California home sales during October reached their highest level since February, according to data from the California Association of Realtors (CAR).
Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 282,590 in October, up 1.9% from 277,410 in September and up by 4.1% from a revised 271,370 recorded one year earlier. However, October was also the 37th consecutive month in which statewide sales remained below the 300,000-unit benchmark.
Statewide pending home sales in October edged up 0.8% year-over-year, marking the third consecutive annual increase but also a 1.2% month-over-month drop, which CAR attributed primarily to seasonal factors. At the county level, pending sales improved from last year in 26 counties but dipped year-over-year in 24 counties. The median number of days it took to sell a California single-family home was 32 days, up from 25 days in October 2024.
The statewide median home price ticked up 0.4% from $883,640 in September to $886,960 in October. Year-over-year, the median price dipped for the first time in three months with a mild 0.2% downturn from $888,740.
“Housing demand in California has been steadily improving, with home sales rising for the third month in a row. Even though mortgage rates have inched up since late October, the market remains active, and buyers still have solid opportunities,” said 2026 CAR President Tamara Suminski, a Southern California broker and realtor. “Home prices are growing at a manageable pace, and we’re seeing a healthier balance between buyers and sellers. As we head into 2026, these trends point to a promising moment for anyone considering a move in the California real estate market.”
