Buy Now or Wait? Navigating Today’s Bay Area Real Estate Market

One of the most common questions we’re getting right now is: “Should I buy now or wait?” And it’s a fair question.

The stock market is on fire—tech giants like Nvidia and Broadcom are reaching all-time highs. Meanwhile, housing inventory in the Bay Area is high, but buyer activity feels uncertain. It’s not hot. It’s not cold. It’s... somewhere in between.

So what’s really going on? And if you’ve been on the sidelines, is this the right time to make your move?

Let’s unpack it.

📊 The Market Has Peaked—Early

Typically, we expect the real estate market to hit its inventory peak around July to mid-August. But this year? The peak came early—back in May—with about 1,230 active listings in San Jose. As of today, that number has dropped to 1,118, with 433 pending.

And here's something even more telling: nearly 300 homes have been taken off the market in just the last 30 days. These are properties that expired, were withdrawn, or canceled because the sellers didn’t get the price they wanted.

That kind of pullback tells a bigger story.

💥 Prices: Up, Then Down—Now Holding

In Q1, we saw prices rise 10–15%. But by Q2, most of those gains had been given back. Sellers who saw neighbors cash out at peak pricing are now faced with reality. Many are resisting lower offers, leading to a flatlining market.

This resistance has created a price floor—where motivated sellers aren’t quite willing to go lower, but buyers aren’t rushing in with big offers either. It’s a standoff.

🏡 New Buyer Wave Emerging

Interestingly, we’re now seeing a new wave of buyers entering the market—those who were priced out three to six months ago.

Why now?

Because homes that were once out of reach are now within budget. These “make-me-move” buyers are watching closely and jumping in as prices flatten and properties sit unsold. Homes that have been on the market for 20, 30, even 50 days are now prime opportunities for negotiation.

And in a market where fewer buyers are competing, that’s where the smart money wins.

🎯 So… Should You Buy Now?

If you’ve been waiting for your chance, this could be your moment. The market isn’t spiraling. It’s stabilizing. And if you’ve got a clear budget and the right strategy, you might land a great home below asking price—something that was nearly impossible just a few months ago.

But timing is everything. Wait too long, and you could miss this rare window where buyer leverage is strong and seller expectations are softening.

📞 Ready to Enter the Market?

If you’re thinking about buying—or just want to understand how today’s market impacts your goals—we’re here to help.

At Real Estate 38, we specialize in guiding buyers through market shifts with data, strategy, and heart.

Call us today at 408-515-1613 to schedule a consultation.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Inventory peaked early (in May) and is now shrinking

• 300+ listings were pulled off the market in 30 days

• Prices rose Q1, dropped Q2, now flatlining

• New wave of buyers entering as affordability improves

• Properties sitting 20–50 days = opportunity to negotiate

• Seller resistance is holding prices steady—buyer strategy matters