Marin County Fall Market Update 2026

Here’s what’s happening in the Marin real estate market as we head into the final months of the year, what we’re watching, and a few things worth keeping on your radar. This is our Fall Market Update newsletter from October 27, 2026.

September at a glance

• Up 11% single-family home sales compared with last September
• Down about 32% active listings
• About $1.68 million median sale price, up nearly 2% from last September

September brought an interesting combination: more homes selling, and far fewer on the market. But as you know, Marin isn’t one big real estate market. What’s happening in one neighborhood, or even on one street, can look quite different from the countywide numbers.

For sellers

Fewer competing homes can work in your favor, but pricing and presentation still matter. Buyers are paying attention, and a home that starts out overpriced can sit even when inventory is tight. More in our guide to preparing your home for sale.

For buyers

There may be some room to negotiate, particularly on homes that have been on the market for a while. With financing still expensive, it’s worth exploring your options with a good local lender before making a move. More in our Marin County buying guide.

Our take

It’s easy to look at the median sale price and assume it tells you what your home is worth. But the more useful question is what buyers are actually comparing in your neighborhood right now. That’s where the real story is.

As the holidays approach, we expect the usual seasonal slowdown: fewer listings and fewer people actively looking, but still plenty of reasons for serious buyers and sellers to make a move. We’ll be watching inventory and mortgage rates as we head toward spring.

Worth knowing in Marin: Measure W

If you own property in San Rafael, Measure W was on the November 3, 2026 ballot. It proposed increasing the city’s real estate transfer tax from 0.2% to 1%, which could make a meaningful difference in the cost of selling a home. Our San Rafael Measure W guide explains what the measure proposes, what the numbers look like at different sale prices, and what happens next.

Coming in November

We have a lovely San Anselmo home coming in the flats:

• 2 bedrooms plus an office, 1 bathroom
• Beautiful fenced yard
• Open layout
• Updated kitchen

Interested? Get in touch and we’ll share more details.

Market data: California Association of REALTORS®, September 2026. Figures refer to Marin County existing single-family homes.