Spring is on the doorstep in North County, and the market is doing what it usually does this time of year: buyer activity picking up, inventory still tight, and well-priced homes moving quickly. Here's the snapshot heading into the week of February 23.
Where prices sit right now
Across the four cities I serve, medians have held steady or appreciated year over year. The big story is Oceanside, where appreciation continues to outpace the rest of North County.
| City | Median Price | YoY Change | Typical DOM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carlsbad | ~$1.6M | +1 to 2% | 29 to 35 days |
| Oceanside | ~$875K | +6 to 7% | 28 to 32 days |
| Vista | ~$883K | +3 to 5% | 32 to 38 days |
| Encinitas | ~$1.9M | +8 to 12% | 30 to 36 days |
Figures are rounded approximations from recent MLS activity, late February 2026.
What this means if you are selling
The spring window is open. Buyers are out, inventory is thin, and accurately priced homes are seeing offers in the first 30 days. The mistake I watch sellers make every year is pricing optimistically and chasing the market down. Get the pricing right on day one, and the rest takes care of itself.
What this means if you are buying
Competition is real but uneven by city. Oceanside is the best value on the coast. Vista offers the most space for the dollar. Carlsbad and Encinitas remain premium markets where being prepared (clean offer, real pre-approval, flexibility on terms) matters more than overbidding.
Outlook into March
Expect inventory to start ticking up in March as more sellers list ahead of the spring rush. That typically tempers competition slightly for buyers without softening prices. If you are thinking about either side, the next four to six weeks are the most active window of the year.
Whether You're Buying or Selling
Two free guides for the spring 2026 market: the North County Sellers' Playbook (seven costly mistakes to avoid) and the North County Buyer's Playbook (where the value actually is).