East Bay Market Update - January 2026

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Berkeley?

At Calia Homes, we specialize in helping East Bay clients navigate the Berkeley real estate market with confidence. Whether you're a first-time buyer searching for the perfect home near the Gourmet Ghetto or a longtime homeowner preparing to sell in the Elmwood or Northbrae neighborhoods, our experienced Berkeley Realtors offer trusted guidance, local expertise, and a people-first approach. With decades of experience and a reputation built on referrals, we’re here to help you make smart, successful real estate decisions in Piedmont and the surrounding East Bay communities.

2025 in Review

As 2026 begins, we took a look back at six years of East Bay home sales to understand where the market has been, how it has shifted, and what those patterns suggest for the year ahead. Using 2020- 2025 MLS data for Piedmont, Berkeley, Oakland, and Lamorinda, we focused on two indicators that matter most to buyers and sellers: price movement and sales activity.

Across all four markets, prices rose sharply into 2021 and peaked in 2022, driven by exceptional demand and limited inventory. What followed was not a broad downturn, but a recalibration. Through 2023 and 2024, prices softened or flattened as higher interest rates constrained affordability, while tight supply prevented deeper declines.

Berkeley: From 2024 to 2025, median prices increased approximately 6.7%, rising from about $1.50M to $1.60M. Sales activity also increased by roughly 2.3%, with homes sold rising from 515 to 527, pointing to steady buyer demand alongside modest price gains.

Piedmont: Median prices rose year over year by approximately 11.7%, increasing from roughly $2.40M in 2024 to about $2.68M in 2025. Sales volume increased by approximately 3.8%, from 106 to 110 homes, reinforcing how a small number of transactions can meaningfully influence outcomes in this low-volume market.

Oakland: Median prices were flat from 2024 to 2025, holding at approximately $1.35M. Sales volume declined modestly by about 2.6%, from 699 homes to 681, suggesting slightly slower activity while pricing remained stable.

Lamorinda: From 2024 to 2025, median prices declined by roughly 2.0%, moving from approximately $1.94M to about $1.90M. At the same time, sales volume increased about 4.2%, rising from 590 to 615 homes, suggesting improved transaction activity even as pricing softened slightly.

While pricing and activity vary by city, across all areas, interestingly median pricing in 2025 appears to be close to 2020 levels. Supply, however, remains tight.

At Calia Homes, we help clients interpret these local trends with clarity and confidence. If you are considering buying, selling, or simply want to understand how these shifts affect your home or purchasing power, we are here as a trusted resource.