August 2026: San Francisco Real Estate Insider
The Calm Before the Fall
August already! I've been going non-stop since January. I skipped ski week—let alone a week in Tahoe, thanks to the lack of snow—and never managed to fit in a ski trip elsewhere. I have yet to truly unplug from work, but next week I'm finally taking a much-needed five-day weekend away.
August is traditionally one of the slowest months in San Francisco real estate. Families travel, buyers take vacations, and many sellers hold off until after Labor Day to bring their homes to market. Despite the significant amount of capital still circulating in our local market, August deal flow has slowed. That said, there is no shortage of luxury buyers quietly keeping tabs on new listings—often from who-knows-where around the globe.
As a testament to the connected world we live in, I recently had the opportunity to list a large-scale home in Sea Cliff. We debated waiting until the fall market, but after several conversations with brokers about what they expected to bring to market after Labor Day, my seller and I decided to launch two weeks ago. The thinking was simple: avoid additional seller competition and capture the buyers who were still actively waiting for the right home.
The result? Packed open houses and multiple offers.
Sometimes you need to zig when the market tells everyone else to zag. If your read of the market, the neighborhood, and your buyer pool tells you something different, don't be afraid to avoid the herd mentality.
Looking ahead to the fall, one question keeps coming to mind. Will some sellers—and perhaps even their brokers—make pricing mistakes because they're expecting the same conditions we saw earlier in the year? I think many will.
The psychology is understandable. Sellers often remember the last headline about aggressive buyers or focus on what a neighbor's home sold for, overlooking the fact that it may have been larger, better renovated, or simply a better fit for today's buyers. Fall buyers are typically motivated, but they're also disciplined. Homes that are priced correctly will continue to attract strong interest. Homes priced for seller (and broker) ego may need to sit.
I do think many of the large-format eight-figure homes featuring San Francisco's luxury trifecta—square footage, "done, done, done," and exceptional views—will continue to perform well. There are enough buyers waiting for what may be a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
Overall, though, I like the fall market for buyers. There is often more inventory to choose from, less emotional competition than in the spring, and opportunities for well-prepared buyers to negotiate when sellers' expectations don't quite match market reality.
If you think this fall may be your time to strike, the work starts now.
Have your financing fully approved—or, if you're paying cash, make sure your funds can be moved quickly.
Meet with your agent now to refine your search, establish realistic pricing expectations, and review comparable sales.
Watch inventory closely. Many desirable properties quietly circulate through broker networks before ever reaching the MLS. Be connected to those opportunities.
Be emotionally prepared. When that home finally appears, hesitation can become expensive.
The calendar may tell us August is slow, but opportunities rarely wait for the calendar. In San Francisco real estate, being prepared often matters more than being first.
If you're wondering what today's market means for your home, I'd be happy to provide a current market valuation. Having accurate information is the best way to determine whether it's the right time to stay put or make a move.
Call or email anytime.