Is Spring 2026 the Right Time to Sell Your Orange County Home?

Every spring, I get the same question from homeowners across Orange County: is now a good time to sell? This spring, the answer is a nuanced yes, but timing and pricing matter more than ever.

The Numbers Do Not Lie: March Was Strong

According to the latest Orange County Housing Report dated April 13, 2026, there were 1,851 closed residential resales in March, up 3 percent compared to March 2025. More importantly, the sales to list price ratio across Orange County came in at 100.0 percent. That means homes are, on average, selling for exactly what sellers are asking. And 99.9 percent of all sales were by sellers with equity: distressed sales are virtually nonexistent at just 0.3 percent of all listings.

Those are healthy, seller friendly numbers. But the picture is more layered when you look at what is happening week to week.

Demand Has Likely Peaked: Here Is What That Means

Buyer demand, measured as the number of new pending sales over the prior month, dropped from 1,654 to 1,599 in just the past two weeks, a 3 percent decrease. The report indicates that demand may have reached its annual peak a couple of weeks ago. That is not alarming, but it is a signal.

Every spring follows a similar pattern: demand surges through February and March, peaks somewhere between mid March and early May, then plateaus as more inventory hits the market. We appear to be at or just past that peak right now.

Inventory Is Rising, and So Is Competition

Active listings in Orange County rose by 113 homes over the past two weeks to 3,979 homes, up 3 percent. That number is still well below the pre COVID three year average of 5,780 homes, which is 45 percent more, so we are not in a buyer's market by any stretch. But seller competition is increasing week over week.

The Expected Market Time, how long it takes to sell all active listings at the current buying pace, climbed from 70 to 75 days in the past two weeks. It was 74 days at this time last year, so we are running virtually identical to 2025.

So Should You Sell Now?

If you have been thinking about selling, here is my honest take: the next four to six weeks represent the best window of the year. Demand is elevated, prices are strong, and inventory has not yet reached its summer peak. The market typically slows from July through August as more homes come on and buyer urgency fades.

The key is precision pricing. Homes that are accurately priced based on true fair market value, factoring in location, condition, upgrades, and recent comparable sales, are still moving quickly and drawing strong offers. Overpriced homes are sitting. In a market where buyers have more choices every week, you do not get a second chance at a first impression.

What About Your Price Range?

The sweet spot right now is $750K to $1.5M, where market times range from 48 to 59 days. The $1.5 million to $2 million range is actually faster this year at 64 days than it was last year at 87 days, making it a particularly strong moment for mid luxury sellers.

If you are curious what your home is worth in today's market, I would love to run a complimentary comparative market analysis for you. Reach out anytime. I am always happy to give you a straight answer with no pressure attached.