The question I get most often from Valley homeowners right now is some version of: “Should I sell this year, or wait?” It’s a fair question — and one that doesn’t have a universal answer. What I can tell you is what the data shows, what I’m seeing on the ground, and how to think through the decision for your specific situation.
The Case for Selling in Spring 2026
Spring is historically the strongest season for California sellers, and the data is consistent: homes listed between March and May sell fastest, while homes closing in June typically command the highest prices. In California, April homes go to contract about 7 days faster than the annual average, and June closings show price premiums over the rest of the year.
In the San Fernando Valley specifically, the spring selling season tends to begin earlier than most of the country — by late February, inventory starts to rise and buyer activity picks up meaningfully. LA buyers don’t have to wait out freezing temperatures before house-hunting. By March, serious buyers are already out.
The Market Backdrop: Better Than You Might Think
After the volatile years of 2021–2023, the Valley market has settled into a stable and healthy pattern. Prices are up — Sherman Oaks is running about 7% year-over-year as of January 2026. The Valley overall is seeing moderate, sustainable appreciation rather than the dramatic swings of the pandemic years.
Mortgage rates for buyers have dropped to around 6.09% as of late February 2026, down significantly from their 2023 peak above 7.5%. That improvement in affordability has been pulling buyers back into the market who had been waiting on the sidelines. More qualified buyers = more competition for your home.
What’s Working Right Now
The most consistent pattern I’m seeing: homes that are correctly priced, well-presented, and strategically marketed are still generating competitive interest and strong results. The days of automatic bidding wars on anything with a lockbox are behind us — but serious buyers are active, and well-positioned properties are performing.
Homes with modern updates, functional outdoor space, or ADU potential are particularly strong. The Valley’s buyer pool increasingly values turnkey homes that don’t require a renovation project, and is willing to pay for them.
What’s Not Working
Overpricing is the number-one mistake sellers make in this market. The buyers who are out there in 2026 are informed — they have access to the same Redfin and Zillow data you do, and they know when something is priced above market. Homes that start too high typically sit, require one or more price reductions, and ultimately sell for less than they would have if they’d been priced correctly from day one.
Condition also matters more than it did in 2021 when buyers were desperate enough to overlook deferred maintenance. Today’s buyers have enough choices to walk away from homes that need significant work, or they’ll use condition as a negotiating tool.
The Financial Reality: Should You Worry About Your Next Purchase?
The most common hesitation I hear from potential sellers: “If I sell, where do I go? I’ll be buying at the same inflated prices.” This is the “golden handcuff” problem — many Valley homeowners are locked into mortgage rates of 3%–4% from 2020–2021, and the prospect of trading into a 6% loan feels painful.
There’s no easy answer here, but a few things are worth considering. First, if your equity has grown significantly — and in most Valley neighborhoods it has — a sale can generate substantial capital for your next purchase or other financial goals. Second, rates are projected to moderate gradually. Third, some sellers are successfully negotiating seller concessions from their buyers and using that flexibility on the purchase side. Fourth, if your current home no longer fits your life — whether because of size, location, or life stage — the financial calculus of staying isn’t as straightforward as it looks.
How to Decide
The right answer depends on your specific situation. Ask yourself:
- How much equity do I have, and what would I do with the proceeds?
- Does my current home still fit my life? Will it fit my life in 3–5 years?
- Where would I move, and what’s the realistic cost of that move?
- Am I trying to time the market, or making a decision based on my actual life?
The last question is the most important. The best time to sell is almost always the time that aligns with your life circumstances rather than your attempt to catch the market at its exact peak. In 20 years of tracking this market, I can tell you: most people who wait indefinitely for the “perfect” moment end up selling in similar conditions to when they first thought about it, just later.
My Take: Spring 2026 Is a Real Window
I think sellers who are ready and well-positioned will find spring 2026 to be a genuinely favorable selling environment. Rates are moving in the right direction, Valley prices are stable to appreciating, buyer demand is building, and the combination of correct pricing + good marketing continues to deliver results. It’s not the frenzy of 2021, but it’s a healthy market — and healthy markets reward preparation.
➡ Thinking about selling? I offer free, confidential home valuations and market analysis. I’ll tell you what your home is worth today and what a smart selling strategy looks like. Call (323) 620-3439 or email kendrafuchs@gmail.com