Have you noticed how some listings around San Diego just… disappear?
One week they’re on Zillow with shiny new photos and a “Just Listed” banner, and the next week, they’re gone.
No “Pending.” No “Sold.” Just poof.
Here’s the scoop: those homes didn’t suddenly sell. Many of them were delisted, pulled off the market by sellers who aren’t getting the price they want.
The Great Pullback
According to a recent CBS News report, delistings have jumped 38% year-to-date and are almost 50% higher than this time last year.
In June alone, for every 100 homes that went up for sale, about 21 were taken down, up from only 13 in May. That’s a big jump in just one month.
So what’s behind this quiet exodus?
Many homeowners have a lot of equity and a 3% mortgage rate. They don’t need to sell. So when today’s buyers offer less, some sellers would rather sit tight than take a lower price.
We’re seeing it play out everywhere, even in strong markets like Miami, where delistings are soaring and price cuts are actually declining. Sellers there would rather wait than adjust.
And honestly, it’s a pattern I’m starting to see right here in San Diego County, too.
It’s Not a Crash. It’s a Standoff.
If you’ve been following my Market Monday updates, you know the trend:
📉 Buyers are backing out.
📈 Sellers are pulling listings.
🤝 And very few people are meeting in the middle.
According to Redfin, about 1 in every 7 home purchase agreements nationwide fell apart in August. That’s roughly 56,000 canceled deals in a single month, the highest August rate since 2017.
Most of those cancellations came from inspection issues, financing hiccups, or buyers just changing course after seeing how fast conditions are shifting.
Add in Zillow’s report that nearly 27% of listings had a price cut in July (31% in San Diego), and it’s easy to see why the market feels, well… frozen.
Buyers want deals. Sellers want 2021 prices. And both sides are digging in.
What It Means for San Diego
Here’s the good news: this isn’t a market collapse. It’s a reality check.
Homes are still selling. They’re just taking longer, and pricing has become more strategic.
We’re not seeing panic. We’re seeing patience.
Buyers are getting smarter. They’re reading inspection reports carefully, running the numbers, and waiting for the right opportunity.
Sellers, meanwhile, are realizing that pricing a home correctly from day one is more important than ever.
Because when a listing sits too long, or worse, gets pulled, it loses momentum.
And in today’s market, momentum is everything.
My Takeaway for You
If you’re a seller, here’s what I’d recommend:
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Get a pre-inspection so there are no surprises.
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Price based on today’s data, not last year’s.
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Be flexible on repairs or closing credits.
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And resist the urge to delist too quickly. Visibility and transparency still matter.
If you’re a buyer, don’t assume delisted homes are gone forever. Some will quietly return in a few months, often at better prices.
Stay patient. Stay prepared. The best opportunities tend to pop up when everyone else hits pause.
Final Thoughts
So no, the housing market isn’t falling apart. It’s readjusting.
It’s the hangover after the wild years of bidding wars and over-asking offers.
But that’s okay. Because balance brings opportunity.
If you’d like to see how many homes have delisted or canceled in your neighborhood, I can send you my Market Pulse Report. It’s a weekly snapshot that tracks trends street by street across San Diego County.
Just send me a quick message, or comment “Market Pulse” below and I’ll get it to you right away.
Until next week, stay informed, stay strategic, and I’ll see you next Monday with another snapshot of what’s really happening in our San Diego market.
