California Housing Market Outperforms as US Stale Listings Reach 52.2%

This article takes a look at how California’s housing market keeps showing strength, even as stale listings pile up across much of the country. The focus lands on Bay Area trends and what they might mean for folks living in Marin County.

Redfin’s February 2026 data shows a national jump in homes sitting on the market for two months or longer. But California metros—especially in the Bay Area—aren’t following that same path.

Find Your Ideal Marin County Getaway
Discover hand-picked hotels and vacation homes tailored for every traveler. Skip booking fees and secure your dream stay today with real-time availability!

Browse Accommodations Now

In Marin’s towns, from San Rafael to Mill Valley and Novato to Sausalito, buyers and sellers are dealing with tight inventories. Homeowners are staying put longer, and affordability remains a big challenge, which keeps the market moving, even though listings still lag behind demand.

Table of Contents

Bay Area resilience amid rising stale listings

Redfin says that nationally, stale listings made up 52.2% of the market in February 2026. That’s about $347 billion in stale listings by value. But California’s major urban areas are mostly outpacing that trend.

The Bay Area just doesn’t have the same stalemate as some of the hardest-hit markets. San Jose had a stale share near 19.8%. San Francisco was around 24%, and Oakland came in at about 31.1%. Those numbers suggest stronger demand and faster turnover than what’s happening nationally.

Other California metros like Anaheim and San Diego sit above the Bay Area but still don’t hit the national stale-listing level. Los Angeles and Riverside do register higher stale shares among the state’s big markets, which isn’t entirely surprising.

There’s a big mismatch in supply and demand across the country—about 630,000 more sellers than buyers, according to analysts. Redfin adds up the asking prices of active listings at the end of the month, skipping ultra-high-end homes over $300 million or anything sitting for more than a year.

California tells a more complicated story. Some areas look like a buyer’s market, but that’s not true everywhere. Supply issues get worse with longer homeowner tenures and the never-ending affordability problems.

For Marin County, all this means inventories stay pretty tight compared to the rest of the country. Local buyers sometimes face competition, especially in the lower- to mid-range price bands.

People are holding onto their homes longer, too—about 12 years nationwide in 2025. In California, it’s even longer. Los Angeles averages about 20 years, San Jose around 18.7, and San Francisco roughly 16.5. That helps explain why Marin’s market stays tight: not many new listings, and prices remain sturdy in towns near the Golden Gate.

If you live in Tiburon, Sausalito, or up in the green hills of San Anselmo, you’ll still see steady interest in single-family homes and those well-kept neighborhoods. Even if price growth slows down, demand doesn’t seem to go away.

Implications for Marin County buyers and sellers

San Rafael: Families and professionals love the schools, access to 101/580, and the downtown corridor. Homes in the most popular neighborhoods usually sell fast.
Novato: Demand in north Marin stays steady. Many buyers are looking for more space and better value, but still want a reasonable commute to San Francisco or the East Bay.
Mill Valley: Premium market and not much supply. Buyers often compete for homes in places like Alto and Homestead Valley—those spots can get pretty intense.
Tiburon: The waterfront vibe keeps prices up and listings rare. Buyers here usually expect a longer search and try for offers with more contingencies when they can.
Sausalito: Views and scenery keep the competition alive. Inventory can be unpredictable, but standout waterfront properties get snapped up fast.
San Anselmo & Fairfax: There’s a strong community feel and walkable town centers. Inventory gets a little better in off-peak seasons, but it’s still tighter than you’ll see nationally.
Larkspur & Corte Madera: Both towns appeal to families and commuters. Listings tend to move faster in the spring, though overall supply stays pretty cautious year-round.
Ross (and other central Marin towns): Well-kept homes and good schools help keep these markets steady. Buyers here tend to be selective and bidding can get competitive.

Marin communities keep drawing families, retirees, and professionals who want bayfront scenery and those rugged hills. In San Rafael, Novato, and Mill Valley, the housing market still shows strong interest and selective opportunities, even when the rest of California slows down a bit.

Local agents from Sausalito to Fairfax watch the numbers closely. They help buyers and sellers navigate a market that’s not completely immune to national trends, but still feels pretty anchored by Marin’s unique charm and long-standing appeal.

Here is the source article for this story: California Housing Market Outperforms as US ‘Stale Listings’ Reach 52.2%

Discover Your Perfect Stay in Marin County
Find available hotels and vacation homes instantly. No fees, best rates guaranteed!

Check Availability Now

Joe Harris is the founder of MarinCountyVisitor.com, a comprehensive online resource inspired by his passion for Marin County's natural beauty, diverse communities, and rich cultural offerings. Combining his love for exploration with his intimate local knowledge, Joe curates an authentic guide to the area featuring guides on Marin County Cities, Things to Do, and Places to Stay. Follow Joe on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.