This fall I snuck away for a few days to a cabin in the woods. No schedule, no inbox, just tall pines, cold air on my face, and the simple rhythm of chopping and stacking firewood. The nights were especially memorable: a sky full of stars, the smell of woodsmoke, and a quiet so deep you could almost hear the snow getting ready for winter.
That time outdoors is how I reset and recharge before the new year. It gives me space to reflect on the past season, be grateful for the people I’m lucky enough to work with, and get ready for what’s ahead in 2026.
My hope is that you and your family also find a few moments of calm this month, whether it’s a walk around the neighborhood, a trip to the hills, or just an evening by the fire at home. Thank you for being part of my community. Wishing you a peaceful holiday season and a bright, healthy new year.
As I head into the new year with that same sense of reset and clarity, it feels like the right moment to step back and take a look at where our market stands. Just as the seasons shift in the mountains, the real estate cycle has its own natural rhythm and December always brings a quieter, more reflective pace before the energy picks back up.
With that in mind, here’s a look at how the market rounded out 2025, and what we’re watching closely as we move into the first quarter of 2026.
As expected, the real estate market eased into its mid-winter holiday slowdown in November, with a noticeable drop in both new listings and closed sales. This is a normal seasonal pattern, and activity typically slows even further through December, historically the quietest month of the year, before buyers and sellers begin to re-emerge in mid-January
Even with fewer new listings coming to market, December often creates opportunities for motivated buyers. Homes with longer days-on-market tend to see more negotiability, while well-priced, well-prepared, and effectively marketed listings can still sell quickly and in some cases, well above asking price. Preparation and strategy matter more than ever this time of year.
As we wrap up 2025, our attention now shifts toward the New Year’s market, which traditionally brings a meaningful jump in buyer demand. We saw this early in 2025 before the “tariff shock” and its economic ripple effects cooled activity in April. If broader economic signals continue to improve, we may see renewed momentum as we head toward spring.
This month’s report looks closely at all key indicators through November. Our January edition will take a deeper dive, reviewing 2025 as a whole and placing this year’s trends in the context of longer-term market cycles.
On the broader financial front, the first week of December brought a shift in tone: the S&P 500 and Nasdaq largely rebounded from their November pullbacks, and 30-year mortgage rates moved toward a 14-month low. Consumer confidence ticked up slightly as well, though it remains historically low. All eyes are now on the Federal Reserve Board and its upcoming decision regarding a possible year-end benchmark-rate cut, along with the inflation report due shortly after.
📍 Lamorinda Real Estate Report – December 2025
📍 San Francisco Bay Area Real Estate Reports – December 2025
📊Macroeconomic Factors & Indicators Pertinent to Bay Area Real Estate Markets
🗺 East Bay Median Home Price Map – Alameda & Contra Costa Counties
If you want to explore how these trends may affect your 2026 plans, I’m always here to help. Preparation, education, and timing continue to be the foundation of smart real estate decisions, especially in a transitioning market.
Let’s get ahead of the New Year's market, together.
