Marin County Real Estate Market Report
August 2026

Here’s The Latest Update On The Marin County Real Estate Market

The August report shows a Marin market that remains supply-constrained, active, and resilient. Closed sales rose meaningfully year over year, prices moved higher, and homes sold faster than they did at the same point last year. The strongest theme continues to be the lack of available inventory.

Marin had 367 homes for sale, down 27% year over year, and months of inventory fell to just 1.6. That is a very tight supply environment. Even though buyers may feel more selective, the overall market is still absorbing available inventory efficiently.

Pricing Remained Strong 

The median sold price rose to $1.503 million, up 9.7% year over year, while average sold price rose 7.5% to $1.987 million. Average sold price per square foot also increased, reaching $929. Those figures suggest that buyer demand remains present, especially for homes that are well positioned, well presented, and aligned with current expectations.

Buyer Behavior is Still Nuanced 

Homes sold at 99% of original list price on average, which is below asking, but that figure is substantially stronger than the same period last year. Average days on market also declined year over year. In practical terms, buyers are not chasing every listing, but they are moving when they see a property that feels compelling and fairly priced.

The broader Bay Area context remains important. The most recent Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty regional report noted that the Bay Area completed a strong second-quarter buying season, with sales activity accelerating in every county, prices near record highs, tight inventory, and continued support from the AI-driven regional economy.

Key Year-Over-Year Metrics For Marin County

• Median sold price: $1.503 million, up 9.7%
• Average sold price: $1.987 million, up 7.5%
• Average sold price per square foot: $929, up 3.1%
• Homes sold: 234, up 23.2%
• Pending sales: 138, down 8.6%
• Homes for sale: 367, down 27%
• Months of inventory: 1.6, down 37.8%
• Average days on market: 44, down 18.5%
• Sold to original list price ratio: 99%, up 4.2%

What This Means For Pricing Power

Pricing power remains present in Marin, but it is not universal.

The overall data favors sellers: inventory is down, months of supply is low, closed sales are up, median price is higher, and homes are selling faster than they did a year ago. That is a strong combination, particularly for homes with the right mix of location, condition, architecture, outdoor space, privacy, and lifestyle appeal.

At the same time, the sold-to-original-list-price ratio of 99% is a reminder that buyers remain disciplined. This is not a market where every property automatically sells above asking. Buyers are evaluating price, condition, insurance considerations, remodeling needs, and the availability of alternatives.

For sellers, the takeaway is clear: the market rewards accurate positioning. Strong presentation matters, but it needs to be paired with realistic pricing and a clear understanding of the likely buyer pool. For buyers, limited inventory means the best homes can still move quickly, but there may be opportunities where a property is mispriced, needs work, or has been on the market long enough to create negotiating room.

Supply And Demand Heading Into Late Summer

Marin is entering late summer with significantly less inventory than last year.

Homes for sale were down 27%, and months of inventory fell to 1.6. That is the central story. Even with a more measured summer rhythm, the market remains supply-constrained.

Pending sales declined 8.6% year over year, but that should not be read in isolation. With 27% fewer homes available, fewer pending contracts can reflect a lack of supply rather than a lack of demand. The stronger absorption story is supported by higher closed sales, lower months of inventory, faster days on market, and firmer pricing.

Seasonality also matters. Late summer in Marin can be uneven, with travel schedules, school calendars, and seller timing all influencing activity. But the year-over-year data suggests that available inventory is still being absorbed efficiently.

Real Estate News Nationally

The latest National Association of REALTORS data showed June existing-home sales at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.09 million, down 2.4% from the prior month but up 2.8% year over year. The national median existing-home price was $440,600, up 1.8% year over year, with 4.6 months of inventory nationally.

Mortgage rates remain a major headwind. 

In early August, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was reported at 6.69%, the fifth straight weekly increase and the highest level in roughly a year. That continues to affect affordability, trade-up decisions, and buyer psychology.

Marin is not immune to higher rates, but it is different from the national market. Many Marin buyers have significant equity, cash, or wealth-driven purchasing power. That means local supply, property quality, and Bay Area wealth creation often matter more here than national averages.

Greater Bay Area Context

The broader Bay Area remains shaped by tight inventory, strong upper-end demand, and the ongoing AI wealth effect.

Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty’s Q2 regional report noted that Bay Area sales activity accelerated in every county and prices remained near record highs. The report also highlighted the continued role of the AI boom in supporting the regional economy, including more than 25,000 jobs added year over year and unemployment falling to 4.1%.

Inventory remains a critical constraint across the region. Active listings decreased in every Bay Area county during the second quarter, with significant tightening in Marin and San Mateo and an even sharper decline in San Francisco. Overall, months of inventory fell below two months across the Bay Area.

For Marin, that regional backdrop matters. Buyers drawn to Marin often want proximity to San Francisco combined with privacy, views, schools, architecture, outdoor living, and a more residential lifestyle. When regional wealth and confidence remain strong, Marin tends to benefit.

Bay Area Real Estate News

The AI wealth effect continues to be one of the biggest real estate stories in the Bay Area.

The latest regional report noted that the AI boom continued to support the Bay Area economy and that excitement around potential local AI IPOs could provide additional purchasing power, especially in upper price segments.

That is relevant for Marin because wealth created in San Francisco, the Peninsula, and Silicon Valley often flows into lifestyle markets. Marin is not always the first place newly liquid buyers look, but it is a natural destination for those seeking privacy, more space, outdoor living, and long-term quality of life.

Still, the AI story should be understood as a tailwind, not a guarantee. It can support upper-end demand and buyer confidence, but it does not replace fundamentals. Pricing, condition, location, insurance, property type, and supply still determine outcomes.

In My World

I recently sold 128 Tamalpais Avenue in Mill Valley for $400,000 over asking. This sun-filled, walk-to-town Cape Cod-inspired retreat with San Francisco views drew a strong response, reflecting continued buyer demand for distinctive Mill Valley homes with architectural character, privacy, outdoor living, and proximity to town.

I also have a beautiful  gated San Anselmo estate with a pool coming to market next month. Stay tuned for details.

Looking Forward

The August report points to a Marin market that remains fundamentally healthy, but still highly selective.

The strongest signals are lower inventory, lower months of supply, higher closed sales, higher prices, and faster days on market. The more nuanced signals are pending sales and the sold-to-list ratio, both of which suggest buyers remain careful and value-conscious.

Heading into late summer and early fall, I will be watching inventory, absorption, mortgage rates, and the broader Bay Area wealth effect. If supply remains constrained and upper-end confidence remains intact, Marin should remain well positioned, especially for distinctive homes with strong lifestyle appeal.

This is not a market where every listing sells easily. But it is a market where the right property, properly prepared and correctly positioned, can still generate excellent results.

How Can I Help?

I’m always happy to talk about the Marin County real estate market. Call or text me at 415-847-5584 for a personalized report for your home and neighborhood, or to discuss the best strategy for making your dream home a reality.