S
an Diego's housing market continues to be pricey, with prices increasing at a faster rate than the national average. However, local real estate agent Melissa Sofia sees a silver lining: market stability and new opportunities for buyers in 2025.

    For San Diego native Jaclyn Nerenberg, finding a home has been an uphill battle. Despite having the finances to purchase a property, she's now facing a new set of challenges, including choosing between homes that meet her needs.

    The latest data from the Case-Shiller Index shows that nationally, home prices rose 3.6% in October compared to last year. In San Diego, prices increased by 4.5%. While this news may not be what Nerenberg wants to hear, Sofia believes it's a sign of market stability and a more balanced market.

    Sofia notes that the days of multiple offers and bidding wars are behind us, giving buyers more opportunities to find their dream home at a reasonable price. However, mortgage rates remain high, hovering around 7%, and San Diego ranks seventh among large cities for biggest yearly increase in home prices.

    To navigate this market, Sofia advises buyers to look beyond their dream home and consider off-market opportunities. She suggests using the current market conditions to build equity and save for a down payment on their next property. Additionally, Sofia highlights San Diego's growing job industries as a unique advantage, making it an attractive place to live and work despite its high housing costs.