Homesellers across much of the country are getting cold feet while seller confidence in the East Bay is holding steady.
Recent data shows, nearly 6 out of every 100 homes listed for sale nationally during April were pulled off the market which was the highest rate since the early days of the pandemic in 2020.
Many sellers are growing frustrated by buyers who have more negotiating power than they’ve had in years. In many cases, homeowners are testing the waters but pulling their listings when they don’t receive the price or terms they were hoping for.
But at the regional level, the Bay Area tells a different story.
According to Bay East Association of REALTORS® analysis of recent market trends, Bay Area metros are leading the entire country in relistings, homes that were previously pulled off the market and are now back for sale.
Bay Area cities including San Francisco and San Jose ranked first and second in the nation for this activity in April, each with more than 4% of all active listings being relistings. That’s the highest share of any major U.S. metros, and it’s no coincidence.
Demand here remains strong, fueled in large part by the continued growth of the artificial intelligence industry and its ripple effect on the regional economy.
“The Bay Area always seems to be one of the most resilient markets in the country,” said Bill Espinola, 2026 President of the Bay East Association of Realtors. “While sellers in other parts of the country are hesitating or stepping back altogether, local homeowners and buyers recognize that the conditions here can be favorable and they’re acting on it.”
Looking deeper into the market, the East Bay is reflecting that same regional strength. Year-to-date sales activity during 2026 is running nearly identical to 2025 which is a sign of consistent, steady demand.
While inventory in many East Bay communities is tighter than it was a year ago, buyers are still active and transactions are getting done. Prices rebounded from April and came in higher than last May, but that hasn’t scared buyers away.
Sales are slightly up compared to the same time last year. Importantly, no single part of the East Bay is carrying the rest as sales activity has remained steady across the board.
“What we’re seeing locally is a market that continues to reward sellers who are prepared and work with a REALTOR® who can help them price their home for current market conditions,” Espinola said. “The homeowners who pulled their listings last year and are coming back now understand the market better, and that makes a real difference.”
While sales volume in the East Bay remains well below the frenzied pace of 2021, the market is moving at a healthy, sustainable pace. Buyers have more time to make thoughtful decisions, and sellers who price strategically and work with the right professional are still finding success.
For East Bay homeowners who have been on the fence about selling, this data offers an important signal: Bay Area sellers are returning to the market with more confidence, more realistic expectations, and many are finding the outcome they were looking for the second time around.
“If you took your home off the market last year and you’re wondering whether now is the right time to try again, the answer, especially here in the East Bay, may very well be yes,” Espinola said. “But every neighborhood and every home is different, and that’s exactly why working with a REALTOR® who knows your community is so important.”
About the Bay East Association of REALTORS®
The Bay East Association of REALTORS® is a professional trade association serving more than 5,900 residential and commercial real estate professionals throughout the San Francisco Bay Area by providing programs and services to enhance their ability to conduct business with integrity and competence. Bay East offers access to the Multiple Listing Service, professional development training, advocacy to protect home buyers and sellers, and promotes homeownership and a variety of networking opportunities and events.
