Santa Clarita Real Estate Market Update: What to Expect in the Second Half of 2026
We are officially past the halfway point of 2026, and if you own a home in Santa Clarita or you are thinking about buying one, you deserve a straight-talking market update from someone who is actually in it every day.
I’ve lived in Santa Clarita since 1981 and have been selling real estate since 1996, so I’ve seen just about every kind of market you can imagine. Hot markets, slow markets, crashes, bidding wars, short sales, low interest rates, high interest rates and everything in between.
And my honest take on today’s market?
It’s not a bad market. It’s not a great market. It’s a changing market, and strategy matters more than ever.
Where We Ended Up in the First Half of 2026
Looking at single-family homes throughout the Santa Clarita Valley during the first half of 2026:
š” Median sales price: Approximately $880,000
š Total homes sold: 1,261
š Average days on market: 37 days
š Compared with the first half of 2025: Overall, the market remained relatively flat
But those numbers only tell part of the story.
What I’m seeing every day is a market that can feel completely different from one home to the next. Some homes are receiving strong interest and selling quickly. Others are sitting, reducing their price and struggling to attract offers.
The biggest difference often comes down to three things: price, condition and location.
Buyers have more choices today, and they know it.
What’s Driving the Santa Clarita Market Right Now?
Interest Rates Are Still a Major Factor
Mortgage rates continue to be one of the biggest challenges for today’s buyers. As of July 9, 2026, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.49%.
We’ve seen rates move up and down throughout the year, but we have not seen the significant, sustained drop many buyers had hoped for.
My honest advice? I would not put my entire life on hold waiting for a magical interest rate.
Nobody can guarantee where rates will be six months or a year from now. The better question is whether buying a home makes sense for your life, your finances and your long-term goals today.
And remember, the interest rate can potentially be refinanced later. You can’t go back and buy the house you loved after someone else has already bought it.
We Have More Inventory
This is one of the biggest changes in the Santa Clarita market.
Buyers have more homes to choose from than they did during the extremely tight inventory years, and that has changed how they shop. They’re taking their time. They’re comparing homes more carefully. And in many cases, they are less willing to overlook an overpriced property or a home that needs significant work.
That doesn’t mean buyers aren’t buying. They absolutely are.
It means sellers need to understand they are competing for those buyers.
Buyer Demand Is Still Out There
I want to make this very clear because sometimes the headlines make it sound like nobody is buying homes.
That’s simply not true.
There are buyers in the Santa Clarita market right now. I see them at open houses. I talk to them at showings. I see homes go into escrow.
But today’s buyers are more cautious, payment-conscious and selective.
Affordability remains a real concern, particularly with mortgage rates still in the mid-6% range. At the same time, qualified buyers who find the right home at the right price are still making moves. Nationally, higher borrowing costs continue to weigh on sales, even as buyers remain active in parts of the market.
Price Reductions Are Happening at All Price Points
Yes, we’re seeing price reductions, and not just on luxury homes or properties with obvious problems.
They’re happening across all price ranges.
But here’s something important: a price reduction doesn’t necessarily mean home values are crashing.
Often, it simply means the home was priced too aggressively to begin with.
The days of putting almost any price on a home and waiting for the market to catch up are behind us. Today’s buyers have access to an incredible amount of information, and they know when a home doesn’t compare favorably with the competition.
A home can be beautiful and still be overpriced.
My Outlook for the Second Half of 2026
So, what do I expect for the rest of the year?
I expect inventory to remain more elevated than we’ve seen in recent years, giving buyers continued choices through the summer and into the second half of 2026.
As far as prices, I don’t expect every neighborhood or price range to behave exactly the same way. Real estate is far too local for that.
Some well-priced homes in desirable locations will continue to sell quickly. Homes that are overpriced will likely continue to sit longer and require adjustments.
Across California, affordability remains a challenge, and statewide data has shown very different results depending on price range. In May, for example, California sales between $500,000 and $1 million declined from the previous year, while sales above $1 million increased.
Here in Santa Clarita, I believe the most important thing to watch isn’t simply whether prices go “up” or “down.” It’s how much competition a particular home has, how it’s priced compared with similar properties, and how buyers are responding in real time.
That’s the information that matters.
Should Buyers Wait?
My honest professional opinion is this: don’t buy because you’re afraid you’ll miss out, but don’t wait simply because you’re hoping for the perfect market either.
There is no perfect market.
When rates are low, competition can be intense and prices can rise. When rates are higher, buyers may have more negotiating power and more choices.
The right time to buy is when you are financially prepared, plan to stay in the home long enough for homeownership to make sense and find a property that works for your life.
Today’s market may offer opportunities that weren’t available when buyers were writing offers against 10, 15 or 20 other people.
Is Now a Good Time to Sell?
For some homeowners, absolutely.
But I would never tell every homeowner that right now is the perfect time to sell because every situation is different.
The real questions are: Why are you selling? Where are you going next? How much equity do you have? What is your home’s true market value? And what competition would you face if you listed today?
A home that is priced correctly, prepared properly and marketed aggressively can still get strong results in this market.
But the strategy needs to be right from day one.
What This Means for Santa Clarita Sellers
Today’s buyers have choices, which means pricing correctly from the beginning is more important than ever. Your home needs to compete not only on price, but on presentation, condition and marketing.
The first few weeks on the market matter. You don’t want to spend them chasing the market down with price reductions because you started too high.
What This Means for Santa Clarita Buyers
More inventory can mean more choices, less pressure and, in some cases, greater negotiating opportunities.
But the best homes still get attention. Being prepared with financing and knowing your priorities can put you in a much stronger position when the right home comes along.
My Honest Take
After 30 years of selling real estate and living in Santa Clarita since 1981, one thing I know for certain is that real estate is always local.
The national headlines don’t tell you what’s happening in Saugus versus Valencia, Castaic versus Canyon Country, or one neighborhood compared with the one right next door.
Santa Clarita is its own market.
And even within Santa Clarita, every home, neighborhood and price range can tell a different story.
If you’d like to talk through what today’s market means for your specific situation, whether you’re thinking about buying, selling or you’re simply curious about what your home may be worth, reach out.
I’m always happy to have an honest conversation.
Wendy Gundry
RE/MAX of Santa Clarita
Local since 1981 | Selling real estate since 1996
Serving your real estate needs at a higher level.
