Market Update | March 2026

Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Oak Park, Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park

Quick Take: Fewer homes came to market this month, but overall, more homes went unsold. That’s a pretty telling sign of where buyers are right now, and what sellers need to understand heading into spring.

Here’s a quick look at where we are today.

My View From Inside

Fewer listings usually means the homes that do come on the market sell quickly. But that’s not what’s happening.

Much to my surprise, new listings were actually down about 20% from last year, and yet nearly 50% more homes went unsold compared to the same time last year. Sellers came to the market. Buyers showed up too, just more cautiously.

That says a lot about the current state of the market.

Some Homes Are Flying While Others Are Sitting

Buyers are out there. We’re out seeing homes daily, but buyers are not in a rush, and they’re willing to wait it out until the right home clicks. They’ve got options, they know it, and they’re okay waiting for the right house.

And yet some homes are clicking with buyers.

I’ve shown homes in the last few weeks that sold in the first weekend with multiple offers. I’ve visited open houses that were packed.

The homes that are sitting? In most cases it comes down to price or condition, or both. If the price doesn’t match the condition, buyers aren’t making lowball offers and battling it out. They’re just moving on.

High HOAs Are Scaring Off Buyers

The biggest challenge I’m seeing is with townhomes & condos. Communities with high HOAs are struggling to find buyers.

When you’re looking at $600+ a month in HOA fees on top of an already high mortgage payment, a lot of buyers are deciding to pass. If you’re selling a condo or townhome in one of those communities, you have to factor that into your pricing strategy, because buyers absolutely are.

What Spring Means This Year

On a positive note: We’re heading into the busiest stretch of the year. A lot more homes will hit the market between now and June, and buyers will get more serious in their search – especially now that mortgage rates have come down and prices have remained relatively flat…so far.

But buyer sentiment won’t change overnight. A busier market doesn’t automatically help a home that isn’t priced right. Buyers are being cautious and more competition from other listings isn’t going to change that.

Bottom Line…

For Buyers: You still have more leverage than you’ve had in years. That won’t last forever. As spring picks up, more buyers will come back and well-priced move-in ready homes will sell faster. If you’ve been on the fence, this is a good time to get serious.

For Sellers: Spring is your time to face the most ready-to-go buyers. They’re active but selective, and homes that miss on price are sitting a lot longer than sellers expect. Getting it right from the start matters more than ever right now.

As always, if you want to talk through what any of this means for your situation, I’m happy to do that. Just reach out.

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