Piedmont Market Update - April 2026

Your Trusted Piedmont Real Estate Team – Buy or Sell with Confidence

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Piedmont? At Calia Homes, we specialize in guiding East Bay clients through the unique Piedmont real estate market with care and confidence. Whether you're searching for your dream home on a quiet tree-lined street or preparing to sell a legacy property near Piedmont Park or Crocker Highlands, our experienced Piedmont Realtors provide trusted advice, deep local insight, 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.

Spring rates, spring decisions: what the numbers actually mean for your move

Every spring, clients ask the same question: should I wait for rates to drop? This year, the answer depends less on the Federal Reserve and more on what's happening in your life. Here's why. Where rates stand right now The 30-year fixed mortgage averaged 6.46% the first week of April, up from below 6% in February before rising oil prices and persistent inflation pushed borrowing costs higher.. The Fed held its benchmark rate at 3.50%–3.75% in March for a second consecutive meeting and projects only one additional cut before year-end.. For a buyer financing $1 million at today's rate, the monthly principal and interest payment comes to roughly $6,310. At 5.98% (where rates sat six weeks ago), that same loan cost about $5,980 per month. A half-point swing translates to roughly $330/month, or nearly $4,000 a year.. What that means in the East Bay Statewide, C.A.R. reported February's median price at $830,370, rebounding from a 23-month low in January, with a sales-to-list-price ratio of 99.3%.⁴ But statewide numbers mask what's happening city by city in our market. Here's what we're seeing locally through MLS data for single family homes:⁵ Berkeley — Median sale price so far in 2026 is $1,600,000. Demand is holding with short market times, though overbids have moderated compared to a year ago as sellers recalibrate list prices. The most competitive segment remains $1.1M to $1.6M. Oakland — Median sale price is $910,000. Homes are moving in roughly three weeks, with the strongest activity in neighborhoods like Rockridge, Temescal, and Crocker Highlands. Inventory has ticked up, giving buyers slightly more negotiating room. 

Piedmont — Median sale price is $3,000,000. This market is smaller in volume but consistently competitive for well-maintained homes.

Lamorinda — Median sale price is $2,162,500. Lamorinda continues to attract people seeking space and a slightly slower pace.

The real timing question

Rate forecasts for the rest of 2026 range widely. The Mortgage Bankers Association projects rates settling between 6.1% and 6.3%, while other analysts see a potential drop to the mid-5% range by mid-year.⁶ Waiting six months could save you $200/month on a payment, or it could cost you a home that matched your family's needs today. Refinancing is always an option when rates eventually soften. The house itself is the harder thing to replace.

If you're weighing a decision like this, we can walk through the numbers specific to your situation.