When Do Homes Come on the Market in Marin?

When do new homes hit the market? We get this question all the time, along with plenty of theories about holidays and events. So we pulled the numbers to get to the bottom of it.

The seasonal pattern

In Marin County the rule of thumb is that the most new listings come in spring and summer, thanks to the weather and kids being out of school, which makes family moves easier. Here’s what the data says.

The graph below shows homes for sale and new listings per month in Marin County over five years. Watch the blue line for new listings.

Since 2015, new listings hit a low each December, just under 100. They ramp up in March and April to a peak above 350, dip in midsummer (likely summer travel), hit a smaller peak at the end of summer, then fall sharply from November into December.

2020 was different

The pandemic hit during the busiest time of year:

In April, when new listings are usually near their peak, they dipped during the shelter-in-place order. Once real estate was deemed essential, new listings shot up in May and kept rising through September, then dropped through November to a December low.

What this means for buyers

It’s human nature to want exact dates for when new homes will appear. But house-hunting takes patience and commitment to find “the one.” Know that most homes come on the market gradually through spring and summer, so if you’re grinding through December, January and February, there’s hope ahead. Check your listing alerts every day and stay positive. Most buyers are in the market for months, occasionally a year or two.

We’re here to support you through the search, and we can supplement MLS listings with off-market opportunities too.