November is starting with a Bay Area market that is really several markets at once. Prices rose in San Francisco and San Mateo in the latest September figures, held steadier in the East Bay, and softened a little in Santa Clara County, where buyers also gained the most new choice. Mortgage rates eased for the second week in a row to their lowest level this month, which helps prepared buyers across the region. If you are thinking about buying or selling in the Bay Area, San Jose, Santa Clara County, or Palo Alto, here is what the latest September figures and the newest weekly numbers mean for you.
The Bay Area overall, one region, many markets
Across the San Francisco Bay Area, the California Association of Realtors reported a median sold price of $1,325,000 for existing single family homes in September 2026, up 4.2 percent from August, the only regional increase in the state that month, and up 1.9 percent from September 2025. Sales rose 4.9 percent from August, and were down 3.1 percent from a year earlier. The median time on market for the region was 19 days, faster than the 24 days of a year earlier, and the unsold inventory index was 2.6 months.
The county picture shows why a regional headline is never enough. In September 2026, C.A.R. put San Francisco at a median of $2,054,000, up 17.4 percent from a year earlier, and San Mateo County at $2,327,500, up 8.3 percent. Alameda County was $1,265,000, up 1.2 percent, Contra Costa was $870,000, up 0.1 percent, and Santa Clara County was $1,920,000, down 4.0 percent. Same month, same region, very different stories, which is why your city, your neighborhood, and your street matter more than any single Bay Area number.
Statewide, the California median was $899,720 in September, down 0.2 percent from August and up 1.7 percent from a year earlier. Nationally, Redfin reported a median sale price of $389,601 for the four weeks ending October 25, 2026, down 0.1 percent from a year earlier. The Bay Area is holding its value far above state and national levels, even as each county moves at its own pace.
Santa Clara County, more choice for buyers
Santa Clara County is where the Bay Area story turns in buyers favor this fall. C.A.R. reported a median sold price of $1,920,000 for existing single family homes in September 2026, up 1.1 percent from August, and down 4.0 percent from September 2025. Sales rose 15.3 percent from August and 1.5 percent from a year earlier.
The biggest change is choice. C.A.R. reported active listings in Santa Clara County up 26.4 percent from a year earlier, one of the largest increases among the counties it highlighted. The MLSListings county summary for September put the county median at $1,880,000 on 726 sales, with homes selling for 103 percent of list price and a median of 12 days on market, the two reports count sales a little differently, so their medians differ slightly. More listings, a median a little softer than last year, and homes still selling fast and above asking when they are priced well, that is the county balance right now.
San Jose, steady prices and strong new listings
San Jose is offering buyers real options inside that county picture. In San Jose, the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors September 2026 report put the single family median sale price at $1,568,888, with 367 closed sales, 471 new listings, and 606 single family homes in inventory. Single family homes averaged 28 days on market, and closed sales averaged 102 percent of the original list price. For condos and townhomes, the median sale price was $729,000 in September, with 471 units in inventory and 127 closed sales, averaging 44 days on market.
The weekly data points the same way. Redfin, in its update released October 29 for the four weeks ending October 25, 2026, put San Jose at the top of the large metros for new listings, up 17.9 percent from a year earlier, while the San Jose metro median sale price was down 4.9 percent from a year earlier in that four week window. More new listings and a little more time on market mean San Jose buyers can compare neighborhoods properly this fall, and sellers who price well still stand out.
Palo Alto, still fast and still premium
Palo Alto remains the premium end of the Bay Area, and the contrast with the wider region is useful for anyone choosing where to search. Palo Alto does not publish a monthly median through the California Association of Realtors, which reports by county, so the clearest Palo Alto picture comes from MLSListings data. In September 2026, 40 single family homes sold in Palo Alto, up from 36 last September, with 51 homes for sale and just 1.3 months of supply, down from 1.6 months a year earlier.
From January through September 2026, 316 single family homes sold in Palo Alto at a median price of $4.13 million, up 6 percent from a year earlier. Those homes sold for 107.8 percent of asking on average, in a median of just 8 days, at $2,236 per square foot, up 9 percent from a year earlier. While Santa Clara County overall gained listings, Palo Alto supply stayed tight, and well prepared Palo Alto homes are still selling quickly and above asking.
Mortgage rates, easing in a helpful direction
There is welcome news on rates as November begins, and it helps buyers in every Bay Area county. Freddie Mac’s weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey put the average 30 year fixed rate at 7.24 percent for the week ending October 29, 2026, down from 7.32 percent the week before. The 15 year fixed averaged 6.60 percent, down from 6.68 percent. That is the second weekly decline in a row, and Freddie Mac’s chief economist noted the rate reached its lowest level this month, modestly boosting purchasing power for prospective buyers.
Think of a move like this as an opening to get ready. A small dip can lower your monthly payment a little, help a few more buyers qualify, and give you more confidence to write the offer when the right home appears. The buyers who benefit most are the ones who are already preapproved, who know their payment at a few different price points, and who stay in close touch with their lender, so a good rate week and a good home can line up.
What this means for Bay Area buyers and sellers
Buyers, use the differences between counties. Santa Clara County and San Jose have more listings than last fall, Palo Alto is still tight and fast, and San Francisco and San Mateo prices rose strongly in September. Compare by city, not by headline, get fully preapproved, and be ready to move quickly on a well priced home, because the Bay Area median time on market was still just 19 days in September.
Sellers, your strategy depends on your county. In Palo Alto, tight supply is working for well presented homes. In San Jose and the wider county, buyers have more alternatives, so pricing from recent local sold sales and strong presentation in the first two weeks matter even more. Across the region, homes that are ready on day one are the ones getting the strongest results this fall.
Common questions
1. What is the median home price in the Bay Area right now?
The latest September 2026 figures from the California Association of Realtors put the Bay Area median sold price for existing single family homes at $1,325,000, up 4.2 percent from August and up 1.9 percent from September 2025. October monthly figures have not been released yet.
2. How do Bay Area counties compare right now?
In September 2026, C.A.R. put San Mateo County at $2,327,500, up 8.3 percent from a year earlier, San Francisco at $2,054,000, up 17.4 percent, Santa Clara County at $1,920,000, down 4.0 percent, Alameda County at $1,265,000, up 1.2 percent, and Contra Costa at $870,000, up 0.1 percent.
3. What is the current mortgage rate?
Freddie Mac’s latest weekly survey, for the week ending October 29, 2026, put the average 30 year fixed rate at 7.24 percent, down from 7.32 percent the week before, and the 15 year fixed at 6.60 percent. It was the lowest level this month. Rates move weekly, so a current quote from your lender is always the right next step.
4. How fast are homes selling in the Bay Area, San Jose, and Palo Alto?
The Bay Area median time on market was 19 days in September 2026. San Jose single family homes averaged 28 days on market in September, the Santa Clara County median was 12 days on the MLSListings September summary, and Palo Alto homes sold in a median of 8 days from January through September 2026.
5. Is now a good time to buy in Santa Clara County or San Jose?
Buyers have more choice than last fall, county active listings were up 26.4 percent in September 2026, San Jose new listings were up 17.9 percent in the four weeks ending October 25, and rates just eased to their lowest level this month. Prepared buyers can compare more homes and move with confidence when the right one appears.
Thinking about buying or selling in the Bay Area, San Jose, Santa Clara County, or Palo Alto? I would love to help you make a clear plan with the latest local numbers. Call or text me at 408-477-6262, or visit NajwaRealEstate.com to get started.
Najwa Khoury, Real Brokerage, DRE #02026194