friend. Suddenly, what felt clear gets cloudy.
But if you believe, as I do, that our local market tends to favor sellers—and that well-positioned homes and serious buyers still create strong results—then you already have the tools to spot opportunity when it shows up.
One of the first lessons I learned in real estate? Paralysis by analysis is real. Yes, make a smart, informed decision—but don’t overthink yourself out of the right one.
Let's connect to talk more about the specifics of your exact situation: